How does a student’s sense of belonging impact retention? And what can institutions do to foster it?

In the latest episode of the Innovating Enrollment Success Podcast, we dive into these questions with Katrina Noelle, president of KNow Research, who led a groundbreaking study with San Francisco State University. The research explores how Latinx students’ sense of belonging, engagement, and self-confidence influence retention efforts—offering valuable insights for institutions looking to improve student success.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why KNow Research partnered with SFSU on this project
• How the study captured the authentic experiences of Latinx students
• The methodologies used to explore belonging and engagement
• Key insights on self-confidence, student success, and retention
• What institutions can learn and apply from this research

Connect with Katrina on LinkedIn and ask for her ‘10 Ways to Build Belonging’ one-sheeter.

At Paskill, we know that first-gen students often face unique barriers to belonging—starting with the digital experience. Our First-Gen Student Web Audit helps institutions assess whether their website truly serves and supports first-gen students, ensuring they can find the information and resources they need.

Want to strengthen belonging at your institution? Let’s talk. Paskill is here to help higher ed institutions create meaningful connections and better outcomes.

Learn more about the First-Gen Student Web Audit.

How can campus events create powerful moments that connect, inspire, and reinforce your institution’s brand? Expectations for meaningful experiences have never been higher, and today’s audiences—from Gen Z students to alumni—demand events that feel personal, engaging, and transformative.

In our latest Innovating Enrollment Success episode, we explore how higher ed institutions can rise to the challenge by delivering brand experiences that matter.

Join seasoned events professionals Stevie Henderson and Jeffrey Haskett as they share:

• Ways to craft emotionally engaging experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages.
• The must-have elements of successful events, from open houses to commencement ceremonies.
• Innovative approaches to creating impactful events, even when working with limited budgets.

Stevie and Jeffrey bring decades of expertise from corporate, sports, and higher ed event planning, including projects for Gettysburg College’s Summit for the Future and dynamic new school year kickoffs. They offer actionable insights on what makes events memorable, how to deliver on rising expectations, and why experiences are crucial to building brand affinity.

The college search process can be overwhelming, with students facing thousands of options to find the right fit. Enter Loper—an innovative app reshaping how students, counselors, and colleges connect.

In this episode, Sam Bernstein, Loper’s co-founder, shares how the app is transforming the enrollment journey:

• Simplifying the search process to help students confidently discover their next educational step.
• Evolving the enrollment funnel and its impact on higher ed marketing.
• Empowering counselors with a free web portal to better guide their students.
• Supporting colleges and universities with data-driven tools to engage prospective students more effectively.
• The story behind the name Loper and its vision for higher education’s future.

Gen Z is drawn to destinations that offer adventure and exploration, making remote higher ed locations especially appealing to those seeking distinctive, rugged experiences. These environments foster connections with other outdoorsy students and unique communities. 

In this episode, Rutgers Law alumnus and University of Alaska Fairbanks Assistant Cross-Country/Track Coach Conrad Haber shares his journey from Philadelphia to America’s Arctic and offers insights into recruiting athletes to this remote region. 

Key topics include: 

·        The inspiration he finds in Alaska’s truly rugged culture and community 

·        How UAF markets its remote location as a distinctive draw for both               academic and athletic recruitment 

·        Strategies to keep student-athletes engaged through community involvement, scholarships, and support systems designed to help them succeed 

There are more than a dozen conferences dedicated to higher education marketing for thousands of professionals. The 200+ attendees who choose to be part of the 2024 CUPRAP (College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals) Conference value its strong networking opportunities and collaborative environment. 

Founded in Pennsylvania, where Paskill is based, CUPRAP provides significant connections and a welcoming culture for insights on the higher ed marketing industry.  

In this episode, Jennifer Umberger, CUPRAP board member and Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Kettering University shares key takeaways from the 2024 CUPRAP Conference, Addressing the Future Together.  

She recaps: 

• The impact of shorter, focused sessions on retention and engagement
• Innovative enrollment strategies and technology applications
• Practical tools for engaging graduate and undergraduate audiences
• Networking success stories and ongoing collaborations

Successful college athletic programs do much more than entertain—they drive significant increases in applications and enrollment, while elevating a school’s brand and community engagement. In this episode, the pivotal role athletics plays in higher education is addressed from recruitment to retention and beyond.

