To see the full conference schedule with all sessions and speakers, please visit the Schedule page.
Unwavering Guidance: Maintaining Student Support During Institutional Ups and Downs
Jenni Rowe, Senior Transfer Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Connor Hagan, Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Colleges and Universities experience cycles of growth, challenge and transformation-and college counselors are often helping students navigate those realities in real time. This session brings together representatives from The University of Tulsa to discuss how we can continue to prioritize student support, transparency and trust during periods of institutional change. We will discuss best practices for communication, collaboration, and maintaining trust-while centering student success above all else.
An Intro to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Cabrina Noonan, Education Services Specialist, Department of the Navy
Sherry Meadows, NROTC Coordinator, Department of the Navy
The United States Navy has extensive Naval STEM programs with maritime and nuclear opportunities, among others. In this session attendees will learn about what NROTC is, the financial benefits that go along with being a part of the NROTC program, the type of students that might be a good fit for the program, the application process, and more. Come and hear from the servicemember directly responsible for supporting the students in both Kansas and Missouri.
Beyond the Funnel: Putting Relationships at the Center of College Access
Graciela Berumen, Assistant Director of College Access & Community Outreach, Kansas State University
Marcus Kidd, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management and Institutional Partnerships, Kansas State University
Shabina Kavimandan, Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Kansas State University
Traditional recruitment methods can often feel transactional to first-generation, low income and rural
students who might require specialized, high touch support to move from initial interest to enrollment. This interactive session focuses on a strategic shift from transactional outreach to a relational, community centered model that places students, families and communities at the heart of college access. Presenters will discuss the Collaborative College Access Recruitment (CAR) framework. Drawing from Tara Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth, it offers an asset-based approach to recruitment. Participants will explore how the Kansas State University College Access Team (CAT) utilizes this framework to work in synergy with institutional recruitment and campus partners to deepen connections and build deep-rooted partnerships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Presenters will share how prioritizing sustained community engagement is a powerful tool for scaling statewide access. This session also aims to empower participants to develop mutually beneficial outreach initiatives that integrate community perspectives into recruitment practices. Through facilitated discussions and shared experiences, participants will gain insights into how relational elements can be implemented into traditional recruiting structures without having to do a total overhaul. Collaborations can facilitate community engagement and college access layering "high touch" moments into your existing initiatives and outreach. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to enhance college readiness pathways and foster collaborative engagement on and off campus.
Breaking Barriers: Inside Guaranteed Admission
Staci Pennington, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, The University of Tulsa
Dr. Brandon Miller, GKFF Endowed Director, Office of University Transfer & Academic Partnerships, Tulsa Community College
Jenni Rowe, Senior Transfer Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Discover how The University of Tulsa partnered with Tulsa Community College to launch a Guaranteed Admission program designed to simplify transfer pathways and support student success. In this session, we’ll share why we started this initiative, the timeline for implementation, and the collaborative efforts that make it work. You’ll learn about scholarship opportunities, eligibility requirements, and the roles of key stakeholders in ensuring clarity and compliance. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a seamless transfer experience that benefits both students and institutions, this session is for you. Join us to explore practical strategies and take away ideas you can implement at your own campus.
Conducting the Orchestra: Tips and Tricks for Managing Teams
Amanda Chapman, Director of College Counseling, MOACAC President-Elect, The Whitfield School
The job of a leader is to ensure each individual contributes toward the shared vision, just as a conductor ensures each musician contributes toward a successful performance. But often, leaders approach this task with only urgent goals in mind rather than overarching end goals. In this session, you'll learn how to create a plan for developing the teams you lead. Whether your team needs to build trust, define its purpose, cultivate healthy communication, improve decision-making, or design effective meeting agendas, you'll leave this session with resources to make it happen. Using Elena Aguilar's "The Art of Coaching Teams" as a guide, the session presenter will provide you with resources you can put into practice right away.
Counseling Best Practices to Increase Yield & Mitigate Melt: Student and Parent Loan Program Overview
Heather Gaumer, Director, Relationship Management - Midwest, Sallie Mae
Ed Recker, Business Development - High School, Sallie Mae
July 1, 2026 will usher in significant changes to the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan program, bringing with it potential funding uncertainty to many college-bound students and families. Left unaddressed, some prospective students will melt, leaving their higher education dreams in the balance, and schools scrambling for a late-cycle solution. Although private education loans are available, many are unfamiliar with them, and even fewer know how they stack up against Parent PLUS. Join us as we give an overview of both products, what makes them unique, and guidance on how to discuss both options with students. You'll leave with clear insights and actionable takeaways to assist students and families with confidence.
Truths, Tips, and Takeaways from Three High School Counselors Who Read Applications for a Private University
Josh Bottomly, Associate Director of College Counseling, Casady School
Debi Hudson, Director of College Counseling, Saint Teresa’s Academy
Ashlee Lowry, Director of College Counseling, Holland Hall
This session will involve a panel discussion with three high school counselors who were hired for this year's admission cycle to read remotely for a selective private university. They will share insights they gleaned from their training and reading thousands of applications.
Counselor: Defined In Many Ways
Liz Majors, College Counselor, Collegewise
Brianna Vander Vorst, Director of College Counseling and Guidance, Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
Debi Hudson, Director of College Counseling, Saint Teresa’s Academy
Nishja Nuss, Secondary School Counselor, Tekamuh Herman Schools
Matt Hallauer, Social Emotional Counselor, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Laura Oliva, Counselor and Registered Play Therapist, Laurel Tree Counseling
Curious about what the role of a counselor can be and how it might align with your professional goals, while also guiding students through their post-secondary plans, the title counselor can be defined in many ways. From Social/Emotional, Personal, Mental, College, Private, Independent, and/or Comprehensive. All are important and all influence a students college planning experience. But most importantly how do these roles and titles work together to align with the secondary school structures and family needs to influence the student's college planning process.
Creating Meaningful Partnerships Through High School and College Advisory Boards
Amanda Booth, Director of College Counseling, Wichita Collegiate School
Jennifer McClendon, Director of Recruitment, Oklahoma State University
The collaborative impact advisory boards have is invaluable for learning, understanding, and improvement. Colleges tap into high school professionals to audit and improve their processes ensuring they are creating and executing student-centered processes. Newer to the landscape are reverse advisory boards where high schools invite college admissions professionals to evaluate their college counseling practices, measure student engagement, and to educate their school community. Advisory boards create meaningful partnerships and professional development opportunities for those on both sides of the desk. Learn more about how Oklahoma State’s advisory board model and a reverse advisory board at Wichita Collegiate School have started. You’ll learn more about how our boards are structured and how to roll out the carpet to impress your guests and colleagues with any budget.
