Bryan Brooks joined Florida Polytechnic University as Vice President of Student Affairs, Enrollment Management and Strategic Communications in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record in academic leadership and management. His career journey is marked by significant contributions to both public and private institutions, demonstrating expertise in enrollment management, strategic planning, marketing and communications.
Prior to his current role, Brooks served as the associate vice president for communications and community engagement at Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) from 2022 to 2024. In this capacity, he supervised the athletic director and athletic staff, managed the Mattie Kelly Arts Center and oversaw all brand messaging, marketing and communications for the college. His efforts led to eight consecutive semesters of enrollment growth and notable achievements, including a $21.8 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast and the successful launch of an esports team.
From 2015 to 2021, Brooks was dean and executive director at Oaks College in Red Oak, Texas. While there, he developed the college’s vision, mission and brand, supervised staff, and coordinated programs and activities. His tenure was marked by significant accomplishments, including a 95% graduation rate, $1.2 million in fundraising, and the creation of a successful leadership podcast.
Prior to that, Brooks served as the dean for admissions at Nelson University in Waxahachie, Texas, from 2010 to 2015. He led the enrollment management and marketing teams to achieve record enrollment numbers, developed the university’s first strategic enrollment and marketing plans and implemented successful recruitment initiatives that significantly increased the prospective student database and annual enrollment.
Early in his career, Brooks worked from the third floor of the U.S. Capitol as the personal aide for the chaplain of the United States Senate from 2001-2002.
Throughout his career, Brooks has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic planning and communication skills, driving enrollment growth and fostering a culture of excellence and success.
Always pushing toward progress and professional development, Brooks is pursuing a Doctor of Education degree at the University of Miami.
Brooks and his wife, Susan, are parents to Ellie, Evan, Ava, Aaron and Ian. He is actively involved in his children’s activities, even coaching his son’s basketball teams to championship games – though victory may have remained elusive. In his free time, Brooks enjoys playing golf, traveling, and pursuing street and urban photography. One of his black-and-white photos has even received national recognition.
Education
This session will demonstrate that practical risk management is for everyone, regardless of a formal program. Attendees will learn actionable and simple strategies that are easy to implement, enabling them to start immediately by focusing on their top risks to build greater operational resilience and ensure the sustained success of their auxiliary enterprises.
Michelle Powell serves as the pioneering Risk Manager at Florida Polytechnic University, the state’s sole 100% STEM-dedicated institution. Having been with the university for nearly 11 years, Michelle transitioned from a leadership role in Admissions in October 2023 to establish and evolve the risk management function from the ground up. In this solo capacity, Michelle builds robust frameworks for our dynamic, young university, overseeing our insurance portfolio, consulting on third-party and event risks, and developing critical campus-wide training programs. Michelle has obtained the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) Enterprise Risk Management certificate and the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) designations. Her distinct background in mathematics and engineering, combined with extensive higher education leadership, brings an analytical and strategic approach enhancing the institution’s resilience.
