Rural recruitment requires more than a map and a mileage log, it demands real understanding. In this bonus episode, we dig into the misconceptions about rural students, the values that shape their college choices, and how colleges can build genuine connections beyond the big cities.

Our guest this week brings deep on-the-ground insight:

• Conner Ellinghuysen, Director of Admissions and Head Archery Coach at Buena Vista University (IA) and President-Elect of Iowa ACAC

From small-town visits to community trust, Conner shares what makes rural outreach unique, and what colleges can do better.

More money, more possibilities. For our Season 10 finale, we asked a simple but revealing question: if your admissions or counseling budget grew by 20%, where would you put it, and why?

Our guests share how they’d prioritize resources, balance quick wins with long-term investments, and make the case for more support:

• Cicily Shaw, Director of College Counseling at Thayer Academy (MA) and Past-President of New England ACAC

• Stephanie Dickerson, Associate Director of Admissions for Outreach & Scholarships at the University of Louisville (KY) and Past-President of Kentucky ACAC

Their answers may surprise you, and spark your own ideas for what to do with more funding.

We talk a lot about students ghosting colleges, but what about when we’re the ones who disappear? This week, we take a closer look at why admissions offices sometimes go silent, what that means for relationships, and how to re-engage students more intentionally.

Our guests bring both the high school and college perspectives:

• Diane Campbell, Director of College Counseling at Liberty Common School (CO) and Past President of Rocky Mountain ACAC

• Dr. Jose Valentine, Dean of Enrollment Management at San Jacinto College (TX) and President-Elect of Texas ACAC

They share honest reflections on communication gaps, data-driven follow-up, and how to keep students feeling seen, even when time and budgets are tight.

Registrars often work behind the scenes, but their impact on admissions, transfer credit, and graduation is enormous. This week, we explore how admissions and registrar’s offices can move from occasional overlap to meaningful collaboration.

Our guests bring both the school counseling and campus perspectives:

• Adam Stout, Co-Director of College Counseling at The Prairie School (WI) and President-Elect of Wisconsin ACAC

• Alyson Leas, Director of Admissions at the University of Jamestown (ND) and Past President of Dakota ACAC

They share candid insights on where breakdowns happen, what strong partnerships look like, and how better collaboration can improve student success.

Faculty can be some of the most powerful allies (or unexpected challenges) in student recruitment. This week we explore how to move from “favors” to real partnerships with academic departments, and what makes faculty involvement meaningful for students.

Our guests bring both the high school and college perspectives:

• Amanda Chapman, Director of College Counseling at The Whitfield School (MO) and President-Elect of Missouri ACAC

• Christine Grotzke, Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Michigan Technological University (MI) and President of Illinois ACAC

Together, they share how faculty shape student impressions, how to build stronger collaborations, and where admissions leaders can start.

Campus visits have long been seen as the ultimate recruitment tool, but is that still true today? This week we explore whether in-person visits remain the deciding factor, how virtual options compare, and what makes a visit truly impactful for students.

Our guests bring perspectives from both high school counseling and admissions offices:

• Sasha Rashid, School Counselor at Henry P. Becton High School (NJ) and President of New Jersey ACAC

• Dan Revier, Senior Admissions Representative at University of Mary (ND) and President-Elect of Dakota ACAC

They share what students focus on during visits, how colleges can adapt, and whether the campus tour still reigns supreme.

Our inboxes are overflowing, but are students paying attention? This week we’re asking whether email is still the best way to connect, or if it’s just the easiest metric to track.

Our guests weigh in from both the counselor and admissions office perspectives:

• Erin Jensen, Independent Consultant at Golden Ratio Northwest (WA) and President of Pacific Northwest ACAC

• Ryan DePuy, Vice President of Undergraduate Admissions at Iona University (NY) and Past-President of New Jersey ACAC

They share candid insights about what communication cuts through the clutter, what students actually respond to, and what colleges should stop doing.

Burnout in admissions and counseling is real, but recovery is possible. This week, we’re talking about how teams can bounce back, what good leadership looks like, and the practical ways to keep morale strong through a tough cycle.

Our guests bring both the school and university perspectives:

• Arlene Outerbridge, Director of Guidance and College Counseling at The Masters Academy (FL) and President of Southern ACAC

• James Powell, Assistant Director of Recruitment at Oklahoma State University and President of Great Plains ACAC

Together, they share candid strategies for supporting staff, protecting well-being, and leading teams through challenging times.

Season 10 kicks off with a big question: are colleges truly listening to what students care about, or are we still stuck in outdated assumptions?

This week’s guests bring insider perspectives from both the school and state levels:

• Julio Mata, Dean of College Counseling at Chadwick School and Past-President of Western ACAC

• Aaron Salasek, Direct Admissions Coordinator at the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Past President of Minnesota ACAC

Together, they unpack how student voices are shaping recruitment, communication, and policy, and what admissions leaders need to change now.

Campus Pro Events: Rethinking Campus Tours and Visits

Why haven’t campus tours changed in 30 years? What happens when visitors can’t hear the guide, don’t speak the language, or simply forget most of what they’ve been told? This podcast explores the overlooked, but crucial, role of campus visits in recruitment and belonging, and how technology can transform the experience.

From accessibility and interactivity to personalization and data insights, Campus Pro Events is reshaping tours, orientations, financial-aid sessions, graduations, and more. Hear the stories that inspired our tools, what admissions and visit leaders are asking for now, and how mobile devices, live translation (130+ languages, including ASL support), and real-time dashboards make visits more engaging, inclusive, and memorable.

See it in action and claim a free trial event setup at campusproevents.com.
Meet them at NACAC: Booth #631—across from CIVSA and CollegeVine.
Email Tim: [email protected]