Building SEM Plans In A Shifting Landscape The Weekly VineDown With Emily Smith podcast

40:47

Colleges are stuck sending mixed messages about AI—and students are paying the price. Emily Pacheco, Associate Director at Case Western Reserve and founder of the AI in College Admissions (AICA) group, joins Emily Smith on The Vinedown to break down how the absence of clear AI policies in college admissions is quietly damaging student belonging, creativity, and authenticity. In this conversation, you’ll discover: Why unclear AI guidelines fuel anxiety, shame, and uncertainty in students. How outdated AI detection fears inhibit genuine student creativity. Practical frameworks to help colleges establish transparent AI admissions policies. Why normalizing open conversations about AI use is critical to student success. Emily offers candid insights and actionable advice to help institutions bridge the AI clarity gap—before more students are left behind. Watch now to learn how colleges can embrace AI openly, ethically, and effectively. Subscribe for more deep dives on higher ed’s biggest challenges.…

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Enrollment’s Data Reckoning: Why Most Colleges Are Unprepared (And How to Fix It) with David Burge 51:56

16 днів тому51:56

51:56

Enrollment leaders, listen up—it’s time to confront an uncomfortable truth: colleges stuck in old models of recruitment and data management risk falling dangerously behind. In this eye-opening episode, Emily Smith sits down with David Burge, VP of Enrollment Management at George Mason University, to unpack the critical issues facing higher education enrollment today. From the limitations of traditional selectivity metrics, to the hidden potential of transfer and community college populations, David argues it’s time for a fundamental rethink of how enrollment offices use data to shape their futures. They discuss: - Why colleges overly dependent on freshman admissions alone are facing a difficult decade ahead - How widening the funnel to embrace transfer students and non-traditional populations can unlock entirely new enrollment pathways - The critical difference between having data and effectively using it to drive decision-making - The dangers posed by a potential dismantling of the Department of Education’s data infrastructure, and how institutions might cope - Actionable advice to embed genuine data fluency across your team—regardless of your current resources or skill level If you’re serious about future-proofing your enrollment strategy, building a truly data-informed culture, and identifying overlooked talent pools, this conversation is your essential guide. Ready to adapt? Dive in and start the transformation.…

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How Regional Publics Can Thrive by Breaking the Rules, with Reggie Hill 42:04

6 weeks тому42:04

42:04

In this episode, Emily Smith sits down with Reggie Hill, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. They discuss innovative approaches to recruitment at regional public universities, building community partnerships, and adapting to changing enrollment landscapes in higher education.TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction & UMSL's Institutional Context 3:08 Balancing Local Service with National Reach 7:38 Building Strategic Community Relationships 10:35 Creating Corporate Partnerships & Workforce Development 13:04 Overcoming "No Culture" at Regional Public Universities 16:38 Becoming an Agent of Change in Higher Education 21:17 Shifting from Competition to Collaboration 24:53 Strategic Budget Allocation & Prioritization 29:59 Training the Next Generation of Enrollment Leaders 33:17 Finding Value in the Higher Education Ecosystem 38:55 Book Recommendations for Enrollment Leaders…

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Enrollment on a Hunger Strike: Heath Einstein on Navigating Higher Ed’s Existential Moment 43:25

7 weeks тому43:25

43:25

In the latest episode of The VineDown, Heath Einstein, the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Texas Christian University, reflects on the evolving challenges and responsibilities we face in higher education today.

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How To Be Zen When Everything Goes Up In Flames, with Sean Whitten, Director of Strategic Partnerships at SMU in Dallas 41:47

8 weeks тому41:47

41:47

In this episode, Emily sits down with Sean Whitten, Director of Strategic Partnerships at SMU in Dallas, to explore workplace psychology, emotional wellbeing, and managing stress in higher education. They dive into the neuroscience behind our stress responses, tactics for maintaining emotional health during workplace conflicts, and practical strategies for avoiding burnout. Throughout their conversation, Sean and Emily share personal experiences and insights about creating psychological safety, navigating job transitions, and finding balance in professional life.TIMESTAMPS: 0:41 - Introduction to workplace psychology and emotional wellbeing 2:40 - Understanding the connection between physical and emotional responses to stress 5:21 - The science behind our brain's stress response and impact on decision-making 10:09 - Sean's approach to psychological safety and "right-sizing" conflicts 15:44 - Emily's strategy for grounding herself in her body during difficult conversations 19:42 - The vulnerability of asking for processing time during conflicts 24:42 - Self-care strategies during job transitions and searches 36:29 - Scaling up in a new job while maintaining emotional wellbeing 41:19 - Recognizing the early warning signs of burnout…

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Where the Future of Higher Ed is Going, with Jeff Selingo 36:21

