November 5th - 7th, 2024 | Toronto, ON
Strategic Enrolment Management Conference
Optimize your enrolment and drive student success.
Register NowWhy SEMM Forum?
Our goal is student success. The outcome is institutional success.When professionals learn from peers at other institutions and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved, and students benefit as a result.
SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.
We believe that every individual working in post-secondary education deserves the chance to unlock their full potential to support student success, regardless of financial barriers. We're thrilled to offer a unique opportunity for passionate individuals to attend our upcoming conference at no cost through our scholarship program. You can learn more here.
Develop a SEMM culture across your institution:
Explore every factor impacting enrolment
Discover innovative Canadian approaches from SEMM peers
Get your whole team on the same page by learning together
Implement changes to achieve your goals
Recent Participants
Who should attend?
The SEMM Forum is for anyone involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals.
Each concurrent timeslot will have multiple workshops or roundtables to ensure that every hour includes relevant learning opportunities for all delegates in areas such as: SEM, recruitment, PSE marketing, student success, and international.
Here are some of the job titles of those who attended recent SEMM Forums:
- Director of Recruitment and Admissions
- Assistant Director, Student Recruitment
- Director, Enrolment
- Vice-President Academic Affairs and Registrar
- Associate Director, Strategic Enrolment Management
- Provost & Vice President
- Registrar
- Registrar & Director of Admissions
- Associate Director, Student Services
- Associate Registrar
- Associate Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment
- Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs
- Enrolment Advisor
- Chief Recruitment Officer
- Dean
- Recruitment Specialist
- Director of Enrolment Services
- Director of Finance
- Director of Institutional Data Analysis & Planning
- Director of Marketing
- Director of Student Services
- Director SEM
- Manager, International Student Recruitment
- Manager of Student Services & Athletics
- Marketing & Recruitment Manager
- Director of Admissions
- Director of Communications and Marketing
- Director, Admissions & Student Recruitment
- Director, Academic Initiatives & Planning
- Director, International Marketing & Recruitment
- Director, Undergraduate Recruitment
- Student Recruitment Officer
- Registrar, Student Services
- Executive Director of Student Experience
- Executive Director, Student Services
Your Action Plan
1
Register now
Register your team today at the best rates.
2
Engage in the conference program
Learn, make connections, and discover new strategies and tactics.
3
Attract, convert, and retain students
Achieve great results for your institution and advance your career!
Testimonials
See what past attendees say about the SEMM Forum.
Janene Christiansen
Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Strategic Enrolment, George Brown College
"What I like about the SEMM Forum Conference is the networking you get to do. We are all on the same SEMM journey, perhaps at different times, different structures, and it is great to see where everyone is at. To network and learn best practices, as it is a constant learning, education journey."
Jenn Goodwin
Vice President, Enrolment and College Relations, Okanagan College
"This is my first time at the SEMM Forum Conference, and it has been a fantastic experience so far. There are lots of people who have got experience, knowledge, and understanding of SEMM in different ways. The opportunity to be part of the conversion, and to learn from others is absolutely invaluable."
Jamie Bramburger
Manager of Community and Student Affairs, Algonquin College
"Strategic Enrolment Management is a very complex issue and it is becoming even more complicated. It is really important that we, as people that work in enrolment management get together for a forum that is for Canadians. It is wonderful to hear perspectives from different colleges and universities across the country on how they're trying to address some of these complex issues as we all try to manage our enrolments for the future."
Erika Wright
Digital Engagement and Campus Experiences Specialist, University of Guelph-Humber
"I thoroughly enjoyed and found all sessions I attended over the two days to be very timely, relevant, and ultimately valuable in my work."
Holly MacDonald
CRM-Advise Retention Specialist, Cape Breton University
"The conference was such a valuable experience, as attending allowed me to give myself permission to put away other work and focus on the key topics at hand. Although the ability to network, research and analyze enrolment management content is always available to us, conferences with colleagues offer a unique opportunity to sink into the information and networks both organically and with attention. I found it helpful to learn how others were putting the sessions into context for their specific institutions and to get a sense of where we all were, along the SEMM path, in relation to one another. I took many notes, had aha moments, ate well and made new friends! Thanks to the hosts and presenters!"
Blessie Mathew
Director, Career Centre and Experiential Learning, University of Alberta
"This was my first SEMM Forum and I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the sessions and the opportunity to connect with and learn from colleagues across the country. It was a fulfilling experience to hear what challenges we were all facing and to put our heads together to discuss creative solutions. I returned to my institution with a lot to share."
Sharon Aschaiek
Principal, Higher Ed Communications
"The 2022 SEMM Forum was an excellent opportunity to learn about higher education enrolment strategies, tactics, issues and opportunities, and to network with recruitment, advancement and marcomm professionals from institutions across Canada."
Michelle Dittmer
President & Co-Founder, Canadian Gap Year Association
"SEMM Forum is a great way to bring brilliant minds together to tackle challenges that we all experience and bring awareness to how we can better support our students and institutions. I always come away with new ideas and ways to do my job better."
Chanelle Landriault
Recruitment Manager, Le Collège Boréal
"Every presentation I attended was well prepared, delivered professionally and had clear takeaways. It doesn't matter if you have been in the field for less than two years or 15 years. You will leave with knowledge you can start applying now."
Gord Hunchak
Vice President, University Relations, First Nations University of Canada
"I have been at the SEMM Forum Conference multiple times, and I find that this is one of the best conferences for enrolment professionals in the University system in Canada, on an annual basis. It has been a superb conference every year. Every year we have had an opportunity to network with fellow professionals. Every year we learn a little bit more. Every university goes through different challenges, different opportunities, and those are shared here. The learning is immense."
Shelby Verboven
Registrar, and Assistant Dean of Strategic Enrolment Management, University of Toronto Scarborough
"I love coming to this conference and hearing from colleagues. I always get new ideas, and it is great to see that universities and colleges from across the country are dealing with similar challenges and issues."
Natalie Leung
Social Media Manager, Humber College
"I am really excited to be at this event today because I get to meet a lot of people from various colleges and universities across Canada, and outside of Canada as well. It is a great opportunity to share insights, discuss everything happening in the post-secondary sector, and learn from one another."
Alison Pickrell
Assistant Vice Provost, SEM, University of Saskatchewan
"As an Associate Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management, at one of Canada's medical doctoral universities, I appreciate the opportunity to connect with a variety of individuals (senior leaders through to those new to the field) to discuss emerging topics, trends, and best practices. I have not attended in a few years, and it reminded me that our environmental and cultural contexts are continuously changing and it is important to keep engaged."
Georgine Van de Mosselaer
Director of Advancement, Booth University College
"As someone who is new to the field of recruitment, the SEMM forum provides not only "point in time" information, but credible and informed speakers to deliver it. Content, format, collaboration, expert delivery and support all combine to provide a Canadian event with great perspective."
JP Rains
Director, Digital Strategy & Communications, Laurentian University
"The SEMM Forum is one of Canada's best opportunities to grow a deep understanding of enrolment management and marketing. The program is top-notch and so are the attendees; rarely do I see this type of high quality interaction between presenters and participants."
Lorretta Neebar
Registrar & Director of Enrolment Management, University of Toronto Mississauga
"The information presented was relevant to a wide range of post-secondary administrators. This is extremely important as communication between all levels of administration such as recruitment, marketing, student services, admissions and all other facets is needed in recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives."
Mark Kolanko
Associate Registrar, Enrolment, St. Francis Xavier University
"The SEMM Forum offers an insightful and engaging look at leading research and activity taking place across the higher-education landscape in Canada. It is a high-value learning opportunity for SEM professionals!"
Allie Downing
Senior Communications Strategist, Recruitment & Admissions Enrolment Services, Wilfrid Laurier University
"I have worked in higher education communications for seven years but I just recently started a role focused on strategic recruitment communications. SEMM Forum was an incredibly timely and valuable introduction to a side of the student life cycle that is largely unfamiliar to me. I have some building blocks for success as I enter into this next chapter of my career. Thank you!"
Presenters
2024 Speakers
(More speakers to be announced soon!)
Allie Bear
Wilfrid Laurier University
Manager: Marketing and Communications Strategy, Recruitment & Admissions
Allie Bear
Wilfrid Laurier University
Manager: Marketing and Communications Strategy, Recruitment & Admissions
Allie Bear is a seasoned marketing and communications strategist with a proven track record in developing and executing integrated plans. With over ten years of experience in the higher education sector, Allie has been instrumental in attracting and converting prospective students through compelling marketing campaigns and communications plans.
As an "all-in" professional, Allie is dedicated to uncovering challenges, consulting with stakeholders, and co-creating solutions that engage audiences and advance strategic goals. She excels in leading cross-functional teams and has successfully collaborated with future students, current students, faculty, and staff.
Currently serving as the Manager of Marketing and Communications Strategy, Allie leads a team of five specialists in communications, digital engagement, and graphic design. Her role focuses on attracting prospective undergraduate students to consider Laurier as their top-choice university. Working closely with the integrated recruitment and admissions leadership team, Allie develops data-informed enrolment strategies and ensures a seamless journey for each student through the enrolment funnel.
With a strategic mindset and creative flair, Allie continuously develops innovative approaches that capture attention and differentiate organizations in a competitive landscape.
For more information on Allie's accomplishments and expertise, please visit her LinkedIn profile.
Andrea Abello
York University
Digital & Multimedia Specialist
Andrea Abello
York University
Digital & Multimedia Specialist
Andrea Abello is the Digital & Multimedia Specialist at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC). She holds a Bachelor of Design with Honours (BDes) and is currently pursuing an MA in Communication & Culture. With over seven years of experience in prominent media corporations, engineering firms, and leading e-commerce platforms, Andrea's passion for storytelling and creative thinking has been integral to her success. Together with her colleagues, Andrea excels in crafting and coordinating content for EUC, ensuring alignment with effective community engagement strategies.
