SEMM Conference 2024, November 5th - 7th, 2024 | Toronto, ONLearn More
May 8-9, 2024 | Virtual
Delivering best practices and innovative solutions to improve student success and grow enrolment.
Canada’s largest VIRTUAL event for Post-Secondary marketing, recruitment, student success, and enrolment management.
Supporting institutional outcomes by improving student recruitment, retention, and success.
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Why SEMM Forum?
Our goal is student success. The outcome is institutional success.
When professionals learn from peers at other institutions and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved and students benefit as a result.
SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.
We believe that every individual working in post-secondary education deserves the chance to unlock their full potential to support student success, regardless of financial barriers. We're thrilled to offer a unique opportunity for passionate individuals to attend our upcoming conference at no cost through our scholarship program.
You can learn more here.
Develop a SEMM culture across your institution:
Explore every factor impacting enrolment
Discover innovative Canadian approaches from SEMM peers
Get your whole team on the same page by learning together
Implement changes to achieve your goals
Call for Proposals
We invite you to submit a session proposal and share your unique perspectives, insights, and successes with us at the 2023 in-Person SEMM Forum Conference.
Curious about what we're looking for in a proposal?
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Relevance, Replicability and “Freshness”
We want you to submit proposals that will allow you to show others how to do what you did, so it might benefit their institution. Offering your perspective and insights on topics that are relevant to leaders in SEM such as:
- Innovative enrolment and retention practices
- Programs or initiatives that have provided specific KPI improvements
- A focus on embracing and implementing programs related to diversity, equity, inclusion and/or indigeneity
- Creative and impactful uses of data and technology
- Improvements related to access, transition, persistence and graduation for all and/or specific student groups
- Collaboration among departments, faculties and units across the institution supporting enrolment efforts.
- Top-quality student-centered service models or support initiatives
- Insightful research or experiences that can guide better decision-making
- Beneficial partnerships with external partners such as other institutions, community stakeholders and vendors.
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Clear Learning Outcomes
Be as specific as you can about what you want your presentation to “produce” and how you will make this happen. Conference participants want knowledge and skills to take back to their home campuses and apply immediately.
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Metrics or Measurements
What measures of success did you apply to this initiative, program, or innovation? How did you use metrics to evaluate the success of your goals for this project, and what did you learn from this process? (Pro Tip: It can also be helpful to identify unexpected outcomes - not just the goals you made at the start of the process.)
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Compelling & Engaging
Give your presentation a title and description that will inform and attract the right audience to your session and seek opportunities to engage participants with interesting examples or case studies and opportunities to address their specific questions.
Who Should Attend?
The SEMM Forum is for anyone involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals.
Here are some of the job titles of those that attended recent SEMM Forums:
- Director of Recruitment and Admissions
- Assistant Director, Student Recruitment
- Director, Enrolment
- Vice-President Academic Affairs and Registrar
- Associate Director, Strategic Enrolment Management
- Provost & Vice President
- Registrar
- Registrar & Director of Admissions
- Associate Director, Student Services
- Associate Registrar
- Associate Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment
- Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs
- Enrolment Advisor
- Chief Recruitment Officer
- Dean
- Recruitment Specialist
- Director of Enrolment Services
- Director of Finance
- Director of Institutional Data Analysis & Planning
- Director of Marketing
- Director of Student Services
- Director SEM
- Manager, International Student Recruitment
- Manager of Student Services & Athletics
- Marketing & Recruitment Manager
- Director of Admissions
- Director of Communications and Marketing
- Director, Admissions & Student Recruitment
- Director, Academic Initiatives & Planning
- Director, International Marketing & Recruitment
- Director, Undergraduate Recruitment
- Student Recruitment Officer
- Registrar, Student Services
- Executive Director of Student Experience
- Executive Director, Student Services
Recent Participants
Your Action Plan
1. Register your team today at the best rates.
2. Learn, make connections, and discover new strategies and tactics.
3. Exceed your goals and objectives.
Need Approval to Attend?
