Hayden, who joined Ohio University in 2007, was selected because of her strong track record of maintaining existing programs, working across campus and recruiting students, said Craig Cornell, vice provost for enrollment management.

"Melanie has done an excellent job over the past several years focusing on our targeted admissions for multicultural students, planning and events," he said.

"She possesses a strong ability to work within the office as well as outside the office with all levels of faculty, staff and students."

Before joining Ohio University, Hayden served at Virginia Tech as the assistant for pipeline initiatives, which helps students in middle school and high school navigate the college search process. She also served as the assistant director for academic support programs in Virginia Tech's Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence, and as assistant director of admissions at Radford University in Radford, Va.

She earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies at Virginia Tech.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues in undergraduate admissions and other university partners so we can continue to be successful with enrollment -- a vital goal in Vision OHIO," she said.

In her new role, Hayden will succeed T. David Garcia, who has accepted a position as associate vice president for enrollment management at Kent State University.

"In the four years that David Garcia has been the director of undergraduate admissions, we have seen a steady growth, including the last two years of record student applications, a focus on recruiting special populations in alignment with Vision OHIO goals, and the effective use of technology to best communicate with and recruit students in and out of the state of Ohio," Cornell said.

A search committee will be formed soon, Cornell said. He added he hopes to commence the search for a new director of undergraduate admissions in the near future.