In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Manoj Thomas, Cornell University’s Sabanci Professor of Management and Marketing and Associate Dean of New York City Initiatives. A leading behavioral scientist, Manoj explores how unconscious mental processes shape consumer decisions, from pricing psychology to the subtle cues that influence how we perceive value. We discuss his research on behavioral economics and pricing strategy, and connect these insights to independent school strategic enrollment management. Drawing on his expertise as both a scholar and engaging educator, Manoj offers a fascinating perspective on the psychology of decision-making and what it means for independent schools navigating questions of affordability, value, and perception. EMA members can access the full report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, and dig deeper into the results on the accompanying data dashboard by logging into EMA's Community: community.enrollment.org.
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Mitchell, Vice President of Access and Affordability at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and Amada Torres, Vice President for Studies, Insights, and Research at NAIS. Together, Amada and Mark bring deep expertise on various factors influencing independent schools today, and they are both authors of How Parents Pay School Costs: 2023 NAIS Financial Aid Parent Survey. This episode is part of a mini-series inspired by EMA's latest research report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Guest co-host Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner at Mission & Data, will join me throughout this mini-series. While the survey populations and methodologies differ, together, the EMA and NAIS reports offer a more comprehensive view than either does alone.
EMA's 2025 report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, offers a large-scale analysis of how families across the socioeconomic spectrum perceive the value and affordability of independent school education. The report provides critical insights into the complex factors shaping families' decisions to enroll their children in independent schools. This report was a collaboration between EMA and Mission & Data, EMA's strategic data partner. Join us as we explore some of the highlights from EMA's latest report with Ari Betof, Co-founder and Partner of Mission & Data, and Sarah Enterline Roch, Institutional Research Consultant at Mission & Data and Director of Institutional Research at St. Mark's School (MA). EMA members can access the full report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, and dig deeper into the results on the accompanying data dashboard by logging into EMA's Community: community.enrollment.org.
In this episode, we sit down with Carolyn Gorowski, Dean of Admission at Lake Forest Academy (IL); Laurel Baker Tew, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment at Viewpoint School (CA); and Victoria Muradi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Durham Academy (NC). Together, they share practical, actionable strategies for leveraging insights from EMA's special reports to drive strategic decision-making in independent schools. This episode is part of a mini-series inspired by EMA's latest research report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Guest co-host Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner at Mission & Data, will join me throughout this mini-series. Stay tuned for more episodes in this mini-series coming this spring and summer!
Brendan Schneider, Founder and CEO of SchneiderB Media, helps independent and private schools boost enrollment through digital marketing. He is the creator of the MarCom Society, SchoolMarketingCRM, and the author of School Marketing the Right Way. Brendan is also the opening keynote speaker for EMA’s virtual Marketing Symposium, which will take place on April 8, 2025, and EMA’s EMLC Spring Seminar in Dubai on May 1, 2025. Join me for a conversation with Brendan as he shares insights and actionable strategies from his new book on the latest marketing techniques schools can use to stand out in a competitive landscape. Resources: EMA's Marketing Symposium: Register Here EMA's Enrollment Management Leadership Council (EMLC) Spring Seminar: Register Here School Marketing the Right Way
In December 2024, United Educators (UE) released their latest Top Risks Report for independent and charter K-12 schools. This survey shows the self-reported most pressing risks across the UE independent and charter K-12 membership and highlights changes they see when comparing the results to previous reports from 2020 to 2024. Join me for an insightful conversation with Hoda Hussein, Senior Risk Management Consultant at UE. We’ll explore emerging trends, dive into the importance of scenario planning, and share practical tips on leveraging the data from this report. Link to United Educators website: www.ue.org Link to United Educators Report: Top Risks Report: Insights for Independent Schools About United Educators (UE): United Educators is a member-owned captive insurance company that focuses solely on education. With a large and diverse membership ranging from large university systems to small, independent K-12 schools, UE is committed to providing the coverage and tools needed to allow our members to confidently operate their campus while managing education-specific risks. Since 1987, we’ve strived to provide peace of mind so members can focus on what’s important – delivering a high-quality academic experience.
With nearly five decades of experience in independent schools, Jeff Escabar has a collection of amusing and insightful stories to share. In his book Laugh Your Apps Off, he shares a delightful collection of anecdotes from the world of independent schools. Join me for a conversation with Jeff that's sure to make you smile—and maybe even share a few laughs. Resources: Laugh Your Apps Off
Independent school leaders are forging innovative partnerships to expand opportunities for their students and communities. In March 2024, Wayland Academy (WI) and Ripon College unveiled a groundbreaking pilot program guaranteeing admission and financial aid to Wayland’s international students who meet specific academic requirements. Join us as we discuss this transformative initiative with Jason Warnick, Head of School at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.
Join us for a special live episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast, recorded at EMA’s Annual Conference (AC24). This session features a dynamic lineup of EMA’s podcast hosts and a special appearance by Heather Hoerle, EMA’s Executive Director and CEO. Together, we explore the past decade’s evolution in strategic enrollment management and share insights into its future. With audience questions and perspectives woven throughout, this engaging discussion captures the voices and vision of those shaping the field.
In this episode, we will hear from Keith Chicquen, Founding Headmaster of TASIS Portugal, and Aimee Gruber, Assistant Head of Enrollment Management and Marketing. Keith and Aimee share their incredible journey of moving from Canada to Portugal in 2019 to establish the fourth TASIS school. Join us as we dive into their backgrounds in education and leadership, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and their insights on building a school from the ground up. It’s a conversation full of inspiration and valuable lessons in resilience and innovation.