Download the Business Case.
Attending the SEMM Forum Conference is a great investment to support the success of students and your institution.
It’s probably obvious to you that attending would be great for your professional development. The more expertise (and broader network) you bring to your work, the better.
But your boss might need a little more convincing. So, we’ve created a template you can use to prepare your business case to persuade your leaders that attending will be an excellent investment. Click the button below to download the template.
Download Business Case
Testimonials
See what past attendees say about the SEMM Forum.
"This virtual conference was extremely easy to attend and the organization was incredible. I felt welcomed and assisted, and the response time to questions and concerns was incredibly quick. I appreciated the ease and simplicity of the process for speakers."
Dayan Boyce
Corporate Communications Officer, Fanshawe College
"I appreciated the opportunity to learn, be inspired, and compare our experiences with peers in the broader post-secondary education industry."
Joyce Peralta
Manager, Digital Communications, Communications and External Relations, McGill University
"The conference was such a valuable experience, as attending allowed me to give myself permission to put away other work and focus on the key topics at hand. Although the ability to network, research and analyze enrolment management content is always available to us, conferences with colleagues offer a unique opportunity to sink into the information and networks both organically and with attention. I found it helpful to learn how others were putting the sessions into context for their specific institutions and to get a sense of where we all were, along the SEMM path, in relation to one another. I took many notes, had aha moments, ate well and made new friends! Thanks to the hosts and presenters!"
Holly MacDonald
CRM-Advise Retention Specialist, Cape Breton University
"I have been a repeat attendee of the annual SEMM Forum Conference. The 2022 event, like all previous forums attended, provided timely strategic enrolment insights, advice, and recommendations, regardless of the size or type of post-secondary institution attending. Every year the opportunities and challenges in student recruitment and enrolment shift, and every year the SEMM Forum has effectively captured and addressed these constant changes. The speakers and presentations were top quality, and the networking opportunities for post-secondary strategic enrolment and marketing professionals are second-to-none."
Gord Hunchak
Vice President University Relations, First Nations University of Canada
"This was my first SEMM Forum and I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the sessions and the opportunity to connect with and learn from colleagues across the country. It was a fulfilling experience to hear what challenges we were all facing and to put our heads together to discuss creative solutions. I returned to my institution with a lot to share."
Blessie Mathew
Director, Career Centre and Experiential Learning, University of Alberta
"The 2022 SEMM Forum was an excellent opportunity to learn about higher education enrolment strategies, tactics, issues and opportunities, and to network with recruitment, advancement and marcomm professionals from institutions across Canada."
Sharon Aschaiek
Principal, Higher Ed Communications
"SEMM Forum is a great way to bring brilliant minds together to tackle challenges that we all experience and bring awareness to how we can better support our students and institutions. I always come away with new ideas and ways to do my job better."
Michelle Dittmer
President & Co-Founder, Canadian Gap Year Association
"Every presentation I attended was well prepared, delivered professionally and had clear takeaways. It doesn't matter if you have been in the field for less than two years or 15 years. You will leave with knowledge you can start applying now."
Chanelle Landriault
Recruitment Manager, Le Collège Boréal
"As an Associate Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management, at one of Canada's medical doctoral universities, I appreciate the opportunity to connect with a variety of individuals (senior leaders through to those new to the field) to discuss emerging topics, trends, and best practices. I have not attended in a few years, and it reminded me that our environmental and cultural contexts are continuously changing and it is important to keep engaged."
Alison Pickrell
Assistant Vice Provost, SEM, University of Saskatchewan
"As someone who is new to the field of recruitment, the SEMM forum provides not only "point in time" information, but credible and informed speakers to deliver it. Content, format, collaboration, expert delivery and support all combine to provide a Canadian event with great perspective."
