Doctoral Candidate Brochure: Collin P. Palmer
Doctoral Dissertation Defense
of
Collin P. Palmer
For the degree of
Doctor of Education
Interprofessional Leadership
Understanding Admission Officer Perceptions of Chief Admission Officer Leadership Behaviors and their Impact on Perceived Self-Efficacy and Job Satisfaction
March 20, 2026
11:00 a.m.
Microsoft Teams
Understanding Admission Officers Perceptions of Chief Admission Officer Leadership Behaviors and their Impact on Perceived Self-Efficacy and Job Satisfaction
This study addresses the problem of high turnover and staffing shortages within higher education admissions offices, a challenge presented in the context of the “Great Resignation.” Specifically, it examines how the leadership behaviors of Chief Admission Officers (CAOs) at public universities in Ohio influence job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and retention of Admission Officers (AOs).
Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, the study collected quantitative data via the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) from AOs to measure the frequency of CAO engagement in 30 leadership behaviors, tied to The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. Complemented by qualitative, semi-structured interviews with a subset of participating AOs to gain a deeper understanding of their lived experiences, this study sought to understand how CAO leadership behaviors influence environmental, cultural, and organizational factors—such as autonomy, flexibility, and communication—and how CAO behaviors impact AO persistence.
The principal conclusions indicate that CAOs are perceived positively in many of the assessed leadership behaviors, particularly treating others with dignity and respect, but perceived negatively with other behaviors, like seeking feedback. Qualitative findings reveal that leadership characterized by relational ethics, transparency, and advocacy enhances AO job satisfaction and retention. Conversely, a lack of inclusive decision-making and professional recognition contributes to burnout and lower job satisfaction. The study concludes that while external factors remain influential, CAOs can directly mitigate turnover by fostering a human-centered office culture rooted in autonomy and reflexive leadership. These findings offer a roadmap for enrollment leaders to build more resilient, satisfied teams in a volatile higher education landscape.
About the Candidate
Collin P. Palmer
M.P.A., Master of Public Administration, 2018
Kent State University
B.A., History and Political Science, 2012
The Ohio State University
Collin is an admissions and enrollment management professional currently serving as Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, Admissions, at Kent State University. His career spans four institutions but like many other admission professionals, he started as a campus tour guide. His experience has allowed him to work at both selective and open-access institutions, taking him from The Ohio State University, to the University of Maryland, College Park, to The University of Toledo, and now to Kent State University. His professional portfolio at Kent State includes the recruitment initiatives of all domestic graduate and undergraduate students, university orientation, admissions operations, campus tours, and recruitment events.
Collin has served as President of the Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC) and on the Affiliates Presidents Council for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Collin also participated in the College Board's Enrollment Management Institute and has presented at state and national conferences on topics related to college admissions.
Doctoral Dissertation Committee
Co-Directors
Kimberly Peer, Ed.D.
Professor
School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration
College of Education, Health and Human Services
David Dees, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration
College of Education, Health and Human Services
Members
Dana Lawless-Andric, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Vice President
University Office of Outreach and Engagement
Kent State University
Beth Wiser, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost, University Admissions
Office of Strategic Enrollment Management
The Ohio State University
Graduate Faculty Representative
Jeff Huston, Ed.D.
Professor
School of Health Sciences
College of Education, Health and Human Services