Mercer University has named Dr. Maria Hammett as interim senior vice president for enrollment management, according to an announcement from President Dr. Penny L. Elkins. The appointment is effective immediately.
Dr. Hammett brings nearly thirty years of experience in the university’s Office of Student Financial Planning to her new position. She previously served as associate vice president for financial planning since 2013 and held other roles including senior associate director of financial planning and financial aid compliance liaison to athletics. She began her career at Mercer in 1996 as office manager for financial planning.
“I greatly appreciate Dr. Hammett stepping into this role,” said Dr. Elkins. “She is highly respected across the University, has deep knowledge of all facets of enrollment management, and is a national leader in her field. I am confident she will provide effective leadership of this important unit at the University.”
As interim senior vice president for enrollment management, Dr. Hammett will be part of the President’s Executive Cabinet along with other senior leaders responsible for academic affairs, strategic initiatives, marketing communications, finance and administration, legal matters, advancement, student affairs, and university operations.
Her responsibilities include oversight of undergraduate admissions, student success initiatives for both traditional and adult students, student financial planning services, regional academic center operations, student employment programs, and international student recruitment.
Dr. Hammett holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration as well as an MBA and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mercer University. She is a Certified Financial Aid Administrator and currently participates in the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Executive Leadership Collective.
She has served as past president and in various elected positions with the Georgia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and contributed to NASFAA activities on both state and regional levels.
“I have a great love for Mercer, and it is a privilege to serve as interim senior vice president for enrollment management,” said Dr. Hammett. “We have strong teams doing important work, and my goal is to bring alignment, clarity and momentum so we can better serve students from their first inquiry through graduation and beyond.”
Dr. Hammett was raised in a U.S. Air Force family and graduated from Warner Robins High School along with her husband Robert. Their son Spencer is set to become a Triple Bear by completing his Doctor of Medicine degree at Mercer next May after earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the university.
