PJ Woolston

At the heart of Higher Education (HE) lies a commitment to opening doors, nurturing growth, and guiding students toward success. Few embody this ethos as fully as PJ Woolston, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at IU Indianapolis. With an impressive breadth of experience, PJ oversees the entire student journey – from recruitment and admissions to financial aid, student success initiatives, and beyond.

In this conversation, PJ sat down with Max Webber, Co-Host of The Interview, to share insights into his role, the unique challenges and opportunities of serving a diverse student body, and how he and his team are reshaping the student experience – from their first inquiry to graduation day and beyond.

PJ’s Journey

Max: Let’s start with an introduction to your current role and institution.

‍My name is PJ Woolston, and I serve as the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at IU Indianapolis – the urban campus of the esteemed Indiana University. IU Indianapolis is one of two core campuses alongside our larger Bloomington campus, and we also have six regional campuses that serve communities across the state. Our focus here is on providing access and opportunity for students, with a mission rooted in serving the broader state of Indiana.

Max: What has kept you enthused throughout your HE journey?‍

The work we do in enrollment management is incredible. Admissions and recruitment are, of course, a big part of it, but enrollment management spans the entire student lifecycle. We bring students through the door, help them with financial aid packages so they can afford to attend, and ensure their success during their time here. That includes helping them find inclusion in our many communities and setting them up for what comes next – whether that’s entering a career or pursuing graduate work.

Living in that lifecycle means that while each year has familiar elements, we’re constantly assessing and refining to do better. Every week, month, and semester brings something new, which keeps the work fresh and exciting.

Max: How does student success come into your role?

‍Our goal is to operate so seamlessly that students don’t even realize we’re working behind the scenes. Whether it’s financial aid, registration, or any other process, we aim to make everything clear, easy, and accessible. That way, students can focus on their education without unnecessary obstacles.

Max: I’d love to hear more about the 5K your institution sponsored in Indianapolis. What was the significance of that for you?

‍This city is home to so many wonderful events, and we sponsored the Monumental Kids 5K as part of our mission to get children thinking about college early – even before high school. The event culminated with kids running onto the iconic Lucas Oil Stadium, which was incredibly exciting. I participated as a runner myself and found it so rewarding to cheer the kids on to the finish line. It struck me as symbolic of the student journey: a continuous cycle where we’re always looking for ways to help students finish strong.

Max: As campuses become more divided, how do you aspire to provide a more unified environment where everyone has a voice?

‍HE is a sector where most of us are deeply invested in the mission of serving students. For me, this work is about understanding student needs through data – whether it’s current students, prospective ones, or the broader shifts we see in trends. That data helps shape our recruitment efforts and informs how we meet students where they are. It’s also my role to communicate those insights across the campus and keep focus on the big issues.

Max: Holistic approaches matter a lot when serving diverse student populations. What is your strategy for this?

‍Education and training are central to what we do, but the student experience is so much more. We offer co-curricular programs that complement classroom learning and extracurricular activities that enrich students’ lives. Our goal is to give students so many reasons to stay and finish their degree that leaving becomes unthinkable. By fostering involvement and engagement, we create a more holistic experience.

Max: Students today are often time-poor. How do you engage them outside the classroom?

‍A comprehensive menu of options is critical, but it’s also about meeting students where they are. For example, academic advising has become much more intentional and proactive. Advisors don’t just wait for students to approach them; they ensure students are on track with their courses and streamline their path to graduation. Similarly, we offer programs with varying levels of participation so students can engage as their schedules allow.

Max: Peer-to-peer learning and incorporating the student voice are important in this. How does that factor into your strategy?

‍Institutional success metrics like retention and graduation rates are important, but student success isn’t always measured in the same way. Students have their own priorities, so it’s critical to understand their individual needs. That means having staff who are connected with students and deeply attuned to their goals.

Max: What is the best piece of advice you’ve received in your career?

I’ve been fortunate to work with great leaders, and two pieces of advice have stuck with me, from a mentor I was very lucky to have early in my career. One is, “We take care of people.” When making changes or setting policies, we always have to ask, “What’s best for the students?” Even if it’s hard for us, we need to do what’s right for them.

The second is about managing the workload: “It’ll be here tomorrow.” Most things in this field are long-term efforts. It’s okay to step away, recharge, and come back with fresh eyes.