2017 SEM-EP Graduate
Over 18 years progressively responsible experience in higher education, with a breadth of experience in Student Affairs at two-year, four-year, public, and private institutions. Areas of responsibility have included admissions, recruiting, records / registration, graduation, prior learning assessment, First Year Experience program, academic advising, institutional research, assessment, financial aid, and curriculum and program development.
Expertise: Admissions, Enrollment Management, Registrar, Records and Registration, Process Improvement, and Leadership.
Capstone Project - “Evaluating the Impact Proactive Full-time Registration has on Student Retention.” This research project sought to determine if proactively enrolling a specific population of students full-time in their first semester of courses would result in student success when compared to prior year data. Student success is defined as an increase in enrollment, persistence, and retention.
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Eleven-plus years of higher education financial aid experience across varying levels, which has included system policy development, legislative and regulatory analysis, system and campus financial aid administration, strategic planning, budgeting, enrollment management, institutional research, and state government relations.
Capstone Project - “Connecticut Community College Strategic Enrollment Management Master Plan” was written as a pilot plan to bring strategic enrollment management to the twelve community colleges that reside within the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system. The contents of the plan seek to develop a new culture based around SEM, with leadership provided at the system level, which is designed to work with system colleges in advancing enrollment, retention, persistence, and progress goals.
SEM-EP Poster Session
McDowell is the author of AACRAO's Basic Guide to Financial Aid book, released in 2022, and Financial Aid Eligibility: Fundamental Concepts for College Administrators, Your Piece of Financial Aid Compliance, and Financial Aid's Role in Strategic Enrollment Management.
Jennifer McClure currently serves as the University Registrar at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Her 30 years of diverse higher education experience span two-year and four-year institutions in public, for-profit, and non-profit sectors. As a result, she offers comprehensive leadership experience in registrar services, enrollment management, student success, branding, administrative policy, collective bargaining, government relations, and accreditation.
Dr. McClure is a collaborator and creative problem solver. She is a results-driven professional with experience in leading complex project teams, relationship management, change management, driving initiatives and achieving outstanding results. Her proven track record of success includes developing and implementing innovative strategies to drive growth, improve customer service, and increase efficiency.
Dr. McClure is at her best when she is collaborating to build high functioning teams. Known for connecting ideas, facilitating difficult conversations, and driving resolution, she shows up with energy and expects to positively impact whatever comes her way. She cultivates belonging using a growth mindset and connects people to information and resources so that they can achieve their goals. Her signature strengths are Maximizer, Relator, Arranger, Individualization, and Strategic.
Dr. McClure earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago, a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Master of Science in Higher Education from the University of Kansas.
"The Impact of Advisor Outreach on Priority Registration" - College & University Vol. 92, No. 3, Fall 2017
Review of: 14 Rules for Admissions Screening in Higher Ed: An Antidote to Bias
Review of: Higher Education on the Brink: Reimagining Strategic Enrollment Management in Colleges and Universities
2016 SEM-EP Graduate
Timothy Rees, Ed.D., is Vice President for Enrollment Management at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA, a SEM-EP graduate (2016), and a program evaluator with SEM-EP (2017-2021). Previously, he served as dean of enrollment management at Erskine College in Due West, SC.
11 Years of Higher Education Experience in Admissions and Enrollment Management at a Private Institution with an residential enrollment in excess of 12,000 students
Expertise in Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Leadership, Admissions, and Project Management
Capstone Project - "A New Student Study Regarding Effective Telephony Methods of Outreach to Formerly Non-matriculated Applicants" explored the efficacy of telephone enrollment campaigns to applicants who did not matriculate
Review of: SEM as a Connector: Principles of Practice
12 Years of Higher Education Experience in academic planning and enrollment management at a public institution with enrollment in excess of 12,000 students
Expertise in Accreditation, Admissions, Assessment, Enrollment Management, Integrated Services, and Records and Registration
Currently serving as Director for Student One Stop, leading an integrated student service responsible for records, registration, financial aid, and bursar functions
Capstone Project - "Using SEM as a Visionary Plan of Action" explores the transformational ways to address financial and enrollment challenges at public and private institutions while accounting for balance between the institutional mission and student needs.
