Westmont Hires New Enrollment VP
Irene E. Neller will serve as vice president for enrollment, marketing and college communications at Westmont beginning December 1. She will manage admissions, strategic marketing, branding, communications, creative production, public relations and social media programs.
“Irene brings an extensive background and passion for marketing leadership in Christian higher education,” says President Gayle D. Beebe. “She will work effectively to further the reach and influence of the college by telling our story authentically and widely to attract students who will benefit from our mission of rigorous academics and a deep love of God.”
The college has elevated the admissions/marketing position to vice-presidential status to achieve these goals, and Neller will join Westmont’s Executive Team.
She previously served at Fuller Theological Seminary and Biola University for 30 years. “It’s an extraordinary opportunity to join Westmont in its 80th year of existence,” she says. “I’m grateful to President Beebe for giving me the honor and challenge of bringing innovative leadership to a newly developed enrollment, marketing, and communications position. Building a robust centralized communications and student recruitment program will serve to highlight all the extraordinary opportunities Westmont offers and tell the college’s story more broadly. I have long believed that Westmont is a crown jewel among national liberal arts colleges and an institution that serves with high distinction among Christian colleges. I look forward to working with this extraordinary community to advance Westmont’s mission, influence and global engagement, holding Christ preeminent in all we do.”
Neller established marketing departments for Biola and Fuller and dramatically grew enrollment and increased levels of institutional reputation and awareness at both institutions. She graduated from Bethany University and earned a Master of Arts from Cal State Fullerton.
She is fluent in conversational Spanish and has increased international and multicultural student enrollment. She has served and led in many mentoring programs for young women. She and her husband, Brett, have two sons, and the youngest, Mitchell, is a junior at Westmont.