Alicia Kalka

I am a higher education leader with over two decades of experience in enrollment management, student affairs, and campus leadership, currently serving as Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at Fairmont State University, a role I have held since August 2024. In this position, I spearhead initiatives to optimize student recruitment, retention, and success, leading cross-functional teams to implement strategies that have resulted in positive impacts to student enrollment and retention rates. I oversee the Admissions, Student Accounts, and Student Success departments, ensuring seamless operations and exceptional student support.

Prior to this role, I served as Interim Vice President of Student Success at Fairmont State, where I reported directly to the President and served as a member of the Cabinet, providing collaborative leadership, strategic planning, budget development, and oversight for all student success units, including Recruiting, Admissions Services, Financial Aid, Housing and Residence Life, New Student Orientation, Student Life, Career Services, Student Health and Wellness, and Alumni. I developed and executed strategies to shape the university's enrollment goals, promoted Fairmont State in regional markets, and served as the Chief Student Services Officer, supervising a division of over fifty full-time staff members.

Earlier roles at Fairmont State included Associate Vice President of Enrollment and Student Life, where I oversaw Admissions, Student Conduct, Housing Operations, Residence Life, Intramurals, Club Sports, Student Organizations, Greek Life, and SGA, and initiated the University Key Recruiting Partner initiative, achieving one hundred percent of the goal of attending every high school in the state of West Virginia within six months. I also served as Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Life, where I managed a division of over fifty full-time staff, oversaw budgets of over ten million dollars, and successfully negotiated with various contractors and vendors saving the university over twenty thousand dollars.

Before joining Fairmont State, I spent nearly ten years at West Virginia University in progressively responsible roles, including Assistant Director of Residential Education, where I managed the operations of fourteen residence halls with over five thousand student spaces and supervised over twelve full-time and three hundred para-professional staff members. I also served as Residence Hall Coordinator and Resident Assistant, and as an Instructor for the undergraduate first-year experience course.

I have also served as Executive Director of Residential and Student Life at Fairmont State, where I oversaw Residential and Student Life programs and services, served as the primary conduct officer, and served on the crisis management team.

Across my career in higher education administration, my work has been driven by a commitment to student success, institutional growth, and creating supportive campus environments where students can thrive academically, personally, and socially. Whether I am leading enrollment strategy, overseeing student life programs, or developing policies that support student well-being, I bring strategic vision, collaborative leadership, and a student-centered approach to everything I do. I am proud of the work I have done and excited to continue making a difference in the lives of students and the future of higher education.