Shows
The Admissions Directors LunchcastMaximizing Vendor RelationshipsThis week's episode sponsored by Geneologie, where you'll get 10% off your first order if you mention The Admissions Directors Lunchcast.https://www.geneologie.com/promo-box/ Vendors are a critical part of the admissions and enrollment world—but are you getting the most out of them? This week, Nathan and Teege explore the best strategies for building, managing, and maximizing vendor partnerships to improve recruitment, retention, and efficiency.Joining the conversation: Jeff Fuller, College Counseling Director at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School, shares how vendors shape relationships between high schools and colleges—and where ethical consider...
2025-04-1548 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastAnalyzing Your Students' DataThis week's episode sponsored by Geneologie, where you'll get 10% off your first order if you mention The Admissions Directors Lunchcast.https://www.geneologie.com/promo-box/ Data drives everything in modern admissions—but are colleges using it the right way? This week, Nathan and Teege dive into how institutions can analyze student data more effectively to improve recruitment and yield.Joining the conversation: Brian Ford, Director of School and College Counseling at Boston College High School, who shares what high schools wish colleges paid more attention to in student data. David Dysart, Associ...
2025-04-0852 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSeason Nine TeaserReady or not, we're back for another season!Coming to your podcast feed every Tuesday between now and May 1, you can expect Nathan and Teege to deliver their signature banter on current topics in admissions. Each week, they'll be joined by two guests: one influencer and one practitioner, each discussing the same topic.We strive to be the most productive lunch meeting you'll take all week!
2025-03-0409 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastLunchcast Live: Emily Smith
The Admissions Directors Lunchcast recently launched an exclusive video podcast series - Lunchcast Live. Twice a month, Teege and Nathan will welcome a guest to discuss a hot topic on their mind. The interview will often be shared here, but the full conversation with the audience is available only to members of the Lunchcast community. If you would like to be added to the invitation list, email adlunchcast@gmail.com.
For this Lunchcast Live, we are sharing a conversation from December, 2024, with Emily Smith, VP of Partner Success at CollegeVine. We discussed all things related to AI...
2025-02-2530 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastLunchcast Live: Jennifer LoncharThe Admissions Directors Lunchcast recently launched an exclusive video podcast series - Lunchcast Live. Twice a month, Teege and Nathan will welcome a guest to discuss a hot topic on their mind. The interview will often be shared here, but the full conversation with the audience is available only to members of the Lunchcast community. If you would like to be added to the invitation list, email adlunchcast@gmail.com.
For this Lunchcast Live, we were joined by Jennifer Lonchar, Co-Founder of AmbioEDU and a well-known veteran of the recruitment space to discuss the challenges experienced admissions...
2025-02-1128 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastLunchcast Live: Seinquis Leinen
The Admissions Directors Lunchcast recently launched an exclusive video podcast series - Lunchcast Live. Twice a month, Teege and Nathan will welcome a guest to discuss a hot topic on their mind. The interview will often be shared here, but the full conversation with the audience is available only to members of the Lunchcast community. If you would like to be added to the invitation list, email adlunchcast@gmail.com.
For this Lunchcast Live, we were joined by Seinquis Leinen, Senior Director of Strategic Enrollment Management at North Dakota State University discussing...
2024-12-1725 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastLunchcast Live: Meghan CooleyThe Admissions Directors Lunchcast recently launched an exclusive video podcast series - Lunchcast Live. Twice a month, Teege and Nathan will welcome a guest to discuss a hot topic on their mind. The interview will often be shared here, but the full conversation with the audience is available only to members of the Lunchcast community. If you would like to be added to the invitation list, email adlunchcast@gmail.com.
For this Lunchcast Live, we were joined by Meghan Cooley, Writer, Speaker, and Consultant, from Meghan Cooley Consulting, to discuss the current trends and best practices with parent communications.
2024-12-0323 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastLunchcast Live: Seth HarrisThe Admissions Directors Lunchcast recently launched an exclusive video podcast series - Lunchcast Live. Twice a month, Teege and Nathan will welcome a guest to discuss a hot topic on their mind. The interview will often be shared here, but the full conversation with the audience is available only to members of the Lunchcast community. If you would like to be added to the invitation list, email adlunchcast@gmail.com.
For this Lunchcast Live, we were joined by Seth Harris, Senior Principal, Financial Aid Optimization at EAB to update us all on FAFSA 2025.
2024-11-1932 minThe Admissions Directors Lunchcast15,000 & A Special Announcement
We're as surprised as you are.
The Admissions Directors Lunchcast has officially crossed over 15,000 unique listens since we launched a few years ago.
For that reason, we're thrilled to announce a new initiative: Lunchcast Live. This talk show style series will be available only to members of the Lunchcast community for an intriguing conversation twice-monthly.
If you're interested in an invitation, email adlunchcast@gmail.com ... or contact either Nathan or Teege some other way.
2024-09-2508 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastParental OutreachEver the hot topic, we're tackling the best practices for communicating with parents through the college admissions process. After scouting them at the Illinois ACAC conference last spring, Nathan asked them to bring the insights from their presentation to our listeners.
Christopher Chiakulas, Post-Secondary Counselor at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois, gets us started with the perspective of an influencer.
