Jennifer Sandridge, formerly the associate director of admissions in the Graduate School and International Education, will lead the school's admissions team as director of admissions, effective Aug. 11.

Sandridge has served as associate director since 2023, where she led a hybrid team of 10 admissions staff and oversaw Slate-Workday student integration. Among other accomplishments, she developed and managed the office's Slate Task Planner, resulting in the completion of more than 300 technical projects in just over a year.

In her new role, Sandridge leads a diverse team with the goal of expeditiously enrolling a highly qualified and diverse graduate and international student body. Additionally, she is responsible for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with both campus and external constituents and stakeholders, among other responsibilities. Her office also oversees Slate, the customer relationship management software and application platform that houses graduate and international applications and prospective student communication.

"Words cannot express my gratitude and excitement to serve as director of graduate and international admissions," she said. "I am truly humbled and honored by the incredible support from Graduate School and International Education leadership, campus partners and stakeholders, as well as specifically from the most incredibly dedicated Graduate and International Admissions team."

"I am excited to embark together on this journey to enhance the overall graduate and international admissions and student experience with excellence to aspire and provide a seamless pathway for students to attend the world-renowned University of Arkansas," she added.

Sandridge holds more than a decade of admissions-related experience in higher education. She served as senior admissions counselor and enrollment manager at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for eight years before working as an academic adviser and grant manager for the Division of Continuing Studies at UW.  

"From the moment she stepped on campus as associate director, I've been impressed with Jennifer's leadership, warm demeanor and breadth of knowledge related to graduate and international admissions," said Ed Bengtson, associate dean for graduate education. "She brings much-needed continuity to the office and will be a valued collaborator with units across campus as we seek to admit and enroll high-quality graduate and international students to the U of A."

"I also want to thank Dr. Niki Avery for her two years of service to GSIE as admissions director, and wish her all the best in her new role as faculty member in the Adult and Lifelong Learning program," Bengtson added. "She leaves big shoes to fill, but I am confident that Jennifer is up to the task."

Sandridge holds a bachelor's degree in communication arts from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master's degree in organizational development, leadership and change from Edgewood University.