Wes Waggoner has dedicated his career to helping students in the transition from high school to college. His 29 years of experience in education includes university admission, advancement, and enrollment management as well as college counseling and administration at independent K-12 schools. A successful strategic and visionary leader, Dr. Waggoner combines data, technology, and human capital with creativity and passion. He seeks to set and achieve goals aimed at transforming institutions and the lives of the students who attend them. In his current role as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at Southern Methodist University, Dr. Waggoner helps the University meet its enrollment goals.

He leads the Division of Enrollment Services which includes Admission, Financial Aid, Registrar, as well as International Student and Scholar Services with close connections to the University Bursar, Intersessions, Study Abroad, and SMU’s campus in Taos, New Mexico. Currently, Waggoner is energetically steering the conversation about need-based aid at SMU to support social mobility among low-income students.

Prior to arriving at SMU, he served as Associate Dean and Director of Freshman Admission at Texas Christian University.

In addition to his work at these institutions, he very much values his roles in professional leadership with regional and national college admission organizations. He has served on committees for the College Board including the national advisory committee for the SAT, the College Planning Advisory Committee, and the Counseling & Admission Council.

Wes grew up in a small town in Southwest Missouri where his family remains. He enjoys extensive travel, musical theatre, and learning about wine – a topic that keeps him humble. Wes and his partner of 26 years, Greg Mullinax, are particularly proud of two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, 13-year-old Thelma (yes, there was a Louise) and one-year old Lily.