In Part II of our conversation, we will hear from Keith Chicquen, Founding Headmaster of TASIS Portugal, and Aimee Gruber, Assistant Head of Enrollment Management and Marketing. Keith and Aimee share their incredible journey of moving from Canada to Portugal in 2019 to establish the fourth TASIS school. Join us as we dive into their backgrounds in education and leadership, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and their insights on building a school from the ground up. It’s a conversation full of inspiration and valuable lessons in resilience and innovation.
The Enrollment Management Association (EMA) is excited to welcome Anne-Marie Kee, Fran Ryan, and Suzanne Walker Buck as the new co-hosts of EMA's Head of School Podcast. This season will continue to focus on topics related to strategic enrollment management, providing valuable insights and discussions tailored specifically for school heads. Tune in to hear from our dynamic new co-hosts as they share their perspectives on key topics and give a preview of what's to come this season!
The 2023-2024 edition of The Ride to Independent Schools Report (The Ride) is The Enrollment Management Association's (EMA) fourth edition of this flagship report. It offers valuable insights into the behaviors and opinions of families applying to independent schools. Previous studies were conducted in 2014, 2017, and 2020. This edition of The Ride was a collaboration between EMA and Mission & Data, EMA's strategic data partner. Join us as we explore some of the highlights from The Ride with Ari Betof, Co-founder and Partner of Mission & Data, and Sarah Enterline Roch, Institutional Research Consultant at Mission & Data and Director of Institutional Research at St. Mark’s School (MA). Click here to access The Ride to Independent Schools Report and visit the interactive dashboard to analyze the data.
The partnership between the head of the school and the senior enrollment leader is critical to the sustainability of independent schools. Join me as we explore the dynamic collaboration between Perry Martin, President of La Salle College Preparatory in Pasadena, CA, and Keenan Kurihara, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Chief Communications Officer at La Salle College Preparatory. During Perry and Keenan's tenure at La Salle, student enrollment grew by over 10 percent, and the school increased its net tuition revenue by over 15 percent. Join us for an insightful exploration of how their strategic approach to enrollment management and communication has fortified La Salle College Preparatory against the challenges confronting independent schools nationwide.
Institutional research is closely linked to a school’s strategic enrollment management efforts, making this discussion about the Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS) 2023 Institutional Research State of the Industry Report especially pertinent for independent school leaders. Join us as we explore the key insights and takeaways from this essential resource with Eric Heilman, Director of Institutional Research at Maret School (DC) and Executive Director of The Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS) at Maret, and Victoria Muradi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Durham Academy (NC) and EMA Board of Trustees Governance Chair. CLICK HERE to access the 2023 Institutional Research State of the Industry Report.
If you are new to the admission profession, join me for a lively conversation with five of EMA's Admission Training Institute (ATI) faculty members: David Baker, Director of Admission & Financial Aid, St. Mark’s School of Texas (Dallas, TX) and Chair of AIT, Dr. Jasmine Harris, Head of School, TMI Episcopal (San Antonio, TX), Molly Dorais, Director of Admission & Financial Aid, Colorado Rocky Mountain School (Carbondale, CO), Steve Brown, CEO & Founder, Steve Brown Academy (Atlanta, GA), and Anne Behnke, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, St. Mark’s School (Southborough, MA). Gain insights and learn from their collective years of experience in enrollment, admission, and independent school leadership! For more information about the Admission Training Institute, EMA's premier training program for those new to admission, select the following link: https://www.enrollment.org/professional-development/seminars/ati.
Welcome to a special episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast, where we broadcast live from EMA's 2023 Annual Conference in Las Vegas. In this unique episode, we have gathered all your favorite EMA podcast hosts under one roof. This includes Rebecca Malotke-Mmeslin and Lynne Macziewski from 'Confidently You,' John Gentile and Rohan Arjun from 'Different Perspectives,' and Ari Betof and Christian Donovan from 'Impossible Questions.' Join us as we share memorable moments from our last podcast season, dive into the latest trends shaping independent schools, and provide a sneak peek into exciting episodes awaiting you in the upcoming season.
Join us for a conversation with Andrew Weller and Brad Brown. Andrew is the Dean of Enrollment and Strategic Marketing at St. Stephens & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. Andrew has served in several leadership roles and was a member of EMA's inaugural Admission Leadership Council (ALC). Brad is the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Trinity School in Atlanta, Georgia. Brad also served as the Chair of the Atlanta Area Association of Independent School (AAAIS) Admission Directors Group. Not only are Brad and Andrew strategic enrollment leaders, but they are also two faculty members and advisors for EMA’s Admission Directors Institute (ADI). ADI is an intensive two-day program offered in person as part of EMA’s Annual Conference every September as part of the pre-conference programming. In this episode, Andrew and Brad offer advice and resources for all new admission and enrollment directors to consider as they enter their new leadership roles.
Please join us for a conversation with Quentin McDowell, Head of School at Mercersburg Academy (PA), Barbara Eghan, Founding Executive Director of Civic Lab at the Georgetown Day School (DC), Jill Thompson, Director of Admission at Phillips Academy (MA), and Christian Donovan, Head of School at Friends School of Baltimore (MD). Quentin, Barbara, Jill, and Christian are the founders of the Enrollment Management Association’s Future Leaders Institute, which focuses on the individual goals of enrollment professionals who wish to build their career, enhance their leadership skills, and grow their professional network.
Join us for a special crossover episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast and EMA's Impossible Questions Podcast. Guest co-host Ari Betof joins me today. Ari is the Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data and the host of EMA’s Impossible Questions Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Christian Donovan, Head of School at Friends School of Baltimore, as the new co-host of EMA's Impossible Questions Podcast. We will share some highlights and lessons learned from the Impossible Questions first season. Stick around to the end of the podcast to hear the exciting things Ari and Christian have lined up for season two.