Admit It, An AACRAO Podcast: Recent Episodes
James Miller
Join the conversation with Admit it, an AACRAO podcast that serves to educate, amuse and inspire professionals in college admissions and enrollment management.
In this multi-part series, we speak with professionals who presented at the AACRAO Annual Meeting and discuss the key points of their presentation in case you missed it at the conference. These will help you move forward as you plan for the next recruitment cycle.
This episode features Alicia Kalka, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, and Summer Boggess, Director of Admissions, from Fairmont State University, who led a fantastic session on Enhancing Enrollment through Community Engagement in Rural and Marginalized Communities. This episode highlights how community engagement events have connected underserved communities in West Virginia with opportunities in higher education. We dive into how these initiatives were implemented and the impact they've had on post-secondary enrollment.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor, Northeastern University
Guests:
Alicia Kalka, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management, Fairmont State University
Summer Boggess, Director of Admissions, Fairmont State University
In this multi-part series, we speak with professionals who presented at the AACRAO Annual Meeting and discuss the key points of their presentation in case you missed it at the conference. These will help you move forward as you plan for the next recruitment cycle.
This episode features Becky Tankersley, Director of Enrollment Marketing and Communications at Georgia Institute of Technology, and Patrick Frazier, Associate Director of Admissions Marketing & Events at Western Carolina University, who led a fantastic session on Adventure is Out There! Communication Tips to Standout to Prospective Students. In a world of overwhelming college marketing, how can your institution truly stand out? This episode explores how two schools use storytelling, connection, and a touch of creativity to cut through the noise and capture students’ hearts.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guests:
Becky Tankersley, Director of Enrollment Marketing and Communications at Georgia Institute of Technology
Patrick Frazier, Associate Director of Admissions Marketing & Events at Western Carolina University
In this multi-part series, we speak with professionals who presented at the AACRAO Annual Meeting and discuss the key points of their presentation in case you missed it at the conference. These will help you move forward as you plan for the next recruitment cycle.
This episode features Eric Sanford, University Registrar at Friends University, who led a fantastic session on The Power of Questions in Higher Education. This episode explores the transformative power of asking the right questions in higher education. Learn how strategic questioning can spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, and deepen engagement in any academic setting.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guest:
Eric Sanford, University Registrar at Friends University
In this multi-part series, we speak with professionals who presented at the AACRAO Annual Meeting and discuss the key points of their presentation in case you missed it at the conference. These will help you move forward as you plan for the next recruitment cycle.
This episode features Julie Taylor, AVP of Enrollment Management at the University of North Alabama, who led a fantastic session on Rapid Improvement = Growing Enrollment. Rapid Improvement events—rooted in lean methodology—to guide cross-functional teams from their current state to a stronger future state. In this episode, we explore their approach, the challenges they faced, and how the team embraced change.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guest:
Julie Taylor, AVP of Enrollment Management at the University of North Alabama
In this episode of Admit It, host Alex Fronduto, Associate Teaching Professor at Northeastern University, sits down with Daisy Ogunedo, Senior Associate Director at Smith College, to discuss career growth, leadership, and the power of networking in admissions.
Daisy shares insights on empowering others, navigating upward mobility, and building meaningful professional connections or your own “Board of Directors”. She also offers valuable perspectives for professionals of color in the field, reflecting on her own experiences and providing guidance for those looking to advance in their careers.
Whether you're new to admissions or looking to take the next step, this conversation is full of actionable advice and inspiration. Tune in for an engaging discussion on what it takes to grow and thrive in higher education admissions!
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guest:
Daisy Ogunedo
Senior Associate Director, Smith College
In this episode of Admit It, host Alex Fronduto, Associate Teaching Professor at Northeastern University, sits down with Carlos Cano, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Stevens Institute of Technology, to explore his professional journey in admissions.
Carlos shares insights on career growth, his approach to leadership and supervision, and practical advice for aspiring and current admissions professionals. Whether you're looking to advance in the field, refine your leadership style, or gain new perspectives on enrollment management, this conversation is packed with valuable takeaways.