Over 20 years in higher education with experience in public two-year and private four-year institutions. Diverse leadership experience in admissions, leading all aspects of the marketing function, establishing marketing and digital strategies, brand development and management, institutional website redesign, assessment, and creating high performing teams. Expertise in Admissions and Enrollment Management, Marketing Strategy, Leadership, Holistic and Systemic Thinking, Collaborative Decision Making, Team Building and Development
Capstone Project - "Elgin Community College Career and Technical Education Mini Enrollment Campaign Fall 2016" was a pilot opportunity to create a targeted and intentional marketing campaign using Perkins grant funding to impact fall 2016 enrollment in career and technical education programs. A total of six newly enrolled students can be directly connected to campaign analytics; however, there was also a 26% increase in new applications and a 13% increase in new student CTE enrollment for fall 2016.
2015 SEM-EP Inaugural Graduate
13 Years of Higher Education Experience in Academic and Enrollment Management at a Public Institution with an enrollment in excess of 10,000 students. Expertise in Records and Registration, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Leadership, and Research.
Capstone Project - "Enrollment Management Data" explored key data points associated with informing enrollment decisions on college campuses.
Diverse experience in the realm of international higher education, including the development of international student marketing and recruitment strategies, admissions policy and processes, scholarship strategies, statistical analyses, database design, and enrollment management. Past experience in ESL programs and study abroad programs.
Capstone Project - "In-Country Recruitment Activities Effect on Enrollment" study found that when recruitment staff were able to connect with prospective students in their country, the University saw a growing return on investment. In comparison with non-connected students (over the same 12 countries), the connected group showed growth in new intake over three successive years, as well as higher yield rates, first-year success rates, first-year GPAs, and the same or higher entry GPAs.
"Measuring the Effect of In-Country Recruitment Activities on Future International Enrollment at a Large Canadian University" -John G. Soltice, Strategic Enrollment Management Quarterly, Volume 4, Number 2, 2016.
Review of: Strategic Enrollment Planning: A Dynamic Collaboration
Past Higher Education experience as State Auditor of Higher Ed Institutions and Financial Aid Director.
Currently serving as Vice President for Enrollment and Student Support Services, leading a team responsible for recruiting, enrolling advising, retaining and providing funding for new and continuing students. In addition, her team provides student services at off campus centers and student activities and career development opportunities at the main campus.
Capstone Project -"Athens State University Communication Study of Retention Outreach Methods" piloted a study of email messaging strategies for stop out students at Athens State University. Study achieved an 11% return to degree work.
Experience in higher education as faculty and program chairperson with duties including curriculum and program development for student success. Currently serving as campus administrator with duties including program development, community partnerships, facility management, and enrollment management.
Capstone Project - "A Campus Role for Retention" examined the current trends related to retention on community college campuses, with a specific focus on first-generation students in the south Texas region.
2014 SEM-EP Inaugural Graduate
13 Years of Higher Education Experience in Admissions and Enrollment Management at a Private Institution with an enrollment in excess of 15,000 students, offering over 70 Bachelor's and 18 Associate's degrees. Expertise in Admissions, Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, Leadership, and Research.
Capstone Project - "Pathway Matriculation Rates at Brigham Young University -Idaho" tracked the matriculation rates of students who were engaged in non-degree online programs in Idaho.
Helen Gonzalez serves as a Senior Applications Business Analyst for the Division of Academic and Career Success. She works closely with the Associate Provost and various units across campus in helping to coordinate technology efforts to help achieve student success at Florida International University (FIU). She has over 20 years of experience working in Information Technology and digital media. Helen has been a state, regional and national conference presenter for conferences such as National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), HEUG Alliance and Florida Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (FACRAO) on multiple occasions. She is a graduate of the inaugural Presidential Leadership Program cohort and the Educational Leadership Enhancement Program (ELEP) 2017-2018 cohort. Helen has also served as the Chair for the Florida Academic Advising Association (FLACADA) as well as the Director of FACRAO’s Institute of Strategic Enrollment Management (FISEM), and is currently serving as FACRAO’s Director of Technology.
