Start Date
July 11, 2024
End Date
July 12, 2024
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Venue
Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino
3667 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Room rate is $159 plus resort fee of $37 through June 18th.
Book your room here.
Advanced Career Track Schedule
Thursday, July 11, 2024
8:00am-8:45am - Registration & Breakfast
8:45am-9:00am - Welcome Remarks
9:00am-10:30am
Title: Advanced Marketing: Building an Integrated GEM Marketing Plan
Description: Within the crowded higher education marketspace, finding ways to distinguish yourself among the myriad of competing institutions can sometimes be quite a daunting task. This session will present advanced GEM career professionals with a foundational knowledge for constructing an integrated graduate enrollment management (GEM) marketing plan. This session will cover the steps for building an integrated marketing campaign, identifying goals within the campaign, and analyzing its metrics to improve campaign performance and future iterations. Through active participation, small group discussion, and handouts, attendees will leave this session with a toolkit for creating an integrated GEM marketing plan at their respective institutions.
Presenter(s): Stanley Kania, Assistant Dean of Admissions & Enrollment at Drexel University College of Medicine
GEM Competencies: Recruitment and Marketing
10:45am-12:15pm
Title: Building a Community for Graduate Student Success
Description: Who is accountable for retention work within your respective graduate program(s)? When it comes to graduate student support services, what is the climate like at your institution? This presentation will help answer these questions while building skills to secure faculty and staff support in creating an effective graduate student success network. This material will help to articulate the financial impacts of attrition in an effort to combat budgetary stressors. Participants will learn how to build campus-wide consensus and focus meetings around evidenced-based measures and best practices in student services.
Presenter(s): Teresa Renn, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions & Success at Le Moyne College
GEM Competencies: Alumni Engagement Across the Student Lifecycle, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Student Services
12:15pm-1:15pm - Lunch
1:15pm-2:45pm
Title: Strategic Enrollment Planning: What’s next?
Description: After an analysis of your institutions current state is completed, overarching key strategies may be generated. Based on the key strategies of the Early Career session, this session will then begin to develop the strategies in an Action Plan model that will include Budget, KPI’s, Enrollment Projections and Steps to Implementation. Attendees will have an idea of how each step in the development of a strategy can impact overall enrollment and budget.
Presenter(s): Michael Merriam, Assistant Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education at Framingham State University
GEM Competencies: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Enrollment Modeling and Strategic Planning, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Recruitment and Marketing, Student Services
3:00pm-4:30pm
Title: Emerging Priorities and Concerns of Graduate Enrollment Professionals in a Post-Pandemic Environment
Description: Have you thought about how AI may change the work we do in higher education? It certainly is a hot topic and emerging area of concern. In this dynamic panel discussion, we present new data from recent surveys of graduate enrollment professionals including many NAGAP members. In addition to the use of artificial intelligence in enrollment practices, we examine other issues that are top-of-mind for GEM professionals. Learn what your colleagues report regarding their workplace environment, drivers of student enrollment, and the increasing challenges associated with aggressive enrollment goals. We also reveal perceptions of the value of higher education – from both graduate enrollment professionals and prospective graduate students. This panel of experts will share data-driven insights and recommendations from four years of research tracking enrollment trends.
Presenter(s): Keith Ramsdell, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing at Ashland University; Donald Resnick, Global Higher Education Consultant; Pam Royall, Head of Research, Marketing & Enrollment at EAB
GEM Competencies: Alumni Engagement Across the Student Lifecycle, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Enrollment Modeling and Strategic Planning, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Recruitment and Marketing, Student Services
5:30pm-7:00pm - Reception/Social
Friday, July 12, 2024
8:00am-9:00am - Breakfast
9:00am-10:30am
Title : Advancing Knowledge of Holistic Review for Admissions: Addressing Challenges, Amplifying Equity, and Promoting Inclusion
Description: This presentation will focus on the evidence-based framework of holistic review for graduate admissions, championed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and adopted by myriad graduate and professional programs. Holistic review can serve as a way to explore and dismantle systems and processes that have perpetuated the exclusion of historically marginalized students who are capable of and qualified for graduate work. Barriers to the use of holistic review, including the impact of the United States Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision on affirmative action in college admissions, will be presented, along with solutions for overcoming resistance to longstanding processes and procedures. By implementing inclusive and equitable admissions processes, grounded in evidence, and interrogating implicit and explicit biases around these processes, we have the opportunity to facilitate changes that will create a diverse cohort of students on myriad dimensions. These admissions processes will ultimately result in a workforce that more closely reflects the world in which we live and the populations we serve.