Degrees Without Borders: University Pathways for Globally Minded Students
Emily Gruube, Associate Director of Admissions, Butler Overseas, Butler University
Amber Featherstone, Vice President, Admissions & Enrollment, Minerva University
Kate Pitman, Assistant Director of Enrollment, Saint Louis University - Madrid
What happens when the world becomes your classroom? Explore U.S. universities that immerse students abroad for most of their college experience, earning a fully accredited American degree while studying across continents. Hear how three innovative institutions are reimagining global education, shaping adaptable graduates, and offering unique opportunities for internationally minded students.
Finding the Right Key: Guiding Students Toward Majors That Fit
Ivy Hartman, Post High School Counselor, Rockwood Summit High School
Aaron Cook, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, University of Missouri - Columbia
Every student has a melody — strengths, interests, values, and talents that, when harmonized correctly, lead to meaningful academic and career choices. Yet too often, students are encouraged to pick a major before they truly understand themselves, resulting in major changes, delayed graduation, or disengagement. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how high school counselors and college admissions professionals can work in rhythm to help students identify majors and programs of study that align with who they are — not just what sounds good on paper. Participants will learn how to use a free, national career and self-discovery tool to help students:
From Competition to Collaboration: The Power of Teaming Up on the Road
Edyn Weber, Assistant Director for Freshman Recruitment, Kansas State University
John Tricks, Assistant Director for Freshman Recruitment, University of Kansas
Erik Jantz, Admissions Representative, Pittsburg State University
For decades, high school visits have been a staple of college recruitment; but why go it alone? This session explores the “mini college fair” model, a collaborative approach where college representatives visit high schools together rather than individually. What started as a simple experiment in the Wichita area has evolved into a model that maximizes student engagement, counselor partnerships, and cross-institutional support. In this session, presenters will share how their collaborative visits have increased student interactions, diversified the colleges students consider, and fostered stronger relationships with school counselors. Attendees will learn how to coordinate shared visits, navigate logistics with multiple institutions, and communicate the benefits to high school partners. The presenters will also share data and anecdotes showing how collaboration can ease travel fatigue, improve efficiency, and, most importantly, serve students better.
Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter, new to the road, or a counselor hoping to enhance your school’s college visit calendar and student opportunities, this session will offer practical takeaways for building a more connected, student-centered approach to recruitment travel.
From Friday Brews to Annual Reviews: Navigating the Transition from Peer to Supervisor
Andrew Wimp, Associate Director for Transfer, Online, and Adult Populations, Kansas State University
Moving into a leadership role often means supervising people who were recently peers, or even friends, but very few professionals are actually prepared for what that shift requires. This session focuses on the real,
often awkward realities of stepping into supervision after an internal promotion. This session takes an honest look at what actually changes when your title does: relationships, boundaries, communication, and expectations. Attendees will explore common missteps new supervisors make, like assuming nothing has changed, avoiding hard conversations, or overcorrecting in ways that strain trust. Through practical examples, reflection, and straightforward language participants can use right away, this session offers tools to reset expectations, lead with clarity, and manage former peers with confidence. Designed for new and emerging managers in higher education, this session is grounded in lived experience rather than theory. The goal is to help leaders navigate the peer-to-supervisor transition intentionally,without losing authenticity, credibility, or their team in the process.
Generations and Government: Understanding Advocacy for Different Ages
Kala Davis, Assistant Director of Recruitment, Oklahoma State University
Miguel Pizana, Scholar Recruitment Specialist, Oklahoma State University
Skyler Stefanski, Recruitment Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Alyssa Myrick, Senior Admissions Officer, The University of Tulsa
Let’s face it: change through legislative advocacy takes time. In an age full of instant gratification, some generations are more naturally inclined to the long-term work of advocacy than others. In this session we’ll discuss generational takes on gratification, how that plays into advocacy, and steps that every generation can take to make change towards a brighter tomorrow.
Harmony Within One Mission: Strengthening recruitment collaboration between Admissions and Academic College Recruitment
Kenzie Kepple, Assistant Director of Recruitment, Oklahoma State University
Jessica Medina-Benningfield, Manager of Prospective Student Services, Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University
Chesley Comstock, Director of Prospective Student Services, Ferguson College of Agriculture, Oklahoma State University
Effective recruitment happens when Admissions and Academic Colleges work in harmony toward a single goal: helping students see themselves at the university and in their chosen major. This session highlights where recruitment efforts naturally intersect and how clearer roles, shared responsibility, and intentional communication can strengthen the student experience. Attendees will learn practical approaches to co-planning events, aligning outreach, and leveraging each team’s expertise to build stronger relationships, improve efficiency and support informed student decision-making.
Hitting the Right Note - Starting the College Cost Conversation
Kaitlyn Venta, Strategy Director, Access and Affordability, MOCAN
Becca Diskin, Program & Outreach Manager, Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation
Talking about the cost of college with students and their families can be intimidating. Seeing the sticker price of a college for the first time can end the conversation before it even starts. How can we begin this conversation on the right note? In this presentation, we will provide strategies and resources to equip you for harmonious college cost conversations. We will present the latest data on college costs and affordability. Participants will be invited to practice starting this conversation in a variety of scenarios. We will also share tools and resources that you can use in this conversation, including college cost comparison sheets and scholarship opportunities.
Join the Club: Leveraging Your Campus Involvement Opportunities as Your Institution's Edge
Chloe Blue, Admissions Counselor, Oklahoma State University
Bailee Loveless, Admissions Counselor, Oklahoma State University
Faced with the looming enrollment cliff and growing availability of online degree options, students now have more options than ever to obtain their degrees or varying credentials. Students are more and more inclined to choose the path of least resistance - creating an identity crisis for universities that historically offer robust student organizations and lean heavily into the on-campus student experience. Students have more options for how, where, and when to get their degrees, which coupled with changing societal pressures, have diminished students’ considerations for a well-rounded college experience. You'll learn why
campus involvement is vital to the student experience and how conveying this message to prospective students can be your institutions greatest asset through these changing times.
Life-Changing Listening: How Truly Seeing Our Students Transforms Them... And Us!
XinMing Kuon, Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Jerome Bennett, Senior Counselor, Coordinator of College Counseling, Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
For both college recruiters and high school counselors, there is a responsibility to give information, such as highlighting application deadlines, talking about financial aid, and representing universities. While accurately informing our students is a vital part of our job, in this session, Jerome and XinMing aim to share about the benefits and needs to go one level further by seeking out and understanding our students'
hearts.
More Than Miles: How Distance, Identity, and Belonging Shape Rural Students’ Choices
Claire Harrison, Enrollment Events and Community Organizations Coordinator, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Mason Bennett, Senior Admissions Counselor, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Wyatt Morrison, Senior Admissions Counselor, Nebraska Wesleyan University
For rural students, distance from home is rarely just about miles, it’s about identity, risk, responsibility, and belonging. Decisions about college often carry additional weight shaped by community ties, limited exposure to higher education, financial considerations, and the fear of making a choice that feels irreversible.
This session explores how rural students experience the college search differently and how school counselors and admissions professionals can better support them through clearer communication, more honest conversations, and reduced perceived risk. Rather than framing rural students as hesitant or underprepared, this session reframes their decision-making as thoughtful, context-aware, and deeply rooted in lived experience.