Erin Soroosh, Senior Regional Enrollment Manager at the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio continues the conversation, with the mindset of an admissions professional.
2024-09-1050 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastCollege EssaysIt's another week of Counselor's Choice Topics! This week, we're discussing college application essays - but in a different twist. Instead of thinking about this from the student perspective, we're thinking about it from the other side of the desk.
What is the fair and appropriate use of the application essay in an admissions process? Should we ever use the content to determine there's not a good fit? How has the current state of college admissions impacted this component of the applciation package?
Kim Lifton, President and Co-Founder of...
2024-03-2649 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastProcrastination Among StudentsWe intended to talk about this a few seasons ago, but kept putting it off.
Just kidding. This season, the theme is Counselor's Choice - each week, we bring on an influencer who has identified a topic that needs to be discussed with Admissions Directors in 2024.
This week, it's the challenge of procrastination among students.
We begin with Laurie Kopp Weingarten, President of One-Stop College Counseling in Marlboro, New Jersey, who shares her observations and insights from working with students.
2024-03-1956 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastThe Non-Stop Training CycleIt's a fact of life in our profession: we can no longer plan for a thorough, comprehensive training program in August to onboard new counselors. Today's admissions counselors are starting year-round, they're leaving year-round, and there's no reason to believe things are changing any time soon.
With this new staffing model, what is the best approach for training, development, and retention of staff? How does it impact the school counselor/college admissions relationship? What do we need to change moving forward?
This week's School Counselor's Choice topic was selected...
2024-03-1252 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSeason Seven TeaserWe are fired up for the next season of The Admissions Directors Lunchcast!
This time, we took a different approach to developing the content: we asked influencers (school counselors, independent educational consultants, and community-based organization professionals) to tell us what topics they think admissions directors should be thinking about this year.
This season, we have sixteen outstanding guests taking on eight pressing topics in our profession. Beginning March 12, you can expect another episode every week, all the way up to May 1!
2024-03-0508 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastEmergency Lunchcast: FAFSA Delayed (Again)While we were all taken aback by the news of the FAFSA delay, we do not need to just wait for the ISIRs to finally arrive.
We tracked Nathan down in the South of France to record our initial reactions, with tangible, immediate tips and strategies that Admissions Directors can deploy today to minimize the negative impact, or even find benefit from this delay.
As a rare treat, the video version of this podcast is available at crowdcast.io/c/fafsadelay
2024-01-3129 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Ellen JohnsonIt was a great week for us when we were able to release an interview with one of the leading voices in the intersection between admissions and financial aid: Ellen Johnson, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.
Enjoy this extended conversation, where we were able to dive in even deeper with Ellen about how counselors can better serve students, and what holds them back.
2024-01-3025 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Melissa LusticEveryone loves a good set of travel tips. This week, you can listen in on the extended conversation we had with Melissa Lustic, Director of College Counseling at The Meadows School in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Yes, like always, we did get around to "life before GPS."
2024-01-2330 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Sara EnglishFinancial aid is always a hot topic - especially the year we are recording in August for an episode in October about financial aid when the FAFSA is scheduled to be released in December with an extended interview dropping in January.
This extended cut comes from everything we discussed after the interview with Sara English, Post-Secondary Counselor at Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois.
2024-01-1636 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Sawyer EarwoodWhat do you get when you get three former CTCL admissions counselors together discussing a magical candy committee? An extended J Term episode, that's what.
We are thrilled to bring you the extended cut of our interview from last summer with Sawyer Earwood, Independent Educational Consultant and owner of Virtual College Consulting in Every Town, USA.
More important topics than the candy committee: the value of phone calls, the impact of a counselor, and the power of relational recruiting.
2024-01-0928 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Summer MeltThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, we are discussing summer melt. What should admissions counselors be doing...
2023-10-3146 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Yield EffortsThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, we are discussing yield efforts. What should admissions counselors be doing...
2023-10-2451 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Financial AidThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, to we are discussing financial aid. What should admissions counselors be...
2023-10-1741 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Application GenerationThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, we are discussing application generation. What should admissions counselors be doing...
2023-10-1047 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Travel TipsThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, to we are discussing travel tips. What should admissions counselors be...
2023-10-0351 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Counselor EngagementThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, we are discussing counselor engagement. What should admissions counselors be doing...
2023-09-2644 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastNACAC Conference Bonus: Morale and BurnoutOver the summer, we've worked with two guests from season five to conduct research related to staff morale and burnout among college admissions professionals.
Some of the results were presented at the NACAC conference. A deeper analysis was published in a 12-page paper, available online.
In this episode, each of us raises something interesting or noteworthy from the research, giving us an opportunity to discuss these issues with fewer constraints on time and format than either the paper or the conference.
Joining Teege and...
2023-09-2329 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Territory ManagementThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, we are discussing territory management. What should admissions counselors be doing...
2023-09-1944 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBack To Basics: Inquiry GenerationThis season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
Each episode correlates with a module of Lunchcast Leadership - a two-day workshop we offer to admissions offices. For more information, reach out to us at adlunchcast@gmail.com.
This week, we are discussing inquiry generation ... specifically, student search. What should admissions...
