Darren Wagner Appointed Vice President for Strategic Enrollment at PennWest University

CALIFORNIA, Pa. (EYT) — Darren Wagner has been named Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management at Pennsylvania Western University, the institution announced. His appointment is effective December 1, 2025.

Wagner most recently held the same title at Rowan University in New Jersey, where he led undergraduate and graduate recruitment, admissions, and enrollment. He also oversaw Rowan’s Global Learning & Partnerships division and advanced the university’s branding and recruitment marketing efforts.

According to PennWest officials, Wagner’s tenure at Rowan produced record numbers in student enrollment and applications. The growth included a sharp increase in international student interest, attributed to what the university described as a data-driven, brand-centered recruitment approach.

PennWest President Jon Anderson said Wagner’s background aligns with the university’s current goals.

“Darren is an accomplished enrollment and marketing leader with a strong commitment to student success and institutional advancement,” Anderson said in a statement. “His experience integrating data analytics, brand strategy, and student engagement will be instrumental as PennWest continues to strengthen enrollment and expand access for students across Pennsylvania and beyond.”

Before his work at Rowan, Wagner was Chief Marketing Officer at a marketing data analytics software startup. The company was acquired during his tenure. He also has classroom experience, having served as an adjunct faculty member at Penn State University, where he taught courses in marketing and business management.

He remains active in higher education circles as a conference speaker and consultant, focusing on enrollment strategies, branding, and the use of data.

In a statement provided by the university, Wagner said he was “honored to join PennWest.” He cited the institution’s emphasis on access and affordability as aligning with his professional values. “I look forward to working with the university community to strengthen the pathways that connect students to opportunity,” he said.

Wagner earned both his Bachelor of Science in Management and Master of Business Administration from Penn State.

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