Bonnie Crocker
Academica Group
Senior Consultant, Strategic Enrolment Management
Bonnie Crocker
Academica Group
Senior Consultant, Strategic Enrolment Management
Brittany Giglio
York University
Recruitment & Liaison Officer
Brittany Giglio
York University
Recruitment & Liaison Officer
Brittany Giglio serves as the Recruitment & Liaison Officer at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC). As a Certified Ontario Teacher with a Master of Education (MEd), Brittany embodies a strong commitment to lifelong learning. With over ten years of experience spanning high school and post-secondary education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Together with her colleagues, Brittany has developed a strategic outreach program aimed at attracting, engaging, and supporting the next generation of undergraduate students.
Cheryl Ramage
Toronto Metropolitan University
Associate Director, International Recruitment
Chris Busch
University of Windsor
AVP, Enrolment and Senior International Officer
Chris Busch
University of Windsor
AVP, Enrolment and Senior International Officer
Christina George
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
Sr. Client Solutions Manager, Enterprise
Christina George
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
Sr. Client Solutions Manager, Enterprise
With over 15 years in digital marketing, Christina has spent 3.5 years at LinkedIn. Her previous roles in digital agencies involved leading B2B and B2C brands, where she focused on measurement, and performance. At LinkedIn, Christina specializes in the Canadian education vertical, helping Canadian schools shape their brand image and reputation, and recruit high-quality students.
Colby McLeod
University Canada West
Associate Registrar, Enrolment Management & Student Success
Colby McLeod
University Canada West
Associate Registrar, Enrolment Management & Student Success
Colby McLeod is a seasoned administrator in higher education with a profound commitment to strategic enrolment management and student success. He commenced his career in Melbourne, before relocating to Vancouver where he has spent the past 10 years specializing in international education.
He is currently serving as the Associate Registrar of Enrolment Management at University Canada West, where he has significantly influenced institutional policies and practices to enhance both recruitment and admissions. As a member of the institutional leadership group, he is a driving force in the further development of a comprehensive SEM framework that emphasizes data-driven decision-making, particularly as the institution transitions from a primary focus on growth of enrolments to a model that supports diversity, sustainability, and also navigating the recent changes in relation to student immigration in Canada.
Dan Seneker
Saint Mary’s University
Associate Vice-President Enrolment & University Registrar, Enrolment Services
Dan Seneker
Saint Mary’s University
Associate Vice-President Enrolment & University Registrar, Enrolment Services
Dan is an award-winning leader with more than 20 years of experience in student enrolment and success. Currently, Dan is the Associate Vice-President, Enrolment Management & Registrar at Saint Mary’s University.
He holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts (Bishop’s University) as well as a Master of Communications Studies and a University Teaching Certificate (University of Calgary).
During his career, he has worked at five major Canadian universities and brings a wealth of experience in key areas such as enrolment management, internationalization, student recruitment, admissions, scholarships, marketing, student success, retention and student experience.
Danielle Collado
McMaster University
Marketing Coordinator ,Student Success Centre, Student Affairs
Danielle Collado
McMaster University
Marketing Coordinator ,Student Success Centre, Student Affairs
Danielle Collado (she/her) is a Marketing Coordinator at McMaster University, where she leads the Student Success Centre’s social media strategy. As a McMaster grad, she brings a unique perspective to the department’s student-centered content approach. Danielle is passionate about maintaining the student voice across the university’s digital platforms and enjoys developing and mentoring student content creators.
Danielle holds an M.A. in Communication and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan University and York University and a B.A. in Communication Studies from McMaster University.
Dr. Chris McGrath
Niagara College
Vice-President, Students
Dr. Chris McGrath
Niagara College
Vice-President, Students
Dr. Chris McGrath is honoured to serve the Niagara College community as Vice President, Students, where he leads Athletics and Student Engagement, Enrolment Services, Marketing + Recruitment, Planning + Institutional Research, and Student Services + Wellbeing. He also advances key elements of the college’s strategy, including initiatives that enhance a wholistic student experience, support social inclusion, and advance our work with students and Indigenous partners to respond to, and support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.
For over 20 years, Chris worked in senior roles in public and private postsecondary institutions in Canada and the United States, including the University of Toronto, Seneca College and the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and George Brown College. Chris has taught graduate courses in education at Royal Roads University and York University, where the focus of his teaching is on higher education quality, policy, and student experience. He is also an executive coach where he works with individuals and organizations to be better leaders for a better world.
Chris holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Western University, a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Vermont, and a bachelor’s degree in French studies from the University of Waterloo. His research interrogated how leadership is performed in public organizations, and how it can advance Indigenization, equity, diversity, and inclusion. His current research also explores how social justice leadership interrupts economically instrumental discourses of educational outcomes and disrupts ways of organizational being and learning.
Dr. Clayton Smith
University of Windsor
Professor, Faculty of Education
Dr. Clayton Smith
University of Windsor
Professor, Faculty of Education
Over the course of his career, Dr. Smith has amassed significant knowledge and expertise in the areas of strategic enrolment management, internationalization, student affairs, and academic governance.
He is currently engaged in research to explore the promising teaching practices for teaching linguistically and culturally diverse international students by identifying the teaching practices that have high levels of international student satisfaction and perceptions of student learning, ways of achieving a sense of belonging for international students attending secondary schools, micro-aggressions experienced by international students at post-secondary institutions, and the use of Open Educational Resources (OER) to enhance interdisciplinary teaching and learning.
Dr. Smith holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine, an M.A. in Political Science from Drew University, an M.P.A. in Public Administration from the University of Maine, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education from Florida State University.
Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Queen's University
Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Science, Professor, Dan School of Drama and Music
Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Queen's University
Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Science, Professor, Dan School of Drama and Music
As Associate Dean (Academic), Dr. Stephenson's portfolio includes oversight of the undergraduate operations in the Faculty of Arts and Science, as well as the oversight and implementation of undergraduate academic regulations. Management of processes pertaining to curriculum development and revision are central to the portfolio. The Associate Dean also reviews student appeals or academic integrity cases, and manages complex academic cases involving individual students and faculty members. Dr. Stephenson participates in all committees of the Faculty relative to students or programs and liaise with the division of Student Affairs, Student Wellness Services, the Human Rights Office and the Office of the University Ombudsman. The Associate Dean’s portfolio also includes Admission and Recruitment, Orientation, and the implementation of the Senate Policy on Academic Consideration for Students in Extenuating Circumstances.
Dr. Stephenson holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, and previously served as the Undergraduate Chair at the Dan School of Drama and Music. Her research is focused on contemporary Canadian drama, audience participation, metatheatricality, "theatre of the real," autobiographical performance, and performativity in fictional worlds-within.
Dr. Jessica Riddell
Bishop's University
Full Professor, Department of English
Dr. Jessica Riddell
Bishop's University
Full Professor, Department of English
Dr. Jessica Riddell is a Full Professor of Early Modern Literature in the English Department at Bishop's University (Quebec, Canada). She holds the Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence at Bishop's University; in this capacity, she explores innovative teaching and learning practices, creates mentorship opportunities for students and faculty, and participates in a wide range of conversations at the national and international levels.Dr. Riddell is also the Senior Research Fellow and former Executive Director of the Maple League of Universities, a consortium of four universities, Bishop's, Mount Allison, Acadia, and St. Francis Xavier, sharing a focused commitment to quality undergraduate education. She works across the four universities to support high impact practices as part of a 21st century liberal education. An award-winning educator and scholar, she has published on Shakespeare, institutional culture change, Inter-institutional collaborations, experiential learning, and inclusive high impact practices. Her latest book, with collaborators Dr. Lisa Dickson and Dr. Shannon Murray, is called Shakespeare's Guide to Life, Hope, and Learning (UTP 2023). She is the author of Hope Circuits: Re-wiring Universities and other organizations Dr. Riddell was awarded the 3M National Teaching Fellowship in 2015, the highest recognition in Canada for educational leadership.
Dr. Joe Stokes
Ontario Tech University
AVP International and University Registrar
Dr. Joe Stokes
Ontario Tech University
AVP International and University Registrar
Dr. Joe Stokes is the AVP International and University Registrar at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa Ontario Canada, where he is also an award winning professor (adjunct) in the Faculty of Education. Joe is the past Chair of the Ontario Universities’ Council on Admission, and the Ontario University Registrars’ Association, and has led work across the post-secondary sector on, Internationalization, governance, strategic enrolment management, and student retention and student success.
Dr. Stokes’ research interests include International student mobility, strategic enrolment management, leadership psychology, and higher education policy and governance. In the last 3 years Joe has lead groups that have attracted over $1.3 million in research funding including leading the creation of Ontario’s international study brand, and the development of a competitive internationalization toolkit for the province’s post-secondary system. His most recent publications focus on international student mobility in the pandemic era, and strategic enrolment management in a time of global disruption.
Dr. Samah Sabra
Niagara College
Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion + Accessibility
Dr. Samah Sabra
Niagara College
Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion + Accessibility
Dr Samah Sabra is Niagara College’s inaugural Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility. With an educational background in social justice and equity and a professional workplace background in organizational and leadership development, Samah joined Niagara College in November 2021. Since then, she has worked closely with the college’s D&I Taskforce, EDI Coordinating Council, and led student and employee consultations across Niagara College to develop a collaborative Blueprint to guide the college community’s continued focus on inclusion.
