Top enrollment official exits Evangel University

Chris Belcher, vice president for enrollment management at Evangel University since 2014, has accepted a job in Florida.

Belcher announced on social media early May 14 that he will soon move to West Palm Beach. He accepted a job as senior vice president for enrollment management at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

The private Christian institution is similar in size to Evangel.

“While we are excited about this new chapter, it is hard to put into words what our time at Evangel University has meant to us. Evangel has been far more than a workplace – it has been a community and a family,” Belcher wrote on Facebook. “We are deeply grateful for the friendships, memories and opportunity to serve alongside so many incredible people over the years.”

Before joining Evangel 12 years ago, Belcher spent 25 years at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served in a variety of roles ending with senior director of undergraduate admissions and recruitment.

Michael Kolstad, executive vice president and chief of staff at Evangel, said Belcher has been the driving force behind the university’s enrollment efforts.

“Chris is phenomenal. He is the best enrollment management person I’ve ever worked with, and he has just made such an impact here at Evangel,” Kolstad said in an interview. “Not only is he a great vice president, but he’s just a great man and a man of integrity. He is a personal friend, and I just hate to see him go.”

Belcher currently oversees admissions, student financial aid and retention.

Kolstad said Evangel will not immediately replace Belcher.Charlie Hungerford, director of undergraduate admissions and recruitment, will take over many of Belcher’s duties during the 2026-27 year.

Kolstad said with Hungerford in place for the year, Evangel will launch a search for Belcher’s replacement. Evangel declined to provide his current pay.