Andy Gammons selected as vice president for enrollment strategy
Following a national search, Ƶ selected Andy Gammons as its next vice president for enrollment strategy. Gammons, who officially stepped into the role on August 31, brings a unique combination of enrollment expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep commitment to Christian higher education.
“Throughout the search process, Andy consistently demonstrated a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing colleges and universities today, particularly those institutions that seek to remain firmly rooted in their Christian mission while navigating an increasingly competitive enrollment landscape,” said Greg Elzinga, president of Ƶ.
Gammons has been working in higher ed since 1999 and spent the past five years serving as executive director of admissions for his alma mater, Taylor University. During his tenure, Taylor experienced record enrollment growth and strengthened its position within the Christian higher education market.
A formative few years at Ƶ
Taylor holds a dear place in Gammons heart as the community came around him when he needed it most during his freshman year when his dad was killed in an auto accident. It showed him the value of living and learning in a Christ-centered community. It’s also the place where he met his wife, Amanda.
But Ƶ was a very formative place for Gammons too. From 2001 to 2004, both Andy and Amanda spent their early years of marriage serving as hall directors at then Ƶ College. It was during these three years where Gammons’ Christian faith grew significantly when he was exposed for the first time to reformed theology and a reformed world view.
“It was amazing for me, and it was huge in my spiritual growth and development and in my intellectual growth and development. It really put me on a trajectory that I have benefitted from ever since,” said Gammons.
He admits his learning environment looked different but it was every bit as formative.
“My Ƶ education was done in a residence hall with the residence life staff, with people like Jane Hendriksma and John Witte and Shirley Hoogstra,” said Gammons. “It was literally through conversations with people that I still care about and who care about me.”
Clarifying Ƶ for the world
Gammons sees Ƶ’s greatest opportunity is continuing to bring its particular brand of Christian higher education to the marketplace and to clarify exactly what that is, articulating it in a way that helps students and families understand who Ƶ is and how it’s different from any place else.
“What impressed me most during this process was Andy’s conviction that Ƶ’s distinctive Reformed Christian worldview is a competitive advantage,” said Elzinga. “He understands that Ƶ’s integration of faith and learning, commitment to academic excellence, global perspective, and focus on preparing students to serve Christ in every sector of society offer something that few institutions can match. He also recognizes that our challenge is to communicate that distinctive story with greater clarity, consistency, and confidence.”
“That’s what a good enrollment team does, they try to be crystal clear on who the university is and then encourage the student and family to make a decision around that,” said Gammons.
Changing perception
Gammons hopes that he and his team can help students who are familiar with Ƶ to discover a deeper beauty of what it offers and for those who are less familiar with Ƶ to experience a taste of what is possible, to allow reality to refine perception. He says students looking for a Christian institution that will holistically prepare them for a career and a life of meaning will be hard pressed to find a better option.
“I believe Ƶ can own the intersection of life transformation, spiritual growth and development, and career preparation,” said Gammons. “That intersection represents one of our greatest opportunities. “When you think of Ƶ, especially the academic and intellectual work that’s happening here, this is one of the few places in the country where you can learn from a Christian expert on worship, history, computer science, business, you name it. I think there’s a larger concentration of those types of Christian scholars here than any place else in the world.”
The Gammonses have six children, two of whom transferred to Ƶ this fall. They are also active in their church and local community and excited to be back in west Michigan.