Online | Tuesdays, Nov 10 to Dec 1, 2026
from 1 to 2:30 p.m. ET

SEMM
Academy

Fundamentals of Strategic
Enrolment Management

Break Down Silos. Drive Sustainable Student Outcomes Across Your Campus.

A 4-week online micro-credential equipping higher education leaders, faculty, and staff with Systems Thinking, data-informed decision tools, and actionable SEM planning frameworks.

Expert-led. Graduate-backed. 310+ success stories since 2022.

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Post-secondary institutions across Canada face unprecedented structural pressures: shifting international enrolment policies, unpredictable admission conversions, changing demographics, and tightening budgets.

When friction arises, institutions often default to tactical fixes: quick pivots, isolated marketing spends, or ad-hoc policy adjustments inside departmental silos. But tactical quick fixes cannot solve systemic challenges.

Optimal institutional health requires moving away from guesswork and toward an integrated, student-centred strategy where every department understands its role in the broader student journey.

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Every department impacts student persistence and institutional health. This program is designed for higher education professionals across all functional areas who want to see how their daily work connects to the bigger picture:

  • Academic Leadership & Faculty: Deans, Department Chairs, Program Coordinators, Instructors, and Course Designers
  • Student Success & Experience: Academic Advisors, Retention Specialists, and Student Life Coordinators
  • Registrar & Admissions: Enrolment Operations Staff, Systems & Policy Managers, and Student Records Officers
  • Administrative & Planning Leaders: Directors, Unit Managers, and Strategy Specialists
  • Institutional Research & Data: Data Stewards, Analysts, and Institutional Planners
  • Equity & Access Leaders: Inclusive teams and Pathways Coordinators

Systems Thinking & LinkEx Framework

Learn how to apply Systems Thinking to transcend silos. Use the "Link, Integrate, Extend" framework to build on existing campus initiatives rather than starting from scratch.

Data Capacity & Issue Statements

Move beyond anecdotes and raw numbers. Learn how to parse data into SWOT analysis, identify Key Enrolment Indicators (KEIs), and draft compelling Issue Statements that motivate action.

The 11-Step Planning Framework

Master a proven 11-step process to translate high-level vision into actionable goals, strategies, and tactical work plans.

Strategic Dexterity & Scenario Planning

Build organizational agility to prepare your department for sudden policy changes, demographic shifts, and budget constraints.

Culture & Change Management

Utilize Kotter's 8-Step Change Model to engage faculty, build cross-departmental coalitions, and drive cultural alignment.

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

10:00am - 12:30pm PST / 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST

  • Defining core concepts, historical context, and campus roles.
  • Assessing institutional position on the SEM Transition Model (Denial -> Tactical -> Strategic).
  • Applying Systems Thinking and the LinkEx Framework to break down operational silos.

Tuesday, November 17th, 2026

10:00am - 12:30pm PST / 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST

  • Alumni Panel Discussion: Mitigating & Navigating Internal SEM Challenges
  • Evaluating internal/external challenges using 2026 Canadian Landscape Survey data.
  • Moving from anecdotes to evidence: Establishing KEIs and building actionable Issue Statements.
  • Assessing institutional data capacity, data stewardship, and technology integration.

Tuesday, November 24th, 2026

10:00am - 12:30pm PST / 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST

  • Step-by-step navigation of the 11-Step Planning Process: from vision to execution.
  • Translating strategic goals into concrete tactics using the Tactics Action Plan Worksheet.
  • Scenario planning for unexpected environmental shifts (policy changes, funding freezes).

Tuesday, December 1st, 2026

10:00am - 12:30pm PST / 1:00pm - 3:30pm EST

  • Panel Discussion: Indigenization, Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility + Anti-racism in the Context of SEM
  • Fostering cross-departmental collaboration, communication loops, and shared ownership.
  • Driving equity, diversity, and belonging practices across the student lifecycle.
  • Engaging faculty and applying Kotter’s 8-Step Change Management model to anchor transformation.

