DURANGO, Colo. — At the end of her first year of college, Jess Savage found herself at a crossroads. A first-generation student from a rural Massachusetts town, she was navigating the challenges of higher education mainly on her own.
Her freshman year had been marked by uncertainty—about her major, her future, and even her ability to stay in school. Financial pressures and personal struggles weighed heavily, leaving her questioning whether she belonged in college at all.

At her lowest point, her mother offered a lifeline. “Remember that woman from orientation … Leila, I think her name was. She said if you ever needed help, you could talk to her.”
It was a simple suggestion but one that changed Savage’s life. Taking a leap of faith, she reached out to Leila, who became a trusted mentor and the guiding force Savage needed to stay on track.

“She gave me the tough love and encouragement I needed,” Savage recalls. “She helped me see that I belonged, that I could do this.” Leila’s belief in her potential pushed Savage to persevere, ultimately shaping her career path.

Decades later, as Fort Lewis College’s newly appointed vice president of enrollment management, Savage credits that moment—and the power of mentorship—with inspiring her life’s work.

A rural start and a bold dream

Savage grew up in a small town in western Massachusetts, where higher education was far from a given. Her graduating high school class of 58 students had a low college-going rate, and the concept of navigating the complexities of college applications, financial aid, and academic choices was daunting.


“I was always driven to go to college,” she says. “My mom tells me that I was always motivated to go to school—I let her know that first I was going to kindergarten, and then college.”


Her parents, neither of whom had attended college, supported her ambitions and helped the best they could. They took her on college visits and encouraged her every step of the way, but much of the journey was hers to navigate alone.
That experience of “figuring it out” planted the seed for what would become a career in higher education. “When I got my first work-study job in the admissions office, it clicked for me,” Savage says. “I realized there was this entire side of college dedicated to helping students like me, and I wanted to be part of it.”


From admissions counselor to vice president


Savage’s path to her current role at FLC is marked by steady growth and a clear focus on creating systems that empower students. She began her career as a student employee in the Boston University visitor center and, after graduating with a degree in journalism, continued her professional journey at Carroll College and later Western Washington University.


In 2017, Savage joined Fort Lewis College as director of admission, bringing her vision for making higher education more accessible and inclusive. Her efforts were instrumental in refining the college’s recruitment strategies, enhancing campus visits, and aligning communication with prospective students to better reflect FLC’s values.


Promoted to dean of enrollment management in 2022, Savage’s scope of responsibility expanded to include overseeing admissions, financial aid, the registrar’s office, and Skyhawk Station, the college’s centralized student support hub. Under her leadership, these areas became more integrated, ensuring that the student experience—from recruitment to graduation—is seamless and supportive.


A new role with a broader mission

Savage’s responsibilities will expand further in her new role as vice president of enrollment management.
Interim President Steve Schwartz said the new vice president role ensures enrollment management has “a strong voice at the decision-making table.”

“Jess has been dedicated to creating systems and experiences that empower our students from their first interaction with FLC to graduation,” Schwartz wrote. “Her efforts have strengthened outreach, enhanced the campus visit experience, and aligned recruitment and retention strategies with FLC’s values.”


Savage’s elevation to vice president reflects Fort Lewis College’s recognition of enrollment management’s central role in addressing the challenges of a competitive higher education landscape, he added.


As the college grapples with the national “demographic cliff”—a projected decline in the traditional college-age population—her ability to think strategically about recruitment and retention is more critical than ever.


A collaborative approach

Savage’s philosophy is rooted in collaboration. “Enrollment management doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” she says. “Recruitment and retention require partnership across the entire campus.”


For Savage, this means working closely with faculty on advising models, partnering with student engagement teams to ensure a seamless transition for new students, and supporting staff in financial aid and registrar’s offices to create equitable systems that eliminate barriers for students.

Her own experiences inform her efforts as a first-generation student. “I know what it’s like to feel lost or unsure about how to navigate college,” she says. “That’s why I’m so passionate about creating pathways that make it easier for students to succeed.”


One recent example of her impact is the implementation of a new summer orientation model, which provides incoming students with earlier access to resources and support. This initiative came directly from listening to students and staff across multiple offices about the challenges they faced. While the initial rollout had its challenges, Savage is optimistic about its potential. “It’s a great example of how we’re learning and adapting to serve our students better,” she says.


Vision for the future

Looking ahead, Savage is focused on aligning enrollment efforts with FLC’s strategic plan. She sees opportunities to strengthen outreach to traditionally underrepresented populations, refine academic advising systems, and improve the overall student experience.


“Fort Lewis College has a unique mission and history,” she says, pointing to the institution’s legacy of serving Native American and first-generation students. “We’re at our best when we’re living that mission and finding new ways to make higher education accessible and transformative.”


A full-circle moment

Reflecting on her journey from uncertain college student to vice president, Savage is grateful for the mentors who helped her along the way—and for the chance to pay it forward. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Leila, my family, and others who believed in me,” she says. “Now I get to be that person for someone else.”


It’s a role she embraces wholeheartedly, whether she’s collaborating with campus partners, mentoring her team, or championing initiatives to support student success. “At the end of the day, this work is about helping students see what’s possible,” she says. “That’s what keeps me motivated.”