ADA, Okla. - East Central University (ECU) has named Dr. Elizabeth McLain as the university’s new Director of Admissions and Recruitment.
“Dr. McLain brings with her a wealth of experience and a great attitude that will assist us with continuing to exceed our enrollment goals,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management, Dr. Denver Stickrod. “I look forward to working with and alongside her and welcome her to the ECU Family!”
The Director of Recruitment and Admissions is responsible for development and implementation of comprehensive recruitment strategies to guide prospective students through the decision-making and admission processes while providing leadership and direction for university admissions operations.
McLain earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Kansas State University (KSU). She later completed two degree certificates from Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, followed by a Master of Science in Human Services from Capella University and a Doctor of Public Administration from National University.
She began her higher education career in 2010 at Emporia State University as Recruitment and Development Specialist, where she managed graduate recruitment, marketing publications, and national presentations for four years. She then served as Director of Graduate Studies in Business at Wichita State University, overseeing admissions, recruiting efforts—including a 25% increase in veteran enrollment—program planning, and international partnerships.
Following her time at WSU, McLain assumed the role of Assistant Director of Admission for Graduate and Transfer students at Truman State University, where she developed graduate admission pathways, communication campaigns, and recruitment events in collaboration with faculty. She continued her trajectory as Assistant Director for Wildcat One Stop in the Registrar’s Office at Kansas State University, where she was responsible for the ongoing establishment of a one-stop unit for the university community that consisted of Admissions, Registrar, and Financial Aid services.
Most recently, she has served as Registrar at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., managing day-to-day registrar operations, FERPA compliance, course scheduling and student enrollment processes.
“I’m excited to start this role at ECU because admissions and recruitment has been the core of everything I have done in higher education,” said McLain. “I look forward to getting started and advancing the mission of the Enrollment Management department and the university. It will be great to work with Denver and the team here to bring new Tigers to ECU.”
McLain brings more than 25 years of comprehensive experience in higher education—spanning admissions, student services, records management, financial aid and more—to ECU’s Office of Admissions and Records.
She officially assumed her new role as Director of Admissions and Recruitment, July 1, 2025.
-ECU-