Michael Kyle ’85 was appointed to St. Olaf’s senior leadership team in 2004, initially as vice president and dean of enrollment, and since 2012 as vice president for enrollment and college relations. He oversees admissions and financial aid, marketing and communications, music organizations, and conferences, camps, and events management. 

Prior to his appointment as vice president, he served in a variety of capacities at St. Olaf, not only in admissions and financial aid, but also in advancement and corporate relations. He also spent three years in alumni relations at St. Paul Academy and Summit School. Michael’s areas of interest and expertise include the impact of changing U.S. demographics on college admissions; the impact of the rising cost of college and student debt on financial aid philosophy and practice; and the enduring value of a liberal arts education.

Under Michael’s leadership, the St. Olaf student community has become substantially more diverse in a variety of ways, enrolling more domestic students of color, international students, students from other regions of the U.S., and first-generation students — all while continuing to meet the full demonstrated financial need of every admitted student. The college also enhanced and expanded its marketing, communications, media relations, and broadcast, streaming, and other media services, elevating the college’s brand and increasing engagement opportunities for prospective students and families, alumni, and friends of the college. The college’s music ensembles and the annual St. Olaf Christmas Festival continued to expand their reach through documentary productions, streaming, and digitization of audio recordings.

Michael completed a B.A. in political science at St. Olaf College.