NANCI TESSIER
Principal | tessier@artsci.com | 410-377-7880 x 29
As Principal at Art & Science Group, Nanci Tessier provides considerable insight in developing market-informed strategies for a wide variety of institutions. Prior to joining Art & Science Group, Nanci served as a leader in higher education, and particularly in enrollment management and admissions, for over 30 years.
At Art & Science Group, Nanci has consulted for many institutions including Albright College, Augsburg University, Bellarmine University, Boston University, California Maritime Academy, Centre College, Chicago-Kent College of Law, College of Wooster, Kenyon College, Mount Holyoke College, North Carolina State University, Portland State University, Providence College, Rice University, Salve Regina University, Saint Mary’s College (IN), Simmons University, Stetson University, University of Vermont, and Wake Forest University. Her insights have helped guide institutions as they consider important questions around institutional positioning and strategic planning, and aided institutions in efforts to meet their enrollment and net revenue goals as well as support their missions. She has also served as a guest speaker at conferences and webinars for organizations such as the Annapolis Group, College Board, EACUBO, the Enrollment Planning Network Small College Consortium, H.E.R.S. (Higher Education Resource Service), and the Southern Consortium of Enrollment Leaders.
Prior to joining Art & Science Group in 2019, Nanci served as the inaugural chief enrollment officer at three institutions. As vice provost for enrollment management at Boston College, she oversaw the offices of enrollment management, undergraduate admission, and student services—including registrar, bursar and financial aid. Nanci was the vice president for enrollment management at University of Richmond and the vice president for college marketing and enrollment management at Saint Anselm College.
Under Nanci’s leadership, Boston College enrolled its most diverse and academically accomplished class in its history while exceeding net tuition revenue goals. At University of Richmond, Nanci increased applications and the enrollment of BIPOC students, international citizens, first-generation college students, and Pell recipients while also increasing standardized test scores and exceeding net tuition revenue goals. During her tenure, Saint Anselm College experienced record-breaking applicant pools, a decrease in the admit rate, increased quality of the enrolling class, and increased net revenue. Nanci has considerable experience working with boards of trustees and institutional leaders.
Her admission experience includes serving as director of admission at Smith College and Roger Williams University School of Law as well as various admission roles for Barnard College of Columbia University, New York University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Northfield Mount Hermon School. Nanci served as a Resident Director on the Semester at Sea program. She currently serves as a Member of the Corporation for Sea Education Association.
Beyond the Work
Nanci sees patterns everywhere—not just in the data. An avid quilter, Nanci relishes selecting a pattern that matches the soul of the person for whom she’s creating another masterpiece. Each quilt is a labor of love, and Nanci finds tremendous joy in the reactions of the recipients of these unique and timeless gifts. And recipients, there are many! As one of eleven children, Nanci’s life brims with nieces, nephews, and an array of milestones for family and friends. In the summer you can often find her heading to Cape Cod, her cherished childhood home, to spend time with this ever-expanding circle of loved ones.
Education
B.A. English and Political Science, Boston College
M.Ed. College Student Personnel Administration, Colorado State University