SMS Welcomes Sam Fernandez as VP of Strategic Alliances

We’re pleased to announce that Sam Fernandez has joined the Student Matching Services as Vice President of Strategic Alliances. In this new role, Fernandez will develop and lead business development, operational strategies and new growth-oriented initiatives.

"Institutions are facing a new higher education environment — one with an expanding demographic, vast online resources and shifting regulations," said Omar Dahik, CEO of Student Matching Services. "It’s important that schools continue to reach and engage with the right students and capitalize on these new opportunities. Sam's wealth of enrollment marketing expertise and proven processes will do just that for our partners. His leadership will help us maximize quality conversions and reach enrollment goals in new, highly strategic ways."

With a career spanning nearly 30 years in higher education and lead generation, Fernandez has managed and driven EDU marketing initiatives for online schools, virtual educational services, large public universities, medical institutions, for-profit colleges, and more.

Prior to joining Student Matching Service, Fernandez served as Vice President of Brighton College where he led all strategic, financial, and operational activities for student enrollment and retention. Within two years, Sam grew enrollments by 30% and retention by more than 50%. Other notable positions include VP OF Operations and Partnerships for WebWise Education, Director of Enrollment for Primavera Online High School & The American Virtual Academy, Founder of Global EDU Partners, VP of Enrollment Management for Innovation Ads, National Director of Online Enrollment for A.T. Still University, and Director of International Enrollment for DeVry University.

Fernandez holds an MBA from University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree from the Arizona State University. He will be based at the Student Matching Services headquarters in Tempe, Arizona.