FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2024
Media Contact:
Victoria Alexis, Director
valexis@dillard.edu
504.816.4024
New Orleans – President Ford has appointed Robert Mitchell Jr. to lead the newly-created Office of Academic, Financial, and Wealth Management as Assistant Provost of Enrollment Services. The office will serve as a one-stop-shop, designed to support students and their families with navigating the university systems more smoothly, particularly helping them improve and apply financial knowledge for their Dillard education and beyond.
The One-Stop-Shop will provide students with streamlined services to more efficiently manage their accounts. They will be trained to identify external funding sources, apply for grants, and apply for institutional and federal aid and scholarships.
Students will be assigned a financial wealth coach who will work with them and their families to improve their financial outlook. This training will ensure they can afford tuition and living expenses, while at the same time build wealth that will sustain them beyond graduation.
Reporting to Dr. Monique Guillory, provost and chief academic and enrollment officer, Mr. Mitchell will design, lead, manage and assess the day-to-day operations of the office. His focus will be on working directly with students and families, specifically on increasing their awareness of financial aid options, including on and off campus employment, creating a plan for paying their bills, and paying for their education.
Having served as university registrar and director of records and registration for over 10 years, Mr. Mitchell brings a wealth of knowledge to the position, and looks forward to working with students and their families stating, “I am blessed and excited about this opportunity to lead the One-Stop-Shop. I look forward to continuing working with my fellow colleagues in advancing our institution’s mission and ensuring every student’s journey is marked by support, opportunity, and achievement.”
President Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR, said that having Mr. Mitchell spearhead this initiative, along with leading the registrar’s office, will help the university achieve one of its key strategies within the Transformation 2030 Strategic Plan.
“His attention to detail, understanding of university systems, and collaborations across campus will enable Dillard to deliver on the promise to help our students finance their future, which will improve student outcomes, stabilize enrollment and improve our financial stability. All of these activities should advance our reputation as a strong communiversity advancing health, safety and innovation,” said Ford.