Tune in to hear Carlos’s experiences, lessons learned, and strategies for success in the world of higher education admissions.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guest:
Carlos Cano, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Stevens Institute of Technology
Today, we're diving into a hot topic that's reshaping how we connect with prospective and current students: the use of AI chatbots in higher education.
I’m excited to be joined by two outstanding professionals who have firsthand experience implementing and using chatbots to enhance the student experience.
In this conversation, we’ll walk through the journey of AI chatbot implementation:
- Why these institutions decided to explore AI tools and how they selected their chatbots.
- The process of implementation, from vendor selection to overcoming challenges.
- The current successes and insights their institutions have gained.
- And most importantly, how you can apply their experiences to your own institution.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guests:
- Devin Purgason, Associate Vice President of Student Experience, Marketing, and Outreach at Forsyth Technical Community College.
- Lenell Hahn, Director of Admissions at Southeast Missouri State University.
Today, we're exploring a topic every admissions professional knows is critical—innovative approaches to campus visits. From getting students to campus, to creating memorable experiences, and following up effectively, we're breaking it all down. I'm thrilled to be joined by three incredible guests who bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the table. Together, we'll discuss everything from innovative timelines for campus visits to non-scripted tours, virtual options, and the follow-up strategies that truly work. We'll cover the full journey: how to get students to campus, what they experience while they're there, and how to maintain that connection after their visit.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Associate Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guests:
- Tiana Hakimzadeh, Director of On-Campus Programs at American University.
- Emily C. Stanley, Executive Director of Admission at Lasell University.
- Alex Galbreath (she/her), Director of Admissions at OSU-Cascades.
This episode focuses on how to best utilize design thinking to build team culture, discuss important topics, and in this specific case, refine a graduate admissions process. Dr. Mary McNamara will walk you through her design of an offsite staff retreat and the activities associated with it that allowed her to learn about herself, her team, and the needs of the applicants to their business school.
Click here for a list of resources referenced in this podcast, provided courtesy of Dr. McNamara.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Assistant Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guest:
Mary McNamara, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean of Graduate Recruitment & Admissions
D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University
In this multi-part series, we speak with professionals who presented at the AACRAO Annual Meeting and discuss the key points of their presentation in case you missed it at the conference. These will help you move forward as you plan for the next recruitment cycle.
Luke Schultheis, Ph.D., Senior Advisor and FDU Faculty presented on Increasing Equity, Elevating Revenue: The Path to Millions in Net Tuition. The enrollment struggle is real. myFootpath will outline how they re-enroll your stop-outs, assess who needs extra support, and provide retention services. Case studies and a university partner will demonstrate significant tuition revenue contributions, increased degree production, and improvements in equity as well as an easy implementation.
If you're interested in learning more about the work that myFootpath does, we encourage you to check their website at https://myfootpath.com.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Assistant Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guest:
Luke Schultheis, Ph.D., Senior Advisor and FDU Faculty
In this multi-part series, we speak with professionals who presented at the AACRAO Annual Meeting and discuss the key points of their presentation in case you missed it at the conference. These will help you move forward as you plan for the next recruitment cycle.
Becky Tankersley and Patrick Frazier presented on Breaking Through the Noise: Creating an Effective Communication Plan. The enrollment cliff is looming, and students and families are questioning the value of higher education. In an era of decreasing students and increasing skepticism, are your communications effectively targeting your audience and sharing your institution's story? Join us for this session where we will discuss the critical elements of an effective communication plan, including audience segmentation, setting up marketing campaigns, and collaborating with campus partners to enhance your story.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Assistant Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guests:
Becky Tankersley, M.Ed.,
Director of Communications, Enrollment Management
Georgia Institute of Technology
Patrick Frazier, Ed.D.
Associate Director of Admissions Marketing & Events
Western Carolina University
As we all deal with shrinking student volume and the implications that has on recruitment, how can our institutions remain competitive? How do we get prospective students to get to our websites, to contact us, and ultimately into the enrollment funnel?
