Reframing Strategic Enrollment Management Through an Economic Mobility Lens

Article Abstract

Related Issue:

SEMQ Volume 14, Issue 3 (October 2026)

This article introduces Economic Mobility-Centered Strategic Enrollment Management (ESEM) as an evolution of traditional strategic enrollment management (SEM) practice. Grounded in regional, cross-sector enrollment and student success work, ESEM reframes enrollment as part of a broader continuum that includes early exposure, pathway development, postsecondary persistence, workforce transition, re-entry, reskilling, and long-term economic mobility. The article examines how fragmented educational systems, misaligned timelines, inconsistent communication structures, and uneven data use contribute to barriers in student progression despite strong institutional intentions. Through an asset-based lens, the authors argue for greater system alignment, intermediary leadership, data activation, and coordinated support structures capable of sustaining student momentum across transitions. Positioned as a forward-looking extension of SEM, ESEM offers a framework for rethinking enrollment management in ways that better support economic mobility, workforce adaptability, and community sustainability.

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Article Type

SEMQ Article

Competency

Data Reporting & Analysis, Leadership, Organizational Management, Student Success & Enrollment Management

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Author(s)

Mayra Olivares-Urueta, Ph.D., is Senior Director for Postsecondary Student Success at the Economic Mobility Center, where she leads regional strategies that strengthen educational opportunity through partnerships among K–12 school systems, colleges and universities, philanthropy, and community organizations. Across more than two decades in higher education, she has served as a faculty member, researcher, executive leader, and consultant, helping institutions design systems that improve student success, institutional effectiveness, and economic mobility. An Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow, recipient of NASPA’s Community College Professional Award, and UNT Higher Education Outstanding Alumnx, Dr. Olivares-Urueta is recognized nationally for her contributions to community colleges, leadership development, and student success.

A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Olivares-Urueta’s research and writing explore higher education leadership, community colleges, student success, and leadership development. In addition to her institutional work, she consults with colleges, universities, nonprofits, and school districts on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, strategic planning, and student success, while mentoring the next generation of community college leaders through national leadership development initiatives. Whether advising executive leadership teams or serving her local schools, Dr. Olivares-Urueta approaches every role with the same commitment: strengthening communities through education, service, and opportunity. While she is passionate about developing leaders and strengthening communities, the role she cherishes most is coaching the two future leaders she gets to come home to every day—her daughters, Isabel and Olivia. Together with her husband, Alejandro, and Luna, the family’s beloved Cavapoo, they are her greatest joy and daily inspiration.

Anabel Romero-Juarez, Ed.D., serves as the Managing Director of Regional Partnerships at the Economic Mobility Center (EMC), where she leads the development and expansion of regional collaborations that strengthen education-to-workforce pathways and advance economic mobility for students and communities. A respected higher education leader, Dr. Romero-Juarez brings more than two decades of experience in student success, enrollment management, and strategic partnerships. As a proud first-generation college graduate, she is deeply committed to creating equitable opportunities that help learners access, persist in, and complete postsecondary education while connecting to living-wage careers.

Prior to joining the Economic Mobility Center, Dr. Romero-Juarez spent ten years at Dallas College, where she most recently served as the institution’s inaugural Dean of Recruitment and Retention. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles across higher education in Washington, Louisiana, and Texas, overseeing initiatives in recruitment, financial aid, academic advising, federal TRIO programs, and regional partnership development, including her work as a GEAR UP Site Director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History, a Master of Public Administration, and a Doctor of Education in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University. Recognized for her collaborative leadership and unwavering commitment to student success, Dr. Romero-Juarez continues to champion innovative partnerships that expand educational access and drive long-term economic opportunity.

CyLynn Braswell, Ed.D., is a visionary leader with more than two decades of expertise in strategic leadership, educational technology, and organizational development. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Leadership from the University of North Texas and is dedicated to advancing innovation and collaboration that expand opportunity. Raised in rural East Texas, Dr. Braswell developed a deep appreciation for the power of access and education. She has served as Vice President of Customer Experience at SchoolData, leading customer success and implementation teams, and as Senior Analytics Advisor at Frontline Education, where she leveraged data to drive strategic planning and organizational improvement.

Previously, as Executive Director for College, Career Readiness & Innovation at Northwest ISD, Dr. Braswell transformed programs serving more than 12,000 students across 25+ academies, expanding funding and creating award-winning pathways to skilled, credentialed careers. Her work focused on ensuring every student could access a family-supporting, living-wage career after graduation. She holds two Master of Science degrees in Information Systems and Education, along with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Services & Development from Tarleton State University, where she also served as an adjunct M.B.A./M.I.S. faculty member. A dynamic speaker with expertise in change management, design thinking, and data analytics, Dr. Braswell is a passionate advocate for career and technical education and workforce development. She was named the 2021 Texas CTE Administrator of the Year, and her leadership is grounded in purposeful action, community engagement, and continuous growth.

Shawn Hulsizer is a workforce and product leader with nearly 20 years of experience at the intersection of learning, technology, and economic mobility. She currently serves as Chief Product Officer at Economic Mobility Center (EMC), where she leads product vision, data strategy, and technology for a nonprofit dedicated to connecting learners to living-wage careers across Texas. Earlier in her career, Hulsizer spent a decade as an executive leader at CAEL (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning), leading workforce transformation initiatives across Ohio, Minnesota, Tennessee, Houston, New York City, and nationally with McDonald’s Corporation. In these roles, she convened K–12, higher education, employers, and government agencies to build unified pathways to opportunity.

Before joining EMC, Hulsizer served as Regional Vice President of Partner Success at Wiley Education Services, where she led the partner success division in supporting corporate learning strategies and higher education incumbent worker training programs. She established the vision and structure for a new client success division, helping strengthen organizational impact and client outcomes. Hulsizer holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has served on several nonprofit boards, including the City of Peoria Arts & Library Commission and the Women’s Crisis Center. She is passionate about building the partnerships and technology that turn learning into lasting economic opportunity.