Prior to Niagara, Samah worked built her career as an educator at Carleton University in teaching and educational development at Carleton University, where she played key roles in the planning and implementation of a variety of university-wide initiatives, including those related to Carleton’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan, Strategic Accessibility Plan Benchmarking, Healthy Workplace, and Leadership Development. She has experience as a professional development officer, teaching development coordinator, educational developer, and an instructor, having taught a first-year seminar on Social Change in Canada since 2008. Samah completed a Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies at Brock University and a Doctor of Philosophy at Carleton, where she conducted community-engaged research exploring how Arab Canadians negotiate and narrate multiple aspects of their identities as they develop communities across several generations within Ottawa.
As an educator and leader, Samah is known for her intersectional, collaborative, and thoughtful approach to building more equitable communities within higher education. This leadership approach has been critical in engaging a team of 32 EDI Catalysts from across Niagara College to implement the EDI Blueprint in ways that create opportunities and pathways for shared leadership development and processes in service of equity and inclusion.
Evan Tamblyn
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
Education Lead, Canada
Evan Tamblyn
LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
Education Lead, Canada
After studying his Masters abroad, Evan has spent the last decade crafting digital marketing strategies for some of North America's largest brands, including HP, Air Canada, Interac, and more. Today, Evan supports Canada's most active Higher Ed Institutions on LinkedIn by co-crafting world class SEMM programs to drive results across a range of goals and objectives.
Gord Hunchak
First Nations University of Canada
Vice President, University Relations
Graham Donald
Brainstorm Strategy Group
Founder & President
Graham Donald
Brainstorm Strategy Group
Founder & President
Graham Donald is one of North America’s leading experts on attracting, recruiting, and engaging students and graduates.
He founded Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc. in 2003 to focus on improving students’ school-to-work transition by advising and training both the employers that hire students and the educators who support their career development on campus.
His clients have included KPMG, PwC, University of Toronto, Deloitte, GE, McGill University, HSBC, UBC, Rutgers University, Kraft, and many others.
He chairs several conferences annually including the Campus Recruiting Forums in cities across Canada and the USA; the Canadian Career Development Summit; and, the Strategic Enrolment Marketing & Management Forum. He also speaks regularly at conferences across the US and Canada.
His earlier career consists of successive roles in which he developed tools, networks, technologies, research reports, training programs, and strategic advisory processes to improve the work of both the employers and career educators.
During his undergrad he started a business that published a career guide for graduating students and he created partnerships to customize it for university career centres. In 1993, he became Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Career Educators & Employers (CACEE), which grew rapidly under his leadership. In 1997, he launched Canada’s first job search website for students, Campus Worklink, which connected employers to a network of more than 80 universities and colleges.
In 2001, Campus Worklink was acquired by Workopolis (Canada’s largest job site at the time), where he joined the management team until starting Brainstorm two years later. Along the way, he and a few partners started Camp Temagami to support the personal development of young people through wilderness canoe tripping experiences.
Almost ten years after starting Brainstorm, in 2012, he took a part-time sabbatical from it to become General Manager of Simply Hired Canada Inc., a Silicon Valley-based job search engine. In 2014, he moved to Day Communications where he helped employers develop their brand and recruitment communications strategies.
In 2016, he returned to Brainstorm full-time to develop new training programs for employers, new development opportunities for educators, and new research projects to help both audiences better understand the next generation.
Graham Donald is a firm believer in the value of a general arts education and makes use every day of the skills he developed pursuing a double-major in English and Literary Studies. He received both his BA and MBA (which has also proven useful) from the University of Toronto.
Ian Barcarse
Sheridan College
Director, Marketing & Brand Strategy
Janene Christiansen
George Brown College
Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Strategic Enrolment
Janene Christiansen
George Brown College
Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Strategic Enrolment
As Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Strategic Enrolment, Janene Christiansen leads the Registrar's office and plays a vital role in George Brown College’s efforts to provide equitable and accessible educational pathways for all students. She ensures academic policies, systems, data, and processes are in place for the college to deliver the highest quality academic programming, reduce barriers and provide the optimal student experience.
Janene brings a wealth of experience leading teams in areas such as admissions; assessment; convocation; fees and scheduling; financial aid; systems and reporting; and registration and audit. Throughout her career she has demonstrated an unwavering focus on ensuring policies, systems and processes improve the student experience and help learners succeed and flourish.
While she started her career at George Brown as an operations manager in the Registrar’s office in 2003, Janene spent more than a decade in a range of registrarial leadership roles at other post-secondary institutions. She returned to George Brown as Registrar and AVP, Strategic Enrolment in 2022.
Prior to her return, Janene was Deputy Registrar at Sheridan College where she led the Enrolment Services team across three campuses. Her team members nominated her for the Sheridan Inspirational Leader Award — an important nod to her leadership during the pandemic and to her qualities as a people leader.
She also held progressive leadership positions in the Registrar’s office at Humber College, including Manager, Fees, Audit, Reporting, and Scheduling; Associate Registrar, Fees, Reporting, Scheduling and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Student Team Lead; and Associate Registrar, Student Systems and Reporting. She earned a President’s Distinguished Administrative Staff Award in 2014 for her work on the migration from Humber’s home-grown Student Information System to Banner and for her leadership in other areas.
Janene holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Psychology from the University of Western Ontario.
Jason Smith
Anthology
Vice President, Strategy and Innovation
Jason Smith
Anthology
Vice President, Strategy and Innovation
Jason leads a team of subject matter experts and strategic consultants who work collaboratively with institutional partners to develop strategies and solutions that strategically grow enrollments and retain students. Prior to coming to Anthology in 2018, Jason spent his entire career in higher education leading enrollment management units in the United States, focused specifically on professional, continuing, and online education. Most recently he served as the Executive Director of Enrollment Management at Georgetown University and previously held leadership positions at Harvard University, Division of Continuing Education, and American Public University System. Jason holds a BA from Elon University, a master’s degree in College Student Development and Administration from Shepherd University and is currently completing his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration at Gwynedd Mercy University.
Jeff Low
McMaster University
Marketing and Communications Strategist, Student Success Centre, Student Affairs
Jeff Low
McMaster University
Marketing and Communications Strategist, Student Success Centre, Student Affairs
Jeff Low (he/him) is an experienced Student Affairs professional, currently working as the marketing and communications strategist for the Student Success Centre at McMaster University. In this role, he oversees the Centre's strategic communications across all digital platforms and works collaboratively with partners in Student Affairs and across campus on priority projects related to institutional goals and student success.
Throughout his career in education — starting in educational publishing in the international K–12 market before joining McMaster — he's learned that giving students what they want and positioning them to succeed are one in the same. Jeff's professional passions include managing projects with creativity and innovation, building and leading teams, and facilitating new ways for co-creation and collaboration among students and stakeholders.
Jennifer Powell
Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.
Director, Community Engagement
Jennifer Powell
Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.
Director, Community Engagement
Jennifer Powell has 13 years of experience working in the post-secondary sector in areas that include communications, marketing, admissions, student recruitment, student services, work integrated learning, career development, event planning and stakeholder relations.
During her time at Durham College, she also was a member of the Board of Governors.
Prior to joining the sector, Jennifer worked at a national not-for-profit that represented the interests of both grocery retailers and foodservice distributors across Canada in both event planning and public policy positions.
Jennifer holds a diploma from Sir Sandford Fleming as well as post-graduate certificates obtained through Ontario Tech University and Ryerson University and a micro-credential through the Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.
JP Rains
Laurentian University
Director, Communications & Digital Strategy
JP Rains
Laurentian University
Director, Communications & Digital Strategy
JP Rains serves as Director of Communications & Digital Strategy at Laurentian University and teaches Sport, Media & Communication as a lecturer in the School of Sports Administration, within the Faculty of Management at Laurentian. He also spends time as President of Rains Media, working with clients in postsecondary education on student journey mapping and search engine optimization.
He earned his Masters in Business Administration and Bachelor of Commerce, specialized in Sports Administration at Laurentian University. JP is a past chair of the board for the Post Secondary Education Web Conference of Canada, a past board member with the Laurentian University Alumni Association, and the Chair of the Golf Marathon Sudbury an organization which has raised over $500,000 for children's health in Sudbury. In 2012, he was named to Sudbury's Top 40 under 40.
He is a published author in the Journal of Education Advancement and Marketing.
Ken Chatoor
Labour Market Information Council (LMIC)
Director of Research and Strategic Foresight
Ken Chatoor
Labour Market Information Council (LMIC)
Director of Research and Strategic Foresight
Ken Chatoor is Director of Research and Strategic Foresight at the Labour Market Information Council (LMIC). Ken joined LMIC after working in education, labour market, and equity research to support evidence-based policymaking. He has published research reports and government evaluations on mental health, the impact of funding structures on government service provision, Work-Integrated Learning, and labour market transitions for new graduates. Prior to entering the world of policy and government, Ken worked in biomedical engineering, researching spine regeneration at Mount Sinai Hospital. He then studied at McGill University, where he researched therapies for brain cancer at Montreal General Hospital.
Kevin O’Brien
Queen's University
Associate Director, Student Services, Faculty of Arts and Science
Kevin O’Brien
Queen's University
Associate Director, Student Services, Faculty of Arts and Science
Kevin O'Brien is Associate Director, Student Services, in the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen's University, where he leads a team committed to student success and support through systems, policies, and curriculum. He has almost 25 years experience in the field of admissions, enrolment management, registration, advising, and governance/curriculum. These experiences have helped him to become a change-oriented, values- & evidence-based higher ed leader, specializing in strategic thinking, collaboration, and empowering people to be their best selves.
He holds a MPA (Johnson Shoyama), and BAH (Queen's) in Philosophy. He loves questions about why things are as they are, and how to make them better. A lover of travel, felines, and technology, Kevin is comfortable being uncomfortable.
