Rachel Neal has been appointed as the Director of Graduate and Professional Studies Enrollment by Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) President Carson Castleman.

Neal expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, "I just loved the opportunities that come with education, and I love helping students achieve their goals and helping them to be successful," according to an MVNU news release. She continued, "I also really love adult learners and hearing their stories as to why they want to go back to school, obstacles they’ve had to overcome to get there or hearing their purpose behind wanting to pursue their degrees."

Prior to this appointment, Neal served as adjunct faculty at Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) and Motlow State Community College. She also held the position of TNU's Associate Director of Enrollment until May 2020. More recently, she was the Director of Enrollment and Marketing at Southern Nazarene University.

In terms of her educational background, Neal earned her Master's in Organizational Leadership from TNU in 2018.

In her new role at MVNU, Neal will lead the enrollment team, developing and implementing initiatives aimed at increasing inquiries, conversion rates, and enrollment. Among other responsibilities, she will oversee Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) marketing strategies and plans. Additionally, she will collaborate with the Director of Traditional Enrollment on joint admissions efforts.

Neal shared that what attracted her to MVNU was an opportunity to contribute in a Christian environment. In her capacity as Director of Graduate and Professional Studies Enrollment, she will report directly to Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Johnna Vanover.

Away from work, Neal resides in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband Andy and their two children aged 11 and 9.