Priscilla Grijalva and Dan Reyes reminisce about their favorite memories and share a few updates. We have a special guest audio from, Merone Hailemeskel, Digital and Communications for President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama. Audio Edits: Dan Reyes; "Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson (20…

Nathan Ament and Teege Mettille are the creators and co-hosts of the hit podcast, The Admissions Directors Lunchcast. They share different versions of their podcast's origin while somehow enticing Ken to share how the ALP came to be. Also, there's a teaser hidden in the Rapid Descent that you might catch if you listen carefully. Special shout-out t…

(No, the other one.) What happens when two avowed GenXers record a podcast episode? From the host you get a bad reference to C+C Music Factory; from the guest you get helpful lessons on "how to vice president." Michael Keaton, VP for Enrollment Management at Ursinus College, sets the record straight on who was Michael Keaton first, how to leave thi…

In this episode, NACAC Board Director Tahirah Jordan Crawford leads an engaging discussion with two accomplished women leaders in the world of college admission counseling, covering topics such as finding joy in the work, leadership, work-life balance, and overcoming challenges. Gain valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of women …

Carin Smith, domestic recruitment manager and Chicago regional representative for Beloit College (and a former member of Ken's team at Lawrence who helped him learn how to be an admissions director through a creative partnership she arranged), talks about how to lead without title, and the four reasons why this has been a deliberate choice she has …

From the time he was a little boy, Jeff Blahnik always wanted to be "an attorney," but a moment of crisis halfway through law school changed his path. He's now the Vice President of Enrollment Management at the University of Oklahoma, and shares the secret of winning the job interview at OU, how "inspired hospitality" makes a flagship feel intimate…

Angela Frazier, Vice President of Student Services at Waukesha County Technical College (the ALP's first guest two-year college enrollment leader and the first African-American leader in WCTC's 100-year history) shines a light on what people get wrong about two-year colleges; how WCTC has punched above its weight with recruitment and retention; and…

Justin Draeger, President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, joins the ALP to share what colleagues in admissions, enrollment, student success, presidents' offices, etc. can do to support their financial aid colleagues, who are about to do 6 to 9 months of work in about 4 to 6 weeks. A deep thinker, reader,…

Women's colleges offer transformative experiences for students that are more important than ever. These institutions provide access to inclusive campus communities and academic excellence with a focus on developing women leaders. In this episode, we will counter common myths, highlight unique opportunities from STEM programs to powerful professiona…

Studying abroad is so much more than enrolling in college courses in a different country—the experience can fundamentally change the course of your future. But who is this experience for, and what is the return on investment? In this informative discussion, leading experts break down everything students and parents need to know about studying abroa…

Richard Harrison Bailey—the RHB behind RHB—joins the ALP to discuss the principle of Coherence; the virtuous cycle of relevance, relationships and revenue for colleges; the difference between market position and brand; and how the values of truth, beauty, love and justice animate the core values and, to this day, guide the work of the firm he and h…

Parents are undoubtedly an instrumental part of the college admissions process for incoming students—but how much influence should parents actually have in this process? In this enlightening conversation, we talk to experts about what role parents have in the “marathon” that is the college admissions process, and the lessons the whole family can le…

Laura Kaub, director of the Duolingo partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees program, talks about keeping refugees and African students out of the "hole" in holistic admission so they can get into the economic, educational and political systems that can bring about change. She provides examples of U.S colleges that "get i…

As more colleges become test-optional, admissions officers are tasked with defining the value of ACT/SAT tests—what they convey about students, and their level of importance on the admission process. As standardized testing policies shift with each incoming class of students, our guests today look at in which ways removing the exams promotes access…

How does someone go from being a lawyer and a photographer to found and lead the company that has reshaped the college fair experience for millions of students and more than 15,000 admission professionals representing more than 2500 institutions around the world? Dan Saavedra, founder and president of StriveScan, tells us how he built StriveScan (s…

What is it like to leave the familiarity of higher ed to join a tech company with a vision to change how the world thinks about language testing? Jen Dewar, Senior Director of Strategic Engagement for the Duolingo English Test, shares how to break through, climb steep learning curves, learn from setbacks ... and why you don't win or lose—you only w…

Get ready for an episode rife with random references when David Burge, VP for Enrollment Management at George Mason University and winner of the Margaret E. Addis Service to NACAC Award, joins the ALP to discuss ADVANCE, a model transfer partnership between GMU and Northern Virginia Community College. Warning: this episode contains eye-rolling dad …

We have featured a bunch of folks who have gone from inside to "alongside" higher ed (including your host). Carolyn Noll Sorg, VP for Enrollment at John Carroll University has chosen to go in the other direction, and reminds us of the things that call us into this work. Bonus: Carolyn shares wonderful insights into how to think about creating memor…

Season Premiere: Ethan Sawyer, founder of College Essay Guy, kicks off Season 8 of the ALP and we quickly learn it's not about the essay ... it's about figuring out who you are and what you care about. We talk about the applicability of Ethan's discovery exercises to everybody (not just college applicants), why Ethan might be the perfect candidate …