Kristen Boujos
George Brown College
Deputy Registrar, Systems, Planning and Reporting
Kristen Boujos
George Brown College
Deputy Registrar, Systems, Planning and Reporting
As Deputy Registrar, Systems, Planning, and Reporting, Kristen Boujos leads the Student Systems, Academic Records, Registration, Transfer Credit, Pathways, Curriculum Management, Scheduling, and Reporting teams. She ensures academic policies, systems, data, and processes are in place for the college to deliver the optimal student experience.
Kristen began her career at Centennial College with roles related to scheduling and records. She continued her dedication to higher education where she spent over a decade at Ontario Tech University. She had the opportunity to gain a fulsome understanding of the university through a variety of progressive roles including instructor, scheduling office, quality assurance policy analyst, institutional research analyst, Manager of Scheduling and Convocation, Director of Planning and Operations, and Associate Registrar and Director, Records and Scheduling. She joined George Brown College in September of 2022. She is currently leading the college through a significant and comprehensive Student Information System Renovate project, which encapsulates her focus on ensuring policies, systems, and processes are aligned to improve the experience for everyone involved in the student life cycle.
Kristen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, a Masters of Education from Northern Arizona University, and a Doctorate of Education from Western University.
Kristen Hamilton
George Brown College
Manager, Reporting and Analytics
Kristen Hamilton
George Brown College
Manager, Reporting and Analytics
As Manager of Reporting & Data Analytics, Kristen Hamilton leads the Registrar Reporting and Data Analytics team. She supports the strategic vision, leadership and management of the data practices, design, architecture, and implementation of enterprise data. Kristen began her career at Northern College in institutional research and continued through progressive roles in the field at Thompon Rivers University. She rejoined the Ontario College sector as acting Registrar at Northern College for 16 months before joining George Brown College in April 2024. She is currently leading her team through a report modernization process and supporting the registrar team in their reporting and analytical needs. Kristen has co-authoured peer-reviewed articles focused on program assessment and Indigenous student persistence and success in post-secondary education.
Kristen holds a Bachelor of Arts from Nipissing University, a certificate of Management and Leadership from Humber College, a Master of Education from Thompson Rivers University, a graduate certificate in Institutional Research from Florida State University, and she has completed all three levels of the Planning Institutes with Society for College and University Planning.
Lauren Veenhoven
Wilfrid Laurier University
Digital Engagement Strategist
Lauren Veenhoven
Wilfrid Laurier University
Digital Engagement Strategist
Lauren Veenhoven is a Digital Engagement Strategist at Laurier University, with over seven years of experience in the digital marketing industry. In her first year at Laurier, Lauren spearheaded an institution-wide user journey mapping and persona project that spanned eight months, showcasing her leadership, analytical skills, and dedication to enhancing the user journey for prospective undergraduate students.
Lauren’s favourite part of her role is UX design, where she thrives on collaborating with cross-functional teams and brainstorming innovative ideas for optimizations and improvements. Her ability to blend creativity with data-driven decision-making makes her an asset to Laurier’s digital engagement strategies.
Creating meaningful connections is what energizes her the most in her work. She nerds out on any type of personality or self-awareness learning opportunity, and recently became certified in the Dare to Lead™ program based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown.
Lily Piccone
York University
Strategic Enrolment & Communications Officer
Lily Piccone
York University
Strategic Enrolment & Communications Officer
Lily Piccone serves as the Strategic Enrolment and Communications Officer at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC). Lily has dedicated the past 25 years of her career to student services in post-secondary education and has held positions in student recruitment, advising, student career development, communications & partnership building at York University. Together with her colleagues, Lily strives to empower youth through storytelling, creative youth outreach programs, and innovative community engagement strategies.
Lucy Romao Vandepol
Durham College
Director, Student and Career Development
Lucy Romao Vandepol
Durham College
Director, Student and Career Development
Mark Ihnat
Georgian College
Dean, Centre for Teaching and Learning
Mike Calvert
Northern Lights College
Director of Indigenous Education
Mike Calvert
Northern Lights College
Director of Indigenous Education
Michael Calvert is the Director of Indigenous Education at Northern Lights College on Treaty 8 Territory in Northeastern British Columbia. He has been working on decolonizing and indigenizing post secondary education for the past eight years. Michael began his journey teaching in arts & humanities and developing and teaching First Peoples curriculum in the college & career preparation field, and he has since led Indigenous-student-access programs and decolonization conversations at the institutions he has worked for. Michael is Metis and a member of the Mid-Island Metis Nation on Vancouver Island, BC, and he is passionate about Indigenous student access, recruitment, and retention strategies.
Nicole Crozier
University of Victoria
Communications Officer, Faculty of Science
Nicole Crozier
University of Victoria
Communications Officer, Faculty of Science
Nicole Crozier (she/her) is currently the Communications Officer for the Faculty of Science at the University of Victoria (UVic), where she oversees and implements the communications strategy for the Faculty, including web, social media, storytelling, media relations, marketing and more.
Prior to this role, Nicole worked in orientation and student life at UVic, where she supported students via several different communications tactics, spearheading an online orientation program, launching an Instagram account focused on supporting first-year students during the pandemic, and creating a new all-student newsletter. Nicole completed her M.Ed in Educational Technology at the University of Victoria in 2021.
Ryan Tishcoff
Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
Researcher
Ryan Tishcoff
Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
Researcher
Ryan Tishcoff is a HEQCO researcher whose interests include system design, labour market outcomes for new graduates, facilitating access to PSE for underrepresented groups, and improving supports for students with disabilities. He joined HEQCO after two years as a research and policy analyst with the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance (OUSA), where he worked closely with sector stakeholders on issues such as affordability and mental health. Ryan holds a JD from the University of Ottawa and an Honours BA in philosophy from the University of Toronto.
Sean Williams
Dashboard Marketing
Co-Founder & Brand Strategist
Sean Williams
Dashboard Marketing
Co-Founder & Brand Strategist
Sean Williams has 30 years of experience in marketing and communications across Canada, US, UK, Middle East and Australia. While his marketing shop – Dashboard Marketing – works in a wide mix of sectors, they specialize in the area of #HigherEd. He and his team have worked with institutions across Canada and in the US in areas such as institutional branding, recruitment marketing, student retention, student housing, social media management, digital engagement, and market research.
Over the last 15+ years, he has worked with a wide variety of institutions in a mix of roles. Sean was on contract with StFX University as their Director of Communications and Marketing. He has also led a mix of marketing and student engagement projects with Holland College, Dalhousie University, Grenfell Campus MUN, and University of Regina. During this time, he also worked as a marketing consultant with US based SEM Works and Ruffalo Noel Levitz, and is currently aligned with Academica Group as a Branding & Marketing Strategist. In this role with Academica Group, has worked with NIC, VCC, NCC, Georgian College, Algonquin College, Athabasca University, University of Regina, York University and Western University.
He’s a frequent guest speaker at conferences and post-secondary institutions and offers his time as a mentor for student-based startups and entrepreneurial-focused organizations (i.e. Dalhousie IdeaHUB, DMZ, Enactus, Volta, etc.). Sean is a graduate of TMU (formerly Ryerson) and holds a BAA in Media Arts. You can find out more about his company at www.dashboardmarketing.ca
Vicky Arnold
Queen’s University
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
Vicky Arnold
Queen’s University
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
Vicky is the Associate Director, Marketing and Communications, for the Faculty of Arts and Science at Queen’s University.
Vicky supports the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing, and the Dean and senior leadership team, on internal and external communications. She is responsible for the development, implementation, and evaluation of marketing and communications strategies for the Faculty. This includes providing advice, tools, and expertise through the Dean’s Office to the over 30 academic units within the Faculty of Arts and Science, the largest faculty at Queen’s.
In addition to her previous positions at the School of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Education, and University Research Services at Queen’s University, Vicky has over 20 years of work experience in higher education in Canada and abroad. She has worked as a marketing consultant, program manager, and instructor. Her passion for stories and storytelling dates back to her own experience as a graduate student, when she wrote a biography as her thesis for her Master’s in Russian History.
Vicky’s passion for stories and culture has brought her around the world, as well as closer to colleagues and friends on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples, where Queen’s University now sits.
It is also what brings her to this course - in her presentation on niche marketing, she will share her experience of working in partnership with the Faculty’s Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures and Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na Language and Cultural Centre in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory to launch and continue to support the unique Queen’s Certificate in Mohawk Language and Culture that is delivered in Tyendinaga.
Vinitha Gengatharan
York University
Assistant Vice-President, Global Engagement & Partnerships and SIO
Vinitha Gengatharan
York University
Assistant Vice-President, Global Engagement & Partnerships and SIO
Xin Dong
University Canada West
Associate Registrar, Admissions
Xin Dong
University Canada West
Associate Registrar, Admissions
Xin Dong has dedicated nearly six years to working in higher education in Canada following her master's degree from UBC. Her career began at University Canada West, where she started as an admissions officer, advanced to senior admissions officer and later served as a Registrar’s Office Coordinator. Currently she holds the position of Associate Registrar of Admissions, overseeing a team of more than 20 members.
Throughout her career, she has amassed significant expertise in admissions, data analysis, decision-making, communication, and management. Xin's experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the higher education landscape, enabling her to effectively lead her team and contribute to the institution's success.
Pre-Conference Workshops
*Note: Pre-Conference Workshops are not included in the Main Conference registration.
Click here to learn more and register for the 3-hr workshops on November 5th.
Morning Sessions | 9am - 12pm
November 5th, 2024
Advancing Indigenization, Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility + Anti-racism (I-IDEAA) in Post-secondary Education | Part One: Changing Leadership
*Note: This pre-conference session is being offered in two parts. While delegates may participate in one part or the other, learning outcomes can be best achieved when participating in both sessions.