Show Notes:

Dr. Susan Kolb is Director of Athletics at Hood College, who boosted student athlete enrollment by 53% since 2018.

Magnolia Powers is a recent Northwestern University graduate and member of the 2021 National Championship field hockey team, who was awarded the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

In this episode, we explore:

• Recruitment Success: Strategies that led to significant increases in student athlete enrollment.
• Brand Impact: How athletic achievements elevate a school’s brand and engage the community.
• Women in Sports: The challenges and opportunities facing female athletes today.
• Cultivating Community and Belonging: 
• Balancing Academics and Athletics: Insights on maintaining academic excellence while pursuing athletic success.
• Fostering Belonging: How being part of a team can enhance students’ sense of belonging and community on campus.

Changes in FAFSA have proved challenging this year, especially for institutions where decisions to enroll hinge significantly on cost. In this episode of the Innovating Enrollment Success podcast, the evolving landscape of FAFSA is explored, including its recent changes, and the challenges it poses for families and institutions. Dr. John Chopka from Messiah University and marketing strategist Michele Loeper explore the complexities of financial aid, the importance of effective communication and strategies for highlighting the value of higher education.

This episode addresses: 

• FAFSA Changes and Challenges: Recent changes to the FAFSA system, including the removal of the sibling discount and new calculations for family contributions, have created significant challenges for both families and institutions.
• Institutional Strategies for Supporting Families: Dr. John Chopka discusses how Messiah University’s admissions team has adapted to support families through the FAFSA process, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and providing well-informed financial estimates.
• Parent Perspective on Financial Aid: Michele Loeper shares her personal experience as a parent navigating the college application and financial aid process, highlighting the anxiety and complexity involved.
• Communicating Value Proposition: The importance of clearly communicating the value and return on investment of a college degree to prospective students and their families, particularly in light of increasing skepticism about the cost of higher education.
• Improving Communication and Support: Strategies for higher education institutions to simplify financial aid communications, improve support for families and gather feedback to continuously enhance the enrollment process.

Institutional change is hard, but change is what’s needed for many colleges and universities to overcome enrollment and value perception challenges. This Innovating Enrollment Success episode welcomes a higher ed change management expert who offers insights and inspiration on navigating change. 

Fredrick J. Martin, MBA MCA is associate vice president of human resources, UK HealthCare, which encompasses the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. He specializes in leveraging an institution's core strengths to facilitate transformation and maximize cultural potential while expanding diversity, equity and inclusion.

This episode addresses:

• Understanding change management
• Driving organizational transformation 
• Recognizing the need for change
• Winning over reluctant stakeholders
• Sustaining momentum and purpose

Fredrick J. Martin MBA, MCA is on LinkedIn.

Changes in higher education enrollment continue to shift, especially within the U.S., and a questioning of the value of a college degree here. When international recruiting is up 12%, U.S. institutions are curious about how to shift their offerings for a global audience. 

To explore best practices and emerging trends in international recruiting, this Innovating Enrollment Success episode welcomes two experts in the field. 

Cedar Crest College Director of International Student Services Jonathan Summers joins Paskill Account Manager Lien Do, a former colleague of his at Wilkes University, where together they recruited and supported international students. 

This episode addresses:

•  Current trends in international student recruiting
• COVID’s impact on international travel and student expectations
• International marketing outreach strategies
• New technologies and platforms to engage international students

Lien Do is on LinkedIn.
Jonathan Summers is on LinkedIn.

As prospective students often begin their search for a college online, and on their terms, institutions’ SEO strategy must be constantly evolving. 

Paskill Manager of Search Torin Keefer shares current SEO best practices for higher education partners looking to make an impact. 

On this episode of Innovating Enrollment Success, learn how colleges and universities can start to maximize their school’s findability and discoverability across the web.

This episode addresses:

·       understanding SEO in higher ed marketing today

·       uncovering information opportunities and gaps

·       implementing effective search strategies 

·       optimizing content to build experience, expertise, authority and trust

·       demonstrating ROI of search strategies

Torin is on LinkedIn