Guided by industry experts and trailblazers, you will:

4 live and interactive workshops

Collaborative group work and discussions

10 hours of active learning

Dedicated web portal with discussion board

Online educational materials (video recordings, slides, worksheets)

Highly experienced and knowledgeable instructors

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"The Fundamentals of Strategic Enrolment Management program professional, well-organized online microcredential. Clayton and Jennifer were very informative when covering the program content. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in learning how their post-secondary institution can leverage strategic enrolment management principles to shape and execute their strategic goals. "

Julie McRae

Student Success Coordinator, Faculty of Human and Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia

"The program was an informative, well-paced, and interactive opportunity to learn more about the various facets of SEM and its importance. The facilitators and online engaged design of the course provided a comfortable platform that brought scholars and scholar-practitioners together across Canadian institutions."

Dr. Christine Arnold

Interim Associate Vice-President (Academic) and Dean of Students, Memorial University

"If you need help understanding SEM as a whole and as a concept, this course will provide you with a great understanding to leverage at your school."

Darby Wettlaufer

Student Success Advisor, College of New Caledonia

"If your institution is planning the development of SEM plan, this micro-credential is a must before getting started!"

Marc-André Gougeon

Manager – International Market Development, University of Ottawa

"Fundamentals of SEM is a great investment for PSI professionals. In particular, Academic leaders will benefit from promoting this micro-credential to staff and faculty to help build a SEM culture at their institution. This introductory course gives you an overview of the essential components to create a SEM Plan and common vocabulary for student-centred strategy."

Rachelle Munchinsky

Manager, Student Experience and Planning, Student Success, UNBC

"I came into this course with very limited knowledge of SEM, and feeling a little intimidated by the topic. The discussion threads and breakout sessions helped reassure me that I was not alone and, by the end of the course, I felt much more confident in my understanding of SEM. I look forward to putting my new learning into action."

Alyssa Morin

Interim Office Manager, Enrolment Services @ Douglas College

"This course has already shifted my perspective on student programming and institutional strategy, reinforcing how SEM plays a role in retention, engagement, and equity in higher education. I’m excited to apply these insights and continue enhancing the first-year experience at Memorial University."

Becky Martin

Coordinator, First Year Experience, Memorial University of Newfoundland

"This was an extremely informative and enjoyable program. I'm very glad I was able to take part. I only regret that I wasn't able to attend all of the sessions synchronously, but I very much appreciate the asynchronous option was available."

Erika Goble

Vice Dean, Research & Academic Innovation @ NorQuest College

"The program was a great overview of SEM Management, providing tangible examples and real life next steps for creating a SEM plan at our institution. The opportunity to learn collaboratively with higher education practitioners across Canada with various roles and insights was incredibly valuable."

Laura Havercroft

Assistant Registrar - Admissions, Enrolment Services, Douglas College

"As a faculty member in an organization that is just starting to form a SEMM culture, this course has proven to be valuable in information, resources, and networking."

Josh Silver

Learning Manager, Industrial Technology and Trades, Holland College

"Fundamentals of Strategic Enrolment Management micro-credential was very informative. I highly recommend it to everyone involved in SEM or interested to learn about the SEM process."

Marlene Phillips

Academic Program Manager, NorQuest College

"This program was fundamental in building my knowledge and understanding of SEM."

Daniel Ramcharran

Manager of Recruitment Services, College of New Caledonia

"I really enjoyed the course content and the flow of the sessions. The workload is good, especially for busy working professionals. The course was set up really well and the learning dashboard was easy to use."

Nathalie Walker

Team Lead Business Operations, Faculty of Health Studies, NorQuest College

"This was an excellent crash course on the benefits and applications of SEM. My knowledge is stronger because of it."

Robyn McBain

Director, Brand & Marketing, Recruitment & Enrolment Management, Acadia University

"A great overview for those who want to understand the strategy behind enrolment management. The networking opportunities with colleagues from across Canada helped inspire and reassure me that my institution is on the right track."