Over the past seven years, organizations across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors responded in myriad ways to the call to address barriers to widening access and inclusion in society. In that time, some organizations hired people into roles across senior leadership, management, and services to meet the needs of people with diverse and intersecting social identities. Some organizations established strategies and plans to address equity, diversity, and inclusion, while also balancing commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. Some organizations hired more employees and engaged more ‘customers’ from equity [deserving] groups to ensure that their products and services were reaching further into the margins of communities and societies.
In the time since, critics claim that nominal progress has been made. Many individuals who were hired as ‘EDI leaders’, or who were designated to provide targeted services, or to engage across equity-related product and service lines, were members of the same communities organizations sought to engage. However, attrition in these designated roles is on the rise, and organizational leaders are wondering what went wrong.
Part of the answer to that question relies on understanding the ways various leadership approaches can better support and guide organizational change. Arguably, the greatest responsibility to advance Indigenization, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Anti-racism (I-IDEAA) in organizations and communities must be shared across organizations. . In this sense, the success of I-IDEAA initiatives depends on individual leadership (un)learning that serves as a powerful entry point to influence and affect change in their organizations and communities as well as developing models of leadership that shift us away from an onus on members of equity-deserving communities to individually lead the necessary organizational change. The work, in other words, needs to be undertaken in an ongoing process of leadership praxis that integrates self, leader, organization, and practice into a new approach to leading organizational change in post-secondary education.
Focus & Learning Outcomes:
- Participants will focus on themselves as leaders
- Discover models of educational leadership and explore their relevance to I-IDEAA in post-secondary education
- Examine and evaluate where the intersection of personal and professional values surfaces tensions for leadership practice
- Examine and express their leadership self-concept as it relates to I-IDEAA to articulate a personal I-IDEAA leadership statement
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Dr. Samah Sabra
Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion + Accessibility, Niagara College
Dr. Chris McGrath (he/him/his)
Vice-President, Students, Niagara College
Finding Your Niche in Higher Ed Marketing
Niche marketing helps to build your brand, reputation, and competitive edge. Finding and engaging with niche markets means your team will find it easier to reach prospective students, nurture Prospects, building quality relationships, and ultimately recruit the right applicants to your programs.
This session will provide tips for successful niche marketing using storytelling and a unique case study to highlight how to find and learn about your niche market, and make your market’s niche your own, and it will provide tips for developing and delivering content and campaigns.
Perhaps most importantly, attendees will be able to determine how to find their own niche in higher education marketing and to write their own story to effectively connect with their identified audience.
The case study describes the marketing and communications work that supported the launch of the Queen’s Certificate in Mohawk Language and Culture, which is offered by the Faculty of Arts and Science in partnership with Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na (TTO) Language and Cultural Centre and delivered in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
Learning Outcomes
- Finding your niche market: Learn how to find and get to know your niche market and understand that it is about marketing to a unique culture with unique needs that you can become a part of by building relationships.
- Sustaining relationships: Hear tips for building relationships with partners, explore the difference between maintaining and sustaining them, and how you can leverage relationships and influencers in your marketing.
- Choosing channels: Explore why you should use your niche market’s channels for promotion and advertising, from print and radio to websites, event calendars, and social media, and discover why you should prioritize supporting influencers in spreading the word.
- Creating content: Learn why you should involve your partners and influencers in continuous content creation and have them vet your content, so it reflects and resonates with your niche market and tells a story.
- Finding your niche: Consider your career and career advancement and explore how niche marketing can help you to tell a different story and make you stand out from the crowd, which will build your reputation and make you more memorable and marketable, to advance your career in higher education marketing.
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Vicky Arnold
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications, Queen’s University
Systems Thinking is the Key to SEM Success
There is no doubt that Canadian colleges and universities turn to Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) for managing student enrolment. However, if you and your team do not truly understand what SEM is and the importance of looking at the institution as a whole rather than in parts, are you contributing effectively?
It's time to take your day-to-day institutional lens off and uncover how every role within your institution intersects and truly supports organizational success.
In this interactive session, participants will learn and discuss the basics of systems thinking and how institutions can introduce and support the implementation of an enrolment management ecosystem at their institutions.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the core concepts and objectives of SEM
- The role of SEM on campus
- How your work and role fit into the SEM ecosystem
- Potential ways to structure your business for SEM success
- Tools to effectively implement SEM
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Dr. Clayton Smith
Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor
Afternoon Sessions | 1pm - 4pm
November 5th, 2024
Advancing Indigenization, Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility + Anti-racism (I-IDEAA) in Post-secondary Education | Part Two: Leading Change
*Note: This pre-conference session is being offered in two parts. While delegates may participate in one part or the other, learning outcomes can be best achieved when participating in both sessions.
Over the past seven years, organizations across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors responded in myriad ways to the call to address barriers to widening access and inclusion in society. In that time, some organizations hired people into roles across senior leadership, management, and services to meet the needs of people with diverse and intersecting social identities. Some organizations established strategies and plans to address equity, diversity, and inclusion, while also balancing commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. Some organizations hired more employees and engaged more ‘customers’ from equity [deserving] groups to ensure that their products and services were reaching further into the margins of communities and societies.
In the time since, critics claim that nominal progress has been made. Many individuals who were hired as ‘EDI leaders’, or who were designated to provide targeted services, or to engage across equity-related product and service lines, were members of the same communities organizations sought to engage. However, attrition in these designated roles is on the rise, and organizational leaders are wondering what went wrong.
Part of the answer to that question relies on understanding the ways various leadership approaches can better support and guide organizational change. Arguably, the greatest responsibility to advance Indigenization, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Anti-racism (I-IDEAA) in organizations and communities must be shared across organizations. . In this sense, the success of I-IDEAA initiatives depends on individual leadership (un)learning that serves as a powerful entry point to influence and affect change in their organizations and communities as well as developing models of leadership that shift us away from an onus on members of equity-deserving communities to individually lead the necessary organizational change. The work, in other words, needs to be undertaken in an ongoing process of leadership praxis that integrates self, leader, organization, and practice into a new approach to leading organizational change in post-secondary education.
Focus & Learning Outcomes:
- Participants will focus on the organization they lead.
- Discover community and partnership development approaches to developing an I-IDEAA strategy and plan
- Differentiate the range of success factors to I-IDEAA strategy and planning in PSE settings
- Reflect upon and integrate their personal I-IDEAA leadership philosophy into leading I-IDEAA strategy and planning (Part One)
- Begin to formulate an I-IDEAA action plan for their organizational scope
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Dr. Samah Sabra
Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion + Accessibility, Niagara College
Dr. Chris McGrath (he/him/his)
Vice-President, Students, Niagara College
Student Journey Mapping: Learning from Students to Unlock New Opportunities
Rooted in creating a student-centric experience, the concept of Student Journey Mapping can be a cornerstone for decision-making in postsecondary education. From changing how students are recruited to how donors are engaged, the Student Journey Mapping process can help good business practices evolve into great ones.
In this workshop, participants will dive into the process of Student Journey Mapping by exploring how to collect first-party data to shape organizational decision-making. The facilitator, JP Rains, Director, Communications & Digital Strategy at Laurentian University will share the successes and failures he’s experienced while working with over a dozen institutions helping participants improve their outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand how Student Journey maps can be used to benefit your institution
- Determine internal factors that should be considered prior to beginning the process
- Outline which audiences and sub-audiences should be mapped to meet the needed journey outcomes
- Discover how post-secondary marketing and communications professionals can apply learnings from other industries to benefit their institution
- Identify qualitative and quantitative data that should be collected and assessed during the mapping process
- Prioritize findings into an action plan outline highlighting what to optimize, opportunities to move forward and solutions to common barriers
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JP Rains
Director, Communications & Digital Strategy, Laurentian University
Using the Right Data to Support Your Strategic Enrolment Plan
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Dr. Clayton Smith
Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Windsor
Main Conference
Day One
November 6th, 2024
Registration Desk Open
7:00 - 16:00
Networking Breakfast
7:30 - 8:30
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:30 - 9:00
Building Hope Circuits in SEMM: Re-wiring Systems for Human Flourishing
9:00 - 10:00
In this session, attendees will be encouraged to expose, name, and reflect upon the complex problems facing the post-secondary sector in Canada through a particular focus on recruitment, admissions, enrolment management, and student success.
Higher education is experiencing an unprecedented paradigm shift. The systems are broken, and the systems are working exactly the way they are designed. And yet, something different is possible: the new paradigm of higher education is emerging, and how we shape what form it takes is up to us. The session takes a systems-level approach with the following high-level thought prompt: “How do we re-wire post-secondary education for human flourishing?”
In this moment of disorientation and disruption, we need practical tools and theoretical frameworks to metabolize the discomfort of seismic change. To borrow educational philosopher Parker Palmer’s strategy, we need to “name, claim, and aim” this moment to counter despair, disengagement, apathy, and stagnation.
This session will provide the opportunity to engage in a “mini” Hope Summit – part of a pan-Canadian project that gathers luminaries from across higher education to engage in re-wiring institutions around human and ecological flourishing. Dr. Jessica Riddell, founder of Hope Circuits Institute and Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence, has been convening hope summits across Canada over the past six months since the publication of Hope Circuits: Rewiring Universities and Other Organizations for Human Flourishing (McGill Queen’s University Press, 2024).
This session offers attendees the language to go from moment to mindset to social change movement, equipping them with the robust hope necessary to re-wire their institutions and create a new paradigm of post-secondary education centered on human and ecological flourishing in its various forms.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a shared vocabulary to engage in systems change illuminated by the guiding values of equity, empathy, justice, creative democracy, and civic intelligence.
- Equip attendees with the tools and resources necessary to take back to their contexts – departments, divisions, campuses, academic adjacent organizations, associations – to re-wire systems in real time this week, this month, and this year.
- Participants will have developed emerging “blueprints” (e.g., design principles, to-do lists, actionable plans, commitments to action) that they can use to create meaningful change in their own institutional and community contexts.