2023-09-1255 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSeason Six Teaser
We are (about to be) back for another season! As always, we have sixteen different guests, each bringing their own perspective and insights to issues being faced by admissions directors everywhere.
Plus, a bonus episode, discussing some research we conducted with two guests from last season.
This season, we're going back to basics. Each week, we'll dig deep into a stage in the recruitment process that admissions counselors need to be trained on. The goal is to help our listeners, Admissions Directors, identify opportunities to improve or enhance the development of their team.
2023-09-0907 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - The Admissions Directors Lunchcast LIVE!In a professional highlight for your humble hosts, we were fortunate enough to be invited to serve as keynote speakers for the Ohio ACAC conference in March. We present you the unedited audio recording from inside the room, where we discussed the Shattering The Status Quo concept with three Ohio professionals.
Alicia Watts, College Counselor at St. Edward High School
Emily Haggerty, Director of Admissions, Ursuline College
Angela Eberhardt, Assistant Director of College Advising, I Know I Can
We hope you enjoy listening to this...
2023-07-2543 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - Perry RobinsonEvery season, a few interviews need just a bit more space than we can fit into our regular format. When the full interview can't fit into one hour, we catch up in between seasons to give an unedited conversation.
Originally released as part of "The Future of Test Scores", we had so much more to share from our conversation with Perry Robinson, Happily Retired School Counselor, and Vice President for Enrollment, and Past President of Wisconsin ACAC, who talks about the history of the test-optional movement, weights test-optional and test-blind policies, and discusses how families are reacting to...
2023-07-1834 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - Kristoffer Toribio
Every season, a few interviews need just a bit more space than we can fit into our regular format. When the full interview can't fit into one hour, we catch up in between seasons to give an unedited conversation.
Originally released as part of "The Future of Test Scores", we had so much more to share from our conversation with Kristoffer Toribio, Manager of International Admissions at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California, and Past President of International ACAC. During this extended interview, he weighs in on the international perspective, the right of passage the tests h...
2023-07-1131 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - Kathi MoodyEvery season, a few interviews need just a bit more space than we can fit into our regular format. When the full interview can't fit into one hour, we catch up in between seasons to give an unedited conversation.
Originally discussed in the episode, "What's Happening Post Covid", we are joined by Kathi Moody, Department Head for School Counseling at Lynnfield High School in Lynnfield, Massachusetts and Past-President of New England ACAC.
With six more months since our interview, the thoughts about how COVID continues to impact the college search process is just as relevant.
2023-07-0427 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastPartner Series - CollegeVineOur limited edition partner series this weeks features CollegeVine, the recruiting network for colleges.
We begin with a clear outline of the challenges coming with changes in student search during our conversation with Vinay Bhaskara, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at CollegeVine. We follow up with a compelling discussion focused on "now what?" with Jonathan Wehner, Vice President and Dean of Admissions at Cleveland State University.
This pairing of topics couldn't be better, as CollegeVine is providing several avenues to help colleges through these changes, starting with the impact...
2023-05-0251 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastThe Value of ACAC InvolvementWhen developing professional development plans for your team or for yourself, how frequently are you including involvement in your state or regional ACAC? In a fitting end for a season featuring affiliate leaders, this week we're talking about the many benefits for professionals and their institutions.
And yes, we even address the biggest perceived barrier: that the affiliates seem too cliquey to break in.
We've asked two guests who've seen the positive impacts of ACAC involvement in their own careers to share their stories.
Paul Welsh, School Counselor at Fenton High School in Be...
2023-04-2558 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastThe Beauty of Staying PutIn our profession, we are often told that to move up, you have to move on. However, on every campus and high school, you'll find professionals who have spent most of their careers in one place. There are benefits to that experience, and perhaps we need to counter the conventional wisdom of moving from institution to institution.
Of course, both of your hosts took the path of moving on, with ten institutions between us, so we are incredibly fortunate to have two guests who can share their experiences and advice with you.
Jessica Sant, Chief En...
2023-04-1852 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastWhen Your Kid Goes Through The College Search ProcessMany of us have been or will be there - parenting a child going through the college search process. In some ways, children of admissions professionals have unique advantages. In other ways, our insight into the process makes this a genuinely different experience for us. How should we approach it, and what can we learn from going through it ourselves?
This week, we are joined by two counselors who, at times, counsel both of your hosts as we are at the early stages of our own kids considering college options.
Stacey Cunitz, Director of College Cou...
2023-04-1154 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastPartner Series - High School Counselor MarketingOur limited-edition partner series this week features High School Counselor Marketing. Those of us who have been in leadership roles have no doubt run into Glen Hauser, Director of Sales at High School Counselor Marketing.
High School Counselor Marketing has over the years become the most established company in the industry by providing reliable, updated and accurate Counselor data thereby offering a solution for many of us that filled a badly needed void in our enrollment marketing plans.
Join us while we discuss their services and how working with High School Counselor Marketing has become...
2023-04-0540 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastThe Future of Test ScoresWhat's the surest way to initiate a heated argument between admissions professionals that boils over?
Take a strong position on the use of test scores in college admissions.
So that's what we're going to do - specifically, focus on the future of test scores.
As always, we have two great guests to provide insights.