Danielle Hoogland

Student Recruiter Advisor, Marketing and Future Students, North Island College

"The Fundamentals of SEM was an excellent introduction to SEM. The readings were interesting and relevant, the presentations and panels gave me lots to think about, and the conversations were engaging. Clayton Smith was generous with his knowledge and experience - a true leader in the field!"

Morgan Westcott

Associate Dean, Marketing Management, British Columbia Institute of Technology

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Upon successful completion of the Fundamentals of Strategic Enrolment Management program, graduates will be able to:

  • Describe the core concepts related to SEM, including its role and structure on campus
  • Identify external and internal challenges to SEM at the institutional level
  • Recognize how technology can be used to enhance enrolment management
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Clayton Smith, Ed.D.

Dr. Clayton Smith is Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor and Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University where he teaches in the Graduate Diploma in SEM program.
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Dr. Smith previously held senior enrolment management positions at the University of Windsor, the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, Tallahassee Community College in Florida, and the University of Maine at Augusta.

Known for his focus on comparative enrolment management, Dr. Smith has performed collaborative research into the distinctive qualities of enrolment management in the United States and Canada that has allowed educational leaders from both countries to compare and share best practices. Dr. Smith has, with research colleague Susan Gottheil, co-edited SEM in Canada: Promoting Student and Institutional Success in Canadian Colleges and Universities (2011) and The Effectiveness of SEM in Canada: Reflections from the Field (2022). His recent research focuses on the faculty role in SEM, how change management impacts successful SEM institutional implementation, and Canadian enrollment leaders’ reflections on the effectiveness of SEM in Canada.

Dr. Smith is a leader in the field of enrolment management, with special emphasis on the areas of institutional SEM readiness, implementing SEM, enrolment planning, change management, international student affairs, and student success and retention.

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. He is a senior consultant with AACRAO Consulting and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Strategic Enrollment Management Quarterly.

Presenters

Alyssa Morin

Douglas College

Office Manager, Enrolment Services

Andrew Leopold

Humber Polytechnic

Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Communications

Andrew Leopold

Humber Polytechnic

Associate Vice-President, Marketing and Communications

Andrew has provided strategic, communications, marketing, branding (and more) counsel to colleagues and clients for more than 24 years.

At Humber, Andrew leads a team of Marketing, Communications, Creative Services and Analytics enthusiasts who Bring It to their work at Humber by telling the college’s many compelling student, faculty and partnership stories across multiple platforms to many audiences.

Andrew co-chairs the MarCom Guild and is a member of Colleges Ontario communications and marketing advisory groups. Prior to working at Humber (one of his alma maters), Andrew worked at two different global public relations firms in Toronto.

Andrew is eagerly awaiting his call to the Hockey Hall of Fame, knows the pen (and keyboard) is mightier than the sword, listens to the Dave Matthews Band and likes to chill with Charlee (the cat) and Lucy (the dog).

Carla Kematch

RRC Polytech

Director, Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement

Debbie Little

NorQuest College

Director, Enrolment Operations and Registrar

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. Lee Ann McKivor

Western University

Assistant Professor (PT/SA)

Dr. Lee Ann McKivor

Western University

Assistant Professor (PT/SA)

Dr. McKivor is an experienced academic administrator in higher education. She previously served many years within central administration at the University of Sheffield in the U.K., over 20 years as Associate Registrar and Director, and Associate University Secretary at Western University, and as Memorial University of Newfoundland's University Registrar.

As University Registrar, Dr. McKivor was part of the leadership team spearheading the institution's SEM planning with a lens of strong collaboration amongst university leadership. She is skilled in staff retention, higher education administration, supervisory skills, higher education leadership and higher education policy.

Dr. McKivor also serves as an Assistant Professor within Western University's Doctor of Education program in a part-time, limited duties/contract position.