Digital marketing plays a key role in prospective student engagement. Stephanie Krusemark is joined by Kim O'Rourke from LocaliQ, as they discuss what makes a successful digital marketing campaign, including;
- Setting campaign goals
- Identifying the audience
- Gathering the right data
- Tailoring the message
- Keeping the prospect engaged through the admissions process
Stephanie Krusemark is joined by Admit It's new Co-Host, Alex Fronduto. In this episode, they discuss enrollment funnel topics that both new and seasoned admissions professionals should be considering.
Hosts:
Dr. Stephanie Krusemark
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Illif School of Theology
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Assistant Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
In this two-part series, we delve deep into the landmark Supreme Court rulings from June 2023 that have sent shockwaves through the world of college admissions and higher education. Our episodes provide a thought-provoking exploration of the implications of these rulings. This episode (Part 2) focuses on the student loan forgiveness ruling which in turn amplifies the ongoing discussion around higher education affordability.
In these engaging discussions, we bring you a diverse range of perspectives from guests outside of enrollment management, making this an episode you won’t want to miss. We hope this episode leave you thinking about the evolving landscape of college admissions in a rapidly changing world.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Assistant Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guests:
Dr. Noor Ali
Principal
Al-Hamra Academy
Dr. Jacquelynn Rich Fredericks
Senior Managing Legal Resources Attorney
National Association of Colleges and Universities Attorneys
In this two-part series, we delve deep into the landmark Supreme Court rulings from June 2023 that have sent shockwaves through the world of college admissions and higher education. Our episodes provide a thought-provoking exploration of the implications of these rulings. This episode (Part 1) focuses on the impact of race-conscious admission practices now and into the future.
In these engaging discussions, we bring you a diverse range of perspectives from guests outside of enrollment management, making this an episode you won’t want to miss. We hope this episode leave you thinking about the evolving landscape of college admissions in a rapidly changing world.
Host:
Dr. Alex Fronduto
Faculty Lead, M.Ed in Higher Education Administration & Assistant Teaching Professor
Northeastern University
Guests:
Dr. Noor Ali
Principal
Al-Hamra Academy
Dr. Jacquelynn Rich Fredericks
Senior Managing Legal Resources Attorney
National Association of Colleges and Universities Attorneys
Admit It sits down with Dr. Lisa Perry at the University of California - Merced to learn about the one stop model and its impact on student enrollment and retention. UC Merced's Students First Center has experienced student success at its campus, listen to learn how.
Admit It engages in a conversation with Dr. Zach Taylor, Karla Weber-Wandel, Sarah Pauter, and Elizabeth Clews about one of the most relevant and pressing topics in higher education, student re-enrollment based on their satisfactory academic progress otherwise known as SAP. SAP is policy that is misunderstood by institutions and students. Listen to learn how your institutiton can learn how to use SAP as a re-enrollment strategy.
Resources:
https://financialaid.wisc.edu/eligibility/#SAP
https://jbay.org/resources/overlooked-obstacle/
Improving a student’s sense of belonging and connectedness is a powerful force for good—and measurably improves enrollment, inclusion, and retention. A higher sense of belonging improves students’ excitement, confidence, and commitment related to college.
The first year experience begins with the admissions and application process, before the first year even truly begins. Many of us will soon be facing early and priority admissions deadlines for next fall. Now is the perfect time to take a strategic approach to student success through creating a space for building intentional connections. This episode explores the creative ways CSUN is working towards increasing student yield and ultimately student success through community building. Listen to a case-study of how to build a student-driven sense of belonging using the Near Peer peer-to-peer engagement platform. Near Pear is a virtual peer network that reinforces a sense of belonging and community throughout the student lifecycle, resulting in increased yield, reduced melt, and improved persistence.
Host:
Stephanie Krusemark, Vice President of Enrollment Management
Illif School of Theology
Guests:
Dustin Manocha, Founder and CEO
Near Peer
Aaron Lindberg, Director of Admissions
California State University-Northridge
On February 7, 2022, a new bill, the Fair College Admissions for Students Act, was introduced in the U. S. Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill would ban any college that participates in federal student aid programs from offering admissions preferences to children of alumni or donors. While there is still no update on the approval of this bill, to add some perspective, I sit down with Barb Roberts, Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Services, for the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. According to the U. S. News and World Report rankings, the University of Nevada - Las Vegas is noted as one of the most diverse institutions in the country and does not offer legacy admissions to increase access, equity, and diversity within its student body. In this episode, I ask Barb to discuss her perspectives on this new potential legislation and its impact on the future of college admissions and enrollment.
