Delivering best practices and innovative solutions to improve student success and grow enrolment.

While the new international study permit cap will have policy-makers and institutional leaders busy negotiating the details, it will fall on enrolment leaders, recruiters, marketers, and student services professionals to deal with the impacts now and in the future.

Join this panel discussion to learn how schools are responding and share your concerns and experiences. Find out who is doing what and make some new connections across the field who can help you reflect, adapt and communicate on your campus.

Discussion Topics

• Marketing & Recruitment Strategy
• Student Engagement
• Year 1 and 2 vs. Year 3 and Beyond

HR Partner Caitlin Schmid from McMaster University's Registrar's Office and independent consultant Meg Gassanov (www.strategicmeasures.ca) will lead an engaging presentation on developing and implementing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in an educational administrative context. The presentation aims to address the challenges and identify best practices in creating impactful KPIs that align with organizational strategy. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, expert consultation, and dedicated strategic planning efforts, the presentation will offer a thorough understanding of KPI dynamics in an educational setting. Attendees will leave with valuable insights and practical strategies for KPI development and implementation.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the process of developing and implementing KPIs in an educational administrative context.
• Identify the challenges and best practices in making KPIs meaningful and aligned with organizational goals.
• Learn the importance of collaboration, expert consultation, and dedicated time in the effective development of KPIs.
• Gain insights into the practical steps for effective KPI implementation, including data collection, analysis, and reporting strategies.

In this session, Gil Katz from MentorEase will explore the various types of mentoring programs offered at campuses around the world. From pre-enrollment to peer mentoring, supporting grads, alumni and faculty. Each program has unique characteristics and tools that can make it easy to manage.

As a case study example, Michelle Dovil from Howard University in Washington, DC will share insights regarding how they implemented and have used mentoring software and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to match students with professionals in the Geoscience and Social Science fields. The Full STEAM Ahead mentoring program is supported and fully funded by the National Science Foundation.

Another case study will be from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) sharing insights regarding how they used our mentoring software for over 2.5 years in the Office of Minority Education (OME) to assist with managing two successful mentoring programs at https://ome-mentoring.mit.edu:

1. E-Mentor Advocate Partnership Program (EMAP) - The goal of E-MAP is to help students transition from academia to the work environment. Industry and alumni mentors work closely with MIT protégés to guide them through the process.
2. Mentor Advocate Partnership (MAP) - A volunteer mentoring program designed to assist first-year students on building relationships with staff, faculty, post-docs and graduate students.

Creating Student Experience Ecstasy is a powerful concept that transcends traditional education models.

By prioritizing holistic development, engaging teaching techniques, supportive communities, technological integration, and emotional well-being, educators and the entire school community can create an educational ecosystem that generates genuine enthusiasm and fulfillment among students.

Through adopting this approach, we have the opportunity to transform the student experience, unlocking their potential and preparing them for a future filled with success and purpose.

During this roundtable session, delegates will discuss the techniques, programs, communities, technology, and supports that are being used at their organization in an attempt to create a student experience like no other.

Delegates will leave this session with student-experience-centric ideas to bring back to their school and an expanded network of peers from across the country who are committed to improving the Canadian post-secondary school experience.

Learning Outcomes
A revitalized focus on:

• Enhancing student engagement
• Student growth and well-being
• Preparation for real-world success

Brainstorm Strategy Group has been conducting extensive research with Canadian students for two decades. Over the past five years alone, Brainstorm has surveyed more than 100,000 university and college students in Canada to explore their interests, intentions, and experiences. Despite the loud declarations of some pundits, changes in attitudes are generally very gradual over the years. However, the past few years have proven to be exceptional.

Join Brainstorm's president and lead researcher, Graham Donald, as he compares the views of students in 2019 to those of today. How has the pandemic and its various impacts – including virtual schooling, social isolation, inflation, and the rising cost of housing – affected students' interests and decision-making with regard to post-secondary education? How is it changing their school experience? And how is it changing their transition to further studies or the workplace?

This presentation will likely validate some of what you are seeing personally through your work with students. It will definitely shed light on other areas and provide you with the data you need to take action. And, perhaps most importantly, it will launch conversations between you and your peers from across Canada throughout the SEMM Conference.

Regional college campuses have their challenges.

Most are located in smaller or rural communities that are aging, have limited diversity and are struggling to retain their youth. Some don’t even have public transit or student residences, but despite these obstacles, smaller campuses are also known for their resiliency and creativity. They are masters at creating Town and Gown relationships with their host municipality and known for their ability to build partnerships that help both the college and the broader community.

Strategic enrolment management can also be a strength if there is strong leadership, a data informed approach and a campus wide culture that focuses on student success. While the lessons learned come from a small campus, this session will explore some best practices in enrolment management that can be applied to both small and large campuses.

Learning Outcomes

• The importance of smaller campuses taking ownership of strategic enrolment management.
• How to build a SEM culture on campus where everyone finds their place in the effort to enroll and retain students.
• How small campuses utilize data to build successful SEM strategies.

