Mission Admissions

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.

In this quick take episode, Jeremy offers practical advice for those who have leadership and management aspirations. He talks about what it means to lead, shares skills and traits that effective leaders possess, and he outlines things you can do now to better prepare and position yourself for future opportunities. 

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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 McKenzie Sullivan from The University of Akron about their newly designed “College 101” and “College 102” campus visit sessions specifically for first-generation students and families.

Guest Name: McKenzie Sullivan, Admissions Counselor, The University of Akron

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mckenzie-sullivan-m-ed-36051b144/

Guest Bio: 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. As a first-generation student herself, McKenzie recognizes the importance of breaking down barriers for students within this population and centers her work around this passion.

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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.

Reece and Mickey Baines are back for their second conversation on the pod. In Episode 49 they discussed campus visits and college emails as Reece - a high school junior - was starting to develop his list of schools. With his junior year winding down, Reece and his dad Mickey share how they’ve narrowed down the list of schools Reece will apply to, and they offer more eye opening feedback about emails, parent messaging, personalization, and more!

Guest Names: 
Reece Baines, Junior, Wilson High School, PA
Mickey Baines, Partner and Technology Services Practice Leader, Kennedy & Company

Guest Socials: 
Mickey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyb/

Guest Bios: 
Reece - Reece is currently finishing up his junior year of high school. 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. 

Mickey - As a consultant and former practitioner in higher education, Mickey 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 Bethanne Bialy, a former college admissions counselor turned high school college and career advisor. With firsthand experience on both sides of the desk, Bethanne gives a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to support high school students—and what college admissions teams can do to build stronger, more effective partnerships with counselors. This candid conversation unpacks the persistent challenges, communication gaps, and actionable strategies for cultivating real trust between high schools and colleges.

Guest Name: Bethanne Bialy, College Counselor, Divine Savior Academy

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanne-b-777973183/

Guest Bio: Bethanne Bialy worked as an Admission Counselor at Lynn University in Florida for a little under a year and a half before moving into her current role as a College Counselor at Divine Savior Academy. Bethanne, who is currently working on her doctorate in education, is passionate about growing relationships with students and helping them throughout the college application process.

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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 Tiers sits down with Kyle Campbell, a higher ed marketing expert and sought-after speaker, to discuss the evolving role of college websites. Kyle shares insights into why traditional university websites are failing to engage Gen Z, the biggest mistakes institutions make with their content, and how colleges can reimagine their digital presence to drive conversions. If you're looking for actionable strategies to optimize your school's website and enrollment marketing strategy, this episode is packed with expert advice.

Guest Name: Kyle Campbell, Founder And Managing Director, Education Marketer

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

Guest Bio: Kyle Campbell is a higher ed marketing consultant and the managing director of Education Marketer, an insights and consultancy firm for higher ed. Every week on a Tuesday, he publishes The Education Marketer Newsletter, an accessible (yet hard-hitting) overview of the state of the sector and what matters to education marketers. He brings over a decade of experience for university professionals looking to build and engage student audiences, but keeps himself grounded as the founder of Nintendo Friends in HE - the definitive society for Nintendo fans working in higher education. His favourite Nintendo character is Boo.

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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.

Parents and guardians are the most influential external voices in a student’s college search. Yet, many colleges still struggle to engage them effectively. In episode 60 of the Mission Admissions podcast, Jeremy Tiers sits down with Derek Faasse from Capital University to discuss how their admissions team has transformed its approach to parent-specific engagement. From tailored communications to reimagined events, Faasse shares strategies that have increased event attendance, improved family conversations, and strengthened enrollment outcomes.

Guest Name: Derek Faasse, Director of Undergraduate Admission, Capital University

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

Guest Bio: Derek Faasse is currently the Director of Undergraduate Admission at Capital University, located in Columbus, Ohio. He has previously worked regionally for Lake Superior State University, The University of Alabama, and the University of Toledo. Derek also currently serves as the Treasurer of the Ohio ACAC organization, and outside of the admissions world he’s a composer for marching bands, and a dad to four young children.