In this episode, host Eddie Pickett and his guests explore the role of over 500 HSIs in the United States in serving millions students from both the admission angle and via student support programs. We dive into why a Hispanic-identifying student might choose these institutions for their higher education and discuss how HSIs are a refuge and suppor…

In this special edition, Art Coleman (@ArtColemanDC), managing partner and co-founder of EducationCounsel (and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights), shares the initial chapters of a playbook admissions officers can follow to move forward with confidence (and care) in the wake of the Supr…

Season Finale: Dr. Joffery Gaymon, Vice President for Enrollment at Auburn University, shares what it's like (and what it takes) to make the jump to one of the biggest roles at one of the most recognizable institutions in the U.S. She shares the essential and timeless tools to keep in your toolbox, whatever your ambitions may be, as well as how to …

Kent Barnds, Executive Vice President of ExternalRelations: Advancement | Communication | Enrollment | Planning for Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), shares how he started as "an accidental admissions person" and become the person with the longest title in the history of the ALP, and what he has learned along the way by becoming a college pare…

Robert Gould, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management at Augsburg University (Minneapolis), offers a deep dive into an approach to college admission that is turning the process on its head and—in the process—not only fostering a greater sense of belonging for students, but for the admission professionals who work with them. Could it be a…

Allan Mathew, Director of Graduate Admissions at Tufts University, discusses the similarities and differences of graduate and undergrad admissions and what he's learned working at three institutions in very different market positions. He also offers compelling insights into the four themes of his doctoral dissertation, which focused on the experien…

Heather Daniels, Director of Admissions at Colorado State University, discusses how she's managed to "come home" to every college she has ever worked for ... and discovers that she and Ken have a surprising braided history. Rapid Descent Walkout songs: Believe by Mumford & Sons Best recent read/eager to read next: Coherence by Rick Bailey Favorite …

In today’s episode, we talk about meeting veteran students where they are and how to best support them on their college journey. Veterans come from a range of backgrounds. These students bring a lot to a college campus—as well as their own unique challenges in the application process. We will discuss the crucial elements in finding these applicants…

Boyd Bradshaw, the inaugural Vice President for Enrollment Management at Towson University (MD), discusses Towson's new comprehensive and integrated approach to enrollment—from recruitment to graduation—and what it has been like organizing the institution around that work. We also learn Boyd's secret and surprising skill that he carries with him to…

Muna Osisioma, Maritza Cha, and Priscilla Grijalva discuss leadership and school counseling. This episode is a repost from their Podcast, "Beyond Guidance." You can find their podcast on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2064205 Audio Edits: Dan Reyes; "Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by Jessica and Jackie Parry, Voc…

In this metaphor-loaded episode, Christopher Gray, Dean of Enrollment at Lasell University, discusses living and learning through a successful launch of a tuition reset, why communities matter to marathoners, and a nifty trick to try in your next meeting. Rapid Descent Walkout songs: Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean Best recent read: Extreme You: S…

Eric Hoover, Senior Writer at the Chronicle of Higher Education, joins the ALP to discuss his April 5 Chronicle article, A Profession on the Edge: Why enrollment leaders are wearing down, burning out, and leaving jobs they once loved. He discusses what led to his writing the piece, what surprised him in his discovery, and why things are different n…

Priscilla Grijalva and TaRael Kee discuss their journey to podcasting and share tips for educators. Audio Edits: Dan Reyes; "Reaching Higher" Song Lyrics and Music by Jessica and Jackie Parry, Vocals by Emily Patterson (2015); The Kee To Success YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf4R2RLDrIiRLKirXjW3LWA/featured…

Season Premiere: Mary Chase, Vice Provost for Enrollment at Creighton University, kicks off the season from her fortress of solitude (which will make sense when you listen), and shares how growing up on a farm, being a college mom, and leaving the first footsteps of the day on a dewy fairway shape her approach to enrollment leadership. Rapid Descen…

Bridging Gaps in Context and Personal Writing in the College Application Process As a prospective college student, how can you craft your college application to shine in the pool of thousands of applicants? One of the biggest hurdles in the application process is showcasing your skills, personality and goals—all in under 1,000 words. Finding your a…

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we speak with a leader who is the true definition of longevity and commitment, Mary Lou Bates, Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Skidmore College. She speaks to us about the challenge of raising a family while maintaining a thriving career, and how her passion for her work in admissi…

In recognition of Women’s History Month, today’s special episode focuses on empowering women to achieve their professional goals. We speak with one of the leaders in advancing equity in higher education, Youlonda Copeland Morgan, Former Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at UCLA. She talks with us about the misconceptions of creating balance in…

College applications are meticulously designed to understand who a student is academically and interpersonally. In recent years, applications have included new prompts for students to talk about people they’re grateful for and instances that have positively impacted their lives. For college admission offices, the responsibility of building communit…

At least 10% of students on college campuses have a learning difference. In this conversation, two college admissions professionals share what students should look for when researching a college to determine whether and how the institution will facilitate their success in higher education. They share the many support systems they can look for when …