Georgine Van de Mosselaer
Director of Advancement, Booth University College
"The SEMM Forum is one of Canada's best opportunities to grow a deep understanding of enrolment management and marketing. The program is top-notch and so are the attendees; rarely do I see this type of high quality interaction between presenters and participants."
JP Rains
Director, Digital Strategy & Communications, Laurentian University
"The information presented was relevant to a wide range of post-secondary administrators. This is extremely important as communication between all levels of administration such as recruitment, marketing, student services, admissions and all other facets is needed in recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives."
Lorretta Neebar
Registrar & Director of Enrolment Management, University of Toronto Mississauga
"The SEMM Forum offers an insightful and engaging look at leading research and activity taking place across the higher-education landscape in Canada. It is a high-value learning opportunity for SEM professionals!"
Mark Kolanko
Associate Registrar, Enrolment, St. Francis Xavier University
"I have worked in higher education communications for seven years but I just recently started a role focused on strategic recruitment communications. SEMM Forum was an incredibly timely and valuable introduction to a side of the student life cycle that is largely unfamiliar to me. I have some building blocks for success as I enter into this next chapter of my career. Thank you!"
Allie Downing
Senior Communications Strategist, Recruitment & Admissions Enrolment Services, Wilfrid Laurier University
2024 Speakers
(Additional speakers to be announced soon)
Andrew Leopold
Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Communications,
Humber College
Andrew Ness
Dean of International,
Humber College
Caitlin Schmid
HR Partner, Office of the Registrar,
McMaster University
Craig Chipps
Manager of Canadian Student Recruitment,
Wilfrid Laurier University
Craig Robinson
National Higher Education Advisory Leader,
Deloitte
Dr. Clayton Smith
Professor, University of Windsor,
Senior Consultant, AACRAO
Dray Perenic
Academic Advisor ,
University of Toronto - Mississauga
Emilia Klassen
Specialist, Communications,
University of Waterloo
Gil Katz
Director of Operations,
MentorEase - Mentoring Software
Graham Donald
President and Founder,
Brainstorm Strategy Group
Haley Prentice
Community Marketing Manager,
SchoolFinder Group
Jamie Bramburger
Manager, Community and Student Affairs,
Algonquin College Pembroke Campus
Jennifer Powell
Director, Community Engagement,
Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc
Jenny Danahy
Supervisor, Pre-Arrival Engagement, Centre for Student Engagement ,
University of Toronto - Mississauga
Joe Henry
Dean of Students,
King's University College
Joe Stokes
University Registrar and AVP International,
Ontario Tech University
Kari Pasick Stewart
Director, Marketing and Communications in Undergraduate Recruitment,
University of Waterloo
Kayley Istace
Recruitment and Admissions Officer,
Alberta University of the Arts
Ken Withers
Director, University Student Recruitment,
Office of Student Recruitment, University Admissions & Outreach, University of Toronto
Kirk Kelly
Founder,
CRi Facts
Lindsey Fair
Associate Vice President, Communications and Marketing,
University of Victoria
Lydia Gill Blackett
Assistant Director, University Student Recruitment – Equity & Outreach,
University of Toronto
Marilyn Hodder
Senior Communications Strategist,
Wilfrid Laurier University
Mark Herringer
Executive Director, International Education, Office of Global Engagement,
North Island College
Matthew Stiegemeyer
Senior Director,
Educational Testing Service Canada, Inc. (ETS)
Meg Gassanov
Founder and Principal Consultant,
Strategic Measures
Michelle Dovil
Research Scientist & Adjunct Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology,
Howard University
Nathalie Mejia
Manager Higher Education Transformation,
Deloitte
Pauline Dawson
Director, Admissions,
Brock University
Phil Ollenberg
Associate Registrar,
Bow Valley College
Phoebe Wilson
Communications Specialist ,
Western University
Sean Williams
Co-Founder,
Dashboard Marketing
Simon Raybould
Director of Sales,
MentorEase
Stephen Flaherty
Senior Consultant, Higher Education Transformation,
Deloitte
Susan Kates
Professor & Program Coordinator, Entrepreneurial Enterprise Business Management Program,
Humber College
Svitlana Frunchack
Assistant Registrar, Academic Advising Services,
University of Toronto - Mississauga
Tanya Turner
Senior Marketing Consultant ,
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Victoria Wells
Manager, Student Recruitment and Wellness Centre,
Bow Valley College
2024 Program
Panel: The Implications of the International Study Permit Cap
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...
