The Weekly VineDown with Emily Smith

Kevin Mathes is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions at Bucknell University. It’s a full circle moment as Bucknell is his alma mater, where he started as a first-year tour guide before spending nearly two decades working his way back to lead the whole operation. Under his leadership, Bucknell has achieved five consecutive years of record enrollment, including the largest incoming class in university history (1,040 students). He had the dream and made it come true.But what Kevin is fired up about right now is the plumbing underneath the admissions process that nobody talks about.In this episode, Emily and Kevin dig into the most overlooked infrastructure problem in college admissions: the high school transcript. No two transcripts look alike. No two schools format courses the same way. No two readers process one identically. And AI, while promising, has yet to fully solve the standardization and mapping challenge at the heart of it all. Kevin shares his vision for a centralized repository of high school data.They also get into:→ The real cost of human inconsistency in transcript review and why two readers can come to completely different conclusions on the same document→ Kevin's hands-on experience testing AI transcript processing tools, and his candid take on where the technology is genuinely useful→ Why financial aid and admissions need to be treated as one integrated process, not two separate conversations→ Bucknell's test-optional policy, now extended through 2027, and the unexpected data showing non-submitters engaging at higher rates in academic and residential life→ What it really felt like to return as Dean to a place where half the staff knew you as a student workerAnd Emily tells the most chaotic story of her college career, which involves a perfect AP score, a dark lecture hall, a runaway slide projector, and a professor who eventually apologized.New episodes of The VineDown drop every other week. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Todd Rinehart arrived at the University of Denver in 1997 as an assistant men's basketball coach. When the coaching staff was fired in 2001, he made a pivot that changed everything: he stayed, moved into admissions, and discovered that recruiting athletes had quietly trained him for a career in recruiting students.Twenty-nine years later, he's the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment at DU, where he's helped grow the applicant pool from 5,000 to over 22,000, increased diversity from 13% to 30%+ students of color, and navigated DU through test-optional admissions, the Matriculate partnership for demonstrated financial need, and one of the toughest enrollment environments in a generation.Todd also served as President of NACAC (the National Association for College Admission Counseling), where he chaired the 29-person steering committee that spent 19 months rewriting the profession's code of ethics during a Department of Justice antitrust investigation. He's received three of the profession's top ethics awards for that work.In this episode of The VineDown, Emily and Todd go deep on:- the merit aid arms race and why private tuition is heading past $100K while schools discount 40-60%- the "overnight shift" of students gravitating toward public flagship universities (and why Todd doesn't think the demographic cliff is the real story)- what ethical admissions recruiting actually looks like when institutional survival is on the line- how to build an enrollment team based on character and work ethic (not admissions experience)- and how Denver and DU grew up together, and why location is a strategic asset most schools underuse.If you work in enrollment management, admissions, financial aid, or higher ed leadership, this is episode of The Vinedown is a must-listen.

In this episode of The VineDown, Emily Smith sits down with John Haller, one of the most consequential enrollment leaders of the past two decades. John served for 10 years as Vice President of Enrollment Management and New Student Strategies at the University of Miami, where he didn't just fill seats.He rewired the entire student lifecycle. Applications grew 30–80%+. Yield jumped 50%+. Freshman retention hit 94%, an institutional record. The six-year graduation rate reached 82%, another record. Average student debt dropped by $10,000. And the university shifted to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need while growing enrollment. The thing everyone says you can't do Before all of that, John was a college football offensive coordinator.This conversation also has a rare personal dimension: both Emily and John trace their careers back to George Dane, widely considered the father of modern enrollment management. This is the first time they've compared notes on air. And it's worth every minute.In this episode of The VineDown with Emily Smith:- Why "access without completion is a waste of time," and what it actually costs institutions to ignore it- How shifting from merit-heavy aid to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need drove stronger enrollment outcomes (the move everyone says backfires)- Why students don't care about your org chart, and what a one-stop shop actually does for retention- How John thinks about AI in admissions: where it belongs, where it absolutely doesn't, and what gets lost when institutions trust the score without understanding what it's measuring- The Academy of Emerging Enrollment Leaders (AEEL): what it is, who it's for, and what gap John built it to close- What diversified enrollment streams look like in practice as traditional-age student numbers shrink- John's unfiltered take on what enrollment leaders won't say out loud at most conferences- And what he'd change tomorrow, not a policy, but a mindset, about how higher education actually measures student successSubscribe to The VineDown for weekly conversations at the intersection of enrollment management, student success, and the future of higher education.

