Will Perkins, former director of enrollment at the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing, has been named director of the Center for Pre-college Programs (CPCP) at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The center was created in 2004 to help reverse the shrinking pipeline of students choosing math, engineering, technology and science (METS) careers. In 2005, fewer than 5 percent of college-bound students indicated an interest in pursuing an engineering major.

As director of the CPCP, Perkins will promote and support more than 20 programs designed to increase the number of grade school through 12th grade students visiting the UMR campus through summer camps, campus workshops and academic competitions. He plans to provide positive and academically oriented experiences to encourage young students to pursue degrees in all METS fields at UMR.

“We are thrilled to attract a successful professional like Will Perkins to UMR and our enrollment team,” says Jay Goff, dean of enrollment management at UMR. “Will’s academy background and professional dedication for encouraging students to pursue math, engineering and science careers is impressive. He truly understands the need for UMR to run quality math and science programs for younger students.”

Perkins would like to create more programs that bring middle and high school students to UMR. “I look forward to meeting and working with the UMR faculty and staff and the Rolla community,” Perkins says. “UMR is nationally known for its outstanding academic quality. I want to make sure that same level of quality is represented in our pre-college programs and enrichment activities.”

Perkins served as director of enrollment at the Missouri Academy of Science, Mathematics and Computing in Maryville, Mo., from 2003-2006. Prior to joining the academy, he served as director of admissions for South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics. From 1998-2000, he was admissions counselor for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, later serving as the school’s minority recruitment and retention coordinator.

Perkins received his bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Ill.