ORU Seeks to Capitalize on Historic Enrollment Growth, Names Joseph Sims as Director of New Student Relations

Joseph Sims, Director of New Student Relations

TULSA, Okla.— Oral Roberts University (ORU) recently named Joseph Sims Director of New Student Relations. With ORU welcoming its largest incoming class of over 5,000 this Fall, enrollment initiatives are key to continuing expansion of the University’s vision and mission. 

Alison Vujnovic, Vice President of Enrollment Management, shared, “I am thrilled to have Joe Sims as the Director of New Student Relations. Over the years, he's worked in almost every facet of our office and has always been hard-working, humble, trustworthy, and talented. I can't wait to see all that God will do in this new season of his life as he works to continue the historic growth happening at ORU.” 

Sims is an ORU graduate and has held various roles, including the Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment. Sims has dedicated his career to furthering ORU’s mission through recruitment initiatives and new student outreach. With over seven years of experience in enrollment management, Sims was asked about his new role and what it’s like working with college-bound students. 

Q.     Joe, share some of your story on how you came to ORU.

I came to ORU, originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. My pastor Robyn Gool is an alumnus of ORU and, in many ways, modeled the University in his leadership. So, I grew up hearing about ORU, and it was my one choice for making a university decision. I landed here in 2010, and as a student, I worked as a stagehand for the Mabee Center. Then in 2015, after graduation, I worked as a Parking Supervisor for the Mabee Center during events for a short season. In 2016, I started my work with ORU Admissions/Enrollment Management.

Q.     You are all over the ORU Campus. What do you enjoy the most in your role?

The one thing I enjoy the most about this role is that I have an opportunity to be a part of almost everything at ORU. If I can explain it this way, this role has an outstretched hand to everything on campus, and I get to pull that together for a prospective student. I learn about what's happening with athletics, academics, and campus life and present that to a prospective family. I enjoy being a part of helping others know what's going on here at ORU.

Q.     What are some of the new duties and responsibilities in your role?

In this new role, I will help lead the recruitment efforts at ORU. That means looking for students who are seeking an opportunity to be developed in leadership, in their walk with God, and ultimately achieve a college degree. I get to help lead our New Student Relations team in those efforts and have one-on-one conversations with families, encouraging them to take that next step, providing resources, and answering tough questions. It means that the New Student Relations team gets to be a part of families by extending the ORU hand to them and saying, “walk with us.” This new role is exciting. We have big goals, and we hope to achieve those as we continue our efforts in the days ahead.

Q.     ORU has now exceeded 5,000 total students with 14 years of consecutive enrollment growth. What does this mean to you personally?

Personally, it means that God has blessed ORU, but it also means that there is something great happening on the ORU campus. Seeing over 5,000 students this Fall is just a phenomenal accomplishment, but it also means that we're not done yet. I'm looking forward to seeing how stepping into this new role will continue those efforts and see ORU grow and develop world changers.

Q.     You interact with students and parents praying about coming to ORU.  What question are you asked the most?

The biggest question, and sometimes this question is not even really verbalized, is that parents and students are trying to figure out if the college decision is still worth it. The team and I work to help the family understand that the investment in a college decision is worth it. We hear our president, Dr. Wilson, talk about this a lot; the college investment advances a student beyond what it appears when making a college decision, even more so when they connect with God's power, the Holy Spirit, and, of course, the ORU campus. So, professionally and spiritually speaking, that college decision, if choosing ORU, is worth it.

Q.     We have all seen you leading tours around campus and hosting our guests. What is your favorite location on campus and why? 

I don't know if I can pick a favorite, but I love the new Welcome Center. It is an amazing addition. I love being at the “front door” of campus and being able to say “welcome home” to our alumni and our new students, our future Golden Eagles. It's a nice new home for Enrollment, so I have to say it's my favorite new location on campus. 

Q.     You and Brooke both work at ORU.  What do you enjoy the most about working here with your wife?

Oh, man. Wow. First and foremost, it's phenomenal to work in the same place as my wife, Brooke. Just being able to see her throughout the day, bounce ideas, and share thoughts on ways we can help make the ORU community environment better, is amazing. And my son, Maverick, it's a joy to have him around from time to time and introduce him to the ORU culture/community a few years in advance. He'll be here in 2030, so just recognizing that our work is not just for today but for the future. Building and furthering the work at ORU with my wife, Brooke, is truly an honor.

Q.     What do you want everyone to know about ORU?

ORU is more than a college degree, you will get that, but ORU is about growth, connections, and ultimately hearing God's voice for a lifetime. That means personal growth within yourself, relationships, and friendships while connecting with people from around the 140 nations representing ORU’s student body. And then, in all that, having the opportunity to hear God's voice on the next step for tomorrow, the next five years, or thirty years later. For me, this has led me to where I am today, and without ORU, I can't say that I would be who I am or where I am. Of course, that’s all God's doing, and His hand on my life leading and guiding me, but I learned that at ORU.

 

To get in contact with recruitment or admissions, please contact:

Joe Sims, Director of New Student Relations admissions@oru.edu
Jessica Tenorio, Director of International Student Relations. intladmissions@oru.edu

ABOUT ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY

ORU is a Christian, Spirit-empowered, interdenominational university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with over a decade of consecutive enrollment growth. Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ORU offers over 150 majors, minors, concentrations, and pre-professional programs at the bachelor’s level, ranging from business and engineering to nursing, ministry, and more. Under the leadership of President Dr. William Wilson, ORU is preparing students from all 50 states and 142 nations (from 2019 to 2022) to be whole leaders for the whole world. 

The Wall Street Journal ranked ORU as the #4 university in the nation for student engagement. This ranking is based upon faculty interactions, collaborative learning, critical thinking, real-world applications of student learning, the extent to which classes challenge students, and whether students would recommend a university to others. Niche recognizes ORU as one of the most diverse colleges in America. 

ORU has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as: 

• #1 in Undergraduate Teaching
• #2 in Most International Students
• #3 in Best Value
• #6 in Best College for Veterans
• #7 in Best Regional Colleges in the West

For more information, visit www.oru.edu.