Delonte J. LeFlore (he, him, his) brings over a decade of leadership experience in higher education, primarily at large urban public research institutions. Recognized for his innovative and strategic acumen, Delonte has harnessed these qualities to address educational equity gaps, particularly in areas of college readiness, college access, and student success.
In his current role as the Director of Admissions for Recruitment and Strategic Initiatives at the University of Cincinnati (UC), Delonte leads the recruitment of domestic freshman and transfer students across UC's three campuses. His commitment to transformative change and his ability to harness collective impact have yielded impressive results. During his tenure at UC, he has held various positions, from assistant director and director to system director and interim assistant vice provost. He spearheaded the integration of the admissions offices across the flagship campus and two regional campuses, devising an organizational structure that effectively implements UC’s One UC Recruitment Strategy while bolstering recruitment efforts, developing strategic initiatives to increase access for traditional and nontraditional students, increasing racial and ethnic diversity, first-generation college students, students from rural backgrounds, transfer, and military students, while maintaining a strong academic profile of the incoming class.
Delonte's academic journey is closely aligned with his professional passion. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Arts in Educational Development from the University of Minnesota. His master's thesis delved into the topic of race in undergraduate admissions and the various strategies institutions employ to recruit a diverse and academically talented student body. Delonte is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Studies, specializing in Educational Policy and Higher Education, at the University of Cincinnati. His research mirrors his career objectives. He focuses on tackling the challenges posed by shifting demographics, educational equity gaps, evolving student needs, and increased competition. His dissertation spotlights the critical role of strategic enrollment management in surmounting these challenges and the imperative need for change management in effectively implementing strategic enrollment management.