• Parents need their own communication strategy. Simply CC'ing them on student emails isn't enough—Capital University sends separate, targeted messages tailored to parents' concerns.
• Financial investment messaging resonates with parents. While students focus on campus life and academics, parents want to know about long-term return on investment, career outcomes, and affordability.
• Event attendance improves with proactive parent outreach. By directly involving parents in event reminders and follow-ups, Capital University has dramatically increased their show rates.
• Parents ask different questions than students. Concerns about safety, internships, and career readiness often come from parents, making it essential to provide clear and proactive answers.
• Segmentation and personalization make a difference. Capital has refined its approach by tailoring outreach based on geographic location, program interest, and demonstrated engagement.

Like many colleges, Capital University initially focused most of its communications on students. However, repeated questions from their Vice President of Enrollment Management made it clear—parents weren’t getting the information they needed. Instead of treating parents as secondary recipients, the team at Capital began viewing them as essential partners in the admissions process.

The first step was to reconsider what content was reaching households. While students received updates on student life and campus experiences, parents needed different messaging—something that spoke to their role in financing and supporting their child’s education.

Rather than launching an overwhelming, year-long plan all at once, Capital University took an incremental approach. They started by adjusting their event communication strategy, recognizing that parents often decide whether or not a student will visit campus.

One major change was creating parent-specific emails instead of simply copying them on student messages. This not only resolved an issue where parents unsubscribing also removed students from communications, but it also allowed for more tailored messaging. Instead of campus events and student organizations, parents received emails focusing on investment value, career preparation, and financial aid clarity.

By refining their strategy, Capital University found that parents became more engaged, asked more questions, and felt more confident in their family's decision-making process.

The results of Capital’s efforts have been undeniable. Their admitted student events now see nearly perfect attendance, a testament to the power of direct parent communication. By ensuring that parents receive weekly event updates, personalized outreach, and detailed logistical information, Capital has significantly improved both registration and attendance rates.

Beyond just numbers, the shift in parent engagement has led to richer conversations. Parents are now asking more in-depth questions about career readiness, internships, and post-graduate success—topics that students may not always think to explore on their own.

One of Capital’s most successful initiatives has been dedicated parent programming at admitted student events. Rather than simply accompanying their students, parents are given the opportunity to meet with current faculty, alumni, and other parents who have already navigated the college investment process.

This approach serves multiple purposes:

1. Encouraging open conversations. Without their students present, parents feel more comfortable asking direct questions about safety, finances, and student support services.
2. Building trust through peer-to-peer connections. Hearing from current parents reassures prospective families about their decision.
3. Providing clear post-graduate outcomes. Parents want to know how a college will prepare their child for life after graduation, making career services and alumni success a focal point.

Capital University’s ability to refine their parent communication strategy is largely due to their emphasis on segmentation. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, they tailor messaging based on factors such as:

• Academic interest – Parents of nursing students, for example, receive information about clinical experiences, while business parents get details on internships and networking.
• Geographic location – Given that students within 100 miles are more likely to enroll, Capital prioritizes outreach differently based on distance.
• Demonstrated interest – Parents whose students have visited campus or engaged with emails receive more personalized follow-ups.

By breaking down their communications into more targeted segments, Capital has been able to make their outreach more relevant, engaging, and actionable.

For colleges looking to improve their parent engagement strategy, the key takeaway is this: start small and build from there. Schools don’t need to overhaul their entire process overnight. Instead, they can begin by making simple adjustments:

• Introduce a parent-specific email campaign.
• Enhance event communication with personalized reminders.
• Create opportunities for parent-to-parent conversations.
• Segment messaging based on student interests and family needs.

By taking an incremental approach, institutions can gradually refine their strategies and create a more inclusive, informed admissions process for families.

Engaging parents isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must. Schools that prioritize meaningful, transparent communication with families will stand out in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape. Capital University’s success proves that when parents feel informed and valued, they become active partners in the enrollment journey.

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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 Episode 59 of the Mission Admissions podcast, host Jeremy Tiers sits down with Kelli Roberts to discuss her thoughts on work-life balance as a working mom and leader, emphasizing the importance of communication, asking for help, and managing your energy.

Guest Name: Kelli Roberts, Director of Admission, Drury University

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-roberts-b2644b7b/

Guest Bio: Kelli Roberts currently serves as the Director of Admission at Drury University, where she also teaches Business Communication Writing. In addition to her role at Drury, she is the President-Elect for the Missouri Association of College Admission Counseling, and a proud mother of four children. A first-generation college student, Kelli is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys time near the water and practicing hot yoga.

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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.