Through interactive discussion and activities as well as real-world scenarios, participants will examine how common assumptions about “fit,” independence, and opportunity can miss the mark for rural students. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to help students interpret college messaging, ask better questions, and navigate transitions with greater confidence while strengthening collaboration between high school counselors and college admissions teams.
Navigating the Updated GEPCA: Ethical Admissions Practices Through Real-World Scenarios
Brianna Vander Vorst, Director of College Counseling and Guidance, Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
Kyle Johnson, College Counselor, Rockhurst High School
In the spirit of the conference theme, In Perfect Harmony, this session explores how the updated Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission (GEPCA) helps counseling and admission professionals stay in sync across an increasingly complex landscape. Participants will review key GEPCA revisions and work through jazz-inspired ethical “improvisations” using real-world scenarios and case studies. Through collaborative discussion, attendees will apply the GEPCA recommendations and guidelines to navigate nuanced situations in recruitment, communication, and student support. The session equips professionals with practical tools to maintain clarity, integrity, and alignment in their daily practice.
From First Note to Finale: Advising Students Abroad
Karmen Mellow, International Student Recruitment Officer, Imperial College of London
Mubarik Ibrahim, International Officer, University of York
Kayla Wetherell, Assistant Director of Student Recruitment, Franklin University Switzerland
Saba Bekele, Senior Program Officer, University of Bristol
Completing a degree abroad is an increasingly appealing idea for today’s graduating high school students for a variety of reasons such as lower costs, hands-on career training, exciting locations, and international student bodies. It can be a daunting process however, navigating the variety of degree structures, entry requirements, application platforms, and visa processes. Hosted by representatives from three UK universities and one American University Abroad, this session focuses on how counselors can support students throughout the full international degree journey. The session will explore how to help students identify the right academic and personal fit abroad while also addressing one of the most common questions students and families ask: what happens after graduation. By connecting fit with outcomes,
counselors will gain a clearer framework for advising students from the initial college search through post-graduation pathways. Topics covered will include the college search process, understanding entry requirements and application processes, financing, and getting ready to head overseas. Presenters will also discuss post-graduation outcomes such as career opportunities, further study options, and global mobility. Counselors will leave with practical strategies for incorporating international university advising into their existing college counseling programming.
The Enrollment Orchestra: Composing Vendor Relationships in Perfect Harmony
Sydney Hamilton, Strategic Student Correspondence Recruitment Manager, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Andy Otta, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Missouri Western State University
Nicole Bumphrey, Senior Regional Director of Enrollment Solutions, Capture Higher Ed
Enrollment teams are under constant pressure to do more — reach more students, manage more channels, and act on more data. At UMKC & Missouri Western, the solution wasn’t choosing between people or technology, but finding the perfect composer to bring both into harmony. In this session, UMKC & Missouri Western share how Capture Higher Ed operates as a seamless extension of their undergraduate, transfer and graduate enrollment offices. Through bi-weekly strategy sessions, shared campaign planning, and ongoing campaign optimization, Capture helps launch full-scale recruitment initiatives and maintain consistent engagement across the student journey — without adding internal workload. You’ll learn how this partnership not only delivers AI-powered tools that feel human, but also provides hands on support for the on campus staff doing the daily work of recruiting and guiding students. The result: technology that amplifies human effort, strategy that stays aligned beyond campus doors, and a recruitment engine that performs in perfect harmony.
Comprehensive Repertoire: Creating an Effective College Counseling Program
Amy McQuade, Associate Director of College Counseling and Registrar, Casady School
Amanda Chapman, Director of College Counseling, The Whitfield School
In this session, college counselors will learn how to develop a skills-based program that guides students through the critical stages of the college search and admissions process. Attendees will discuss strategies for teaching students how to research and evaluate colleges that match their academic strengths, personal goals, and extracurricular interests. We'll also share strategies for guiding students through the development of their application materials, including essays, resumes, and further major and career exploration. Whether you have designated instructional time or want to create an optional, asynchronous program, attendees will leave with ideas and examples of robust activities to guide students toward their best fit college.
College Fairs in Perfect Harmony
Rebecca Moppin, College & Career Advisor, Transition, Scholarship & Community Outreach Coordinator, Mexico High School
Interested in hosting or even attending a College Fair? Not sure of the process or where to start to level up your fairs? Have ideas to share with others for successful fairs? Be sure to mark this presentation down as one to attend! The MOACAC College Fair Co-Chair will share tips and tricks in making your college fair the ONE to attend. In addition, as a veteran to hosting large fairs, ideas on how to create a perfect harmony
between high schools and colleges will be discussed, brainstormed and collaborated on. Walk away with information and the confidence to ROCK your next MOACAC Fair.
Orchestrating Student Engagement: How to Level-Up Your Student Programming Through Gamification
Amy McQuade, Associate Director of College Counseling and Registrar, Casady School
Jerome Bennett, Senior Counselor and Coordinator of College Counseling, Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
The neuroscience tells us we learn best by doing: active learning sticks to our brain more than passive learning. Whether you are designing a case study program, driving values based college exploration, supporting student career exploration, or helping your students understand what colleges are looking for, we have you covered! This session will be interactive and hands-on. Attendees will engage in activities that are easy to bake into programming for high school students, regardless of school size, and collaborate to determine which activities fit best with your institution. Many of these "gamified" activities are designed to be both fun and instructive for students and even parents!
Pathways to Possibility: Empowering First-Gen and Low-Income students with college planning tools
Lori Dameron, Coordinator of Post-Secondary Success, North Kansas City Schools Catalyst Program
Counseling low-income and first-generation students presents a multifaceted and time-intensive challenge that requires sustained, individualized support. Students often don’t have the tools or support to
apply to colleges and parents don’t have the time or experience to support their college bound student. Together we will delve into various tools and resources that help support this group of students as they
navigate the college process starting Junior year. From timelines to college essay support, we will share resources that are free or low cost that you can share with your students and talk about successes and
challenges in utilizing them. When you leave this session, you should be equipped to share these resources with your families and learn from first-hand experience others have had in utilizing these tools.
Power of Portals: Supporting and Empowering Staff Through Portals
Courtney Hallenbeck, Associate Director for Freshman Recruitment, Kansas State University
Edyn Weber, Assistant Director for Freshman Recruitment, Kansas State University
Andrew Wimp, Associate Director for Transfer, Online and Adult Populations, Kansas State University
Portals can be powerful tools for streamlining daily work! In this session, we’ll share practical examples of Slate portals that support admissions and recruitment staff in their day-to-day responsibilities while also
enhancing guest and visitor experiences. Attendees will see real-world portal use cases, including territory
management, staff supervision, inventory tracking, and counselor fly-in support. We’ll discuss how these portals function from both a supervisory perspective and a “boots-on-the-ground” staff viewpoint, highlighting efficiencies, lessons learned, and unexpected benefits along the way. Led from the perspective of three non-CRM Administrators, we'll also hit on how to get started when you are learning as you go. We’ll conclude with time for collaborative discussion, idea-sharing, and brainstorming, allowing participants to exchange best practices and explore new ways portals can support their teams.
