June 4, 2018
VPs Appointed to Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement Divisions
I am pleased to announce the appointments of two members of Bowie State University’s executive leadership team: Dr. Brian O. Clemmons as our first vice president for enrollment management and Brent Swinton as vice president for institutional advancement.
I want to thank the committees, representing our faculty, staff and student body, for their service in conducting a nearly five-month search process to identify the best candidates for these key leadership positions. I would also like to thank Yvette Caldwell for her leadership as interim vice president for institutional advancement and Dr. Troy Miller for his service as a member of the President’s Cabinet.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Brian Clemmons and Brent Swinton to the Bowie State University community. Here is a description of their backgrounds:
Dr. Brian Clemmons, Vice President for Enrollment Management
Dr. Clemmons brings more than 10 years of higher education leadership experience to this new role. He will begin on July 9.
He will be responsible for developing a strategic, student-centered enrollment management division, which will ensure effective recruitment and retention of a diverse student body. He will oversee the operational effectiveness of the offices of financial aid, admissions and registrar. Additionally, he will coordinate the efforts of college retention coordinators, deans, academic advising and other campus entities critical to meeting student enrollment and retention goals. His commitment to innovation and efficiency in streamlining administrative operations will be a valuable asset in achieving our goals.
“I am honored to have the privilege to join President Breaux’s Cabinet and to become a part of the Bowie State University community,” said Dr. Clemmons. “In collaboration with President Breaux’s Race to Excellence, the student body and community should know that I will keep students at the center of every decision I make in my position. It is my hope that the labor of my work will enhance the student experience at Bowie State University and will help to improve the trajectory of their lives.”
Dr. Clemmons is currently dean of enrollment management at Middlesex County College in New Jersey, where he led the development and implementation of a comprehensive enrollment management strategic plan that included a one-stop enrollment services department serving more than 11,000 students. He previously served as director of financial aid at Middlesex, as well as at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Vance-Granville Community College in North Carolina, where he began as assistant director of financial aid.
He holds a Doctor of Education degree from the University of New England, a Master of Public Administration degree from North Carolina Central University and a bachelor’s degree in public policy studies from Duke University.
Brent Swinton, Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Swinton brings more than 20 years of fundraising experience in higher education and the non-profit sector to the position. He will begin on July 16. He possesses a rare combination of first-hand experience in major gift fundraising, development operations and strategic communications that he can bring to bear to enhance all aspects of our institutional advancement operation. His career has been dedicated to helping mission-based organizations achieve their strategic goals.
Most recently, he led fundraising at the national headquarters of Advancement Project and the Children’s Defense Fund. Previously, he was assistant vice president for institutional advancement at Notre Dame of Maryland University and senior director of advancement services at Howard University. Swinton is credited with training hundreds of grassroots organizations to sustain themselves financially through the Compassion Capital Fund, the cornerstone grant program of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.
At Notre Dame of Maryland, Swinton provided leadership and oversight of all campaign and alumni relations activities. Earlier, he worked for a fundraising software provider, guiding colleges across the nation on campaign planning and implementing donor databases.
“I am honored to join the Bowie State University leadership team, and I am eager to dedicate my talents towards the long-term success of the institution, including our students, alumni and brand,” said Swinton. “I have served and advocated for worthy causes during my career, and I am most proud of having impacted the lives of young people, especially college students of color and first-generation scholars. I look forward to continuing that work at Bowie State.”
Swinton will lead the Division of Institutional Advancement and build a comprehensive fundraising and alumni relations operation to secure resources to support strategic institutional goals and viability of the university. He will serve as the primary steward of philanthropic relationships and engage with business, civic and community interests to develop collaborations of mutual benefit.
A 15-year resident of Prince George’s County, Swinton and his family reside in Laurel, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Georgia and received a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Central Florida. He is recognized as a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE).