Amaral appointed director of enrollment services

Amaral appointed director of enrollment services

After a national search, the University of Rhode Island has selected one of its long-time administrators and a URI alumnus to serve as director of enrollment services.

Horace J. “Harry” Amaral Jr., who has served the University since 1974, will direct an operation that oversees student financial aid, billing (formerly the bursar’s office) and enrollment records (formerly the registrar). Serving as interim director since 2001, Amaral’s permanent appointment began on July 1.

A familiar face on campus to faculty, staff and students alike, Amaral has won high praise for his commitment to the URI community.

“Harry has been a successful leader, manager and advocate for Enrollment Services and University of Rhode Island students during his tenure as interim director and throughout his service at the University. Harry’s values as an academic leader are sound, and his commitment to academic excellence is unwavering,” said M. Beverly Swan, URI provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Amaral began his URI career at the Student Financial Aid Office and has seen URI’s share of the Pell Grant program grow from $40,000 annually at its start to $5 million this year. He has served as associate director and assistant dean of Student Financial Aid and senior associate director of Enrollment Services.

Amaral established the graduate internship program for Student Financial Aid, which has produced a significant number of successful financial aid professionals who have gone on to become directors of financial aid at Bryant College, Johnson&Wales, Salve Regina, and Emerson College.

“The program was started to provide the financial aid office with additional personnel by offering graduate students a training opportunity for the profession. It has been a great success and I’m proud of all of the grads who are helping to open doors to higher education for so many,” Amaral said.

In recognition of his dedication, Amaral received the URI Foundation Administrative Excellence Award in 1987 and the URI Alumni Association Service Award in 1990. He has sent all three of his children to URI saying, “I have the deepest respect for the faculty and quality of education students receive here. My kids couldn’t convince me they’d receive a better education anywhere else.”

By Nicole Duguay