Designing Human-Centered Admissions Experiences: Aaron Sims on Driving Enrollment Through Personalization and Connection.

Designing Human-Centered Admissions Experiences: Aaron Sims on Driving Enrollment Through Personalization and Connection.

What makes a campus visit truly unforgettable, and what actually drives a student to say yes? In this episode of Campus Outcomes Podcast, host Teri Markle sits down with Aaron Sims, Associate Director of Admissions Engagement at Longwood University, to explore how personalized, human-centered experiences are reshaping student recruitment. Aaron shares how his team goes beyond traditional campus tours to create intentional, high-impact touchpoints across the entire enrollment journey, from early middle school exposure to admitted student experiences. He breaks down the strategy behind Academic Immersion Days, the importance of real human connection, and why moving away from presentation-heavy formats leads to stronger engagement. The conversation also highlights a powerful real-world story of a student who initially questioned her sense of belonging but ultimately committed after experiencing the community firsthand, showing just how critical meaningful interactions are in the decision-making process. What You’ll Learn: * Why personalization is critical in modern admissions strategies * How to design campus visits that increase enrollment conversion * The impact of Academic Immersion Days and faculty engagement * Why early pipeline development (middle school) creates long-term enrollment success * How to use data and feedback to continuously improve recruitment efforts Golden Nugget: “You never know what moment will make a student say yes—so create experiences that connect, inspire, and feel personal.” Connect with Aaron Sims: * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aaron-sims-1009a7136 [linkedin.com/in/aaron-sims-1009a7136] CONNECT WITH THE OUTCOMES PODCAST: * Spotify Link [https://open.spotify.com/show/7kVyVnRWmvIhvRhFx9Xrqt] * Amazon Music Link [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4a13c326-416a-4949-8353-08b69bedcde8/the-outcomes-podcast] * ApplePodcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outcomes-podcast/id1844939786] * Motimatic [https://motimatic.com/company/about-us/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdressing] If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education. New episodes drop weekly!

Designing Higher Education for Military and Adult Learners: Greg Hill & Carolyn Todaro on Removing Barriers to Student Success

What if the hardest part of earning a degree isn’t the coursework, but navigating a system that wasn’t built for you? In this episode of Campus Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Greg Hill, Vice President of Enrollment Management, and Carolyn Todaro, Vice President of Student Success at American Public University System (APUS), to explore how higher education can better serve military members, veterans, and working adults. Greg and Carolyn share how APUS was originally designed to solve the challenges of frequent relocation, lost transfer credits, and rigid academic structures—and how that mission continues to shape their approach today. Drawing from over 40 years of combined experience, they explain how traditional one-size-fits-all models fall short and why personalization is critical for today’s learners. The conversation dives into how proactive advising, structured program pathways, and a single point of contact model reduce decision fatigue and improve student retention. They also discuss how affordability, automation, and AI are being leveraged to create a seamless, flexible, and student-first experience. What You’ll Learn: * Why traditional higher ed models fail military and adult learners * How proactive advising improves retention and student confidence * The power of clear program pathways in reducing decision fatigue * Why removing administrative burden is key to student success Golden Nugget: “Students don’t struggle because they lack ability; they struggle because the system creates too much friction.” Connect with Greg Hill & Carolyn Todaro: * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/greg-hill-815213a * LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carolyn-todaro-2843b51a CONNECT WITH THE OUTCOMES PODCAST: 1. Spotify Link [https://open.spotify.com/show/7kVyVnRWmvIhvRhFx9Xrqt] 2. Amazon Music Link [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4a13c326-416a-4949-8353-08b69bedcde8/the-outcomes-podcast] 3. ApplePodcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outcomes-podcast/id1844939786] 4. Motimatic [https://motimatic.com/company/about-us/] 5. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdressing] If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education. New episodes drop weekly!

Simplifying College Admissions and Reducing Student Overwhelm: Garrett Spradlin on Clear Enrollment Pathways

What if the hardest part of college isn’t the coursework, but everything that happens before day one? In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Garrett Spradlin, Assistant Director of Admissions for Graduate Recruitment at the Colorado School of Mines, to explore how students navigate the enrollment journey, and why too many drop off before classes even begin. Garrett shares insights from nearly 15 years across admissions, marketing, campus visits, and concurrent enrollment, explaining why choice overload hurts student decision-making and how clear, step-by-step pathways increase confidence and follow-through. The conversation also covers why concurrent enrollment builds readiness, how customer service differentiates institutions, and why simplifying communication is essential in an era of short attention spans. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: 1. Why enrollment overwhelm stalls student decisions 2. How clear pathways outperform endless flexibility 3. The impact of concurrent enrollment on readiness 4. Why customer experience matters in recruitment GOLDEN NUGGET: “Students don’t want unlimited options; they want clarity.” CONNECT WITH GARRETT SPRADLIN: 1. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/garrett-spradlin-a72982a6 [linkedin.com/in/garrett-spradlin-a72982a6] 2. Portfolio: gspradlin.wixsite.com/portfolio [gspradlin.wixsite.com/portfolio] CONNECT WITH THE OUTCOMES PODCAST: 1. Spotify Link [https://open.spotify.com/show/7kVyVnRWmvIhvRhFx9Xrqt] 2. Amazon Music Link [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4a13c326-416a-4949-8353-08b69bedcde8/the-outcomes-podcast] 3. ApplePodcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outcomes-podcast/id1844939786] 4. Motimatic [https://motimatic.com/company/about-us/] 5. LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdressing] If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education. New episodes drop weekly!