Edward F. Trombley III is Registrar at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Worldwide. With more than 25 years of experience in education, he has also served as Senior Operations Manager, Registrar’s Office at Walden University; Registrar at DeVry University in the Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. metro regions; and Dean of Administration at Bryant & Stratton College in central New York. He currently serves as President for the Florida Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (FACRAO), as Vice President for Topics in Higher Education for the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (SACRAO), and has previously served as a program committee member for AACRAO.
Dr. Steven Taylor is the Founder and CEO of Ed2Work and a member of the Transfer Task Force for the American Council on Education.
Deana Williams is a graduate of Baylor University and has worked as the Assistant Director and Residency Office at the Graduate and International Admissions Center of the University of Texas at Austin. She collaborates with AACRAO's International Publications Advisory Committee (IPAC) and has participated in numerous workshop and conference presentations for organizations including AACRAO, SACRAO, TACRAO, NAFSA, College Board, NACAC, and the Texas Bar Association.
Philip Hunt, J.D., LL.M., currently serves as Special Assistant to the President & University Registrar at North Dakota State University where he is responsible for the supervision and operation of the Registration and Records Office. He also coordinates strategic planning for retention and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Dr. Hunt has more than 20 years of higher education experience, Before NDSU, he was the registrar at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He has also held several positions at George Mason University, which included serving as the inaugural director of access and diversity initiatives, compliance officer for FERPA and FOIA, and associate registrar. His experience also includes positions at the NCAA and in secondary education.
Because giving back is important to him, Hunt is very active in his profession where he is a member of the Black Caucus, former Chair of the UMACRAO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, as well as the Vice President for Leadership and Management Development for the AACRAO Board of Directors. Your Role in Shared Governance
An Interview with Rhonda Kitch
Self-Actualization, Confidence, and Finding Your Voice: The Path to Personal Fulfillment
2020 AACRAO Elections - Nominations and Elections Committee Candidate
Kizzy Morris, Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Cheyney University has over 23 years of progressive higher education experience in academic administration, admissions, financial aid, student billing, registrar, placement testing, institutional research, and IT systems coordination. Kizzy’s student-centered philosophy is the driver for her work with different institutions on enrollment services, student success pathways, and employee and faculty professional development.
Throughout her career, Kizzy has been a member and officer of several professional organizations, often presenting at conferences throughout the US on topics such as student services, enrollment management, financial aid, student information systems and career development. With AACRAO, she serves on the Black Caucus and the Professional & Staff Development Committee and has co-taught Registrar 101. Her current research emphasis is on mentorship where she is leading the effort to create a Mentorship Toolkit as part of a statewide diversity consortium focused on education.
Kizzy holds a Master's degree in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Information Systems from Bellevue University, where she graduated with honors. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education from Capella University.
If elected, she intends to work with the Nominations and Elections Committee to establish and promote different membership outreach efforts that will encourage participation in the Association, and ensure that your membership voice is heard and meaningful through representation of officers.
Research & Policy Division Originally from Nashville, TN and always willing to tell you some stories on a long bike ride, Drew received his Bachelors of Arts in International Relations and in French from Allegheny College. Since 2013, Drew has worked in multiple areas of AACRAO, spending time in the Membership Department and collaborating with Publications before contributing to EDGE. Blessed to work on something representing the intersection of personal and professional curiosities, Drew enjoys highlighting pathways of students along their own personal journeys and sharing and learning more about global education systems.
Drew provides customer service, refines and standardizes EDGE content, and manages projects that anchor AACRAO EDGE's position as an authoritative guide on comparative international education from a US perspective.
Liesl has 28 years of administrative experience and is a long-standing member of AACRAO. She currently serves as Assistant Dean and College Registrar for Augustana College. Areas of expertise include program expansion, budgeting, technology implementation, and change management, among others. Liesl received her institution's esteemed administrative recognition award for successfully leading the administrative team that adopted a new student information system. In fall 2019 after four years of planning and 50 years on trimesters, Augustana launched a semester curriculum, an effort enacted by the conversion and implementation team Liesl led.