Recruiting the Modern Family: Designing an Engagement Plan With Purpose
Michelle Palumbo, Associate Vice President, Encoura
Molly Hamlin, Regional Director, Digital Solutions, Encoura
The demographic cliff is no longer on the horizon—it’s arrived. As competition intensifies, colleges and universities must rethink how they engage with students and families to meet their enrollment demands.
Today’s journey to college is increasingly shaped by parents, personalized digital experiences, and rising expectations that institutions truly see the student behind the inquiry. In this session, we’ll explore what it takes to build a modern, strategic engagement plan that doesn’t just respond to change—but stays ahead of it.
Striking the Right Chord: Connecting with Students and Families with ZeeMee + CampusESP
Drew Carr, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Operations, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Josh Owens, Sales Account Executive, ZeeMee
Joel Pendergrass, Director of Account Management, CampusESP
Today’s enrollment journey is no solo act, it’s a duet. While students drive discovery, parents shape decisions. So how can institutions create meaningful engagement that resonates with both? In this session, we’ll explore how Nebraska Wesleyan University is pairing ZeeMee and CampusESP to bring students and parents into perfect harmony throughout the recruitment cycle. We’ll look at how ZeeMee helps you connect authentically with students in the digital spaces they already love — fostering belonging, community, and peer-to- peer connection from the start. Then, we’ll show how CampusESP empowers parents with the right information at the right moments, transforming them into advocates who support their students’ enrollment decisions. When students and parents move in harmony with your institution’s story, everyone wins.
Striving for Harmony: Empowering BIPOC Students Using an Asset-Based Approach
Audel Salazar, School Counselor, Omaha Central High School
Culture is a powerful determining force on the attitudes and behaviors of students and educators, and can unconsciously influence our everyday decisions for better and worse. Unfortunately, these biases have created an opportunity gap within education between white and BIPOC students that impact their ability to succeed. In response to growing cultural diversity, educators must not only become culturally competent, but learn to empower their students by challenging their own biases, build social capital within their schools and communities, and promote Community Cultural Wealth in order to close the opportunity gap.
Switching Sides of the Desk: What We Love —And What We Miss
Caelin Anderson, Associate Director of College Counseling, The Barstow School
Janey Stephens, Director of College Placement, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Darren Meeker, Kansas City Regional Coordinator, Kansas State University
Are you considering switching sides of the desk or simply curious about the surprises that come with it? In this session, presenters will reflect on what they grew to appreciate, what caught them off guard, and what they unexpectedly missed after transitioning between high school and college counseling environments. Join us to hear three distinct professional journeys:
The Art of Territory Management: Orchestrating Impact
Lana Mark, Senior Admissions Counselor, Oklahoma State University
Logan Blunt, Regional Admissions Representative, Wichita State University
Recruiters juggle data, relationships, and time in complex territories. This interactive session explores how to harmonize data-driven decisions with personal connections, from prioritizing outreach to deciding which schools warrant multiple visits per semester. Attendees will gain practical scheduling hacks—using calendars to balance travel, outreach, deadlines, and new responsibilities—while navigating the tension
between personal priorities and manager expectations. Through live polling and the “Composing a Harmonious Month” calendar challenge, participants will leave with strategies to orchestrate efficient, impactful schedules that maximize both student engagement and organizational goals.
The Parent Factor: Balancing Family Pressure & Expectations in College Admission
Jennifer Sack, Secondary Counselor Coach, Tulsa Public Schools
Family involvement in the college admission process is often rooted in love, sacrifice, cultural values, and sometimes even fear. These emotional undercurrents can unintentionally create stress, silence student voice, and complicate ethical decision-making. This interactive session equips high school counselors and college advisors with culturally responsive strategies to navigate high-pressure family dynamics while keeping students at the center of the process. Grounded in ASCA ethical standards and student advocacy principles, participants will explore practical counseling language, data-driven de-escalation tools, and structured mediation protocols that honor family input while supporting student autonomy and well-being. Through sample case studies and guided practice, counselors will learn ways to validate family concerns, name pressure productively, and redirect conversations from prestige toward fit and student success.
When Cost Is the Objection: How Counselors Can Help Families Ask Better Financial Aid Questions
Veronica McCulloch, Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor McPherson College
Families often decide “we can’t afford it” before they fully understand how financial aid works—or what questions to ask. This session equips counselors with clear, student-friendly language and a practical toolkit to help families navigate college costs without overpromising or oversimplifying. Participants will learn how to explain the difference between sticker price and actual cost, clarify commonly misunderstood terms (such as SAI, grants vs. loans, Parent PLUS loans, work-study, and outside scholarships), and guide families toward better comparisons across colleges. Attendees will leave with a short, high-impact list of questions to help families confidently evaluate affordability and next steps.
Where Admissions Gets Murky: Supporting Military-Connected, Non-Traditional, and Returning Students
Andrew Wimp, Associate Director for Transfer, Online and Adult Populations
Kelsey Pitts, Associate Director of Transfer Recruitment
Admissions processes are often designed around clear categories, freshman, transfer, first generation, but the students who show up rarely fit just one label. Military-connected learners may also be parents, adult
students, or transfers. Returning students often bring prior credit, work experience, and life responsibilities that don’t align neatly with traditional timelines or communication models. When admissions offices rely too heavily on clean buckets and labels, the process quickly gets murky for the students we’re trying to support. This session explores how admissions professionals can better serve military-connected, non-traditional, and returning students by rethinking how processes, communication, and intake practices are designed. Using real-world examples and front-line admissions scenarios, participants will examine where traditional workflows break down and how small, intentional adjustments can reduce confusion, build trust, and help students move forward with confidence. Rather than focusing on one population at a time, this session centers on the reality that many students hold multiple, overlapping identities and that effective admissions work requires flexibility, clarity, and strong internal coordination. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately, regardless of institutional size or resources,
to better support complex student pathways through the admissions process.
Winning with Gen Alpha: How Gamification Can Engage Digital Natives in College Admissions
Drew Carr, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Operations, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Eric Menna, Founder, Loper
From progress bars to Apple Watch rings and buy-one-get-one deals, gamification is all around us. This session introduces gamification with Gen Alpha and high schoolers today before providing examples enrollment teams and counselors can immediately take action and use with students to build more engaging touchpoints and interactions.
2026 Session proposals are closed. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with our attendees!
Unwavering Guidance: Maintaining Student Support During Institutional Ups and Downs
Jenni Rowe, Senior Transfer Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Connor Hagan, Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Colleges and Universities experience cycles of growth, challenge and transformation-and college counselors are often helping students navigate those realities in real time. This session brings together representatives from The University of Tulsa to discuss how we can continue to prioritize student support, transparency and trust during periods of institutional change. We will discuss best practices for communication, collaboration, and maintaining trust-while centering student success above all else.