Navigating Change, Student Support, and the Business of Education: Christina A. Taylor on Graduate Enrollment at George Washington University

What happens when passion meets practicality in higher education? And how do enrollment leaders balance empathy for students with the financial realities of running a university? In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Christina A. Taylor, MBA, M.Ed., Education Innovator and Graduate Enrollment Leader at George Washington University (GW), to unpack the evolving landscape of student funding, international admissions, and the business behind higher ed. Christina shares her unconventional path into academia—starting in edtech, leaving for project management, then finding her way back through a dual master’s program in Higher Education and Business Administration at GW. Her journey offers a powerful reflection on how education, when combined with business insight, can transform both careers and institutions. As the graduate funding environment rapidly shifts, Christina discusses the uncertainty surrounding Grad PLUS loans, how universities are responding with professional certificates and flexible credentials, and why student empathy and clear communication matter more than ever. From helping international students navigate last-minute visa hurdles to supporting learners facing financial challenges, Christina’s stories highlight the heart and hustle that define modern admissions work. This conversation is a must-listen for higher ed professionals, enrollment strategists, and anyone passionate about expanding access to education while ensuring institutional sustainability. What You’ll Learn: * How Christina’s dual-degree background bridges education and business * The ripple effects of Grad PLUS loan changes on graduate enrollment * How universities are adapting with certificates and flexible pathways * Challenges and opportunities for international graduate students * The difference between undergraduate and graduate admissions operations * Why empathy, communication, and preparation are key in student success Golden Nugget: “Start early. The more time you have, the less stress you’ll feel—and the more opportunity we have to support you.” — Christina A. Taylor Connect with Christina A. Taylor & GW: * 🔗 LinkedIn: Christina A. Taylor [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaataylor] * 🌐 George Washington University [https://www.gwu.edu] CONNECT WITH THE OUTCOMES PODCAST: * Spotify Link [https://open.spotify.com/show/7kVyVnRWmvIhvRhFx9Xrqt] * Amazon Music Link [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4a13c326-416a-4949-8353-08b69bedcde8/the-outcomes-podcast] * ApplePodcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outcomes-podcast/id1844939786] * Motimatic [https://motimatic.com/company/about-us/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdressing] If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education. New episodes drop weekly!

Flexibility, Stackable Credentials, and the Human Side of Graduate Education: Kittie Pain on Innovation at Kutztown University

How are universities reimagining graduate education to serve today’s diverse and career-driven learners? And what does it take to design programs that are not only flexible but deeply human-centered? In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Kittie Pain, Director of Graduate Enrollment at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, to explore how higher education is evolving through innovation, empathy, and adaptability. With extensive experience across multiple institutions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Kittie offers a front-line perspective on the transformation of graduate and adult learning, from the post-recession boom in master’s programs to the digital acceleration brought by COVID-19. She shares how Kutztown’s stackable MBA model has empowered students to earn meaningful credentials en route to a degree, meeting both market demands and individual career goals. This episode dives into how universities can embrace agility without losing their human touch. Kittie explains how her team uses market research and employer collaboration to develop sustainable programs and why authentic, one-on-one communication is still the most powerful recruitment tool. Her message to higher ed leaders is clear: flexibility and empathy are no longer optional, they’re essential. This conversation is for anyone navigating the changing landscape of higher education, including leaders, enrollment professionals, and faculty, who seek to create programs that truly meet students where they are. What You’ll Learn: * How graduate education is shifting toward flexible, student-centered models * Why stackable credentials are redefining the path to a master’s degree * How to communicate program value through a human touch * The importance of rapid adaptation and short-term planning in higher ed * How market research drives program development and sustainability * Why empathy and authenticity are higher ed’s strongest differentiators Golden Nugget: “Be human. You are in a human industry, support students, listen to them, and give them grace.” — Kittie Pain" Connect with Kittie Pain & Kutztown University: * 🔗 Kittie Pain on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kittiepain] * 🌐 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania [https://www.kutztown.edu] CONNECT WITH THE OUTCOMES PODCAST: * Spotify Link [https://open.spotify.com/show/7kVyVnRWmvIhvRhFx9Xrqt] * Amazon Music Link [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4a13c326-416a-4949-8353-08b69bedcde8/the-outcomes-podcast] * ApplePodcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-outcomes-podcast/id1844939786] * Motimatic [https://motimatic.com/company/about-us/] * LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdressing] If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education. New episodes drop weekly!