Darcy Briggs, Registrar and Associate Dean of Enrollment Services, found an opportunity for collaboration and growth at Arapahoe Community College when she enrolled in AACRAO’s SEM Endorsement Program (SEM-EP).
That’s because Briggs enrolled at the same time as Michael McManus, Director of Advising and Retention at her institution.
“I found it really valuable to go through the course as a team,” Briggs said. “It’s great because we gravitate toward different things, so we had different perspectives on what we learned. I do enrollment management and he focuses on advising, student relations and retention, so we learned how those fit into the larger enrollment management picture.”
Having a colleague to discuss material and bounce ideas off of took Briggs’ learning that much farther. It also helped her bring the learning back to her campus.
“Michael and I interact a lot on an average day, but those interactions have taken on more direction and purpose [since completing the program],” Briggs said. “Now we’re really able to think about the big picture and look at things from an institutional perspective.”
In addition, Briggs and McManus collaborated on their SEM-EP capstone project, which examined the effect of proactive enrollment on first-semester students’ retention. The endorsement program and capstone project were undertaken after dialogue with campus leadership, so that the administration buy-in is there if the project yields positive results (based on this fall’s retention numbers).
SEM-EP team discount open through Sept. 11
“If you go through the Endorsement Program individually, you’ll undoubtedly get a lot out of it,” Briggs said. As she’s taken on more responsibilities and a new title, she’s returned to the course materials multiple times, she said, to reference the concepts learned and keep sight of SEM principles.
“But if you can go through with another colleague -- especially from a different department -- there’s so much value in that,” she added. “It really helps to reinforce the ideas behind SEM, and helps you to look more globally and think more strategically about your enrollment management goals.”
AACRAO's SEM-EP provides a well-defined, self-paced professional development program and career advancement track for in-service enrollment service professionals. And teams of three or more individuals from the same institution by September 11 will receive a 10% team discount. (AACRAO membership is not required.)
To take advantage of this limited time offer, enroll using this link: www.aacrao.org/semep-reg.
Please note:
• Individuals must meet all admission requirements.
• Enrollees will have up to 18 months to complete the Endorsement Program.
• Learners have the option to begin the Essentials of SEM Online Course on September 11.
Please visit the SEM-EP website for more information, or email sem-ep@aacrao.org.