After seven years of leading undergraduate admissions at Freed-Hardeman University, Kaylan Stewart will step into her new role as associate vice president for enrollment management on August 1.
“When Kaylan began working in admissions a decade ago, she consistently exceeded recruitment targets and demonstrated strong interpersonal skills,” FHU President David R. Shannon said. “Years later, people in her former recruiting territory still ask about her, referring to her as the ‘rockstar recruiter from FHU.’ Kaylan’s impact on FHU has been significant, and with her new appointment, we look forward to continued success for FHU.”
Senior Vice President Dave Clouse also shared his confidence in Stewart’s abilities. “Kaylan brings a strong work ethic along with excellent problem solving and strategic skills on top of 10 years of experience and knowledge of all aspects of enrollment,” he said. “In addition, she loves FHU, is a proven leader and is trusted and appreciated by our team.”
Sharing her excitement and gratitude, Stewart remarked, “From the moment I stepped on FHU’s campus as a student in 2008, I knew that I was somewhere special. I immediately felt a sense of belonging, of possibility, of hope and of home. I look forward to working with the Student Financial Services and Admissions teams to continue to cultivate those feelings for new students and their families. I am humbled and honored to continue to work with the FHU Enrollment Management team in this new role and am grateful for the opportunity and am excited about the future of this team!”
Stewart will succeed Joe Askew, who has led FHU enrollment management for more than 18 years. “Joe’s calm, relentless and forward-thinking leadership in enrollment management during the most challenging and turbulent times in the industry has positioned FHU for continued success,” Clouse added. “Freed-Hardeman is thankful for his years of service.”
Following six years working with FHU Admissions and over a decade of management experience, James Biggs has been appointed Freed-Hardeman University’s new undergraduate director of admissions. This new role will take effect August 1.
“I am excited to step into the role as the director of admissions at Freed-Hardeman University,” Biggs shared. “My undergraduate experience at FHU was truly life-changing, and I am dedicated to ensuring that future generations of students can experience the same transformative academic, social and spiritual growth that FHU offers. I look forward to continuing our tradition of providing exemplary, Christlike service to prospective students and their families. It is an incredible honor to serve this remarkable institution and the FHU community in this capacity.”
Biggs graduated magna cum laude from Freed-Hardeman in 2012 with degrees in history and secondary education. He served as a teacher at both North Parkway Middle School and Jackson Christian in Jackson, Tennessee, before returning to Freed-Hardeman in 2018 as regional admissions director. In 2021, Biggs was promoted to senior regional admissions director and was responsible for recruiting in the Memphis and West Tennessee territories.
As director of admissions, Biggs will be responsible for directing and overseeing all aspects of FHU’s undergraduate admissions program. Biggs will also assist Kaylan Stewart, newly appointed associate vice president of enrollment management, in outlining and executing enrollment strategies.
“For six years, James has successfully and energetically served FHU as the regional admissions director for the Memphis and West Tennessee areas,” Stewart said. “With this experience and as a former teacher, James brings a love for students and education to the director of admissions role. I look forward to serving alongside a director who believes deeply in FHU’s mission and her kingdom-impact.”
