The latest ASCEND Leadership Development Program cohort launches at this year's AACRAO SEM conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ASCEND is part of AACRAO’s Leaders in Enrollment Advancing Diversity (LEAD) signature initiative and aims to diversify enrollment management leadership across the higher education
enterprise. ASCEND participants complete several courses over the year, including writing a SEM plan, change management, data analysis, leveraging technology in higher education, and others. Throughout the course, ASCEND participants develop a strategic enrollment management plan as their
capstone project.
The ASCEND program prepares higher education professionals with the competencies required to take the next step in enrollment management leadership. This year-long intensive program uses self-paced modules, coaching, and live discussions to cover the technical
topics of enrollment management.
Goals for AACRAO's ASCEND program include:
- Advance the careers of program participants and provide them with important professional development
- Help AACRAO and regional associations develop a “deep bench” of talented, motivated leaders from diverse backgrounds
- Provide individuals from identified under-represented groups in the association community (i.e., smaller and under-resourced institutions as well as people of color, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender people, people with disabilities, etc) with support,
access, and opportunities for leadership
Meet the Cohort
Faculty members with extensive knowledge of and experience with enrollment management serve as course facilitators and coaches. Each ASCEND participant works with a coach who provides mentoring, support,
and guidance, not just to complete the program requirements, but also for career planning and professional growth and development.
Visit AACRAO's LEAD Initiative page and join the list for ASCEND and LEAD updates.