Perry Robinson, Happily Retired School Counselor, and Vice President for Enrollment, and President of Wisconsin ACAC, talks about the history of the test-optional movement, weights test-optional and test-blind policies, and discusses how families are reacting to these c...
2023-04-0457 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastWhat Did We Learn About College Fairs?Over the last several years, we all underwent a dramatic learning curve on the values, benefits, and drawbacks of in-person, hand-shaking college fairs. We wanted to get perspectives on what we all specifically learned, which lessons will stay with us, and which innovative approaches will stay behind only as a covid-era necessity.
As always, we are lucky to have two outstanding guests to help make sense of this.
Herbie Walker, Director of School Climate & College Counseling at Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, and President of Western ACAC helps us t...
2023-03-2859 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastHail Mary StrategiesIf you've had more than two cycles in admissions leadership, you've no doubt been there: despite your best-laid plans, your class did not come in as intended. In these situations, our playbook is thinner, and the ROI is more challenging to justify.
Or is it?
This week, we're breaking form a bit by bringing two active admissions professionals to share their thoughts on when, how, and what hail-mary strategies they consider, accept, and reject.
It's a thought-provoking week, largely thanks to our two outstanding guests.
Dr. Brian Jones, Director of Admissions a...
2023-03-2152 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastStaff Development During The Great ResignationWhile it's not quite a covid episode, you might say the pandemic inspires the topics discussed. All around us, and at every level of our profession, The Great Resignation is real. It's hitting admissions offices particularly hard. How does this rapid turnover, large number of admissions counselors who've never experienced a travel season, and changing expectations of families impact staff development?
We are fortunate to have two guests ready to address these topics with us.
Marion Meadows, Director of County Programs at I Know I Can in Columbus, Ohio and President-Elect of Ohio ACAC brings ins...
2023-03-1456 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastWhat's Happening Post-Covid?We're not superstitious, so we'll ask the question: now that we're in the post-covid "new normal" - what's happening with the college search process? Which of the emergency adjustments are here to stay, and which are going to be left behind in favor of a return to the old ways?
To tackle these questions, we have lined up to great guests.
Kathi Moody, Department Head for School Counseling at Lynnfield High School in Lynnfield, Massachusetts and President of New England ACAC speaks to the question as a counselor and a parent.
Jennifer McClendon, A...
2023-03-0745 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSeason Five TeaserWe are (about to be) back for another season! As always, we have sixteen different guests, each bringing their own perspective and insights to issues being faced by admissions directors everywhere.
To find guests, we tried something a little different this time. Each guest is a current President, President-Elect, or current Past President of their state or regional ACAC organization.
Episodes will drop every Tuesday morning in March and April!
2023-02-2807 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Mark SalisburyWe now conclude this Financial Aid J Term with the extended conversation with Mark Salisbury, Co-Founder and CEO of Tuition Fit. The edited interview aired during our conversation about student loan fears, but we had to cut so many great insights for time. Enjoy this extended conversation where we discuss new federal regulations, crowdsourcing tuition data, and the need for change and disruption in how this whole system works for students and families.
2023-01-2436 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Matt OsborneAny time we get a chance to interview someone on the cutting edge of a problem facing admissions directors, you have to assume the interview is going to run long as it did with our conversation with Matt Osborne, Senior Vice President of Client Service and Sales at Ardeo Education Services in Bloomington, Indiana. Matt had so much to say, a thoughtful perspective, and a clear message to Admissions Directors that we almost had no choice but to drop the extended interview here in January. Student loan fears remain real, and going into the spring, you're going to be he...
2023-01-1747 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Ryan GeblerThe theme of the J Term this year is financial aid, and we continue that by bringing you the extended interview with Ryan Gebler, Director of Financial Aid at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. In addition to the great conversation we dropped a few months ago, we also discuss the seeming shift in perspective where students in the "financial aid donut hole" used to be a pressing topic of conversation in a way that is not true now. We also go all in on answering the question of whose responsibility is it to change the story: state and federal go...
2023-01-1032 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Jim ZielinskiAs revealed in our initial interview, Jim Zielinski, Co-Director of College Counseling at The Prairie School in Racine, Wisconsin, is a professional role model for Teege - and as such, the conversation went on far too long during our recording in August. With decades of experience as a Director of Admission and now many years on the school counseling side of the desk, Jim had a lot to say about how to think differently about middle-class families going through the college search process. Often represented as a "donut hole" in terms of college financing options, this is an area th...
2023-01-0338 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastShould I Stay Or Should I Go (To The Darkside...)All of us have, at some point, considered what a jump to the vendor side of the desk would be like. Is there a better work/life balance? Is the salary better? Would you still get a sense of fulfillment from your work? How stressful are sales goals relative to enrollment goals? Can I work from home? Would there be fewer meetings than in an on-campus job?
We're breaking the mold again this week with two guests who have leaped - from a campus to a private company. This week, we'll better understand their stories, the transition, and if...
2022-11-0857 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastCounselor RetentionWell, this was easily the hottest topic at NACAC in Houston - how the Great Resignation impacts admissions offices. Holding on to great admissions counselors has always been important - but it's now also top of mind and what everyone is talking about. In this week's episode, we hope to provide you with more arguments and rationale to take back to your campus as you look to initiate strategies to hold on to your staff. We detail the benefits of holding on to staff and underscore the negative impacts when counselor transition occurs.