12 weeks тому36:21

36:21

Higher Ed expert Jeff Selingo (former Chronicle of Higher Education editor) joins The Vinedown to discuss the future of colleges in 2025 and beyond. Will two dozen colleges close this year? What separates surviving institutions from truly thriving ones? In this episode, we dive deep into: - Which colleges are just "limping along" vs innovating for the future - How AI might transform college administration (not just classrooms) - The surprising future of enrollment management - Creating flexible pathways from high school to career Plus, get an exclusive preview of Jeff's upcoming book "Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You" and his curated list of 75 colleges worth watching. Whether you're a higher ed professional, parent, or student, this episode offers crucial insights into the changing landscape of college education.…

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Letting Go of the Edge: Why Colleges Fear (But Need) Tech Transformation, with Adam Park 43:32

14 weeks тому43:32

43:32

For years, colleges have been navigating technological change. Many institutions today KNOW they need to embrace new technology, but they remain tightly gripped to familiar processes. In this conversation, Adam Park, the CEO of Softdoc, gives candid insight into why this happens. It's not just about resistance to change – it's deeper than that. It's about institutional trauma from past failed projects, about departments that have weathered storms together and developed protective instincts, and about leaders who carry the weight of their institutions' futures on their shoulders.…

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The Art and Science of Swag in Enrollment Marketing, with PJ Woolston 31:48

14 weeks тому31:48

31:48

Enrollment marketing may not seem like the most glamorous aspect of higher education, but for PJ Woolston, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at IU Indianapolis, it’s an art form. During our recent conversation on The Vinedown, PJ shared insights into the role of swag (yes, swag!) in creating memorable and lasting connections with prospective students. From thoughtful giveaways to bridging guidance gaps, PJ’s approach goes beyond the surface, delivering practical strategies with a human touch.…

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The Art and Science of Swag in Enrollment Marketing 31:48

15 weeks тому31:48

31:48

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Human-Centered AI: Key Insights From Gene Chao 44:20

19 weeks тому44:20

44:20

In this week’s episode of VineDown, I am joined by Gene Chao, a leader in digital transformation and the founder of GenReventures. Our discussion spans AI's evolving role, the importance of human-machine collaboration, and how organizations can embrace technology without losing the human touch.

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Back to Basics: What One Enrollment Leader Learned From the Recruitment Trail, with Brent Gage 39:42

20 weeks тому39:42

39:42

Sometimes, leadership means stepping into your team’s shoes to see how you can improve your team from the bottom-up. Dr. Brent Gage, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Strategy at the University of Iowa, recently returned to the recruitment trail after a decade-long break. When unexpected staffing changes left his team short-handed this fall, Brent hit the road, attending college fairs and high school visits in Ohio. What he discovered there challenged his assumptions about Gen Z, reignited his connection to the admissions process, and shed light on how institutions can better serve students.…

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Rethinking College Admissions: Rick Clark on AI, Storytelling, and Human Connection 45:17

21 weeks тому45:17

45:17

Modern admissions offices are facing a paradox. As processes become more automated, how do they hold onto authentic human connection? Rick Clark, Executive Director of Strategic Student Access at Georgia Tech, isn’t just asking that question—he’s answering it. With over two decades of experience in admissions and a reputation as a truth-teller in higher ed, Rick is finding ways to embrace AI while championing the stories, relationships, and human moments that define the college admissions process. Dive in to learn how AI can help your institution move faster, tell better stories, and focus on what really matters: being human.…

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The Digital Counselor Next Door: AI's Urgent Role in Democratizing College Access, with Jeff Neill 44:56

23 weeks тому44:56

44:56

Traditional college counseling isn’t keeping up with today’s digital-first students. Jeff Neill , Director of College Counseling at Graded - The American School in São Paulo, is using AI to make counseling more effective. By handling routine tasks, AI frees up Jeff’s time to connect more deeply with his students. And for Jeff, it’s not just about saving time; it’s about giving students a new kind of support that’s always there when they need it.…

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The Connection Crisis: How AI Is Reshaping Student Engagement with Jenny Petty 42:48

24 weeks тому42:48

42:48

Higher education marketing has reached a crossroads, and Jenny Petty knows it well. In her second appearance on *The VineDown*, Jenny, VP of Marketing Communications at the University of Montana, dives into the “perfect storm” facing higher ed—a series of shifts reshaping how colleges recruit, engage, and retain students. From demographic changes to consumer expectations, Jenny unpacks what these challenges mean for today’s enrollment teams and how they can prepare for what’s next. Jenny shares the balance we all have to maintain: between adapting to massive change and staying true to what makes an institution genuine. So, what are the biggest challenges? And more importantly, how do we tackle them? Let’s dig in.…

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Work smarter, not harder: Unlocking efficiency through innovation 34:18

45 weeks тому34:18