An Intro to the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps
Cabrina Noonan, Education Services Specialist, Department of the Navy
Sherry Meadows, NROTC Coordinator, Department of the Navy
The United States Navy has extensive Naval STEM programs with maritime and nuclear opportunities, among others. In this session attendees will learn about what NROTC is, the financial benefits that go along with being a part of the NROTC program, the type of students that might be a good fit for the program, the application process, and more. Come and hear from the servicemember directly responsible for supporting the students in both Kansas and Missouri.
Beyond the Funnel: Putting Relationships at the Center of College Access
Graciela Berumen, Assistant Director of College Access & Community Outreach, Kansas State University
Marcus Kidd, Assistant Director of Enrollment Management and Institutional Partnerships, Kansas State University
Shabina Kavimandan, Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Kansas State University
Traditional recruitment methods can often feel transactional to first-generation, low income and rural
students who might require specialized, high touch support to move from initial interest to enrollment. This interactive session focuses on a strategic shift from transactional outreach to a relational, community centered model that places students, families and communities at the heart of college access. Presenters will discuss the Collaborative College Access Recruitment (CAR) framework. Drawing from Tara Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth, it offers an asset-based approach to recruitment. Participants will explore how the Kansas State University College Access Team (CAT) utilizes this framework to work in synergy with institutional recruitment and campus partners to deepen connections and build deep-rooted partnerships with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Presenters will share how prioritizing sustained community engagement is a powerful tool for scaling statewide access. This session also aims to empower participants to develop mutually beneficial outreach initiatives that integrate community perspectives into recruitment practices. Through facilitated discussions and shared experiences, participants will gain insights into how relational elements can be implemented into traditional recruiting structures without having to do a total overhaul. Collaborations can facilitate community engagement and college access layering "high touch" moments into your existing initiatives and outreach. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to enhance college readiness pathways and foster collaborative engagement on and off campus.
Breaking Barriers: Inside Guaranteed Admission
Staci Pennington, Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, The University of Tulsa
Dr. Brandon Miller, GKFF Endowed Director, Office of University Transfer & Academic Partnerships, Tulsa Community College
Jenni Rowe, Senior Transfer Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Discover how The University of Tulsa partnered with Tulsa Community College to launch a Guaranteed Admission program designed to simplify transfer pathways and support student success. In this session, we’ll share why we started this initiative, the timeline for implementation, and the collaborative efforts that make it work. You’ll learn about scholarship opportunities, eligibility requirements, and the roles of key stakeholders in ensuring clarity and compliance. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a seamless transfer experience that benefits both students and institutions, this session is for you. Join us to explore practical strategies and take away ideas you can implement at your own campus.
Conducting the Orchestra: Tips and Tricks for Managing Teams
Amanda Chapman, Director of College Counseling, MOACAC President-Elect, The Whitfield School
The job of a leader is to ensure each individual contributes toward the shared vision, just as a conductor ensures each musician contributes toward a successful performance. But often, leaders approach this task with only urgent goals in mind rather than overarching end goals. In this session, you'll learn how to create a plan for developing the teams you lead. Whether your team needs to build trust, define its purpose, cultivate healthy communication, improve decision-making, or design effective meeting agendas, you'll leave this session with resources to make it happen. Using Elena Aguilar's "The Art of Coaching Teams" as a guide, the session presenter will provide you with resources you can put into practice right away.
Counseling Best Practices to Increase Yield & Mitigate Melt: Student and Parent Loan Program Overview
Heather Gaumer, Director, Relationship Management - Midwest, Sallie Mae
Ed Recker, Business Development - High School, Sallie Mae
July 1, 2026 will usher in significant changes to the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan program, bringing with it potential funding uncertainty to many college-bound students and families. Left unaddressed, some prospective students will melt, leaving their higher education dreams in the balance, and schools scrambling for a late-cycle solution. Although private education loans are available, many are unfamiliar with them, and even fewer know how they stack up against Parent PLUS. Join us as we give an overview of both products, what makes them unique, and guidance on how to discuss both options with students. You'll leave with clear insights and actionable takeaways to assist students and families with confidence.
Truths, Tips, and Takeaways from Three High School Counselors Who Read Applications for a Private University
Josh Bottomly, Associate Director of College Counseling, Casady School
Debi Hudson, Director of College Counseling, Saint Teresa’s Academy
Ashlee Lowry, Director of College Counseling, Holland Hall
This session will involve a panel discussion with three high school counselors who were hired for this year's admission cycle to read remotely for a selective private university. They will share insights they gleaned from their training and reading thousands of applications.
Counselor: Defined In Many Ways
Liz Majors, College Counselor, Collegewise
Brianna Vander Vorst, Director of College Counseling and Guidance, Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
Debi Hudson, Director of College Counseling, Saint Teresa’s Academy
Nishja Nuss, Secondary School Counselor, Tekamuh Herman Schools
Matt Hallauer, Social Emotional Counselor, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Laura Oliva, Counselor and Registered Play Therapist, Laurel Tree Counseling
Curious about what the role of a counselor can be and how it might align with your professional goals, while also guiding students through their post-secondary plans, the title counselor can be defined in many ways. From Social/Emotional, Personal, Mental, College, Private, Independent, and/or Comprehensive. All are important and all influence a students college planning experience. But most importantly how do these roles and titles work together to align with the secondary school structures and family needs to influence the student's college planning process.
Creating Meaningful Partnerships Through High School and College Advisory Boards
Amanda Booth, Director of College Counseling, Wichita Collegiate School
Jennifer McClendon, Director of Recruitment, Oklahoma State University
The collaborative impact advisory boards have is invaluable for learning, understanding, and improvement. Colleges tap into high school professionals to audit and improve their processes ensuring they are creating and executing student-centered processes. Newer to the landscape are reverse advisory boards where high schools invite college admissions professionals to evaluate their college counseling practices, measure student engagement, and to educate their school community. Advisory boards create meaningful partnerships and professional development opportunities for those on both sides of the desk. Learn more about how Oklahoma State’s advisory board model and a reverse advisory board at Wichita Collegiate School have started. You’ll learn more about how our boards are structured and how to roll out the carpet to impress your guests and colleagues with any budget.
Degrees Without Borders: University Pathways for Globally Minded Students
Emily Gruube, Associate Director of Admissions, Butler Overseas, Butler University
Amber Featherstone, Vice President, Admissions & Enrollment, Minerva University
Kate Pitman, Assistant Director of Enrollment, Saint Louis University - Madrid
What happens when the world becomes your classroom? Explore U.S. universities that immerse students abroad for most of their college experience, earning a fully accredited American degree while studying across continents. Hear how three innovative institutions are reimagining global education, shaping adaptable graduates, and offering unique opportunities for internationally minded students.