This week's guests help us...
2022-11-0150 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastAuthenticity In RecruitmentWell sure, we would all agree that the buzzword "authenticity" should apply to our recruitment efforts. But in practice, what does it mean and how do we achieve it? How do counselors stay authentic to themselves while also being authentic to their institution? What happens when we miss on this mark? We have two natural voices offering their genuine thoughts on the topic of authenticity.
Kerry Carusso, College Scholarship Coordinator at Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana helps us understand how students and counselors measure and react to authentic communications from institutions.
Kailagh O'Keefe, Admi...
2022-10-2559 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastMiddle-Income Families and Financial AidGuiding middle-income families through the financial aid process is particularly vexing. That's not to imply it's easier with low- and lower-income families, but in that case there are more programs and places to point them to. Middle-income families often exist in the "donut hole" of financial aid - making too much to qualify for state or federal grants, but not enough to afford the cost of their child's education. What can we do to help this group?
We are joined by two experts, each uniquely positioned to provide insight.
Jim Zielinski, Co-Director of College Counseling at...
2022-10-1856 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastStudent Loan FearsWhether rational or not, the biggest fear stopping students from enrolling is the fear of student loan debt. While mainstream perspectives and media representations are wildly off base, that incorrect information is what many families bring to the college search process. So what can we do about it?
We took a different approach to guests this week - finding folks who can share unique perspectives that we can all consider immediately.
Mark Salisbury, Co-Founder, and CEO of Tuition Fit in Davenport, Iowa, unpacks the fears students have and how we can collectively shed some light an...
2022-10-1157 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastWhat the Heck is Executive Functioning?If this topic catches you off guard - you're not alone. We'll bring it all together as we work through how understanding the executive functioning and development of high school students can improve your recruitment efforts. Then, we'll dig a bit deeper and discuss the levels of executive functioning with admissions counselors and even Deans and Directors. The key takeaway: we could all benefit from ongoing training and attention in this area.
Joining us this week are two folks who have been spending a lot of time thinking about this topic.
Shannon Donaldson, Assistant Director of...
2022-10-0456 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastWhy Do We Travel, Again?:: written tentatively in case covid surprises us again ::
We are now knee-deep into our first "full" travel season post-covid. High school visits, college fairs, afternoons at Starbucks and Panera, and an endless array of Hampton Inns / Holiday Inns / Marriotts / Whatever Points Plan You Have are back. Yet, when you consider the fact that the pandemic has thwarted travel for two falls and the turnover coming from The Great Resignation, we have a whole slew of road warriors who not only have never done this before, but have been successful without doing it. It creates a weird dyn...
2022-09-2754 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastEstablishing Yourself In A New RoleA unique feature of our profession is that even as adults, we can find ourselves in the awkward situation of being the "new kid" in school. Successfully transitioning to a new role or a new campus can sometimes hinge on coming out of the gate strong in those first few critical weeks on the job. While each of your hosts has had a few transitions, we invited into the conversation two folks who have managed their transitions exceptionally well.
Matt Mettille, Co-Director of College Counseling at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, Illinois, talks about his ex...
2022-09-2053 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSeason Four TeaserThe fourth season (FOURTH!!!) begins in just a few days. We have sixteen dynamic, interesting interviews scheduled revolving around 8 different topics directly related to recruitment and admission. If you haven't already, subscribe now so you don't miss a single episode.
2022-09-1805 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastPartner Series - Ardeo Education SolutionsSponsored episode: Ardeo Education Solutions
2022 NACAC Booth: #1119
Our limited edition partner series features Dr. Jonathan Shores, Senior Vice President of Client Service at Ardeo Education Solutions and current Ardeo client Dr. Evan Duff, President at North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Ardeo Education Solutions helps colleges and universities enroll more students - especially those with concerns about student debt – by taking the fear out of borrowing. Ardeo’s LRAPs are a proven enrollment tool that address the largest concern most students and families have about attending college today – cost and debt. If a s...
2022-09-1340 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastPartner Series - Meghan Cooley ConsultingOur limited edition partner series features Meghan Cooley, a Higher Ed Marketing Specialist in Rock Island, Illinois and a current client, Omar Correa, Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Meghan Cooley is a Marketing Strategist, Copy Writer, and Communication Expert who also provides mentorship and guidance to Directors, VPs, and other marketing staff.
Meghan Cooley Consulting helps admissions offices by streamlining, updating, and advancing enrollment marketing strategy. She partners well with all levels of staff, resulting in better and on-time delivery of communications often by supporting overworked staff...
2022-09-0846 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastPartner Series - Verto EducationSponsored episode: Verto Education
Our limited edition partner series features Mitch Gordon, President and Co-Founder and Michael Kabbaz, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at Verto Education in Portland, Oregon and current client Meredith Twombly, Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Verto Education is transforming the way students approach gap years and colleges recruit transfer students.
Verto Education helps admissions offices by connecting you with qualified, internationally engaged applicants.
2022-09-0643 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastPartner Series - LoperSponsored episode: Loper
2022 NACAC Booth: 723
Our limited edition partner series features Sam Bernstein, Co-Founder of Loper in Chicago, Illinois.
