Ep. 10: Tackling Summer Melt at Hartwick College

In this episode, we're joined by Bryan Gross, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics, and Gail Glover, Vice President for Strategic Communications at Hartwick College. Together, they discuss their strategic efforts to combat summer melt, an initiative that has brought together multiple divisions across the campus.Discover how Hartwick College established a new melt committee, implemented innovative communication plans, and redefined their orientation process with "Wick Week" to foster a sense of belonging among first-year students. Learn about the importance of process mapping, marketing strategies, admissions outreach, and the use of retention data in their mission to enhance student success.Join us as Bryan and Gail share insights on addressing financial implications, reestablishing financial policies, and the pivotal role of data in driving their initiatives. This episode is a testament to the impact of breaking down silos and leveraging cross-divisional relationships to achieve institutional goals.Guest Names:Bryan Gross, Vice President for Enrollment Management and AthleticsGail Glover, Vice President for Strategic CommunicationsGuest Social Handles: Find Bryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-j-gross/Find Gail on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailglover/Guest Bios:Bryan - Dr. Bryan Gross is the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, leading innovative strategies to enhance the quality and diversity of the College’s enrollment management and financial aid optimization plans. One of his primary responsibilities is to develop partnerships locally, nationally and internationally that strengthen the College’s position in the market that lead to positive college-going rates and student success outcomes. Prior to Hartwick College, Dr. Gross served as vice president for enrollment management and marketing, and as interim vice president of student affairs at Western New England University in Springfield, MA. He was also the associate vice president of enrollment management at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. and associate vice president of admissions, dean of admissions, and director of international admissions at the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT.A national and international thought leader, Dr. Gross is a regular presenter, contributor and researcher to articles and workshops on enrollment management, leadership and collaboration, student belonging, international student mobility, and financial aid. He has been a co-principal investigator for a National Science Foundation grant and has served as an executive board member and treasurer of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC).Dr. Gross earned a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. His dissertation examined how collaboration among senior higher education leaders can facilitate positive revenue outcomes at regional and private institutions. Gross also holds a master’s degree from Springfield College and a bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University.Gail - From NCAA championships to brand transformations, Gail Glover brings a wealth of experience to her role as vice president for strategic communications at Hartwick College. Throughout her career, Gail has consistently spearheaded successful communication initiatives across the higher education landscape.Her dedication to impactful communication is evident in her previous roles. At Dutchess Community College, Gail's leadership in launching new programs wasn't just about creating awareness – it led to a significant enrollment increase. This exemplifies her ability to translate strategy into tangible results.At Bucknell University, Gail's leadership and strategic vision proved invaluable during the emergence of COVID-19. Gail guided Bucknell's initial response, fostering clear communication both internally and externally.Prior to that, at SUNY Geneseo, Gail wasn't just building a brand; she was crafting a powerful identity. Under her guidance, Geneseo unveiled a new logo and launched its first digital marketing and advertising campaigns, propelling the college into a more competitive market position.Gail's ability to leverage communication for positive impact goes beyond traditional marketing. As senior director of communications and marketing at Union College, she spearheaded efforts to maximize media coverage for the college's successful bid for an NCAA Division 1 men's ice hockey championship – the Frozen Four. This resulted in not only national media attention but also extensive engagement on social media platforms, highlighting her talent for capitalizing on strategic opportunities.Gail's career journey demonstrates a deep understanding of the diverse communication needs within higher education. From providing strategic counsel to senior administration at Binghamton University to acting as the university spokesperson and overseeing crisis management efforts, she has consistently proven her ability to navigate complex situations and deliver clear, effective communication.Beyond her professional accomplishments, Gail is passionate about using strategic story-telling across platforms to elevate the voices of institutions and empower their communities.