(WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 21, 2025) — Howard University announced today the appointment of Keyana Scales, Ed.D., as the senior vice president for enrollment management services. In this role, she will lead the design and implementation of critical university strategies to attract, retain, and graduate the world’s most talented students. She will begin Aug 1, 2025, and will report to Howard University President Ben Vinson III. Dr. Scales most recently served as senior vice president at Ruffalo Noel Levitz, an enrollment and donor management strategies company.
“Dr. Scales brings a proven track-record of shaping inclusive, data-informed enrollment strategies, and we are confident that her leadership will continue to strengthen the entire student experience — from prospect to proud graduate,” said Dr. Ben Vinson III, Howard University president. “Her deep expertise, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to student outcomes will be instrumental in advancing our efforts to attract and nurture generations of Bison scholars.”
Scales comes to Howard with decades of experience in enrollment management, fundraising, and student services. She previously served as vice president for enrollment management at Xavier University of Louisiana, where she oversaw the offices of admissions, financial aid, and the registrar. In this role, she was responsible for recruitment, revenue generation, and tuition discounting. She also served as director of freshman recruitment and scholarships at the University of Minnesota, where she managed new student engagement through each stage of the enrollment funnel, as director of admissions at North Carolina A&T State University, and as associate director of undergraduate admissions at North Carolina State University. She has served on the board of directors for the Southern Association of College Admissions Counseling and was a member of the Southern Regional Council of the College Board and the Educational Advisory Board.
“Joining the Howard University community is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal honor,” said Dr. Scales. “As someone who believes in the transformative power of education, I am inspired by Howard’s legacy and the brilliance of its students. I look forward to helping shape pathways that not only bring talented students to The Mecca, but also ensure they are fully supported on their journey to success.”
Scales earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and a Master of Education degree in counselor education from North Carolina State University. She also earned a Doctor of Education degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education with a focus on urban education and leadership. She engaged in additional training at the Harvard Graduate School of Education Institute for Educational Management.