After listening to this week's episode, you can continue the conversation with Loper by emailing sam@getloper.com. Loper is a personalized pathing platform that helps students explore their preferences and discover best-fit schools. The average user inputs dozens of criteria on Loper’s mobile platform, enabling admissions teams to automate targeted in-app messages and push notifications to amplify their omnichannel marketing presence.
Sam and his co-founder Eric Menna founded Loper last year wi...
2022-08-3027 min
The Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - Mary NapierPersonal testimonial from both of your hosts: Mary Napier is one of the kindest, most helpful, and effective executive search consultants operating in the enrollment management space. In our final episode of the season, "Making the Move", Mary Napier, Founder and Search Consultant at Napier Executive Search in Deland, Florida, guides us through the process of a search, how to prepare yourself, and perhaps most importantly: how to know when you're ready to make the move. There was too much to fit into the regular season episode, so we bring it to you now to round out our summer se...
2022-07-2640 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - Terry TumbarelloEach season, we've brought you a guest a step or two removed from our profession. We've had a parent, a bakery owner, and now a Director of Residence Life. As you'll hear in this extended cut, Terry Tumbarello, Director of Residence Life at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, has a lot to say about how colleges and universities can help students become higher education professionals. There is a lot that we can do better in admissions, and in this extended interview, we have an opportunity to dig deeper.
2022-07-1949 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - Dan SavaadraIn our original episode, Dan Savaadra, Founder and President of StriveScan in Chicago, Illinois, shared some thoughts about the future of college fairs. We had so much left on the (not-literal) cutting room floor, that we knew immediately we'd have to bring you this extended cut. What happens to college fairs in the next few years is going to impact us all. As a genuine thought leader on college fairs, there's no better source to predict how this wild ride continues.
2022-07-1242 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session - Dean JacobyWhen an interview runs long, we have to make edits to fit the format. This week, we are excited to bring you the extended cut of our interview with Dean Jacoby, Director of College Guidance at Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this longer interview, Dean discusses gap year experiences, what the current research says, his own gap year experience, and what colleges can do better for students taking a gap year.
2022-07-0537 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastMaking The MoveWhether it's moving in to your first Director role, or moving on from it, the decision on when to make the move is critical. And difficult. And not always yours to make.
Our influencer is Mary Napier, the Founder and Search Consultant at Napier Executive Search in DeLand, Florida. She discusses how the process works, when she knows someone is ready to make the move, and what you might want to think about when you're considering the move. Our practitioner is John McGreal, Dean of Enrollment Services at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He describes his ow...
2022-05-2448 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastOnsite AdmissionsIn the olden days, we just mailed an admit letter to a student. Then we upgraded to "the big envelope." Then, admit boxes, with balloons and gifts. Then, digital portals. Then, digital confetti.
Where on that spectrum does an in-person application and admission decision fit? We're joined by two great professionals to discuss just that topic. Crys Latham is the Founding Director of College Counseling at Washington Latin Charter School in Washington, DC. and Board Chair of Colleges that Change Lives. Sanjay Mitchell is Director of College and Alumni Programs at Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School i...
2022-05-1749 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastTransfer AdmissionsWe're all fully aware about the changing demographics facing admissions professionals. As a result, colleges are turning to transfer students with increasing urgency and interest. While it should have perhaps happened long ago, we've got two experts to guide us through the current state of play today.
Our influencer guest is Andre Richburg, Director of Enrollment Services - Management Consultant at CampusWorks in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Andre has a career full of community college and transfer experiences and provides great insights into how and why we can all do better for transfer students. Our prac...
2022-05-1051 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastStudent Workers Turned Admission ProfessionalsEach season, we have a guest that is a bit out of left field. That's this episode.
This week, we wanted to dig into the process of developing admission professionals from student workers. We're joined by someone from outside the world of admission to show us that there's a much better way to do this. Terry Tumbarello is the Director of Residence Life at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, in Whitewater, Wisconsin - and is a personal friend and mentor of one of our hosts. He describes how student affairs efficiently exposes rising professionals to a wide...
2022-05-0351 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastThe Future of College FairsThree years ago, it would have felt like a wild thought experiment to imagine a world without college fairs. Or at least the start of a zero-based budgeting process for an admissions office. Now, the future of college fairs is genuinely unknown, and we have two experts to help sort through it.
Behind the scenes, Dan Savaadra has been influencing college fairs for years as the Founder and President of StriveScan, in Chicago, Illinois. We'll discuss what problems he saw with the old college fair model to begin with, how he's guided us to virtual college fairs, and...
2022-04-2651 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastGap Year StrategiesWe've all been there. You hear from a fantastic student recruited for this fall that they're very excited to come to campus ... after a gap year.
What you do or say next will make all the difference. Our influencer guest is Dean Jacoby, Director of College Guidance at Albuquerque Academy, in Albuquerque, New Mexico - and a nearly-certified expert on gap years. He'll talk to us about the perceptions (correct and incorrect) about how and why students pursue gap years, when it's the right choice for them, and what colleges can do to better recruit gap year stud...