Finding the Right Key: Guiding Students Toward Majors That Fit
Ivy Hartman, Post High School Counselor, Rockwood Summit High School
Aaron Cook, Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, University of Missouri - Columbia
Every student has a melody — strengths, interests, values, and talents that, when harmonized correctly, lead to meaningful academic and career choices. Yet too often, students are encouraged to pick a major before they truly understand themselves, resulting in major changes, delayed graduation, or disengagement. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how high school counselors and college admissions professionals can work in rhythm to help students identify majors and programs of study that align with who they are — not just what sounds good on paper. Participants will learn how to use a free, national career and self-discovery tool to help students:
- Better understand their personality, interests, and skills
- Strengthen resumes and college applications through intentional self-reflection
- Explore careers and reverse-engineer majors from real-world career data
From Competition to Collaboration: The Power of Teaming Up on the Road
Edyn Weber, Assistant Director for Freshman Recruitment, Kansas State University
John Tricks, Assistant Director for Freshman Recruitment, University of Kansas
Erik Jantz, Admissions Representative, Pittsburg State University
For decades, high school visits have been a staple of college recruitment; but why go it alone? This session explores the “mini college fair” model, a collaborative approach where college representatives visit high schools together rather than individually. What started as a simple experiment in the Wichita area has evolved into a model that maximizes student engagement, counselor partnerships, and cross-institutional support. In this session, presenters will share how their collaborative visits have increased student interactions, diversified the colleges students consider, and fostered stronger relationships with school counselors. Attendees will learn how to coordinate shared visits, navigate logistics with multiple institutions, and communicate the benefits to high school partners. The presenters will also share data and anecdotes showing how collaboration can ease travel fatigue, improve efficiency, and, most importantly, serve students better.
Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter, new to the road, or a counselor hoping to enhance your school’s college visit calendar and student opportunities, this session will offer practical takeaways for building a more connected, student-centered approach to recruitment travel.
From Friday Brews to Annual Reviews: Navigating the Transition from Peer to Supervisor
Andrew Wimp, Associate Director for Transfer, Online, and Adult Populations, Kansas State University
Moving into a leadership role often means supervising people who were recently peers, or even friends, but very few professionals are actually prepared for what that shift requires. This session focuses on the real,
often awkward realities of stepping into supervision after an internal promotion. This session takes an honest look at what actually changes when your title does: relationships, boundaries, communication, and expectations. Attendees will explore common missteps new supervisors make, like assuming nothing has changed, avoiding hard conversations, or overcorrecting in ways that strain trust. Through practical examples, reflection, and straightforward language participants can use right away, this session offers tools to reset expectations, lead with clarity, and manage former peers with confidence. Designed for new and emerging managers in higher education, this session is grounded in lived experience rather than theory. The goal is to help leaders navigate the peer-to-supervisor transition intentionally,without losing authenticity, credibility, or their team in the process.
Generations and Government: Understanding Advocacy for Different Ages
Kala Davis, Assistant Director of Recruitment, Oklahoma State University
Miguel Pizana, Scholar Recruitment Specialist, Oklahoma State University
Skyler Stefanski, Recruitment Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Alyssa Myrick, Senior Admissions Officer, The University of Tulsa
Let’s face it: change through legislative advocacy takes time. In an age full of instant gratification, some generations are more naturally inclined to the long-term work of advocacy than others. In this session we’ll discuss generational takes on gratification, how that plays into advocacy, and steps that every generation can take to make change towards a brighter tomorrow.
Harmony Within One Mission: Strengthening recruitment collaboration between Admissions and Academic College Recruitment
Kenzie Kepple, Assistant Director of Recruitment, Oklahoma State University
Jessica Medina-Benningfield, Manager of Prospective Student Services, Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University
Chesley Comstock, Director of Prospective Student Services, Ferguson College of Agriculture, Oklahoma State University
Effective recruitment happens when Admissions and Academic Colleges work in harmony toward a single goal: helping students see themselves at the university and in their chosen major. This session highlights where recruitment efforts naturally intersect and how clearer roles, shared responsibility, and intentional communication can strengthen the student experience. Attendees will learn practical approaches to co-planning events, aligning outreach, and leveraging each team’s expertise to build stronger relationships, improve efficiency and support informed student decision-making.
Hitting the Right Note - Starting the College Cost Conversation
Kaitlyn Venta, Strategy Director, Access and Affordability, MOCAN
Becca Diskin, Program & Outreach Manager, Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation
Talking about the cost of college with students and their families can be intimidating. Seeing the sticker price of a college for the first time can end the conversation before it even starts. How can we begin this conversation on the right note? In this presentation, we will provide strategies and resources to equip you for harmonious college cost conversations. We will present the latest data on college costs and affordability. Participants will be invited to practice starting this conversation in a variety of scenarios. We will also share tools and resources that you can use in this conversation, including college cost comparison sheets and scholarship opportunities.
Join the Club: Leveraging Your Campus Involvement Opportunities as Your Institution's Edge
Chloe Blue, Admissions Counselor, Oklahoma State University
Bailee Loveless, Admissions Counselor, Oklahoma State University
Faced with the looming enrollment cliff and growing availability of online degree options, students now have more options than ever to obtain their degrees or varying credentials. Students are more and more inclined to choose the path of least resistance - creating an identity crisis for universities that historically offer robust student organizations and lean heavily into the on-campus student experience. Students have more options for how, where, and when to get their degrees, which coupled with changing societal pressures, have diminished students’ considerations for a well-rounded college experience. You'll learn why
campus involvement is vital to the student experience and how conveying this message to prospective students can be your institutions greatest asset through these changing times.
Life-Changing Listening: How Truly Seeing Our Students Transforms Them... And Us!
XinMing Kuon, Admissions Counselor, The University of Tulsa
Jerome Bennett, Senior Counselor, Coordinator of College Counseling, Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
For both college recruiters and high school counselors, there is a responsibility to give information, such as highlighting application deadlines, talking about financial aid, and representing universities. While accurately informing our students is a vital part of our job, in this session, Jerome and XinMing aim to share about the benefits and needs to go one level further by seeking out and understanding our students'
hearts.
More Than Miles: How Distance, Identity, and Belonging Shape Rural Students’ Choices
Claire Harrison, Enrollment Events and Community Organizations Coordinator, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Mason Bennett, Senior Admissions Counselor, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Wyatt Morrison, Senior Admissions Counselor, Nebraska Wesleyan University
For rural students, distance from home is rarely just about miles, it’s about identity, risk, responsibility, and belonging. Decisions about college often carry additional weight shaped by community ties, limited exposure to higher education, financial considerations, and the fear of making a choice that feels irreversible.
This session explores how rural students experience the college search differently and how school counselors and admissions professionals can better support them through clearer communication, more honest conversations, and reduced perceived risk. Rather than framing rural students as hesitant or underprepared, this session reframes their decision-making as thoughtful, context-aware, and deeply rooted in lived experience.
