Movin' on upSustaining a career in the high turnover

world of Enrollment Management

What I hope you hear…

Enrollment (and higher ed) is a profession

Your personal brand can change

You may not stay at your university forever, but the work you put it now can pay off later

Make learning a priority

My definition of enrollment management…

Holistic Model that includes:

Marketing

Recruiting

Enrolling

Retaining

Graduating

My journey through enrollment...

Where do you want to go?

Clarify the direction you want to take in your career. Get to know the positions you are interested in holding. Don’t become wedded to any particular path, but have an idea of the direction you want to take.Talk to those who already occupy those types of roles on your campus.

Now, how can you stand out?

Make your work more than a job...

Those who advance their careers often view their work as more than a job. Be passionate about the work you do and the contributions you make.Believe that your work contributes to students’ lives...no matter your title.Passion drives us to do more, learn more, and impact the lives of those around us more.

Become self-aware...Know yourself

Evaluate your personal strengths and weaknesses

How can we develop professionally if we don’t know who we are? 

Assessments like StrengthsFinder or a personality profile can be helpful tools for providing insight into your own leadership style. 

Evaluate Organizational Fit (Reinforcing vs. Extending)

is is a product...

is is a logo...

is is a brand...

“A brand is a person’s gut feeling about a product, service, or organization.” - Marty Neumeier

What is your brand?

Have you spent time thinking about your personal brand?

What is your essence?

What do you know most about?

How are you an expert?

What do others’ “guts” tell them about you?

Build your brand...

Think of your resume as a CV

Who are you?

Why are you a successful element?

What have you accomplished?

List everything that adds to that story…not just a laundry list of your titles.

Own your own professional development...

Ultimately, it is not your boss’ job to develop you professionally. 

You must own your personal growth and development.

Others will play a significant role in your development. 

But, for you to grow and learn, it must be a priority for YOU.

Seek out other leaders...

If you want to lead, hang out with other leaders. 

Start within your own division.

Ongoing and intentional meetings can affect the institution, as well as your own growth.

These other leaders may know of PD opportunities on your own campus.

What are you reading?

Reading books, articles, and blogs that relate, either directly or indirectly to our work is important. Consider setting aside two hours every other Friday to read.  Bookmark interesting reads and be sure to revisit them later. Pass interesting reads along to co-workers. They may benefit and it helps your brand.Create an @Reading folder in your email

• Chronicle for Higher Educati

Stay connected...

We all connect with colleagues in our field.Make a point of staying connected with them.If appropriate, pass information to them as you come across it (build your brand!).You can never tell who you will meet who could significantly improve your career or provide priceless advice.

What about conferences?

Conferences can develop your knowledge base. 

NAGAP, AACRAO, NACAC, Regional Associations.

Stamats, Noel-Levitz, other consultants.

Go ready to learn (don’t miss sessions!).

Network, Network, Network.

Provide a conference summary to your supervisor after the conference.

Be the best at what you do...

Go the extra mile. Find out how to exceed at what you are already doing. Remember, nothing advances a career like doing great work at the job you already have.Demonstrate passion, knowledge, and collegiality.

Make learning an ongoing priority...

Take EVERY opportunity to advance your knowledge. Don’t limit that knowledge to your job, but about Higher Ed in general. Prepare now for jobs you want in the future.If additional schooling is needed to advance...start now.Be prepared for the next step.

e opportunity at ACU...

New Certificate in Enrollment Management launching in January. Online Masters in Higher Education. 

Certificate in Enrollment Management - Quick facts...

12­hour graduate­level certificate program

Four online courses with one three­day residency at ACU at CitySquare in Dallas

First cohort will begin January 2014. First residency is scheduled for May 2014.

e courses...HIED 652: Foundations of Enrollment Management This course provides students with a historical overview of enrollment management, significant concepts related to the field, and professional foundations on which to build.

HIED 654: Approaches to Marketing, Recruitment and SelectionThis course provides students with tools with which they can use to develop an ethical and effective marketing and recruitment plan that will align well with the educational and enrollment goals of their institutions.

e courses...HIED 656: Financial Concepts in Enrollment Management This course provides an understanding the array of issues in regards to tuition pricing, financial aid, rising student debt, net tuition revenue and their effect on student enrollment and university budget.HIED 658: Enrollment Management: Student Services and RetentionThis course emphasizes the continuing nature of enrollment management once students enroll. Competencies will provide and solid understanding of the importance of orientation, student services, advising, and student retention.

e end...Corey PattersonCo-Director, ACU’s Certificate in Enrollment ManagementDirector of Program Planning and Strategic InitiativesManaging Director of Online ProgramsAbilene Christian Universitypattersonc@acu.edu