Host
Stephanie Krusemark, Vice President of Enrollment Management
Iliff School of Theology
Guest
Barb Roberts, Assistant Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Services
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Admit It sits down with Jackson Boyar, Co-Founder and CEO of Mentor Collective and Stephen Ostendorff, Dean of Admissions of Molloy University and new Mentor Collective partner, to discuss how peer mentorship programs can increase admitted student yield and overall student success.
Resources:
Programs and/or Mentors for Newly Admitted Students: January 2022 | 60-Second Survey
On this Juneteenth Weekend, Dr. Stephanie Krusemark, co-host of the AdmitIt podcast, sits down with Dr. Marybeth Gasman to discuss the history of race and culture embedded within the minority serving institutions in the United States. We discuss the positive impact these institutions have on student success, the realistic challenges of their survival and ability to thrive, and why it’s important to advocate for their sustainability within the larger higher education ecosystem of colleges and universities in the United States and globally.
Dr. Marybeth Gasman is the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education, the Executive Director of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity & Justice, and the Executive Director of the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions at Rutgers University.
RESOURCES
Publications by Dr. Gasman
Doing the Right Thing: How Colleges and Universities Can Undo Systemic Racism in Faculty Hiring (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2022).
Educating a Diverse Nation: Lessons from Minority Serving Institutions. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2015).
Relevant Context Material
Consider a College With a Focus on Minority Students, U. S. News and World Report
Minority Serving Institutions, American Council on Education
Education Dept. Delivers $1.4 Billion in Stimulus Funds to Minority-Serving Institutions, AACRAO
Biden Unveils FY 2023 Budget Blueprint, AACRAO
Admit It explores the early career paths of admissions and enrollment professionals with four guests:
- Krystin Woodell (UNC Pembroke - Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions),
- Anthony Olaiya Wright (NC State University - Assistant Director of the Goodnight Scholars Program),
- Jacqueline López (NC State University - Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions), and
- David Stevenson (Appalachian State University - Assistant Director of Admissions for International Admissions).
Each guests elaborates on their experiences navigating the early admissions and enrollment professional career path and provides insights for listeners on how to develop themselves to get to that next level in their career.
In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Krusemark, explores the impact of the stress and pressure of continuing to recruit and retain students in the midst of a global crisis on the mental health of admissions, enrollment management professionals, and faculty.
Learn how to maintain good mental health through creativity and collaboration.
Host:
Dr. Stephanie Krusemark
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Iliff School of Theology
Guests:
Dr. Terry M Davis
Associate Professor and Director, PsyD Program
University of Denver
Julie Schellman
Director of Admissions, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
University of Denver
Season 3 kicks off with a mini episode welcoming back our host -- James Miller -- and introducing Drs. Angela Brokelsby and Stephanie Krusemark.
Admit It sits down with Mark Kopenski, experienced enrollment management professional and principle for Global Student Recruitment Advisors Inc. to discuss a brief history of international student enrollment in the U.S., the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on international students, the deleterious effects of the current political climate, and reasons to be optimistic about the future of globalizing higher education.
Global Student Recruitment Advisors: https://gsra.org.uk/
Writing by Mark: https://gsra.org.uk/author/mark/
AACRAO's Statement on the ICE ruling on international students learning online
Coverage of the fallout from the ICE ruling on international students learning online: https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/07/10/student-visas-ice-international-students/
Our host, James Miller, continues exploring the controversially titled "Noncognitive Assessment" with its creator Dr. William "Bill" Sedlacek. By using these non-traditional measures that have typically not been used to assess human abilities, particularly to predict success in higher education, admissions offices move away from solely defining "best students" by known scales such as gpa, test scores, leadership, involvement, and accomplishments and instead measure more deeply who the people are.