- A focus on blueprints for strategic planning/visioning for their unit and institutional recovery and renewal through a SEMM lens.
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Dr. Jessica Riddell
Full Professor, Department of English, Bishop's University
Networking and Refreshment Break
10:00 - 10:15
Concurrent Sessions
Two Ends of the Same Stick: Bridging Admissions with Recruitment
10:15 - 11:15
Is your admissions office set up appropriately to support your institution’s SEM initiatives and recruitment goals?
In today's competitive educational landscape, institutions face significant challenges in attracting students to sustain enrolment and diversification targets. The emphasis on international recruitment has correspondingly intensified. However, the dependence on international student enrollment is often exceeding current preparedness. This necessitates a strategic reassessment by administrators regarding admissions processes and implementing innovative changes in their operations while maintaining compliance with regulatory policies and governance standards.
This presentation will share the experiences, challenges, and insights gained by the admissions department at University Canada West in response to an institutional initiative aimed at substantial student population growth and demographic expansion, increasing its student population by more than 10,000 students within a 3-year period, demonstrating sustained growth even amid the challenges posed by the 2020 pandemic.
Learning Outcomes
- The central challenges to processing applications from international applicants (and how to overcome them)
- The benefits of restructuring Admissions (in alignment with institutional SEM objectives)
- The metrics and indicators used to assess the impact of operational changes
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Colby McLeod
Associate Registrar, Enrolment Management & Student Success, University Canada West
Xin Dong
Associate Registrar, Admissions, University Canada West
Leaders Exchange: Initiating SEM
10:15 - 11:15
In today's dynamic educational landscape, Strategic Enrolment Management and Marketing (SEMM) is more critical than ever. Achieving SEMM success requires a collaborative approach, engaging leaders to front-line staff across various departments to work towards a unified vision. This roundtable is designed for institutional leaders seeking to build a cohesive and committed team dedicated to enhancing enrollment strategies and outcomes.
This session is an opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and gain valuable insights from peers who have successfully navigated the complexities of obtaining SEMM buy-in. Whether you're just beginning your SEMM journey or looking to enhance your current strategies, this roundtable will provide the tools and inspiration needed to drive institutional success.
Discussion Topics:
- Building a Compelling Case: Learn how to articulate the importance of SEMM in ways that resonate with diverse stakeholders, from faculty to administrative staff.
- Collaborative Leadership: Explore methods for fostering a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility for enrollment goals.
- Overcoming Resistance: Identify common barriers to SEMM buy-in and practical solutions to address and overcome them.
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Dan Seneker
Associate Vice-President Enrolment & University Registrar, Enrolment Services, Saint Mary’s University
Optimizing Personas to Enhance Engagement and Institutional Growth
10:15 - 11:15
Many Institutions have done the research, developed student personas, and use them in their marketing and communications. The work is done, and the team can now move on to something else. The issue is, that you’ve only just started. That’s because developing and effectively using personas, ‘buyer profiles’ and/or archetypes is a never-ending process that every institution needs to invest in yearly.
Human behaviour evolves and changes over time. Therefore, so should your personas. Especially since they aren’t just for future students. Current students, Alumni, staff, community partners, etc. all play a part in the future growth of the institution. In this session, Sean will discuss a value-based approach to understanding and engaging with a mix of ‘audiences’. We will also discuss how each group impacts the institution and how other departments should be optimizing defined personas/profiles to deliver on their objectives.
Learning Outcomes
- A refined view of how to better understand key audiences
- New approaches to best define who they are
- Ways to keep personas fresh year-after-year
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Sean Williams
Co-Founder & Brand Strategist, Dashboard Marketing
Students Finding Their Own PATH to Discover Their Learning Journey
10:15 - 11:15
This session describes how Queen’s University at Kingston transformed its academic planning and registration systems to highlight learning outcomes, enabling students to tell their own stories of personal development, growth, and academic success. Utilizing the power of learning outcomes, and mobile-first technology, Queen’s is foregrounding course-level and program-level learning outcomes to empower students to make more informed, and personally relevant, academic decisions. In doing so, our institution will enhance and streamline the registration experience to be more student-friendly and less resource intensive - a win-win in a resource constrained environment.
This session will appeal to those interested in the power of learning outcomes, transformative technology, student experience, and registration.
Learning Outcomes
- Appreciate the power of learning outcomes for prospective and current students, and alum
- Demonstration of how Learning Outcomes transformed Queen's thinking about Academic Calendars, and registration
- Learn about change management in a highly decentralized institution
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Kevin O’Brien
Associate Director, Student Services, Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen's University
Dr. Jenn Stephenson
Associate Dean (Academic), Faculty of Arts and Science, Professor, Dan School of Drama and Music, Queen's University
Networking and Refreshment Break
11:15 - 11:30
SEMM Community: Collaborative Knowledge Exchange
11:30 - 12:30
- Do you find enough opportunities to hear from peers with similar challenges?
- Could you benefit from voicing your issues and finding common ground with others?
- Is it possible that others have already solved the problems you're dealing with?
The SEMM community in Canada is still in its infancy – or perhaps its adolescence. We are a long way from having the shared resources, knowledge, networks, and strategies that have been developed in other countries. But sharing is absolutely critical to avoiding missed opportunities and making calculated strategic decisions.
In this special plenary session, participants will join groups of like-minded professionals to share their challenges, gain fresh perspectives, and learn from one another. Participants will discuss "what keeps them up at night" and share ideas of overcoming hurdles.
We'll also work collectively on generating ideas, and possibly even starting initiatives, to create new resources, activities, and opportunities for sharing in the future.
Join us for this opportunity to get energized by the collective knowledge in the room, grow your support network, and come away with new ideas to take home.
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Graham Donald
Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
Gord Hunchak
Vice President, University Relations, First Nations University of Canada
Networking Lunch
12:30 - 14:00
Concurrent Sessions
It’s Giving Shareable: Aligning Your Social Strategy with What Students Really Want
14:00 - 15:00
Students want to go to a school that understands them, and they are the first to notice when universities are out of touch on social media.
In Fall 2023, with one of the largest social accounts at McMaster University, we became the ones out of touch, almost losing the social community we worked so hard to build.
Now, after a hard reset and a newly developed social strategy, we're using our platforms to their full potential with platform-specific tactics, 80–100% student-generated content, and intentional collaboration with university partners. We've figured out how to market to students who don’t like being marketed to, all while balancing brand priorities and keeping students at the centre of our content. We’re giving students digital platforms where they want to develop connections and build a sense of belonging, which, in turn, results in stronger trust and a more engaged audience.
Attend this session to find out how we got here (and how you can, too!). We’ll share:
- How we learned from our mistakes to develop a robust social strategy
- How we rebuilt audience trust using a co-creation model for authentic storytelling
- Tactics you can use, like solutions for platform roadblocks and tools to keep your audience at the center of the content
- Qualitative and quantitative benchmarks to measure success
Learning Outcomes
- Solutions for platform roadblocks
- Co-creation model for authentic storytelling
- Qualitative and quantitative benchmarks to measure success
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Jeff Low
Marketing and Communications Strategist, Student Success Centre, Student Affairs , McMaster University
Danielle Collado
Marketing Coordinator ,Student Success Centre, Student Affairs, McMaster University
Retaining the Decliner: Why Accepted Students Say No and What You Can Do About It
14:00 - 15:00
Bonnie Crocker
Senior Consultant, Strategic Enrolment Management, Academica Group
Student Success Starts with YOU!
14:00 - 15:00
In this interactive session hosted by Lucy Romao Vandepol, Director of Student and Career Development at Durham College and Mental Fitness and Empowerment Coach at Shifting Perspectives Coaching, you will identify what is hindering your well-being, productivity, relationships, and, ultimately, the student experience.
We will explore how our internal narratives can hold us back and lead to stress, exhaustion, and burnout, ultimately affecting our self-esteem, quality of life, and the student experience. You’ll gain practical, actionable strategies to help you and your students thrive.
This session will provide valuable insight into what obstructs your path and offer clear steps to help you and your impact on the student experience be EPIC!
Join us on this empowering journey toward student success!
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the core concepts of Positive Intelligence
- Recognize how internal narratives contribute to stress, exhaustion, and burnout
- Identify how mindset and internal narratives impact student success
- Discover actionable strategies that will help you and your students thrive
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Lucy Romao Vandepol
Director, Student and Career Development, Durham College
CBIE2024 Virtual Panel: Updates from Ottawa
14:00 - 15:00
The latest trends, challenges and opportunities related to international student education in Canada are hot topics in Canadian post-secondary regardless of the department you work in.
This session will provide insights straight from Ottawa into the key themes covered at the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) conference taking place from November 3-6, 2024 including:
- Global recruitment strategies post-pandemic
- Impact of evolving global policies on student mobility
- Enhancing the international student experience
- Strategic International partnerships
- Institutional strategies for enhancing international collaboration in education.
This session will enable SEMM Forum participants to connect with global thought leaders in international education, fostering deeper understanding and collaboration across borders.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand current global trends impacting international student recruitment and partnerships.
- Gain actionable insights into improving the international student experience.
- Learn strategies for fostering international education diplomacy and collaboration.
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Chris Busch
AVP, Enrolment and Senior International Officer, University of Windsor
Dr. Joe Stokes
AVP International and University Registrar, Ontario Tech University
Vinitha Gengatharan
Assistant Vice-President, Global Engagement & Partnerships and SIO , York University
Networking and Refreshment Break
15:00 - 15:15
Concurrent Sessions
Passion to Profession: Empowering High School Engagement
15:15 - 16:15
Join us for an insightful workshop that delves into the Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change’s strategic enrolment plan tailored specifically for high school audiences. This session will provide a comprehensive guide to our high school outreach initiatives, focusing on strategies to attract, engage, and collaborate with the next generation of students.