Have institutions lost their way on #brand?
Do students really care about branding anymore?
What does the idea of ‘brand’ mean post-covid?

In 2023, institutional branding is even more important than ever before. Gap years, virtual learning, disengaged students, fluid decision-making, and ESG alignment have disrupted and redefined the meaning behind the brand. All types of students have made changes in their brand alignment based on what’s happened over the last 3 years. Brand disconnection is real and loyalty to some institutions has been lost.

That’s why the importance and deeper meaning of ‘brand affinity’ should be front and centre across all areas of the campus. While brand is important in the recruitment stage, it’s even more important once a student has shown up or signed on for class. An institution’s brand needs to be continually worked on and amplified since the link, and hopefully, loyalty has only just begun. The goal for every institution should be to move any brand connection from ‘loyal’ to ‘advocate’. Creating Alumni advocates who will help recruit new students, give back to the institution or simply stay involved.

Learning Outcomes

• How brand views and loyalties have changed for students post-COVID;
• How branding affects and impacts student recruitment and retention;
• How to ensure 'brand affinity' is embraced across campus;
• How best to transition students into vocal Alumni brand advocates.

Men’s participation in post-secondary and completion rates have been front center in higher education in recent weeks in both the United States and Canada.

A recent report released by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), showed that nearly 25% of students who enrolled in a post-secondary program in Ontario, Canada, failed to complete a credential after eight years. However, when accounting for gender, men’s non-completion of a credential was over 35%.

Similar to the findings from Canada, The National Student Clearinghouse Centre in the United States released data on completion rates which showed that only 58.4% of men completed their program within six years, while women completed their programs at a higher rate of 65.6%.

Leaving aside the different definitions of completion (six vs eight years) between the two studies, the gender divide is clear and should be concerning to those who work in higher education.

This session will further outline the research associated with the challenge and success of supporting men on campus and suggest some considerations for further research and/or programming, that should be considered in SEMM planning.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the research gaps in Canada and the United States related to student success and men
• Learn Best practices currently being employed that have the potential for impact on campus
• Demonstrate how this issue may be impacting their campus and what participants might consider in their SEMM Plan.

Maximize content while keeping your budget in check. Get insight into the process and strategy that Saskatchewan Polytechnic international education and marketing used to build a library of student testimonials.

International student testimonials provide an authentic voice for prospective students. Often, prospective international students make decisions before coming to Canada or stepping on campus. Marketing to and communicating with international prospects requires an authentic and targeted approach to provide a sense of the student life experience at campus including learning outcomes, campus culture and future career options.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn a process to collect student and alumni testimonials.
• Consider how you can maximize opportunity in content creation.
• Build the relationship with your international and marketing teams.

This session will share what over 1,000 students across Canada had to say about their post-secondary experience as part of Deloitte's annual student survey.

We will explore insights across the learner journey including differences between part-time, full-time, domestic, and international students at both colleges and universities.

From teaching and learning to technology, student life, and mental health, this session aims to answer two questions:

• What do students want from their higher education experience?
• Do they think they are getting it?

Learning Outcomes

• Evaluate the key current trends impacting the higher education industry, including key drivers for enrolment and student decision-making
• Examine the state of student-centricity across Canadian higher education institutions to inform an enrolment strategy that considers principles of student-centricity and what students want

In this thought-provoking conference presentation, we will delve into the elusive concept of differentiation within higher education institutions. We will explore the challenge of articulating what truly makes each institution unique, and how to uncover that distinct "special sauce" that defines them.

Using real-life examples from three diverse institutions, we will discuss effective strategies for discovering and embracing your institution's individuality.

Join us for an inspiring journey toward unlocking your institution's true essence, leaving you equipped to create a compelling and cohesive brand that sets you apart in the higher education landscape.

Learning Outcomes

• The Quest for Uniqueness: Understanding the struggle in differentiating higher education institutions in a competitive landscape.
• Case Studies in Differentiation: Examine three exemplary institutions and learn how they identified their core strengths and differentiating factors.
• Unearthing Your Institutions Identity: Practical techniques to unearth and define your institution’s unique attributes, values, and offerings.
• Building Brand Cohesion: How to align internal stakeholders and create a cohesive brand narrative that reinforces your institution’s distinct identity.
• Authentic Storytelling: Mastering the art of communicating your institution's uniqueness to prospective students, faculty, and stakeholders effectively.
• Leveraging Differentiation: Exploring the impact of differentiation on enrollment, engagement, and overall institutional success.

Enrolment doesn’t equate to student success.

Join us for an insightful roundtable session where participants will delve into the critical topic of post-secondary student retention.

This session aims to shed light on innovative strategies, best practices, and foster a collaborative environment to enhance student retention rates in higher education.

Participants will gain valuable insights, exchange ideas, and collectively work towards improving post-secondary retention rates.

Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to the success and persistence of students on their academic journey!

