Contact: Harriet Laird

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A Texas university administrator with an extensive background in enrollment services is the new administrative director and head of campus at Mississippi State University-Meridian.

With an 11-year professional background in such areas as student recruitment, admissions and financial aid, Terry Dale Cruse has spent the past two years as vice president for enrollment services at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.

The Mississippi native’s previous experience includes oversight of the offices of residential campus admissions, student financial aid, registrar, global initiatives, student achievement and retention, and career services. He also managed dual credit, marketing initiatives, and recruitment of adult, graduate and online students.

An MSU committee of faculty, staff and community members conducted the search to fill the position and was led by MSU administrators and faculty members Julia Hodges and Allison Pearson. Both previously served as the campus’s co-deans from September 2014 to June 2015, when MSU faculty member Megan Millea filled the role until Cruse’s appointment. His employment is pending formal approval of the Board of Trustees, Mississippi State Institutions of Higher Learning.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Cruse join Mississippi State University as the new administrative director and head of campus for MSU-Meridian,” said Hodges. “Dr. Cruse brings extensive experience in the successful growth of enrollment at his previous institutions. I have full confidence that he will provide excellent leadership for MSU-Meridian and will be very adept at establishing good relationships with the Meridian community and the area’s community colleges.”

Prior to LeTourneau, Cruse spent eight years at Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis. MBU developed a consolidated enrollment services model during his tenure, and he was named the first vice president for enrollment services.

Cruse served as assistant director of admissions at his alma mater William Carey University and also was once the religion and copy editor for the Vicksburg Post.

Along with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from William Carey, he holds a doctor of higher education administration degree from Saint Louis University.

Additionally, he is a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counselors and American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers. In 2011, he was selected as one of 25 participants in the Council for Independent Colleges Senior Leadership Academy.

Cruse and his wife, Pam, are the parents of three daughters.

The administrative director and head of campus is the chief administrative officer for MSU-Meridian, including the College Park and Riley campuses, and the Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts. Managing more than 500 students, with more than 100 enrolled in graduate studies, the position also supervises approximately 90 faculty and staff members.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.