With enrollment numbers slipping and student expectations shifting, colleges are under more pressure than ever to create real, lasting connections that make students feel part of a community. Research shows that institutions lose up to 10–40% of admitted students to “summer melt” each year, a challenge that directly impacts revenue and retention. At the same time, today’s students increasingly view platforms like Instagram and TikTok as search engines—turning to them for day-in-the-life videos, roommate searches, and social cues about campus culture. As MeetYourClass heads to the NACAC Conference 2025, its leaders highlight how its social-first model offers institutions new ways to bridge these gaps and strengthen student belonging.

How can enrollment leaders engage students on the platforms they turn to every day, while also improving outcomes for their institutions?

Welcome to Signals in Higher Ed. In the latest episode, host Darin Francis sits down with Jonah Liss and Blake Mischley, Co-Founders of MeetYourClass, the social-first enrollment platform that helps institutions reduce melt, increase yield, and strengthen student belonging before day one. Together, they explore the company’s origin story, early partnerships, and how social media data can be leveraged as a powerful new enrollment tool.

Highlights from the conversation…

• From Instagram groups to enterprise solution: How MeetYourClass grew from grassroots student-led efforts into a platform now used by 23 universities in just 14 months.

• Data-driven enrollment insights: Why student engagement on social platforms provides some of the most accurate early indicators of intent, melt risk, and long-term community connection.

• The future of student success: How MeetYourClass is testing not just enrollment and yield outcomes, but also long-term retention—proving that early social connection boosts persistence.

Jonah Liss is the COO and Co-Founder of MeetYourClass, a social-first enrollment platform that partners with universities to boost yield and reduce summer melt by connecting prospective students through peer communities on popular apps. Under his leadership, the company has grown to serve over 600,000 students across 1,000+ universities, with official partnerships at institutions including St. John’s, Dayton, and Missouri S&T. Recognized on Forbes 30 Under 30, Liss brings experience in entrepreneurship, data-driven enrollment strategies, and prior roles in investment banking and business development.

Blake Mischley is the CEO and Co-Founder of MeetYourClass, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree recognized for transforming how universities engage Gen Z through social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Discord. Under his leadership, MeetYourClass has partnered with major institutions and earned backing from Techstars and J.P. Morgan. He is also an active leader in the Future of Higher Ed community, advancing innovation across admissions, enrollment, and student success.