Most boards and CFOs track one number obsessively in enrollment conversations:The discount rate.But Kevin Dyerly argues that focusing on that number can lead institutions to make the wrong decisions. Kevin has a unique perspective on this problem. After eight years leading enrollment at the University of Redlands, he crossed the hall to become the university’s Chief Financial Officer in 2020. During his time in finance, he managed a pandemic-era deficit, helped oversee multiple institutional acquisitions, and saw firsthand how financial decisions actually get made at the cabinet level.Three years later, he returned to enrollment with a dramatically different perspective.In this episode of The VineDown, Kevin explains why the real number institutions should optimize is net tuition revenue, not discount rate and why the two metrics can sometimes move in opposite directions.Emily and Kevin explore:- The difference between optimizing discount rate vs net tuition revenue- Why reducing financial aid can actually decrease institutional revenue- How enrollment leaders can tell better data stories to cabinets and boards- The rise of mergers and acquisitions as survival strategies for private colleges- Why Kevin believes enrollment leaders need to think more like CFOs- And how stepping away from enrollment for three years helped him rediscover his motivation for the workFor anyone working in enrollment leadership, finance, or institutional strategy, this conversation offers a rare look at how the numbers (and the decisions behind them) actually work.

What if the financial aid letter your students' families are opening right now is designed, not to help them, but to steer them toward a loan they almost certainly can't repay?That's the argument Stephen Burd is making. And he has 41 universities worth of data to back it up.Stephen is a Senior Writer and Editor at New America, and the author of Lifting the Veil on Enrollment Management (Harvard Education Press, 2024), a book Emily has been shoving into the hands of anyone who will take it. His latest report, The Subprime PLUS Loan Crisis, dropped in February 2026 and names schools (from DePaul and Loyola to the University of Alabama) that appear to be systematically using financial aid leveraging tactics that leave their lowest-income families with Parent PLUS loans as the only way to close the gap.The median outstanding debt for those families? Nearly $30,000. For families who may not be earning $30,000 a year.In this episode, Emily and Steve get into all of it: how enrollment management went from a humanistic field to a cold numbers game, why the "subprime" comparison to 2008 is intentional and accurate, what the new congressional PLUS loan caps will and won't fix, and what Steve would change tomorrow if he could wave a magic wand.This one will challenge you, whether you're in financial aid, enrollment, policy, or just someone who cares about what's happening to the families we're supposed to be serving.In this episode of The VineDown with Emily Smith:- Why Steve calls this a "subprime" crisis and what that comparison actually means- How financial aid leveraging produces this outcome predictably and at scale- The three policy changes that could actually move the needle- Why the new PLUS loan caps probably won't be enough- What Steve would say to a financial aid officer caught between their conscience and their institutionSubscribe to The VineDown for weekly conversations at the intersection of college admissions, financial aid, and the future of higher ed.

What if higher education stopped obsessing over where students start and focused instead on where they’re actually supposed to finish?In this episode of The VineDown, Emily sits down with Rhonda Longworth, Provost and Executive Vice President at Eastern Michigan University, for one of the most grounded, human, and quietly radical conversations we’ve had this season.Rhonda has spent nearly 30 years at EMU: first as faculty, now as the academic leader responsible for both Academic and Student Affairs. She brings a rare combination of institutional memory, lived first-generation experience, and clear-eyed leadership to a moment when higher ed feels pulled in a hundred directions at once.In this conversation, we explore:- Why outputs matter more than inputs when it comes to equity and student success- How to design academic programs around future outcomes- What makes a truly effective academic advisory board and who needs to be in the room- Why elite performers increase support as they advance, instead of removing it- How being a first-gen student shaped Rhonda’s leadership and what people miss when they say “just wait for the check”- What it means to represent an entire institution (not just yourself) as a provost- Why public universities still matter deeply and how disagreement can remain healthy- How to “make the implicit explicit” for students navigating spaces they’ve never been taught to enterThis episode is for anyone working in higher education who feels the tension between access and rigor… innovation and mission… speed and care.It’s honest. It’s practical. And it might change how you think about student success altogether.

