In this episode of Mission Admissions host Jeremy Tiers talks with Joel Renner about the importance of building and developing your personal brand, and how to get started.

Guest Name: Joel Renner, Founder of The Crafted Brand

Guest Social: http://linkedin.com/in/JoelRenner/

Guest Bio: Joel Renner is the founder of The Crafted Brand, a career coaching and marketing firm that helps individuals and organizations define their stories and build meaningful, strategic relationships. For more than 12 years, he has coached professionals at all stages of their careers, drawing on his deep experience in higher education, branding, and leadership development. Joel’s career spans over 18 years in higher education administration, coaching, and consulting - including  joining EAB in 2019 after a dozen years at The George Washington University.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If 25% or more of your enrollment numbers each year are student athletes you need to hear this conversation between Mission Admissions host Jeremy Tiers and Ashley Hanson from Carthage College - a school that has increased its total enrollment by 9% over the past six years. Ashley talks about her relationship with their Athletic Director, the all-important campus visit structure for prospective student-athletes, what their communication flow looks like, and more.

Guest Name: Ashley Hanson, Vice President For Enrollment, Carthage College

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-hanson-72b63115/

Guest Bio: Ashley Hanson has been shaping the student experience at Carthage College for nearly two decades. Since arriving at Carthage in 2007, Ashley has climbed through the ranks of enrollment leadership, driving record application numbers, record enrollments, and new programs that meet the moment. When she’s not crunching enrollment data or building cross-campus partnerships, you’ll find her cheering on her team, celebrating student wins, and proving that enrollment work can be both strategic and full of heart.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Mission Admissions host Jeremy Tiers talks with Shane Baglini about the do’s and don’ts of starting a new senior leadership role.

Guest Name: Shane Baglini, Executive Director of Marketing and Branding, William & Mary

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanebaglini/

Guest Bio: Shane Baglini serves as Executive Director of Marketing and Branding at William & Mary, where he is responsible for the strategic planning, leadership, and execution of the digital marketing, research and analytics, multimedia, and creative teams’ efforts to develop and sustain a comprehensive brand and marketing strategy. With a decade of experience in higher education, Shane’s background spans enrollment marketing, brand and creative strategy, digital transformation, and more.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you’re wondering how you can embrace being an introvert in an industry that often favors extroversion, this episode of Mission Admissions is for you. Host Jeremy Tiers talks with Emily Hannon (an introvert) about some of the challenges she’s faced, and the strategies that help prepare her mentally for things like high school visits, phone calls, and socializing at conferences.

Guest Name: Emily Hannon, Director of First-Year Admissions, St. Ambrose University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hannon-17354494/

Guest Bio: Emily Hannon is the Director of First Year Admissions at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where she has worked in enrollment management since 2018. She’s actively involved in the Iowa Association for College Admission Counseling (Iowa ACAC), serving on the Professional Development and Practices Committee since 2019 and as Chair of the committee from 2022-2025. Emily was also awarded the Iowa ACAC Rising Star Award in 2023 and is committed to advancing professional development in higher education admissions.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Over the past few years colleges and universities have increased the amount of text messages they send to prospective students, and many have also started texting parents and guardians. In this episode of Mission Admissions, host Jeremy Tiers talks with Laura Rudolph about the secret shopping project she recently completed – signing up as both a student and parent at several institutions.

Guest Name: Laura Rudolph, Founder, Square One Consulting

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurakrudolph/

Guest Bio: Laura Rudolph helps small-but-mighty higher education teams strengthen their enrollment marketing and create lasting impact. As founder of Square One Consulting, she works with colleges and universities to streamline processes, build capacity, and implement strategies that connect meaningfully with students and families. Guided by empathy and a deep understanding of the student journey, Laura blends strategic vision with practical execution to equip institutions with the tools and confidence for sustainable enrollment success.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Mission Admissions, host Jeremy Tiers talks with Kate Speer about the art and science of saying “no”, and the importance of setting boundaries.

Guest Name: Kate Speer, Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development, Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-speer/

Guest Bio: Kate Speer is a people-first, results-driven connection creator with expertise in marketing, communication, engagement, counseling psychology, and positive culture building. She currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development for Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, and previously held a senior role at BNY Mellon. Kate is also a Certified Social Media Strategist from the National Institute of Social Media, and she was named a 2023 Woman of the Year nominee by The National Association of the Women's Interactive Network.

- - - -

Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special compilation episode of Mission Admissions, host Jeremy Tiers sifts through his Season 4 conversations to bring you some important leadership reminders, as well as a handful of customer service strategies that will help you deliver a more memorable college search experience for prospective students and families.