We will highlight our targeted marketing approaches, the significant impact on undergraduate student recruitment, and the high levels of student engagement fostered through these efforts. The workshop will also provide an in-depth analysis of our program structures, partnerships, and curriculum resources designed to meet the needs and interests of high school students.
Participants will gain insights into our established metrics for success and the tangible outcomes achieved. The workshop will emphasize the critical importance of building robust university-high school partnerships and illustrate the mutually beneficial relationships among university recruiters, high school educators, and young learners.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn new ways to engage the high school audience.
- Increase your undergraduate recruitment efforts and support your strategic enrolment tactics
- Enhance your professional skills and development through project management, partnership building and strategic enrolment
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Brittany Giglio
Recruitment & Liaison Officer , York University
Andrea Abello
Digital & Multimedia Specialist, York University
Lily Piccone
Strategic Enrolment & Communications Officer, York University
Growing Graduate Programs: Students’ Interests and Experiences
15:15 - 16:15
Recruiting, enrolling, and supporting graduate students is generally very different from working with High School students and others entering undergraduate programs.
We'll start this workshop with some of the most recent findings about graduate students' interests and experiences. From there, we'll launch into a collaborative discussion about the challenges of recruiting and supporting graduate students. We'll also discuss the pressure to expand graduate programs to accommodate more international students and the challenges this presents.
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Jennifer Powell
Director, Community Engagement, Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.
Post-Secondary Co-Presenter
TBA
Recruitment Marketing: What Receiving A Year’s Worth Of Emails From Across The Country Taught Me
15:15 - 16:15
Last summer, I signed up for the recruitment email list of (almost) every Canadian university. Over the last recruitment cycle, I have received (and read!) over 400 emails. Now I’m ready to share what I’ve learned.
If you’ve ever wondered what other institutions are doing, if you should change your email marketing strategy, or how you could improve your recruitment emails, this session is for you. We’ll dive into what’s happening across the country (who’s sending emails? How many? How often?), explore what type of content institutions are sending to prospective students, showcase some of the most creative ideas, and evaluate how well we, collectively, are adhering to email best practices and where we can improve. With (disguised) examples galore, this presentation will get your brain buzzing about next year's strategy and tactics.
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Nicole Crozier
Communications Officer, Faculty of Science, University of Victoria
Networking and Refreshment Break
16:15 - 16:25
Part 1: 24,000 Voices: New Insights into the Canadian Student Experience
16:25 - 17:00
The annual Brainstorm Report survey collected opinions and insights from 24,700 current university and college students in 2024.
This massive research study includes students across all disciplines, years of study, and levels of study.
For 2024, the study dives deeper than ever into students' attitudes towards their post-secondary institution; their use of (and thoughts about) AI; and, their plans for after they graduate.
This presentation will provide a first look at what we've learned in 2024 about evolving student views about their education choices, student experience, and intentions for the future.
Whether your focus is recruitment and enrolment, marketing and communications, or ensuring student success, you'll find invaluable current insights in this feature presentation.
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Graham Donald
Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
Networking Cocktail Reception
17:00 - 18:00
Day Two
November 7th, 2024
Registration Desk Open
7:30 - 16:00
Networking Breakfast
8:00 - 9:00
Concurrent Sessions
Uncovering the Undergraduate Student Journey from Awareness to Enrolment
9:00 - 10:00
Want a deeper understanding of who your prospective students are, and what factors have the greatest impact on their decision to engage with, apply to and (hopefully) enrol at your university/college?
Many possible paths emerge from the moment a prospective student hears about your institution to the moment they decide to apply or accept an offer. Without mapping out your users’ (or in this case – your prospective applicants’) goals, motivations, and pain points at each stage of their decision-making journey, you might not cross their path at all.
In this presentation, we will share how colleagues across the Marketing and Communications team at Wilfrid Laurier University as we embarked on an institution-wide user journey mapping and persona development project to build empathy for and understanding of our future undergraduate student audience.
Learning Outcomes
- Key learnings identified from our Gen Z student’s journey and examples of how we’ve translated insights to action in our marketing strategies
- Gaps in audience knowledge we identified along the way and future research areas of interest
- Partner engagement, including how to identify and engage key university stakeholders to take an active role in actioning the learnings
- Research and project methodology to use as your own framework, including a snapshot of the final user journey map and persona deliverables for your own inspiration!
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Lauren Veenhoven
Digital Engagement Strategist, Wilfrid Laurier University
Allie Bear
Manager: Marketing and Communications Strategy, Recruitment & Admissions, Wilfrid Laurier University
Why a Sales Mindset is the Key to Success in Student Recruitment
9:00 - 10:00
A sales mindset in student recruitment is not about being pushy, short-sighted, or pushing a prospective student towards a program that isn't a good fit for them – it’s the opposite. It’s about aligning your mission to support your prospective students, by clearly communicating your school's value proposition, deeply understanding their prospective students’ needs and interests, and by investing in long-term relationships.
It is a student recruiter's job to be a great listener, behave ethically and authentically, and to address their prospective students’ concerns directly, providing solutions to their challenges. It’s also their job to focus on numbers – leads, conversions and re-engagements, among others – and to watch their enrolment numbers grow while accolades from campus partners flow in.
Join us for this workshop as we discuss the importance of reframing student recruitment to one of a sales mindset and explore how doing so will not only improve your schools recruitment and enrolment results, but will also lead to recruitment staff retention and fulfillment.
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Graham Donald
Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
From Access to Success: Uncovering How Sociodemographic Factors Matter
9:00 - 10:00
There is abundant research showing that access to PSE varies by sociodemographic characteristics, there is less up-to-date information on students’ experiences during their studies and their outcomes once they enter the labour market.
This project focuses on PSE completion rates and labour market outcomes for Ontario students from differing sociodemographic groups using data from Statistics Canada’s Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform (ELMLP) and its various linkages.The study was guided by the following research questions:
- How do postsecondary non-completion rates vary by Indigenous or racial identity, disability status and household structure?
- How do earnings outcomes one year after non-completion vary by Indigenous or racial identity, disability status and household structure for both postsecondary completers and non-completers?
Findings from the analyses showed significant disparities for Indigenous, Black, West Asian, students with disabilities and those receiving financial aid.
This presentation will delve into these findings to highlight that many students who encounter barriers entering PSE also face compounded challenges throughout their academic journey and beyond. They are less likely to graduate and less likely to see positive labour market outcomes, indicating a pressing need for targeted support and interventions to ensure equitable access and success for all students in Ontario’s PSE system.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will learn about emerging and novel data linkages that can be used to explore student outcomes in Canada
- Participants will learn how various intersecting factors can impact students at different stages of the post-secondary to work pipeline
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Ken Chatoor
Director of Research and Strategic Foresight, Labour Market Information Council (LMIC)
Ryan Tishcoff
Researcher, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
Using AI and a Data-Driven Approach in Student Recruitment
9:00 - 10:00
Effectively targeting and communicating with the right students are key challenges in recruitment marketing that can be lessened by effectively using artificial intelligence.
This presentation will include one or more education partners and uncover how AI is being used to target and recruit students.
SchoolFinder Group will share some of the powerful (and FREE!) AI tools they have developed for both clients and non-clients. The tools will help schools assess their current marketing initiatives and both current and future program mix using insights from their community of over 1.2 million students.
This session will explore the following key areas:
- How AI is being used in postsecondary institutions
- Leveraging AI to uncover insights from your enrolled student data
- Competitive program trends that will help you shape your recruitment efforts
- AI-generated program student personas
- Utilizing generative AI for student communication and inquiries
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Ian Barcarse
Director, Marketing & Brand Strategy, Sheridan College
Additional Panelists
TBA
Networking and Refreshment Break
10:00 - 10:15
Concurrent Sessions
Student-Centric Strategies for Successful Enrolment & Retention: Enhancing Services and Support in the Age of AI
10:15 - 11:15
In the increasingly challenging realm of higher education, understanding the evolving needs, preferences, and expectations of students is paramount to helping ensure their successful enrolment, retention, completion, and long-term success. This is against a backdrop of learners having more options and opportunities today to gain skills than ever before, as well as the value of higher education being questioned to a higher degree in parts of the world in recent years.
Anthology surveyed more than 1,000 current students in Canada to provide context and perspective about the opportunities, challenges, preferences, and technology impact across many areas, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI in higher education.
Join Anthology and Humber College as we explore this research and work together to refine, and in some cases redefine, how teaching and learning take place for our students through the lens of successful enrolment practices, informed by the students themselves. This includes providing actionable recommendations to improve services, support systems, and learning environments.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand student motivations and challenges for enroling
- Identify opportunities for universities to improve the experience for students through support and technology
- Gain insight into the way today's student expects to engage with your institution
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Jason Smith
Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Anthology
Mark Ihnat
Dean, Centre for Teaching and Learning, Georgian College
Our SEM Data Journey – Dashboarding and Governance
10:15 - 11:15
George Brown College started its Strategic Enrolment Management Plan in late 2022 and launched it in late 2023. Knowing data governance and that users need information to make decisions on SEM initiatives was key, this session will share our journey on our path to having a culture where not all data is necessarily shared with everyone, but the right data is shared with those who need it for decision making. Data analytics and dashboarding became key in providing the right information at the right time at users’ fingertips.
Learning Outcomes
Will explore best practices, pitfalls, and cultural roadblocks we overcame to get the institution to gain a common understanding of the use of data in SEM.
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Janene Christiansen
Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Strategic Enrolment, George Brown College
Kristen Boujos
Deputy Registrar, Systems, Planning and Reporting, George Brown College
Kristen Hamilton
Manager, Reporting and Analytics, George Brown College
Finding SEMMplicity: LinkedIn’s Fit Within Modern SEMM Plans
10:15 - 11:15
SEMM is complex; LinkedIn is not.
