Kristen Nielsen

Kristen Nielsen serves as the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Roberts Wesleyan University, where she leads the strategy and operations for Traditional Undergraduate recruitment. A collaborative and data-driven leader, Nielsen works closely with her team to drive enrollment growth and student success.

Since joining Roberts in 2012, Nielsen has held progressive roles across undergraduate, adult, and graduate enrollment. Her experience spans event planning, student engagement, and program-specific recruitment. In her prior role as Director of Recruitment for Adult and Graduate Enrollment, she exceeded yearly enrollment goals and helped expand access to teacher education programs through innovative outreach and team leadership.

Nielsen brings a unique background in broadcast journalism and pharmaceutical training, and she found her calling in higher education through her passion for storytelling, transformation, and access. She earned her master’s in Strategic Leadership while balancing a demanding job, young family, and the pandemic—an experience she calls one of her greatest accomplishments.

She was named NACCAP’s “Graduate & Adult Professional of the Year” and is known for her servant-leadership style, resilience, and commitment to Christian higher education.