2022-04-1945 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSearch StrategiesThe ground we all play on with search is rapidly shifting beneath our feet. This week, we try to catch lightning in a bottle by capturing the (current) best practices and thought processes with student search.
Kent Kleiva, Senior Consultant at KelmscottEDU in Berkeley, Illinois, may be one of the most important influencers in how we all conduct search today. With a few years of experience behind him, Kent helps us understand what's changing, and what's always been true ... at least for twenty years. Our practitioner guest is Kevin Halle, Director of Admission at Wayne State College in...
2022-04-1253 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastInfluencing the Influencers"If you teach a person to fish..."
Perhaps the admissions version is, "If you recruit a student to your college, you increase your next class by one. If you recruit an influencer to be your supporter, you increase your next ten classes."
This week, we're joined by two different influencers. Mia Suarez, Associate Director of College Counseling at Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay, Florida talks to us about how colleges can better connect with school counselors. Desvan Moody, Manager of High School Support at Kipp: Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland discusses how impactful community-based organization staff can be in the rec...
2022-04-0554 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSeason Three TeaserLess than a month before another May 1, and we are back with another great season of The Admissions Directors Lunchcast. We have times these episodes to match the approach you might be taking to your work this time of year. The pressing issues will be in April, with topics that allow for more reflective thinking reserved for May. We are excited for the line up - mark yourself out over lunch for Tuesdays in April and May!
2022-04-0407 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Jennielle StrotherAnd just like that, J Term comes to an end. For our final of four installments of the J Term edition of the Lunchcast, come along for the wild ride of our conversation with Jennielle Strother, Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management at Concordia University Texas, in Austin Texas. This conversation may carry more laughter and light hearted moments than most - but it also comes with a deep discussion on the mindsets of a good admissions director, the ways we can support each other, and an ever evolving sense of what time of year it is as...
2022-01-2532 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Daryle TuckerJust like in real life, J Term goes by quickly. For the third of four limited edition episodes of the Lunchcast, listen in on the extended conversation with Daryle Tucker, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Daryle discusses the disconnects between athletics and admissions, how he forged a successful recruiting relationship with an unlikely partner, and talks about the secret to success his father gave him. This could be the most fun lunch hour you have in January.
2022-01-1835 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Carin SmithJoin us for the second of four "J Term" editions of the Lunchcast. This week we play the extended conversation with Carin Smith, Midwest Regional Admissions Manager for Beloit College, in Beloit Wisconsin. Carin took us on a delightful journey of the benefits of having a regional, the joys of the role, and the unique aspects of regional admission counselors. She then brings some real "Joan Crawford / wire hangers" energy when we discuss whether or not regionals should drive in for Saturday duty. This is a conversation you'll want to fully take in!
2022-01-1131 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastJ Term: Pam JohnsonIn the first of four "J Term" editions of the Lunchcast, join us for the extended conversation with Pam Johnson, of Pam Johnson Consulting. Pam took us on a masterclass of the student decision process, from browsing to shopping to buying, walked through the role of financial aid, how to work with parents, and even some advice to give admissions counselors.
2022-01-0431 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastMid-Cycle TrainingAs a previous guest, Jeremy Tiers often says, training admissions counselors is not just an activity in August. Additionally, ongoing professional development for admissions directors is not either. In this episode, we'll discuss both topics - training your staff after fall travel, and continuing your own professional growth. To do that, we're joined by Rafael Figueroa, Dean of College Guidance at Albuquerque Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Jennielle Strother, Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Management at Concordia University Texas in Austin, Texas.
2021-10-2652 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastTeaming with AthleticsFor many (perhaps most) colleges, we'll never hit our enrollment targets without a successful recruiting year from the athletics department. Ensuring a strong relationship between admissions and athletics is critical for any admissions director. Joining us to discuss the nuances, tensions, and opportunities in this relationship are Dan Tudor, Founder of Tudor Collegiate Strategies in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Daryle Tucker, Head Women's Basketball Coach at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin.
2021-10-1955 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastRegional Admission CounselorsWhen utilized correctly, regional admission counselors can help you dig deeper into a territory than you could from campus. When used incorrectly, they're coming to campus every fourth Saturday. This week we're discussing what we get wrong, what we get right, and how a regional admission counselor can help you connect with a new territory. We are fortunate to be joined by Traci Flowers, Post-secondary Counselor at Deerfield High School in Deerfield, Illinois and Carin Smith, Midwest Regional Admissions Manager at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin.
2021-10-1247 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastIndependent CounselorsThere is a wide range of perspectives on how best to include independent counselors in your recruiting operation. This week, we are joined by two fantastic guests to work through this topic: Meggan Mattson of College Fit Consulting in Denver, Colorado, and Steve Syverson, Dean of Admissions Emeritus at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and recently retired Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at the University of Washington - Botthel in Botthel, Washington.
2021-10-0550 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastWorking With CBOsA successful admissions operation often relies on strong relationships with one or several community based organizations. However the ways we engage with CBOs and the students they serve can often require a different approach. This week, we are joined by Alia Georges, former College Preparation Coach at College Bound St. Louis in St. Louis, Missouri, and Marc Young, Director of Admissions and Recruitment at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
2021-09-2845 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastMarketing Tips and TricksAn evergreen topic for sure, but this week we dive into some of the best marketing approaches and tactics for Admissions Directors to consider. We're joined by Scott Voris, Managing Director at KelmscottEDU in Berkeley, Illinois and Carlos Cano, Director of Admission Communication and Marketing at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, New Jersey.