Presenter(s): Dr. Kerry Mandulak, Professor and Chair of the Graduate admissions Committee in the Pacific University School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
10:45am-12:15pm
Title: Navigating Career Trajectories in Higher Education: Crafting Pathways to Success
Description: This roundtable discussion delves into the complexities of developing a strategic career path within the landscape of higher education. Addressing advanced career administrators, it explores the multifaceted considerations involved in creating an appropriate and fulfilling career trajectory. From identifying personal strengths and passions to navigating institutional dynamics and industry trends, participants will gain insights and practical strategies to chart their course toward professional advancement and fulfillment.
Presenter(s): Thomas Evans, President of the University of the Incarnate Word; Donald Resnick, Global Higher Education Consultant; Thomas Rock, Chief Student Affairs Officer and Associate Vice President at the Teachers College Columbia University
GEM Competencies: Career, Staff, and Personal Development
12:15pm-1:15pm - Lunch
1:15pm-2:45pm
Title: Beyond the Balance Sheet: Exploring the Relationship between Institutional Budgeting and Graduate Enrollment Management
Description: In this presentation, the presenter will delve into the intricate dynamics between institutional budgeting and graduate enrollment management, transcending the mere numbers on the balance sheet. Through illuminating case studies and strategic insights, the presentation will uncover the symbiotic relationship between fiscal planning and graduate enrollment management strategies. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how budgeting decisions profoundly impact graduate enrollment goals and learn innovative approaches to aligning financial resources with enrollment objectives for sustainable institutional growth.
Presenter(s): Joseph H. Paris, Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies at Delaware Valley University
GEM Competencies: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Recruitment and Marketing
2:45pm-3:00pm - Closing Remarks
NAGAP's Summer Professional Development Institute for Early Career and Advanced GEM Professionals will offer two tracks- one focusing on core competencies and the other on advanced strategies. While we have customized the offerings for these distinct groups, we also aim to promote discussion and interaction among all participants.
The Early Career track focuses on GEM core competencies and the needs of those who have been working in the field, or in their current positions, for fewer than three years as well as those with more experience. Individuals that are new to the GEM field or are interested in learning more about GEM core competencies should attend this track.
The Advanced track focuses on advanced topics and is specifically designed for graduate admissions and enrollment management professionals with five or more years of experience. Individuals in advanced roles (e.g. Associate Director or higher) should attend this track.
Member Regular $795
Non-Member Regular $1000
Early Career Track Schedule
Thursday, July 11, 2024
8:00am-8:45am - Registration & Breakfast
8:45am-9:00am - Welcome Remarks
9:00am-10:30am
Title: Introduction to GEM & NAGAP
Description: NAGAP is the only association devoted exclusively to professionals working in the graduate enrollment management environment. This opening session provides an overview of NAGAP, how it supports its members, and the benefits that membership provides. Current trends in graduate education and what graduate enrollment management is will also be presented and discussed.
Presenter(s): Naronda Wright, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at Georgia Southern University
GEM Competencies: Alumni Engagement Across the Student Lifecycle, Career, Staff, and Personal Development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Enrollment Modeling and Strategic Planning, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Recruitment and Marketing, Student Services
10:45am-12:15pm
Title: Strategic Enrollment Planning: How can I help?
Description: The Strategic Enrollment Management Plan is a collaborative plan that encompasses various stakeholders in campus community. One of the steps of this process is to evaluate the current state of your department and institution. The group will be divided into 4 different subgroups as fit (Recruitment/Admissions/Marketing, Student Success, Academic Portfolio and Financial). These working groups will develop an analysis of their institutions and then pull out key strategies based off of deficiency areas where an institution may want to work on.
