Jacksonville, FL – Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., President & Chief Executive Officer of Edward Waters University (EWU)—Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning and the state’s first Historically Black College or University (HBCU)—is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Kendrick T. Dunklin as Vice President of Enrollment Management, effective September 22, 2025.
Mr. Dunklin ascends to this role following his distinguished service as Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management. A seasoned enrollment management professional with more than a decade of experience in higher education, he has earned recognition for his ability to drive sustained enrollment growth, modernize systems, and develop innovative, student-centered strategies spanning recruitment, admissions, financial aid, academic advising, registrar services, and marketing.
Since joining Edward Waters University in 2020, Mr. Dunklin has held several key positions, including Executive Director, Dean, Assistant Vice President, and Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management. Under his leadership, EWU has achieved historic enrollment milestones. In 2020, the university recorded its highest enrollment in more than a decade. The following year, EWU surpassed the 1,000-student mark for the first time in nearly twenty years. That momentum continued in 2022 with a third consecutive year of growth, culminating in the highest levels of enrollment in almost two decades. In 2023, EWU’s student population approached 1,200, representing an impressive 26.07% year-over-year increase. By 2024, the institution maintained its upward trajectory with another 26.28% growth rate, edging closer to the 1,200 threshold. Finally, in 2025, Edward Waters University exceeded 1,200 enrolled students for the first time in over two decades, enrolling 1,214 students for Fall 2025—an accomplishment that reflects a 30% increase since 2019 and the highest enrollment the university has experienced in twenty years.
Beyond these historic achievements, Mr. Dunklin has spearheaded transformative initiatives, including more than doubling EWU’s undergraduate application pool, guiding the largest graduate student enrollment since the program’s launch in 2021, and transitioning the Office of Admissions to a paperless environment. He led the implementation of Salesforce CRM and Ellucian Colleague across recruitment and academic planning, while building a robust admissions team of recruiters and ambassadors. His expansion of recruitment markets—local, national, and global—paired with a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy in partnership with EAB, has significantly enhanced the university’s visibility and engagement with prospective students and their families.
A native of Mobile, Alabama, Mr. Dunklin earned both his Bachelor of Arts in English (minor in Communication Arts) and Master of Liberal Arts in Leadership and Ethics from Spring Hill College. His career in higher education began there in 2010 as an Admissions Counselor, where he later advanced to Director of Admissions. He went on to serve as Director of Admissions and Recruitment at Jacksonville University before joining Edward Waters University.
A proud participant in the Upward Bound program, Mr. Dunklin has also partnered with similar initiatives at Spring Hill College and Nicholls State University, reflecting his enduring commitment to access, equity, and student success across the educational pipeline.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he remains deeply connected to his cultural heritage. In 2012, he was honored as Mardi Gras King Elexis I in his hometown of Mobile, receiving a key to the city in recognition of his contributions to culture and community.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the appointment of Mr. Dunklin as Vice President for Enrollment Management,” said President Faison. “His exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to student success have directly fueled Edward Waters University’s historic growth. I am confident that his vision and proven ability to implement bold strategies will continue to elevate EWU’s enrollment trajectory and strengthen our mission as Florida’s Emerging Eminence among HBCUs.”
In his capacity as Vice President, Mr. Dunklin will serve as a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet. He will provide strategic oversight of all enrollment management functions, ensuring EWU’s continued expansion and long-term sustainability.
Please join the entire Edward Waters University community to congratulate Mr. Kendrick T. Dunklin on his well-deserved appointment and to celebrate the remarkable progress his leadership has brought to EWU.
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