Experienced enrollment leader brings broad higher education perspective to new role
Presbyterian College has named Brian Fortman its new vice president for enrollment management, bringing back to campus a veteran higher education leader with 25 years of experienced and an extensive history of enrollment success at PC and other institutions.
Fortman returns to Presbyterian College after previously serving the college for 13 years in senior admissions, enrollment management, and financial aid roles. Most recently, he worked with RNL and Encoura, where he advised and partnered with colleges and universities on enrollment strategies, recruitment challenges and technology solutions.
PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson said Fortman brings both a strong record of enrollment leadership and an understanding of Presbyterian College that will allow him to make an immediate impact.
“Brian is a proven enrollment management professional who understands both the opportunities and challenges facing higher education today, but just as importantly, he knows Presbyterian College firsthand,” Gustafson said. “He understands our students, our culture, and the deeply personal education we provide. Brian has already demonstrated his ability to build enrollment, strengthen net tuition revenue, and work collaboratively across this campus. We are delighted to welcome him back to PC and excited about the experience, perspective, and energy he brings to this important leadership role.”
For Fortman, the appointment represents both a professional opportunity and a homecoming.
“I am deeply grateful to President Gustafson and the search committee for this incredible opportunity, and I am thrilled to return to a community so deeply rooted in the values of relationship and service,” he said.
Fortman first joined PC in 2008 as director of admissions and later as dean of enrollment management. During his nine years in that position, he served on the president’s leadership team and helped develop enrollment and financial aid strategies designed to strengthen both enrollment and the college’s financial sustainability.
Working with the college’s chief financial officer, Fortman helped implement financial aid leveraging strategies that contributed to an 11.8% increase in net tuition revenue over three years while reducing PC’s institutional discount rate by six percentage points. He also led the development of recruitment strategies for first-time college and transfer students and oversaw the enrollment process from prospect development through matriculation.
Fortman also helped implement the PC Promise Scholarship and test-optional admissions strategies. During that period, applications increased 42%, and PC enrolled two of the largest incoming classes in its history at the time.
Brian is a proven enrollment management professional who understands both the opportunities and challenges facing higher education today, but just as importantly, he knows Presbyterian College firsthand. He understands our students, our culture, and the deeply personal education we provide.”
Dr. Anita Gustafson, President
From 2017-21, Fortman served as dean of enrollment management and director of financial aid at PC. In that role, he managed a $24 million financial aid budget and oversaw financial aid operations, compliance and strategy. He also collaborated with academic leadership on the launch of new graduate programs, including the Physician Assistant Program and the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program.
After leaving PC in 2021, Fortman became director of undergraduate admissions at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. As a member of the university’s enrollment leadership team, he helped design and implement a comprehensive recruitment strategy aligned with institutional enrollment and retention priorities. He led a team of 13 admissions professionals and collaborated with financial aid, marketing, campus visit operations, athletics, graduate programs and adult learner recruitment to support enrollment growth among first-year, transfer, graduate, international and adult students.
His work since 2023 with RNL and Encoura has given Fortman an even broader view of the enrollment landscape and the challenges colleges and universities face in an increasingly competitive market. In those roles, he worked closely with institutional leaders to identify recruitment and enrollment needs, evaluate potential solutions and align strategies with institutional goals. His work included guiding clients through discovery, solution development, product demonstrations and contract negotiations while building long-term relationships with enrollment professionals and executive leaders. The experience also deepened his understanding of enrollment technology, market trends and the operational challenges institutions encounter as they work to recruit, enroll and retain students.
Fortman said that experience will help inform his approach as he returns to PC.
“Moving forward, our objective is to broaden PC’s market presence and clearly articulate the distinct value of our education,” he said. “We will build a dynamic enrollment pipeline that attracts right-fit students and supports their development from their first interaction through to graduation.”
As vice president for enrollment management, Fortman will lead PC’s efforts to recruit and enroll students while working across the college to align enrollment strategy with institutional priorities.
He said that work cannot be confined to an enrollment office.
“Doing this effectively requires strong cross-campus collaboration, and I am eager to partner with our dedicated faculty, staff and leadership to align our efforts,” Fortman said.
Fortman began his higher education career at Goucher College in Baltimore, Md., where he advanced from admissions counselor to senior assistant director of admissions between 2001 and 2008. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Goucher in 1997 and a Master of Education from the college in 2013.
His return comes as PC continues to sharpen the story of what distinguishes a Presbyterian College education: a relationship-centered liberal arts experience that challenges students academically, supports their growth and prepares them to become confident leaders in service to others.
“The future of PC is incredibly bright,” Fortman said. “We have a powerful story to tell about the value of a liberal arts education, the strength of this community and the way PC prepares students to lead lives of purpose and service. I am excited to help more students and families see what makes this place distinctive as we shape the next chapter of the college together.”