2021-09-2148 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastVisits in 2021/2022Handling campus visits has never been more dynamic, challenging, or important. This week, we talk through these challenges with Angelica Melendez, College and Financial Aid Specialist at South San High School in San Antonio, Texas and Gerri Daniels, Executive Director of Admission at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.
2021-09-1444 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastStudent Decision PathThe process a student goes through to make a final enrollment decision can sometimes seem mystical. To help break it down, we're joined this week by Sonia Ryan, Director of College Counseling at Justin-Sienna High School in Napa, California, and Pam Johnson, of Pam Johnson Consulting in St. Paul, Minnesota.
2021-09-0750 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastTeaser Season TwoIt's hard to believe another academic year is upon us - but we are ready to go with another great season of The Admissions Directors Lunchcast. Now is the time to subscribe so that you are among the first to receive each episode. We've got a fantastic line up that will deliver great content every Tuesday in September and October.
2021-08-3104 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session: Trée GeorgeIn the fourth of four extended cuts from season one, please enjoy our full interview with Trée George, Director of Admission at Louisiana Tech University.
2021-07-271h 00The Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session: Carmen LopezIn the third of four extended cuts from season one, please enjoy our full interview with Carmen Lopez, Executive Director of College Horizons.
2021-07-2039 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session: Jenny GibsonIn the second of four extended cuts from season one, please enjoy our full interview with Jenny Gibson, owner of Jenny's Sock Shop. https://jennyssockshop.com/
2021-07-1343 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSummer Session: Andre DouglasIn the first of four extended cuts from season one, please enjoy our full interview with Andre Douglas, Director of Graduation Plus College Access & Success Services.
2021-07-0631 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastStaff TrainingProperly training your staff is an ongoing concern, but how do you get the right training experiences in front of your team at the right time? We have two outstanding guests, Jeremy Tiers, Director of Admissions Services at Tudor Collegiate Strategies, and DeVone Eurales, Director of Admission at Knox College to help think through this.
Plus, as promised all season, one listener will receive a free training workshop offered by Jeremy Tiers. To enter, just fill out this short survey about what you would like to see on Season Two of the Lunchcast.
2021-05-1158 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBuilding A StaffThere may not be a more significant decision an Admissions Director makes than the people they hire to be admissions counselors. To help us think through those important decisions, this week we are joined by Nick Spaeth, Director of College Counseling at Brookfield Academy, and Trée George, Director of Admissions at Louisiana Tech University.
2021-05-0450 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastFly In ProgramsThis year has given us the opportunity to re-evaluate how we spend travel resources to manage or grow enrollment. As we move forward, what is the best role for fly in programs? This week, we welcome Carmen Lopez, Executive Director of College Horizons, and Michael Decker, Regional Recruitment Director at Loyola University Maryland to provide insights and perspectives.
2021-04-2746 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastBringing In ParentsDetermining how and when to involve parents in the process is a delicate balance. This week, we're joined by Jenny Gibson, the parent of three college graduates and Tony Cabasco, Vice President for Enrollment at Bennington College. These conversations brought some of the most interesting conversations (everything from fishing to embarrassing dad stories) to help us figure out how to better work with parents throughout the recruitment process.
2021-04-2054 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastScholarship DaysOne of the oldest debate in admissions plays out on this week's episode of the Lunchcast: do Scholarship Days enroll more students, or reward the students already enrolling? This week, we're joined by Seth Harris, Managing Director of Analytics at the Education Advisory Board and Whitney Rundell, Director of Admissions at Northland College to share their thoughts and perspectives.
2021-04-1349 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastFinancial Aid CounselingGetting students, parents, admissions counselors, and financial aid counselors together to discuss financial aid is a perennial challenge for Admissions Directors. This week, we're joined by Andre Douglas, Director of Graduation Plus College Access & Success Services and Mai Nhia Xiong-Chan, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Hamline University to discuss the best approaches to getting everyone talking about money.
2021-04-0653 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSpring Yield in 2021As if yield season wasn't challenging enough - throw in virtual visit days, limited travel, and economic uncertainty. This week, we're joined by Michelle Borleske, Director of College Counseling at the Gregory Schools, and Meghan Cooley, of Meghan Cooley Consulting to discuss the approaches to take this year.
2021-03-3046 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastWorking Your Admit PoolEach spring, an admissions team must decide how to allocate their most precious resource: an admissions counselor's time. This week, we're joined by Adrian Flores, College Transition Coordinator at the Carmen Schools, and Brian Troyer, Dean of Admissions at Marquette University to discuss when, how, and why we should be segmenting messages and events.
2021-03-2351 minThe Admissions Directors LunchcastSeason One TrailerClear your Tuesday lunch hours this spring to take a meeting with Nathan and Teege. Each week, we'll bring in two guests to discuss a topic directly related to the work of College Admissions Directors.
Our hope is that by the end of your lunch, you'll have picked up some new ideas and tactics that you can implement immediately - perhaps as early as this afternoon.
2021-03-0206 min