University President Fr. Malachi Van Tassell announced late last month that Erin McCloskey will assume the role of Vice President for Enrollment Management.
McCloskey will also continue to serve as the University’s Vice President for Communications and Marketing.
McCloskey has served in various roles at SFU for more than 27 years. This includes leading the University’s Enrollment Management division for more than a decade before becoming Vice President for Communications and Marketing.
McCloskey replaces Steve Soba as Vice President for Enrollment Management. Soba had served as the University’s VP for Enrollment Management since December of 2021.
“Steve left in January to pursue other opportunities,” Fr. Malachi said.
SFU’s president is optimistic that McCloskey will fit the role – one that she held previously – very well.
“She is perfect,” he said. “She loves the brand and the University.”
The president said that both divisions of the University will benefit under McCloskey’s leadership.
“It’s a natural merger,” Fr. Malachi said. “It will make it easier for them (Marketing and Admissions) to work together.”
McCloskey said she is looking forward to the opportunity. She will also co-lead SFU’s Financial Aid Office with Vice President for Finance and Administration Jeff Savino.
“I’m really excited about partnering with different people in new ways,” she said.
Under McCloskey’s leadership, SFU’s marketing staff earned the PR Today Award last year. It is a national award that recognizes outstanding work in public relations, marketing and communications.
McCloskey has directed internal and external communications during the University’s transition from NCAA Division I to Division III.
Fr. Malachi is confident that there will be increased synergy between Marketing and Admissions under McCloskey’s leadership.
“She understands how marketing and enrollment go together,” he said.
McCloskey is excited to once again lead the department tasked with bringing new students to campus.
“I have such a deep love for Saint Francis,” she said. “I’m excited to be aligned with enrolling new students.”
She assumes her new role at a critical moment in the University’s history: the DI to DIII transition period.
“It’s an interesting and exciting change,” said McCloskey.
Over 100 student-athletes transferred out of SFU following the Fall 2025 semester and more are expected to leave at the end of this semester in order to continue competing at the Division I level.
McCloskey said that Saint Francis is changing its marketing strategies in response to the changes happening at the University.
‘It’s a different ballgame for us,” she said.
While the University will no longer offer athletic scholarships following the completion of the transition to Division III, it plans to increase the number of merit scholarship opportunities offered to students moving forward.
