Lenell Hahn was promoted from associate director of admissions to the director of admissions this month.

"I really felt honored because they did a national search for the director position," Hahn said. "To find out I was the best candidate out of a national search was very exciting. I've worked in the office for almost 10 years now and have really enjoyed my time here.

"It was very humbling to me."

Hahn replaced Dr. Debbie Below, who was the director of the Office of Admissions. Below is now the vice president for enrollment management and Student Success Council and the dean of students as of Jan. 1.

"The student experience is of the utmost importance to Lenell," Below said.

Hahn graduated from Southeast with a bachelor of science in business administration and completed her MBA at Southeast Missouri State University. She joined the Office of Admissions in 2003, and spends her time working and going to her lake house on Kentucky Lake to water ski during weekends and vacations.

As associate director, Hahn planned special events and supervised admissions counselors, students and the recruiters at Southeast.

In her new role as director, Hahn provides leadership and direction, and assists staff in attracting students to Southeast. She also provides assistance and training to faculty. She is in charge of the staff members in the Office of Admissions, and also of new and transfer students as well. She now supervises programs for new and transfer students, where potential and new students learn more about the university, and serves on committees. She is the president-elect of the Missouri Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

Hahn is also in charge of managing and developing the budget for the Office of Admissions, which she did not do as associate director.

Hahn said she listens to people, like members of the university staff, her workers in the Office of Admissions, students and members of the community, knowing doing so will help meet the goals of her office.

"I've learned quickly that to be a really good director you need to be a really good active listener," Hahn said. "There's a lot of people who have great information that they want to share with me."

"Lenell has many years of experience in college admissions, and she is emerging as a statewide leader," Below said.