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
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Andrew Leopold
Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Communications, Humber College
Andrew Ness
Dean of International, Humber College
Joe Stokes
University Registrar and AVP International, Ontario Tech University
Mark Herringer
Executive Director, International Education, Office of Global Engagement, North Island College
Increasing Admissions Conversations through Academic Transitions
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Pauline Dawson
Director, Admissions, Brock University
Developing and Implementing Key Performance Indicators at McMaster’s Registrar’s Office
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...
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.
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Caitlin Schmid
HR Partner, Office of the Registrar, McMaster University
Meg Gassanov
Founder and Principal Consultant, Strategic Measures
Managing Mentoring Programs Across Campus Using Mentoring Software and AI
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...
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:
- 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.
- 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.
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Gil Katz
Director of Operations, MentorEase - Mentoring Software
Michelle Dovil
Research Scientist & Adjunct Professor, Department of Sociology and Criminology, Howard University
Simon Raybould
Director of Sales, MentorEase
Roundtable: Creating Student Experience Ecstasy
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...
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
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Susan Kates
Professor & Program Coordinator, Entrepreneurial Enterprise Business Management Program, Humber College
How Students’ Interests Have Changed Over the Past 5 Years
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...
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.
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Graham Donald
Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
Strategic Enrolment Lessons Learned at a Smaller College Campus
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...
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.
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Jamie Bramburger
Manager, Community and Student Affairs, Algonquin College Pembroke Campus
A New Age of #Branding in #HigherEd
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...
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.
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Sean Williams
Co-Founder, Dashboard Marketing
What Are We Doing About Men On Campus
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...
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.
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Joe Henry
Dean of Students, King's University College
Global Student Voices: Inspiring Learning Journeys Through Budget-Friendly Testimonials
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...
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.
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Tanya Turner
Senior Marketing Consultant , Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Students’ Perspectives: How To Create A Student-Centric Experience
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...
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
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Nathalie Mejia
Manager Higher Education Transformation, Deloitte
Stephen Flaherty
Senior Consultant, Higher Education Transformation, Deloitte
Craig Robinson
National Higher Education Advisory Leader, Deloitte
Unveiling Your Essence: Unpacking Differentiation in Higher Education
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,...
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.
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Lindsey Fair
Associate Vice President, Communications and Marketing, University of Victoria
Charting a New Course: Pioneering Inaugural Equity Roles and Innovative Strategies in SEM
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Ken Withers
Director, University Student Recruitment, Office of Student Recruitment, University Admissions & Outreach, University of Toronto
Lydia Gill Blackett
Assistant Director, University Student Recruitment – Equity & Outreach, University of Toronto
Roundtable: Let’s Talk Retention Strategies
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...
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
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Jennifer Powell
Director, Community Engagement, Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc
Crafting Conversations: A Workshop on Beginner ChatGPT Prompt Engineering
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Kari Pasick Stewart
Director, Marketing and Communications in Undergraduate Recruitment, University of Waterloo
Emilia Klassen
Specialist, Communications, University of Waterloo
This Summer Programming Made Me Stay at UTM! Designing and Delivering Impactful, Accessible and Sustainable Transition Programming for New Students
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...
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
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Svitlana Frunchack
Assistant Registrar, Academic Advising Services, University of Toronto - Mississauga
Dray Perenic
Academic Advisor , University of Toronto - Mississauga
Jenny Danahy
Supervisor, Pre-Arrival Engagement, Centre for Student Engagement , University of Toronto - Mississauga
Systems Thinking is the Key to SEM Success
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...