LinkedIn advertising is your one stop shop to build your institution's brand, reach the applicants you need, fill your programs, and measure the results of your investment.
With 90% of higher ed graduates, 120k schools, and 64m students and recent grads on LinkedIn, we've got insights to share - especially on Gen Z, our fastest-growing group!
Among many other insights, our proprietary research reveals that 72% of Gen Z'ers shortlist 3 or fewer institutions early on, and 93% stick to their shortlist when choosing.
Join us for this leading-edge session to learn how the best schools across North America are leveraging LinkedIn to get in front of Gen Z, find high-quality applicants, and fill the seats you need to fill.
Learning Outcomes
- SEMM is complex but LinkedIn offers a 1-stop shop for SEMM, from brand building, to creating new program support, and acquiring high-quality students for existing programs
- How Gen Z uses LinkedIn differently than previous generations, and why you should care
- In-depth examples of how leading-edge institutions are leveraging LinkedIn advertising to achieve a variety of goals
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Evan Tamblyn
Education Lead, Canada, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
Christina George
Sr. Client Solutions Manager, Enterprise, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
Post-Secondary Co-Presenter
TBA
Getting (More) Serious About International Recruitment
10:15 - 11:15
Now that access to permanent residency is much less assured by attending post-secondary in Canada, institutions have to analyze more carefully what drives international students' decisions to enrol here. While increasing our understanding of this market, we also have to generate new ways of representing our individual and collective brands abroad.
This workshop will combine a look at relevant research about what drives the decisions of international students (and how those drivers may vary by region or country) with a discussion among participants about their experiences and how their institutions are responding.
Join us for the facts, the discussion, and some creative thinking on new approaches.
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Jennifer Powell
Director, Community Engagement, Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.
Cheryl Ramage
Associate Director, International Recruitment, Toronto Metropolitan University
Networking and Refreshment Break
11:15 - 11:30
SEMM Community: Uncovering the Power of Connection
11:30 - 12:30
In this interactive 1-hour plenary session, participants will explore the critical interconnectivity of roles within post-secondary institutions and how each contributes to shaping the overall student experience. Through engaging activities we will uncover the ways in which administrative staff, faculty, student services, and leadership all intersect to support student success.
Attendees will reflect on their own roles, collaborate with peers to map institutional touchpoints, and gain practical insights into fostering stronger cross-departmental collaboration. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a renewed understanding of how their daily work impacts the student journey and contributes to a more seamless and supportive learning environment.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the interconnected roles within a post-secondary institution.
- Learn how collaboration across departments enhances the student experience.
- Identify strategies to improve communication and teamwork within the institution.
- Develop action steps to implement a more integrated approach to student support.
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Graham Donald
Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
Dr. Chris McGrath
Vice-President, Students, Niagara College
Networking Lunch
12:30 - 13:45
Concurrent Sessions
Student Success: Driving Effective Retention One Student at a Time
13:45 - 14:45
Student Services or Student Success? What’s the difference? It’s amazing to see how one word changes the approach an institution might take supporting current students. It’s key that students are provided new spaces to flourish, updated programming to manage their academic needs, and more personalized support services to help with their mental health. It’s even more important that institutions do everything they can to ensure they come back, graduate, and achieve their desired level of success as an alumnus.
A student that graduates after having a positive experience at your institution could potentially become a brand ambassador, and give back in many ways. If they have a great experience in their first year, they’re bound to come back the next year. However, they’ll only do this if they’re successful and were supported in both their academic and personal journey. In this session, Sean will discuss retention best-practices, introduce a ‘Customer Success’ mindset, and outline effective approaches that could drive effective retention and elevate student success.
Learning Outcomes
- Refined view of Student Success
- Retention framework that could drive big or small changes
- Insight from other sectors that effectively use Customer Success
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Sean Williams
Co-Founder & Brand Strategist, Dashboard Marketing
Building a Community of Belonging – Decolonizing the Student Experience
13:45 - 14:45
This workshop explores how we decolonize the work in our institutions. Indigenous Education Departments face the challenge of working with colleagues who are afraid of change, afraid of what these changes mean to their work, and afraid they aren't qualified to do this work. We all need to move beyond these fears to a space where we can demonstrate that we're all in this together. It is only through this collaboration that we can create a safer space for First Nation, Metis, and Inuit students. This all-hands-working-together journey begins even before we meet our prospective students. It begins with the stories we tell and the truths we hold ourselves to. It is easy enough to say we've done something, but it is another to have done it, and done it in a good way.
Embracing Change (through action): *NLC's decolonized career exploration project to show how this work can be done.
Building a Community of Belonging (through action): *Indigenous Cultural Safety Programs, representation, dedicated cultural spaces.
Fulfilling the Truth of Our Stories (through action): *Tokenism, acknowledging the history of education in Canada, building relationships, and ensuring the proper resources are in place. The story of Gathering Places.
Learning Outcomes
- Participants will gain the confidence to engage in decolonization work in the post secondary setting
- Participants will learn the process of implementing Indigenous holistic methods for career exploration workshops
- Participants will better understand the challenges facing many First Nations, Metis and Inuit students in pursuing post secondary education
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Mike Calvert
Director of Indigenous Education, Northern Lights College
Diversifying Domestic and International Recruitment Strategies: Thriving in a Competitive Landscape
13:45 - 14:45
In recent years, Canadian student recruitment has faced unprecedented challenges, and the future promises its own set of unique obstacles. Whether you've been in the industry for a few years or a few decades, adaptability and innovation have never been more crucial. How can you remain agile and true to your brand in this ever-changing environment? How can you diversify your approach and mitigate risks while staying aligned with your SEMM strategies? How do you pivot and develop new tactics on the go? Join us as we explore how to navigate these turbulent times and position your institution for success.
Discussion Topics:
- Reducing Dependence on Primary Source Markets: Explore strategies to diversify your recruitment sources and reduce reliance on traditional markets
- Embrace Your Identity: Learn the importance of confidently showcasing who you are as an institution, without apologies
- Aligning Identity with Strategy: Discover how to harmonize your institutional identity with your recruitment tactics
- Nurture Your Core Strengths: Ensure you don't overlook your fundamental strengths while expanding your recruitment efforts
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Dan Seneker
Associate Vice-President Enrolment & University Registrar, Enrolment Services, Saint Mary’s University
Leaders Exchange: Navigating and Mitigating Internal Challenges for SEMM Success
13:45 - 14:45
This roundtable session will bring together industry leaders to identify key internal tensions and challenges that impact strategic enrolment management and marketing (SEMM) success.
Participants will engage in a collaborative discussion exploring current strategies and best practices they've experienced for navigating and mitigating these challenges.
Delegates will leave the session with new ideas, an improved network, and the ability to foster a more cohesive and effective SEMM approach within their own school.
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Janene Christiansen
Registrar and Associate Vice-President, Strategic Enrolment, George Brown College
Networking and Refreshment Break
14:45 - 15:00
Part 2: 24,000 Voices: New Insights into the Canadian Student Experience
15:00 - 16:00
The annual Brainstorm Report survey collected opinions and insights from 24,700 current university and college students in 2024.
This massive research study includes students across all disciplines, years of study, and levels of study.
For 2024, the study dives deeper than ever into students' attitudes towards their post-secondary institution; their use of (and thoughts about) AI; and, their plans for after they graduate.
This presentation will provide a first look at what we've learned in 2024 about evolving student views about their education choices, student experience, and intentions for the future.
Whether your focus is recruitment and enrolment, marketing and communications, or ensuring student success, you'll find invaluable current insights in this feature presentation.
Hide Description
Graham Donald
Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
2024 Sponsors
If you're interested in sponsoring the 2024 In-Person SEMM Forum Conference, please contact
Jennifer Powell, at jennifer@brainstorm.ca to learn about available opportunities.
Full 2-Day Conference
Individual
$1,500
per person
Group of 3 to 5
$1,350
per person
Group of 6 or more
$1,200
per person
Special Tickets
Pre-Conference Workshop
$395
each
1-Day Registration
$995
per person
Vendor
$1,500
per person
Registration
Are you trying to calculate a rate for your group or is payment by credit card a challenge? Let us know and we'd be pleased to help. Click the "Need Information?" button below or email jennifer@brainstorm.ca with any questions that you have.
Registered Charity - Registration Discount
If you're employed by a registered charity, please send an email to Jennifer Powell outlining your organizations involvement in the Canadian post-secondary sector. Please include your registered charity number in the subject line.
Cancellation Policy
No refunds will be provided within three weeks of the conference. Cancellations three weeks or more before the event date will be refunded less a $100 administration fee. Substitutions from the same organization are welcome at no cost up to three weeks before the event date.
Need Approval to Attend?
Download the Business Case.
Attending the SEMM Forum Conference is a great investment to support the success of students and your institution.
It’s probably obvious to you that attending would be great for your professional development. The more expertise (and broader network) you bring to your work, the better.
But your boss might need a little more convincing. So, we’ve created a template you can use to prepare your business case and persuade your leaders that attending will be an excellent investment. Click the button below to download the template.
Download Business CaseFAQs
Frequently asked questions
Is the SEMM Forum Conference right for me?
Are you involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada? If the answer is yes, then the SEMM Forum Conference is right for you. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals. Check out the “Who Should Attend?” section here.
What's the benefit of a program focused on Canadian practices?
We’re Canadian, eh? SEM is very different in other countries. We believe that when professionals learn from peers at other institutions who have similar goals, students, systems and constraints and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved, and students benefit as a result. The SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.
Is this conference entirely in-person, virtual or hybrid?
The conference is entirely in-person. You can be confident knowing that the conference team is taking all public health measures very seriously. We will follow guidelines at all times and request that our delegates follow them.