Presenter(s): Michael Merriam, Assistant Dean of Graduate & Continuing Education at Framingham State University
GEM Competencies: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Enrollment Modeling and Strategic Planning, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Recruitment and Marketing, Student Services
12:15pm-1:15pm - Lunch
1:15pm-2:45pm
Title: An Introduction to GEM Marketing: The Five Ps
Description: This session will present early GEM career professionals with an introduction to graduate enrollment marketing. Through the exploration of the Five Ps of marketing- Price, Product, People, Place, and Promotion- participants will understand how each P is defined and operationalized as a significant component within an institution’s overall marketing strategy. Participants will leave this session with a greater understanding of GEM marketing and examples of each P that can be used for marketing idea generation at their respective institutions.
Presenter(s): Stanley Kania, Assistant Dean of Admissions & Enrollment at Drexel University College of Medicine
GEM Competencies: Recruitment and Marketing
3:00pm-4:30pm
Title: The Power of Price: Leveraging Tuition Discounting to Maximize Graduate Student Enrollment
Description: In this presentation, the presenter will delve into the strategic utilization of tuition discounts to enhance graduate student recruitment efforts. This presentation explores how institutions can effectively deploy tuition discounting as a tool to grow and sustain enrollments, increase admitted student yield, and bolster diversity within graduate programs. Through an institutional case study and data-driven insights, attendees will gain practical insights into how tuition discounting works and how it can be used to drive sustained growth and foster a vibrant graduate student community.
Presenter(s): Joseph H. Paris, Dean of Graduate & Professional Studies at Delaware Valley University
GEM Competencies: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Recruitment and Marketing
5:30pm-7:00pm - Reception/Social
Friday, July 12, 2024
8:00am-9:00am - Breakfast
9:00am-10:30am
Title: Navigating Career Trajectories in Higher Education: Crafting Pathways to Success
Description: This roundtable discussion delves into the complexities of developing a strategic career path within the landscape of higher education. Addressing early career administrators, it explores the multifaceted considerations involved in creating an appropriate and fulfilling career trajectory. From identifying personal strengths and passions to navigating institutional dynamics and industry trends, participants will gain insights and practical strategies to chart their course toward professional advancement and fulfillment.
Presenter(s): Thomas Evans, President of the University of the Incarnate Word; Donald Resnick, Global Higher Education Consultant; Thomas Rock, Chief Student Affairs Officer and Associate Vice President at the Teachers College Columbia University
GEM Competencies: Career, Staff, and Personal Development
10:45am-12:15pm
Title: Effective Practices in Student Services for Graduate Enrollment
Description: This session will cover the basics of effective student services at the graduate level with a focus on three specific areas: orientation, retention and belonging. Participants will explore and troubleshoot on the challenges that their unique campuses face in supporting graduate and professional students. The presentation will articulate how an understanding of these challenges can help to shape programming, resources and traditions that impact the graduate student experience.
Presenter(s): Teresa Renn, Associate Dean of Graduate Admissions & Success at Le Moyne College
GEM Competencies: Alumni Engagement Across the Student Lifecycle, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Integrated Operations, Money Matters, Student Services
12:15pm-1:15pm - Lunch
1:15pm-2:45pm
Title: Holistic Review for Graduate Admissions: Evidence & Implementation
Description: Holistic review, or holistic admissions, has become a familiar term in the past 5 years in graduate enrollment and admissions. This shift illustrates an understanding and recognition of the need to reconsider long-standing processes that have historically excluded capable and qualified students, due to prioritization of metrics, minimizing the importance of financial accessibility, and amplification of educational privileges. Holistic review, an admissions framework recently championed by health professions such as medicine, nursing, and dental education, has provided the evidence for graduate admissions professionals to incorporate these strategies. This presentation will briefly review the foundational concepts and evidence for holistic admissions processes, discuss how to mitigate biases in the process, and provide straightforward, specific guidance about implementation of these methods.
Presenter(s): Dr. Kerry Mandulak, Professor and Chair of the Graduate admissions Committee in the Pacific University School of Communication Sciences and Disorders
2:45pm-3:00pm - Closing Remarks