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
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Dr. Clayton Smith
Professor, University of Windsor, Senior Consultant, AACRAO
Improving Recruitment Efforts in the Digital Age
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...
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.
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Kirk Kelly
Founder, CRi - Customer Relationship Index Inc.
Matthew Stiegemeyer
Senior Director, Educational Testing Service Canada, Inc. (ETS)
Panel: Effective Lead Conversion Strategies – From Prospect to Enroled
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...
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
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Haley Prentice
Community Marketing Manager, SchoolFinder Group
Kayley Istace
Recruitment and Admissions Officer, Alberta University of the Arts
Phoebe Wilson
Communications Specialist , Western University
Marilyn Hodder
Senior Communications Strategist, Wilfrid Laurier University
SEM Administration: A Practitioner’s Guide
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...
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.
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Victoria Wells
Manager, Student Recruitment and Wellness Centre, Bow Valley College
Phil Ollenberg
Associate Registrar, Bow Valley College
Comin’ in Hot: 7 Hot Takes on Canadian Student Recruitment
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Craig Chipps
Manager of Canadian Student Recruitment, Wilfrid Laurier University
How Students’ Interests Have Changed Over the Past 5 Years – Part 2
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...
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.
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Graham Donald
Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
Register early for the lowest rates
FAQs
Is the SEMM Forum right for me?
Are you involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada? If the answer to this question is yes, then the SEMM Forum is right for you. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals. Check out the “Who Should Attend?” section here.
What's the benefit of a program focused on Canadian practices?
We’re Canadian, eh? SEM is very different in other countries. We believe that when professionals learn from peers at other institutions who have similar goals, students, systems and constraints and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved and students benefit as a result. The SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.
Can I take advantage of group rates before I know who’s joining me?
Yes! To take advantage of group rates and early discounts, simply purchase the number of tickets you want and enter “TBD” for any attendee names you don’t have confirmed yet.
You can also transfer registrations between team members at any time at no cost.
(Please note however that there are penalties for cancellations as per our policy here: https://virtual.semmforum.ca/registration/#cancellation)
Will this just be a series of webinars?
The live program will take place on May 8 & 9, 2024 for a little more than half a day each day: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern time. Please note that we don’t expect you to participate in every session. You can choose the ones that are most relevant to you; take time to network and meet with other participants; tour the exhibits; jump into a roundtable discussion; and, take breaks to stretch your legs. Additionally, you’ll receive a year’s access to the presentation recordings included with your registration. This will allow you to listen to any sessions you may have missed whenever you’d like.
What is the schedule and time commitment?
The program will run May 8 & 9, 2024 for a little more than half a day each day: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern time. Local times can be found here: virtual.semmforum.ca/registration
Please note that we don’t expect you to participate in every session. You can choose the ones that are most relevant to you; take time to network and meet with other participants; tour the exhibits; jump into a roundtable discussion; and, take breaks to stretch your legs.
Additionally you’ll receive a year’s access to the presentation recordings included with your registration.
This will give you an opportunity to listen to any sessions you may have missed whenever you’d like.
Will there be recordings available?
Yes! All registrations include free access to the recordings for 12 months.
When is the next in-person SEMM Forum Conference?
The next in-person event will take place from November 5-7th at the Marriott Downtown in Toronto, ON.
Sponsorship Opportunities
If you're interested in sponsoring the 2024 Virtual SEMM Forum Conference, please contact Jennifer Powell.
Sponsor Testimonial
“SEMM is such a well-organized conference that we enjoy attending as a sponsor. We were able to see a lot of clients at one time which is valuable to us. Thank you for doing an incredible job putting the conference together!"
Harriet Boston
Marketing Manager at Glacier
2024 Sponsors