Resources:
A List of Non-Cognitive Assessment Instruments
Community College Research Center
Measuring Noncognitive Variables: Improving Admissions, Success and Retention for Underrepresented Students
by William Selacek
Racism in American Education: A Model for Change
by Glenwood C. Sedlacek, William E.; Brooks
Who are the "best students"?
Our host, James Miller, is back and exploring the controversially titled "Noncognitive Assessment" with its creator Dr. William "Bill" Sedlacek. By using these non-traditional measures that have typically not been used to assess human abilities, particularly to predict success in higher education, admissions offices move away from solely defining "best students" by known scales such as gpa, test scores, leadership, involvement, and accomplishments and instead measure more deeply who the people are.
James Miller chats with Christopher Tremblay, Director of External Relations for the Michigan College Access Network about the admissions based card game, Getting In. In addition to learning about the development of Getting In, Dr. Tremblay discusses the ins and outs of creating a card game, running a Kickstarter, how a card game can make college admissions less stressful, and the history of Walt Disney.
Related links:
School counselors empirical research
School Counselor Ratio Report
Getting In Kickstarter
AACRAO SEM Endorsement
Essentials of SEM
Bob Bontrager
Nirvana was a Tacoma Band
James Miller sits down to chat with Jeff Kallay, Principal and Cofounder of Render Experiences. Jeff has dedicated his life and career to helping colleges better make their campus visits and events tell the authentic story of the experiences students will have on campus. This conversation spans everything from Jeff’s journey to a career in campus visits, the experience economy, the big mistakes colleges make when hosting students and families, how generational differences impact the campus visit, and Jeff’s favorite Pittsburgh Steelers of all time.
Lee University: http://www.leeuniversity.edu/
Pine and Gilmore's Experience Economy: https://www.kingsbookstore.com/book/9781422161975
Pine and Gilmore's Strategic Horizons Group: https://strategichorizons.com/
Pew's Generations Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/topics/generations-and-age/
A less than definitive list of the greatest Steelers of all time: https://www.ranker.com/list/best-pittsburgh-steelers-of-all-time/ranker-nfl
My favorite Manhattan: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018340-manhattan
Thrice All American by Neko Case: https://open.spotify.com/album/5UiyS9gHzIJ0kiI0E0kEpR
James Miller interviews University of Puget Sound Chief Diversity Officer and nationally recognized diversity and inclusion expert, Michael Benitez on how admissions offices and diversity offices on college campuses can work more closely and effectively together.
Michael Benitez website: https://www.speakoutnow.org/speaker/michael-benitez-jr
History of colonization of Puerto Rico: https://gsp.yale.edu/case-studies/colonial-genocides-project/puerto-rico
Workforce Diversity Network Chief Diversity Officer article: https://workforcediversitynetwork.com/docs/Article_goldemwilliams_WhatisaChief%20DiversityOfficer.pdf
We’ve Got Minorities, Yes We Do study by Dr. Timothy Pippert (requires university library access): https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1026275
Notorious B.I.G. Playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO39qAJG?si=U3-2vmzlTEKYOKZzcid5_Q
Nas Playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWUuiucxQQIC1?si=ipTMtDhsQ9CYaCVpdaez9w
Jay Z Playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO1XGbvi?si=jevSJKxuS2ie19j1PhOnzg
Kendrick Lamar Playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX5EkyRFIV92g?si=eKaO0gpaTHKKH3Bi8_9vrA
Dr. Genny Beemyn, Director of the Stonewall Center at the University of Massachusetts, sits down with James Miller to talk about the needs of Trans students on college campus and in the admissions process. The conversation covers a wide range of topics from the progression of LBG students in college vs. the progress of Trans students in college to best practices for inclusive recruitment and admissions practices.
Admit It sits down with Scott Jaschik (like classic) to discuss the Inside Higher Ed 2018 Survey of Admissions Directors. In this wide ranging conversation, we cover how the current political climate impacts college admissions, the Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard affirmative action court case, the state of the test optional movement, the increasing struggle to meet enrollment targets by May 1, and so much more.