Through interactive discussion and activities as well as real-world scenarios, participants will examine how common assumptions about “fit,” independence, and opportunity can miss the mark for rural students. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to help students interpret college messaging, ask better questions, and navigate transitions with greater confidence while strengthening collaboration between high school counselors and college admissions teams.
Navigating the Updated GEPCA: Ethical Admissions Practices Through Real-World Scenarios
Brianna Vander Vorst, Director of College Counseling and Guidance, Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
Kyle Johnson, College Counselor, Rockhurst High School
In the spirit of the conference theme, In Perfect Harmony, this session explores how the updated Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission (GEPCA) helps counseling and admission professionals stay in sync across an increasingly complex landscape. Participants will review key GEPCA revisions and work through jazz-inspired ethical “improvisations” using real-world scenarios and case studies. Through collaborative discussion, attendees will apply the GEPCA recommendations and guidelines to navigate nuanced situations in recruitment, communication, and student support. The session equips professionals with practical tools to maintain clarity, integrity, and alignment in their daily practice.
From First Note to Finale: Advising Students Abroad
Karmen Mellow, International Student Recruitment Officer, Imperial College of London
Mubarik Ibrahim, International Officer, University of York
Kayla Wetherell, Assistant Director of Student Recruitment, Franklin University Switzerland
Saba Bekele, Senior Program Officer, University of Bristol
Completing a degree abroad is an increasingly appealing idea for today’s graduating high school students for a variety of reasons such as lower costs, hands-on career training, exciting locations, and international student bodies. It can be a daunting process however, navigating the variety of degree structures, entry requirements, application platforms, and visa processes. Hosted by representatives from three UK universities and one American University Abroad, this session focuses on how counselors can support students throughout the full international degree journey. The session will explore how to help students identify the right academic and personal fit abroad while also addressing one of the most common questions students and families ask: what happens after graduation. By connecting fit with outcomes,
counselors will gain a clearer framework for advising students from the initial college search through post-graduation pathways. Topics covered will include the college search process, understanding entry requirements and application processes, financing, and getting ready to head overseas. Presenters will also discuss post-graduation outcomes such as career opportunities, further study options, and global mobility. Counselors will leave with practical strategies for incorporating international university advising into their existing college counseling programming.
The Enrollment Orchestra: Composing Vendor Relationships in Perfect Harmony
Sydney Hamilton, Strategic Student Correspondence Recruitment Manager, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Andy Otta, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing, Missouri Western State University
Nicole Bumphrey, Senior Regional Director of Enrollment Solutions, Capture Higher Ed
Enrollment teams are under constant pressure to do more — reach more students, manage more channels, and act on more data. At UMKC & Missouri Western, the solution wasn’t choosing between people or technology, but finding the perfect composer to bring both into harmony. In this session, UMKC & Missouri Western share how Capture Higher Ed operates as a seamless extension of their undergraduate, transfer and graduate enrollment offices. Through bi-weekly strategy sessions, shared campaign planning, and ongoing campaign optimization, Capture helps launch full-scale recruitment initiatives and maintain consistent engagement across the student journey — without adding internal workload. You’ll learn how this partnership not only delivers AI-powered tools that feel human, but also provides hands on support for the on campus staff doing the daily work of recruiting and guiding students. The result: technology that amplifies human effort, strategy that stays aligned beyond campus doors, and a recruitment engine that performs in perfect harmony.
Comprehensive Repertoire: Creating an Effective College Counseling Program
Amy McQuade, Associate Director of College Counseling and Registrar, Casady School
Amanda Chapman, Director of College Counseling, The Whitfield School
In this session, college counselors will learn how to develop a skills-based program that guides students through the critical stages of the college search and admissions process. Attendees will discuss strategies for teaching students how to research and evaluate colleges that match their academic strengths, personal goals, and extracurricular interests. We'll also share strategies for guiding students through the development of their application materials, including essays, resumes, and further major and career exploration. Whether you have designated instructional time or want to create an optional, asynchronous program, attendees will leave with ideas and examples of robust activities to guide students toward their best fit college.
College Fairs in Perfect Harmony
Rebecca Moppin, College & Career Advisor, Transition, Scholarship & Community Outreach Coordinator, Mexico High School
Interested in hosting or even attending a College Fair? Not sure of the process or where to start to level up your fairs? Have ideas to share with others for successful fairs? Be sure to mark this presentation down as one to attend! The MOACAC College Fair Co-Chair will share tips and tricks in making your college fair the ONE to attend. In addition, as a veteran to hosting large fairs, ideas on how to create a perfect harmony
between high schools and colleges will be discussed, brainstormed and collaborated on. Walk away with information and the confidence to ROCK your next MOACAC Fair.
Orchestrating Student Engagement: How to Level-Up Your Student Programming Through Gamification
Amy McQuade, Associate Director of College Counseling and Registrar, Casady School
Jerome Bennett, Senior Counselor and Coordinator of College Counseling, Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School
The neuroscience tells us we learn best by doing: active learning sticks to our brain more than passive learning. Whether you are designing a case study program, driving values based college exploration, supporting student career exploration, or helping your students understand what colleges are looking for, we have you covered! This session will be interactive and hands-on. Attendees will engage in activities that are easy to bake into programming for high school students, regardless of school size, and collaborate to determine which activities fit best with your institution. Many of these "gamified" activities are designed to be both fun and instructive for students and even parents!
Pathways to Possibility: Empowering First-Gen and Low-Income students with college planning tools
Lori Dameron, Coordinator of Post-Secondary Success, North Kansas City Schools Catalyst Program
Counseling low-income and first-generation students presents a multifaceted and time-intensive challenge that requires sustained, individualized support. Students often don’t have the tools or support to
apply to colleges and parents don’t have the time or experience to support their college bound student. Together we will delve into various tools and resources that help support this group of students as they
navigate the college process starting Junior year. From timelines to college essay support, we will share resources that are free or low cost that you can share with your students and talk about successes and
challenges in utilizing them. When you leave this session, you should be equipped to share these resources with your families and learn from first-hand experience others have had in utilizing these tools.
Power of Portals: Supporting and Empowering Staff Through Portals
Courtney Hallenbeck, Associate Director for Freshman Recruitment, Kansas State University
Edyn Weber, Assistant Director for Freshman Recruitment, Kansas State University
Andrew Wimp, Associate Director for Transfer, Online and Adult Populations, Kansas State University
Portals can be powerful tools for streamlining daily work! In this session, we’ll share practical examples of Slate portals that support admissions and recruitment staff in their day-to-day responsibilities while also
enhancing guest and visitor experiences. Attendees will see real-world portal use cases, including territory
management, staff supervision, inventory tracking, and counselor fly-in support. We’ll discuss how these portals function from both a supervisory perspective and a “boots-on-the-ground” staff viewpoint, highlighting efficiencies, lessons learned, and unexpected benefits along the way. Led from the perspective of three non-CRM Administrators, we'll also hit on how to get started when you are learning as you go. We’ll conclude with time for collaborative discussion, idea-sharing, and brainstorming, allowing participants to exchange best practices and explore new ways portals can support their teams.
