By Johnika Nixon, AACRAO ASCEND Program Coordinator
As we celebrate Careers in Student Affairs Month, it's the perfect time to reflect on your professional journey and consider your next steps. Imagine yourself a year and a half from now, armed with new insights, an expanded network of peers, and a renewed sense of purpose in your career. That future is within reach.
AACRAO's ASCEND Leadership Development Program offers a unique opportunity to invest in your growth and make a lasting, influential impact on higher education.
Who is ASCEND for?
We must take ownership of enrollment in today's ever-changing higher education landscape. We designed the ASCEND Leadership Development Program to develop the diversity, sustainability, and strength of the leadership pipeline in education. The aim is to drive transformative change in the learner experience. How often do you consider your impact on the enrollment experience at your institution - for the learners, your colleagues, and yourself?
Some facts about our applicants:
Mid-career professionals with approximately ten years of work experience,
50% of applicants come from Registrar roles,
50% work in Enrollment, Transfer, and Admissions,
An increasing number join from Academic Affairs and Advisement,
65% of applicants are from 4-year institutions, 35% from 2-year institutions,
As one graduate articulates: I would recommend this Program to anyone in higher education who seeks to grow personally and professionally. Whether you're looking to refine your leadership skills or gain deeper insights into higher education operations, this Program equips you with the tools to evolve and make an impact.
Why ASCEND, Why Now?
As mid-career leaders, we often juggle multiple priorities, financial constraints, rapid technological changes, and competing demands. Time or support for professional development is usually limited. While many of us work in education, we don't always demystify how our roles intersect the enrollment funnel, the learner lifecycle, or the institution's broader strategic impact.
One of the most potent aspects of ASCEND is the lens it provides for understanding the narrative behind data. Whether it's enrollment numbers, retention rates, or student demographics, qualitative and quantitative data tells a story that can guide institutional leaders toward better serving underserved populations, enhancing programs, and addressing gaps in staffing or resources. By engaging leaders to interpret this narrative, ASCEND empowers participants to catalyze strategic interventions that directly influence institutional success.
This is where the ASCEND Leadership Development Program becomes a personal yet pivotal professional development experience.
Whether navigating the complexities of enrollment policies, developing new retention strategies, or fostering a more inclusive campus environment, the ASCEND Leadership Development Program enhances your "modus operandi," your habitual way of operating, through the framework of strategic enrollment management. The Program prepares you to ascend with the five C's: coaching, competency, currency, cohort, and career development, equipping leaders with the tools they need to thrive.
One of the greatest benefits is that ASCEND fosters connection and reduces the isolation that can come with this field, a graduate shares. It's comforting to realize that even those who seem to have everything under control—coaches and peers alike—share similar struggles. The key is that they keep pushing forward, which is inspiring.
The ASCEND Impact
The results speak for themselves:
50% of Scholars ascend to new roles within 12-18 months
100% report strategic growth and confidence in current roles
Over 50% of graduates remain at their institutions, citing improved campus relationships
Your Investment in the Future
Joining ASCEND is an investment in yourself as a professional with a great return on investment. The Program includes:
Comprehensive nine-month curriculum
Personalized coaching
Two paid professional conferences - Cohort 6 scholars will receive complimentary registration for the 2025 SEM Conference in Las Vegas and the 2026 Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
Access to exclusive AACRAO resources
One participant noted: The cost is impressively low considering all that's offered—two professional conferences, countless ideas shared throughout the Program, and access to AACRAO modules that would otherwise come with a fee.
Take Your Next Best Step
Take your career to the next level and submit your Cohort 6 application. The application process is simple: just a few short essays. Seize this opportunity to transform your career positively and significantly impact higher education on your terms.
A 2024 graduate shared, ASCEND has helped me overcome any hesitations about connecting with others in the field, whether for advice or collaboration. It motivates me to ask, 'What more can I do? What more can we do for each other?'
Now is the time to arm yourself with ASCEND's insights, network, and strategic mindset. The upcoming challenges in higher education demand leaders who can not only react but also lead with vision and purpose. Are you ready to ascend?
Submit your application and begin your journey today.