She has a Master of Education, Specialization in Higher Education Leadership (Calgary) and was part of Western University's first Doctor of Education graduating class.

Dr. Samah Sabra

Niagara College

Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Dr. Samah Sabra

Niagara College

Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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.

Jennifer Powell

Brainstorm Strategy Group

Director of Programming and Community Engagement

Jennifer Powell

Brainstorm Strategy Group

Director of Programming and Community Engagement

Jennifer Powell is a passionate advocate for student success and is dedicated to empowering the next generation. With over a decade of experience in enrolment management, including roles in marketing, recruitment, admissions, academic advising, work-integrated learning, employer relations, and a college board member. Jennifer has cultivated expertise in creating positive post-secondary experiences and facilitating academic-to-career transitions.

As Director of Programming and Community Engagement at Brainstorm Strategy Group, she leverages her skills as a connector, systems thinker, and solution-oriented professional to support Canadian post-secondary institutions and campus recruitment teams across North America. Jennifer helps organizations refine their approach to student support and recruitment through engaging workshops, webinars, and training sessions.

Her enthusiasm extends to stakeholder relations, event planning, partnerships, marketing, and communications. Jennifer’s forward-thinking and dynamic approach reflects her optimism and unwavering commitment to improving student success and outcomes.

Kwame Diko

University of Toronto

Assistant Director, Equity & Outreach, Office of Student Recruitment

Mark Davids

Lethbridge Polytechnic

Manager, Student Academic Supports

Mehgan Cabrera

Okanagan College

Director, Strategic Enrolment Management

Mehgan Cabrera

Okanagan College

Director, Strategic Enrolment Management

With deep experience in Strategic Enrolment Management and Marketing, Mehgan Cabrera brings a systems mindset to transforming the student journey. Her work bridges recruitment, marketing, and advising into one cohesive, student-centred strategy. Before her current role at Okanagan College, Mehgan built a career in marketing and sales—earning the nickname “Funnel Architect” for her ability to design recruitment pathways that turn awareness into action. She now applies that same strategic and analytical lens to create seamless transitions from prospect to enrolment. Passionate about collaboration and continuous improvement, Mehgan believes great strategy starts with inquiry and ends with impact.

Jennifer Powell

Director of Programs
and Community Engagement

As the SEMM Academy’s dedicated program support person, I’m committed to ensuring that participants and presenters get the most out of their experiences. I am happy to answer questions and provide information and updates to ensure that you are well-equipped for this unique learning opportunity.

FAQs

What are the key program learning outcomes?

To view the program learning outcomes please visit the Graduates page.

What is the schedule and time commitment?

The core of the program is four, 2.5-hour live sessions held over 4 weeks on Tuesdays. In addition to the live sessions, it is expected that participants will complete 1-2 hours of homework each week consisting of literature reviews, posting and commenting on discussion board topics, connecting with co-participants, watching video recordings, and/or completing quizzes.

All sessions will be recorded so that participants can access any sessions that conflict with their personal schedules.

Will there be recordings available?

Yes, all sessions will be recorded and available exclusively to program participants on the dedicated web portal for 6 months after the completion of the program.

What happens if I miss a session?

There’s a good chance that a session or two may conflict with your other commitments. Recordings of sessions will be posted on the web portal along with educational materials within 24 hours of each workshop, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to catch up.

Who should participate?

Virtually everyone on campus has a role to play in Strategic Enrolment Management and will benefit from an investment in learning the fundamentals that will make them a stronger contributor on campus.

Registration Rates

Are you trying to calculate and/or hold a rate for your group? Is payment by credit card a challenge? Let us know and we'd be pleased to help. Email info@brainstorm.ca with any questions that you have.

Ticket Rate Deadline Individual 3 to 5
(Save 15%)
6 to 9
(Save 25%)
10+
(Save 35%)
Regular Rate October 23 $995 $845.75 $746.25 $646.75
Late Rate November 20 $1,195 $1,015.75 $896.25 $777

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be provided within three weeks of the program. 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.

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