Recruiting the Modern Family: Designing an Engagement Plan With Purpose
Michelle Palumbo, Associate Vice President, Encoura
Molly Hamlin, Regional Director, Digital Solutions, Encoura
The demographic cliff is no longer on the horizon—it’s arrived. As competition intensifies, colleges and universities must rethink how they engage with students and families to meet their enrollment demands.
Today’s journey to college is increasingly shaped by parents, personalized digital experiences, and rising expectations that institutions truly see the student behind the inquiry. In this session, we’ll explore what it takes to build a modern, strategic engagement plan that doesn’t just respond to change—but stays ahead of it.
Striking the Right Chord: Connecting with Students and Families with ZeeMee + CampusESP
Drew Carr, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Operations, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Josh Owens, Sales Account Executive, ZeeMee
Joel Pendergrass, Director of Account Management, CampusESP
Today’s enrollment journey is no solo act, it’s a duet. While students drive discovery, parents shape decisions. So how can institutions create meaningful engagement that resonates with both? In this session, we’ll explore how Nebraska Wesleyan University is pairing ZeeMee and CampusESP to bring students and parents into perfect harmony throughout the recruitment cycle. We’ll look at how ZeeMee helps you connect authentically with students in the digital spaces they already love — fostering belonging, community, and peer-to- peer connection from the start. Then, we’ll show how CampusESP empowers parents with the right information at the right moments, transforming them into advocates who support their students’ enrollment decisions. When students and parents move in harmony with your institution’s story, everyone wins.
Striving for Harmony: Empowering BIPOC Students Using an Asset-Based Approach
Audel Salazar, School Counselor, Omaha Central High School
Culture is a powerful determining force on the attitudes and behaviors of students and educators, and can unconsciously influence our everyday decisions for better and worse. Unfortunately, these biases have created an opportunity gap within education between white and BIPOC students that impact their ability to succeed. In response to growing cultural diversity, educators must not only become culturally competent, but learn to empower their students by challenging their own biases, build social capital within their schools and communities, and promote Community Cultural Wealth in order to close the opportunity gap.
Switching Sides of the Desk: What We Love —And What We Miss
Caelin Anderson, Associate Director of College Counseling, The Barstow School
Janey Stephens, Director of College Placement, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
Darren Meeker, Kansas City Regional Coordinator, Kansas State University
Are you considering switching sides of the desk or simply curious about the surprises that come with it? In this session, presenters will reflect on what they grew to appreciate, what caught them off guard, and what they unexpectedly missed after transitioning between high school and college counseling environments. Join us to hear three distinct professional journeys:
- Caelin made the transition two months into the pandemic while navigating an unexpected relocation and parenting two children under the age of four. Darren began on the college side, spent six years on the high school side, and recently returned to college admissions two years ago.
- Janey brings the most recent perspective, nearing the end of her first year on the high school side after previously serving as the Director of Admission at UMKC.
The Art of Territory Management: Orchestrating Impact
Lana Mark, Senior Admissions Counselor, Oklahoma State University
Logan Blunt, Regional Admissions Representative, Wichita State University
Recruiters juggle data, relationships, and time in complex territories. This interactive session explores how to harmonize data-driven decisions with personal connections, from prioritizing outreach to deciding which schools warrant multiple visits per semester. Attendees will gain practical scheduling hacks—using calendars to balance travel, outreach, deadlines, and new responsibilities—while navigating the tension
between personal priorities and manager expectations. Through live polling and the “Composing a Harmonious Month” calendar challenge, participants will leave with strategies to orchestrate efficient, impactful schedules that maximize both student engagement and organizational goals.
The Parent Factor: Balancing Family Pressure & Expectations in College Admission
Jennifer Sack, Secondary Counselor Coach, Tulsa Public Schools
Family involvement in the college admission process is often rooted in love, sacrifice, cultural values, and sometimes even fear. These emotional undercurrents can unintentionally create stress, silence student voice, and complicate ethical decision-making. This interactive session equips high school counselors and college advisors with culturally responsive strategies to navigate high-pressure family dynamics while keeping students at the center of the process. Grounded in ASCA ethical standards and student advocacy principles, participants will explore practical counseling language, data-driven de-escalation tools, and structured mediation protocols that honor family input while supporting student autonomy and well-being. Through sample case studies and guided practice, counselors will learn ways to validate family concerns, name pressure productively, and redirect conversations from prestige toward fit and student success.
When Cost Is the Objection: How Counselors Can Help Families Ask Better Financial Aid Questions
Veronica McCulloch, Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor McPherson College
Families often decide “we can’t afford it” before they fully understand how financial aid works—or what questions to ask. This session equips counselors with clear, student-friendly language and a practical toolkit to help families navigate college costs without overpromising or oversimplifying. Participants will learn how to explain the difference between sticker price and actual cost, clarify commonly misunderstood terms (such as SAI, grants vs. loans, Parent PLUS loans, work-study, and outside scholarships), and guide families toward better comparisons across colleges. Attendees will leave with a short, high-impact list of questions to help families confidently evaluate affordability and next steps.
Where Admissions Gets Murky: Supporting Military-Connected, Non-Traditional, and Returning Students
Andrew Wimp, Associate Director for Transfer, Online and Adult Populations
Kelsey Pitts, Associate Director of Transfer Recruitment
Admissions processes are often designed around clear categories, freshman, transfer, first generation, but the students who show up rarely fit just one label. Military-connected learners may also be parents, adult
students, or transfers. Returning students often bring prior credit, work experience, and life responsibilities that don’t align neatly with traditional timelines or communication models. When admissions offices rely too heavily on clean buckets and labels, the process quickly gets murky for the students we’re trying to support. This session explores how admissions professionals can better serve military-connected, non-traditional, and returning students by rethinking how processes, communication, and intake practices are designed. Using real-world examples and front-line admissions scenarios, participants will examine where traditional workflows break down and how small, intentional adjustments can reduce confusion, build trust, and help students move forward with confidence. Rather than focusing on one population at a time, this session centers on the reality that many students hold multiple, overlapping identities and that effective admissions work requires flexibility, clarity, and strong internal coordination. Attendees will leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately, regardless of institutional size or resources,
to better support complex student pathways through the admissions process.
Winning with Gen Alpha: How Gamification Can Engage Digital Natives in College Admissions
Drew Carr, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Operations, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Eric Menna, Founder, Loper
From progress bars to Apple Watch rings and buy-one-get-one deals, gamification is all around us. This session introduces gamification with Gen Alpha and high schoolers today before providing examples enrollment teams and counselors can immediately take action and use with students to build more engaging touchpoints and interactions.
2026 Session proposals are closed. Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with our attendees!