Guest Names:
Ken Anselment, Vice President for Enrollment Management, RHB 
Stephanie Dickerson, Associate Director of Admission, University of Louisville 
Pasquale Romano Jr., Hospitality Expert & Accounts Manager, UrVenue 
Dr. Matt McLendon, Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Enrollment Management at The University of Alabama  
McKenzie Sullivan, Admissions Counselor, The University of Akron  
Reece Baines, Junior, Wilson High School, PA 
Mickey Baines, Partner and Technology Services Practice Leader, Kennedy & Company 

Guest Social: 
Ken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenanselment/
Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-dickerson-m-a-a816779a/
Pasquale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasquale-romano-jr/
Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mclendon/
McKenzie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenzie-sullivan-m-ed-36051b144/
Mickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyb/

Guest Bios: 
Ken Anselment is Vice President for Enrollment Management at RHB, a division of Strata Information Group. He joined RHB in May 2022 after serving as the Vice President for Enrollment at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he worked for 18 years.

Stephanie Dickerson is currently in her eighth recruitment cycle with UofL. She began her career there in 2017 as an Admissions Counselor and progressed into a Senior Admissions Counselor role, then the Coordinator of the Dual Credit Program & AP Summer Institute, and now her current role as Associate Director. 

A seasoned hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience in Las Vegas, working with renowned hotels and nightlife/daylife concepts, Pasquale Romano Jr. is now an advisor for UrVenue the leading hospitality technology solution working with well-known hospitality brands like Tao Group, Groot Hospitality, and Wynn Nightlife.

Dr. Matthew B. McLendon leads the University of Alabama’s enrollment efforts, providing strategic leadership for enrollment planning, implementation and assessment. He also has fiscal responsibility for all facets of enrollment management.

McKenzie Sullivan currently serves as an admissions counselor at The University of Akron. In addition to her work at UA, she sits on the OACAC executive board as the Northeast Ohio Delegate and is a part of the NACAC NEXT leadership cohort for 2024-2025.

Reece Baines is currently finishing up his junior year of high school in Pennsylvania. He’s an avid drummer, also works part time for a local community organization, and he volunteers as an orientation counselor at his high school. 

As a consultant and former practitioner in higher education, Mickey Baines has over 25 years of experience building, implementing, and leading enrollment and student success systems and teams. In his current consulting role he leads the technology services practice for Kennedy & Company, helping colleges and universities with their design, implementation, and customization of CRM technologies. 

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Mission Admissions, host Jeremy Tiers chats with Conner Ellinghuysen about how becoming more self-aware and prioritizing self-reflection have made him a better leader.

Guest Name: Conner Ellinghuysen, Director of Admissions, Buena Vista University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connerellinghuysen/

Guest Bio: Conner Ellinghuysen has been the Director of Admissions at Buena Vista University since 2019. Before landing in Storm Lake he started his admissions journey at his alma mater, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Conner brings a blend of strategy, heart, and humor to the world of college admissions. He's an active member of Iowa ACAC and as President-Elect, Conner is focused on building community, creating opportunities for growth, and yes, sprinkling in the occasional Star Wars reference or dad joke.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Mission Admissions, host Jeremy Tiers chats with Lauren Findley about her first 120 days as a first-time Vice President of Enrollment Management. 

Guest Name: Lauren Findley, Vice President of Enrollment Management, Texas Wesleyan University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-findley-798ab787/

Guest Bio: Lauren Findley became the Vice President of Enrollment Management at Texas Wesleyan in February of 2025. Prior to that she served as the Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment at Jacksonville State University where she helped achieve the largest incoming classes in university history for the past four consecutive years.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeremy is joined by Hannah Downey, Social Media Strategist at the University of Wyoming, to discuss social media strategies that actually work in student recruitment, how to build buy-in and push boundaries, and more. 

Key Takeaways

• Social media offers a real-time, two-way communication channel that traditional admissions methods often lack.
• Prospective students—especially Gen Z—use social platforms like search engines when researching colleges.
• Aligning print, email, and social media creates a unified student experience across touchpoints.
• Content that performs well includes student-generated posts, admissions FAQs, and “day-in-the-life” stories.
• Building a strong social presence doesn’t require a massive team or budget—authenticity and consistency matter most.
• Social media trends can be adapted to campus messaging, but knowing your platform and audience is key.
• Evaluating performance through metrics like engagement rate and link clicks is crucial to improving over time.

Guest Name: Hannah Downey, Social Media Strategist, University of Wyoming

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-ellis-marketing/

Guest Bio: Hannah Downey serves as the Social Media Strategist with Institutional Marketing at the University of Wyoming. A UW alumna, Hannah began her career with Institutional Marketing and has since grown the University of Wyoming’s digital presence and strategy. She manages the university’s flagship social media accounts and also places all the digital advertising for prospective student recruitment.

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Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. 

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.