VCU news

By VCU News staff

Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D., has been named Virginia Commonwealth University’s vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success, effective immediately. Bucheli has served in the role in an interim capacity for more than a year.

“I am deeply honored and excited to be of service to Virginia Commonwealth University, its diverse student body, esteemed faculty, exemplary staff and the commonwealth,” Bucheli said. “VCU’s strong access mission aligns perfectly with my passion for fostering academic excellence, inclusivity and student success. I look forward to working collaboratively with the outstanding faculty, staff and students to enhance educational opportunities and drive enrollment success.”

Bucheli joined VCU in April 2023. During his tenure, undergraduate new student enrollment has increased, and VCU experienced its first increase in overall enrollment in over a decade. Bucheli also oversaw an increase in the retention rate of first-time students to their second year, which reached 85.6%, an eight-year high.

“Hernan has done an outstanding job since he joined us in the spring of 2023. He demonstrated a firm grasp on VCU’s mission of excellence, impact and access, along with the focus and experience needed to help us reach the university’s enrollment and student success goals. I’m grateful for the many skills that Hernan brings to the table as a member of our team,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., VCU provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Throughout his career of more than 25 years as a senior higher education executive, Bucheli has led successful efforts at several institutions to increase student enrollment, boost student retention and persistence, diversify the student body and increase tuition revenue. His credentials include achieving extraordinary results in higher education administrative leadership, student success, organizational development, strategic enrollment management, new academic program development, new business and partnership development, and building institutional brand awareness grounded in inclusive excellence serving diverse student populations.

Bucheli joined VCU from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine, and his career has included being a partner in a higher education consulting firm and serving institutions as chief enrollment officer, vice president and vice provost, senior vice president and provost, and vice president for external relations.

Bucheli earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from San Francisco State University, a master’s degree in communications from Barry University, an Ed.D. in education, communication and organizational development from Northeastern University and a certificate in organizational analysis from Stanford University.