A West Texas A&M University administrator is one of 43 people internationally to earn a prestigious endorsement.

Tana Miller, assistant vice president for student enrollment, engagement and success, earned the Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers.

She is only the fifth Texan to earn the endorsement. Her name will soon appear in the national registry.

“I am excited to have completed the SEM endorsement program,” Miller said. “It is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the enrollment management field so that we can better serve our students through their college life cycle.”

Miller participated in a month-long online course with about 30 other higher education professionals from around the world. She also conducted site visits to other colleges and universities both in and outside of Texas to see and evaluate their enrollment management structures and programs using the information gained through the online coursework.

Her capstone project focused on WT’s freshman retention, comparing those who enrolled in a strengths-based seminar course to those in a traditional seminar or who did not take such a course.

AACRAO provides a well-defined, self-paced professional development program and career advancement track for in-service enrollment service professionals. The endorsement is a unique credential in the field and provides assurance of a strong foundation and understanding of enrollment management functions in a higher education setting. This endorsement is an international acknowledgement of enrollment management professionalism.

“We are proud of Tana’s drive and desire to help WT find ways to better serve our students while also being a prime example of the idea that learning never stops,” said Mike Knox, vice president for student enrollment, engagement and success. “With outstanding professionals like Tana on our team, WT is ready to meet current and future challenges in enrollment.”

Miller has 34 years of experience in higher education — all at her alma mater, WT. She has served in a variety of positions in Admissions before being named to the dual role of associate director of admissions and director of freshman advising. In this position, she also coordinated and planned the orientation programs.

Miller served as university registrar for almost 15 years before transitioning to her current position where she oversees the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership, the registrar, the Jack B. Kelley Student Center, the Education Credit Union Buff $mart Financial Literacy program, and the CliftonStrengths™ for Students program.

In addition, she serves as the University’s foster care liaison and works with foster care students in the Supervised Independent Living Program, Buff Haven.

A focus on recruiting and retaining the best students is a key component of the University’s long-term plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

-West Texas A&M University