Potential Discussion Topics

• Success Stories and Challenges
• Strategies, Experiences, and Solutions
• Technologies and Creative Methodologies
• Creating a Campus Culture that Prioritizes Retention

In this session, the University of Toronto Mississauga will share how the Academic Advising team from the Office of the Registrar collaborated with the Centre for Student Engagement to create a hybrid summer transition program to welcome and prepare new students for their first year of university. Our session will highlight how student affairs can come together with the university's academic side to deliver a holistic and seamless experience for new students. Lizzio’s Five Senses Model (2006) is one of several theories that underpin our programming. The overall approach to the collaboration between academic and co-curricular supports/offices could also be summarized by the following: “The first-year experience is not a single program or initiative, but rather an intentional combination of academic and co-curricular efforts within and across postsecondary institutions.” (Koch &Garner, 2006). Participants of this session will get a glimpse inside the UTM’s transition programming between when a student first accepted their offer to the first day of classes. The presentation will share data, and focus group results, and include an interactive experience of how new students experienced academic advising and peer mentorship programming through a multi-media and technological experience.

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to recognize 3 key features of a successful hybrid transition program
• Be able to Identify 2 benefits of cross-campus collaboration in supporting new incoming students
• Be able to illustrate at least one takeaway that could help improve the new student experience in their home institutions

There is no doubt that Canadian colleges and universities turn to Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) for managing student enrolment. However, if you and your team do not truly understand what SEM is and the importance of looking at the institution as a whole rather than in parts, are you contributing effectively?

It's time to take your day-to-day institutional lens off and uncover how every role within your institution intersects and truly supports organizational success, including your own.

In this interactive session, participants will learn and discuss the basics of systems thinking and understand the importance of being a systems thinker in your role. Additionally, we will discuss potential ways to challenge your team to adopt this type of thinking which will lead to a natural adoption of a SEM ecosystem at your institution.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the core concepts and objectives of SEM
• The role of SEM on campus
• How your work and role fit into the SEM ecosystem
• Identify ways to set your team up for SEM success

Pre-pandemic, most prospective students followed relatively set paths in getting information, interacting with the schools that interested them and attending on or off campus events. With the rapid and radical digitization of recruitment culture during the pandemic, schools find ourselves in a situation where prospective student paths are atomized.

Every prospect follows their own path through both digital and in-person channels. Their paths overlap and crisscross other prospects’ paths but rarely in the same sequence or with the same intensity at each point. At the end of the process, we see that it’s not the path itself that is key to understanding and predicting student outcomes but rather the stopping points along the way.

In this session, we will look at a different way of analyzing the data collected from students tracking their self-reported movement from awareness to full commitment to a school. The outcome not only pinpoints where your investment of time and resources will likely generate the greatest overall improvement in your results, it also quantifies and optimizes the expected outcomes. The results can be focused on all applicants or selected high value segments. Our goal is to get past the endless reports with dozens and dozens of slides with table after table to get to a short punchy report that looks at the stopping points on your prospects’ journeys and, from that, identify the Tipping Points that will tip your prospects into registered students.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion led by Haley Prentice, Community Marketing Manager from SchoolFinder, featuring a panel of seasoned student recruitment professionals who have mastered the art of converting applicant leads into enrolled students. In this session, panelists will share their insights, strategies, and success stories, providing valuable perspectives on how to navigate the intricate journey from initial inquiry to enrolment.

This panel session is a must-attend for recruiters, admissions professionals, enrolment managers, and anyone involved in the student recruitment process. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from the experts and take away actionable insights to boost your institution's lead conversion success.

Topics of Discussion Include:

• Strategic Lead Nurturing
• Data-Driven Decision-Making
• Technology Integration
• Collaboration and Communication
• Tailoring Approaches to Diverse Audiences
• Best Practices in Applicant Engagement

Building a community of strategic enrolment management (SEM) within your organization can be a formidable process as it spans teams, departments, and the institution as a whole. As an aspiring leader, coordinator, or front-line facilitator, you may have questions on how you can participate and support the strategic enrolment management of your institution. Sharing your unique perspectives and expertise informs strategy, builds on your institution’s strengths, and leverages your campus community to reach new heights.

This presentation will provide an overview of how you, as a future leader, have a role to play in supporting the strategic enrolment management of your organization. These tactics highlight how you can engage in cross-team collaboration to identify and act on strategic opportunities across divisions to maximize yield through to graduation. By focusing on achieving student success throughout the entirety of the student life cycle, your institution can readily respond to fluctuations in student markets, increase retention and graduation of students, and nurture affinity with your alumni population as advocates of your institution.

Bow Valley College is a two-year comprehensive community college serving 16,000 learners in Calgary, Alberta. Situated on the traditional homelands of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Îyâxe Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina First Nations, and the Métis Nation, the college offers programming in business, community studies, entertainment arts, health and wellness, and technology, along with academic upgrading, E.L.L., and non-credit professional courses. Alongside its main campus in Calgary, satellite campuses service the towns of Airdrie, Banff, Cochrane, and Okotoks.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the concepts of strategic enrolment management from an institution-wide lens.
• Learn tactics and best practices for engaging in cross-team collaboration to support strategic enrolment management initiatives at your institution.