By Autumn Walden, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
AACRAO recently passed a milestone of 200 professionals admitted to our Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement Program (SEM-EP). The SEM-EP recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2022, and our participants and graduates come from a wide range of backgrounds. Along this credentialed pathway, we learn about participants' experiences in the field and celebrate them upon graduation. It’s a pleasure to feature our 200th SEM-EP admit, Kissinger Dzanie, a Senior Admissions Officer at Ashesi University in Ghana and our first learner from Ghana.
We asked Kissinger about his career journey and aspirations and to share why he decided to pursue this 12-18-month professional development program. In this Q&A interview, you’ll discover how he developed a career in admissions, the people who inspire him, his perspective on issues in higher education from his experience working across the UK and Africa, and his advice for aspiring enrollment management professionals.
How did you become interested in admissions and recruitment?
Reflecting on my own experience as an international student, I remember the transformative impact of a supportive admissions process. Dedicated professionals guided me through the complexities of studying abroad, turning what felt daunting into something manageable and inspiring. This pivotal experience sparked my desire to assist prospective international students similarly while I was still a student at Bangor University-UK.
After completing my master’s degree, I felt a strong pull toward student recruitment, where I could use my background to help others navigate their educational journeys. My first role as a Student Recruitment Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa at a recruitment agency in Birmingham, UK, allowed me to connect with a diverse group of students, often helping them discover opportunities they hadn’t considered.
Over time, I realized that recruitment and admissions extend beyond building diverse cohorts or implementing effective strategies. It’s about supporting students through each stage of their journey, from application to graduation. This commitment to guiding students through every phase has fueled my drive to deepen my understanding of enrollment management. Knowing that each student I assist has a greater chance of succeeding and positively impacting their community sustains my passion.
What influenced your decision to choose the AACRAO SEM-EP?
Our mission-driven approach to admissions at Ashesi University strongly influenced my decision to pursue the AACRAO SEM-EP. The program offers advanced technical skills and provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing the complex challenges facing higher education today. With its structured, research-based approach, SEM-EP equips me to create data-informed recruitment strategies.
Through this program, my role as a Senior Admissions Officer gains new depth, enhancing my ability to cultivate a mission-aligned student community. This program empowers me to contribute more effectively to Ashesi’s vision, helping shape the next generation of ethical leaders.
What do you envision for your future?
I envision a future where I can contribute to research and thought leadership in admissions and enrollment and collaborate with like-minded professionals. In the long term, my goal is to advance within the admissions and enrollment management field, where I can make a meaningful impact and ultimately assume leadership roles. Participating in the SEM program is a crucial step in this journey, equipping me with the skills and global network needed to lead effectively.
Who inspires you?
Two remarkable women have profoundly shaped my journey in the admissions field. The first is Ms. Araba Botchway, the Head of Admissions and Financial Aid at Ashesi University. She embodies the phrase “master of all trades,” with expertise spanning recruitment, enrollment, and data-driven decision-making. Her deep commitment to diversity and emphasis on ethical practices have been instrumental in refining my approach to admissions. Working alongside her has provided fresh insights into student enrollment and renewed my motivation to pursue excellence in this field.
Another significant influence is Shaimaa Hassanein from AACRAO. Her contributions to admissions and mastery of data analysis tools—like Tableau, Power BI, and SPSS—bring complex data to life, enabling management to make strategic, data-informed decisions. Inspired by her example, I pursued data analytics training at the London School of Economics, realizing the transformative power of data in admissions. I would welcome the opportunity to learn from her firsthand about data analysis in SEM. This opportunity would be invaluable, deepening my understanding of leveraging data for impactful change.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming professionals in the enrollment management profession?
- Stay curious and commit to lifelong learning. In a constantly evolving professional landscape, it’s easy to get bogged down by daily tasks, but if you want to stay relevant, make growth a priority.
- Be intentional about learning new skills and seeking fresh perspectives—whether through workshops, online courses, or industry conferences. Investing in yourself will pay off in resilience and adaptability.
- Don’t underestimate the power of your network. Engage with professional communities and organizations for both resources and mentorship. Building relationships with peers and mentors can help you navigate challenges in your field and avoid common pitfalls. For example, participating in the Toastmasters community has significantly improved my public speaking skills. Through its mentorship program, I quickly developed skills that might have taken much longer if I had worked alone and even achieved success in speech contests as a result.
- By nurturing curiosity, prioritizing growth, and seeking collaboration, you’ll elevate your career and make a positive impact on your profession.
What are some of the unique challenges facing enrollment management in your region?
One of the most pressing challenges facing African universities is the increasing trend of students opting for overseas education. In 2020, over 624,000 African students were enrolled in international universities, marking a 41% increase from over 441,000 in 2010 and a 122% rise from over 281,000 in 2000, according to a recent study by the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace (CEIP). These numbers are rising as students see foreign institutions as gateways to better career prospects and cultural exposure. This trend often leaves African universities struggling to attract enough paying students to meet revenue goals. Additionally, many students enroll locally only as a contingency—after visa denials or delayed applications to foreign schools—resulting in further attrition as they leave mid-semester once admitted abroad.
This growing preference for overseas education underscores the need for local universities to offer a compelling value proposition that not only attracts students initially but also encourages them to stay. African universities can enhance the holistic student experience, fostering both personal and professional growth and motivating students to stay throughout their academic journey with a strong value proposition reinforced by a well-curated enrollment management plan and targeted marketing.