Essentials of Strategic Enrollment Management

An AACRAO online professional development course

When? September 10 - October 7, 2012

Purpose of the program

Strategic enrollment management (SEM) is a key concept in the administration of higher education institutions today. SEM provides a unique framework for improving student and institutional outcomes by jointly enabling student access to and success in higher education, best business practices, and comprehensive institutional planning.

The practice of SEM involves the participation of enrollment managers, registrars, admissions officers and enrollment service professionals who are served by AACRAO, as well as others engaged in programs designed to improve recruitment, retention, and student success. By exposing individuals in these positions to key readings in the field under the guidance of recognized SEM experts over a period of 31 continuous days, this online professional development program provides grounding in the fundamental principles of SEM from the perspective of 2-year, 4-year, public and private institutions.

Participants in this course will :

Become conversant with the core concepts of SEM
Gain familiarity with leading SEM literature and practice
Understand primary tools of SEM and guidelines for effective deployment
Test the implementation of SEM concepts with experts and with peers
Develop knowledge and skills to promote professional advancement

Topics covered include:

History and definition of SEM
Establishing clear goals for the number and types of students needed to fulfill the institutional mission
Promoting students' academic success by improving access, transition, persistence, and graduation
Promoting institutional success by enabling effective strategic and financial planning
Creating a data-rich environment to inform decisions and evaluate strategies
Improving process, organizational and financial efficiency and outcomes
Creating a service culture
Strengthening communications and marketing with internal and external stakeholders
Increasing collaboration among departments across the campus to support the enrollment program

Who should take this course?

AACRAO members working at the Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director levels
Other members of the higher education community seeking an understanding of SEM

How does it work?

The program is conducted entirely online. No specialized hardware or software is required to participate, and all learning materials are furnished online. A short initial tutorial on how to operate in the online classroom is provided.

Because there is no set class time, students can log on and participate whenever and from wherever it is convenient for them. It will take the average participant approximately 8 to10 hours each week for reading, reflecting, and interacting online to complete the program.

For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about this program and about learning online, click here.

Learn from recognized SEM experts:

Christine Kerlin is the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Executive Director of the University Center of North Puget Sound at Everett Community College , Washington , and an AC Senior Consultant. Dr. Kerlin is a nationally-known expert on enrollment management in community colleges with previous experience as Director of Admissions and Records at Central Oregon Community College and as Director of Admissions at The Evergreen State College, Washington. Her areas of experience include admissions, registration, records, international programs, credential evaluation, high school dual enrollment, placement testing, articulation, and strategic planning. Dr. Kerlin has authored chapters in a variety of AACRAO publications and presents regularly at national and regional conferences.

Reid Kisling is Registrar at George Fox University ( Newberg , OR ). He has over nine years experience in enrollment services with particular expertise in registrar's office functions, organizational culture and change, organizational structure, and the effective use of student information systems to drive enrollment services and growth. At George Fox, Reid has most recently been involved in the reorganization of the institution's degree completion program for integrated student enrollment services from recruitment through graduation as well as redefining online student services for the university's diverse student populations.

Amanda Yale is the Associate Provost for Enrollment Services at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. With over 25 years in higher education, Amanda has presented nationally on issues related to first-year advisement, first-year transition and intervention services, freshman seminar, learning communities, academic support services and early intervention programs, orientation programming, SEM planning, collaborative academic and student life initiatives, and leading an enrollment management division. She is the recipient of several national awards for exemplary programs related to marketing and recruitment initiatives, retention programming, first-year initiatives, and academic advisement. Yale has served as a consultant for several national organizations as well as more than 50 higher education institutions.

Earn a Professional Development Certificate

AACRAO will award a professional development certificate to participants who have successfully completed the course.

Enrollment is limited so click here to register online now with a credit card to secure your place. The full cost of the course is $495 per participant.

For questions about registration please contact Erika Watts wattse@aacrao.org.