College admissions is built on human connection. So why does it feel like technology (especially AI) is pulling us in the opposite direction?In this episode of The VineDown, Emily Smith sits down with James Miller, Associate Vice President & Dean of Admission at Seattle University, to explore what he calls “the central paradox of admissions today.”James brings a rare perspective shaped by decades in enrollment leadership and a Jesuit framework grounded in discernment: the idea that some problems aren’t meant to be solved by choosing one side, but by holding two truths at once.Together, Emily and James dig into some of the most uncomfortable (and necessary) questions facing admissions right now:- Why access alone is not success and why we need to stop congratulating ourselves too early- What AI actually does well in admissions and where it should never replace humans- Why today’s students ask more questions when they feel anonymous- How speed, scale, and efficiency quietly undermine trust if we’re not careful- Why completion rates haven’t improved and why blaming other parts of the system won’t fix it- What it really means to guide a student from uninformed → informed → inspiredJames also shares why he’s skeptical of extremes (both tech evangelism and tech resistance) and why admissions leaders need to become better systems thinkers, not just better recruiters.This is a conversation about trust, student safety, values-based decision-making, and the responsibility admissions teams carry long after an offer letter is sent.If you’re wrestling with AI, enrollment pressure, access vs. outcomes, or the future of admissions work… this episode will meet you exactly where you are.

For decades, higher education has treated enrollment like an arms race. More applications. More admits. More students in the door.But what happens after they arrive?In this episode of The VineDown, Emily Smith sits down with Costas Solomou, Vice President for Enrollment Management at SUNY Geneseo, for a candid, deeply human conversation about why growth-at-all-costs is quietly breaking student success (and what enrollment leaders need to do instead).Costas argues for right-sizing enrollment: aligning incoming class size with institutional resources, student support systems, and the actual lived experience of students. In a moment when high school graduates are declining, international student mobility is shifting, and staff burnout is real, he makes the case that enrolling fewer students can lead to better outcomes.This conversation goes far beyond admissions tactics.We talk about:- Why “butts in seats” stopped working a long time ago- The unintended consequences of over-enrollment: housing shortages, overcrowded classes, and fractured student experience- Why retention fails when no one clearly owns it- How SUNY Geneseo restructured financial aid to better serve Pell-eligible and first-gen students- Why the transition to college is emotionally traumatic (and why onboarding must start before classes)- The limits of AI and automation in admissions, and where technology can help without replacing humanity- Why enrollment leaders must think in lifecycles, not funnels- And what it means to lead this work with purpose in an exhausting moment for higher edCostas also shares how his own journey as a first-generation immigrant shapes his philosophy and why enrollment, at its best, is about dignity, belonging, and long-term success, not short-term wins.If you work in enrollment, student success, institutional leadership, or higher ed strategym this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you a clearer framework for what actually matters next.

This week on The VineDown, I sat down with David Weil, the longtime CIO and Senior VP of Strategic Services & Initiatives at Ithaca College. He’s a man who has survived every major tech wave higher ed has ever thrown at him. Mainframes. Early PCs. The dawn of the internet. Mobile. SaaS. Y2K panic. He’s seen it all.But when I asked him how AI compares?He didn’t hesitate: “Nothing has hit higher ed this fast or this hard.”This episode is your hype-free, deeply human roadmap to understanding AI’s real impact on the operating system of the institution (and how to prepare students, staff, and leadership for what’s coming next).We covered SO much ground on the future of AI in higher ed and hope you learn a ton from this episode.📍 TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Cold open: explicit E… earned01:20 — David’s title, portfolio, and why HR + IT + analytics belong together03:00 — “Why does AI feel different from every tech wave before it?”05:30 — The speed of AI adoption and why higher ed hasn’t had time to breathe06:45 — Preparing students for “Earth” in an AI-impacted world08:00 — HI (Human Intelligence) and the role of liberal arts11:40 — AI as the new operating system of the institution12:20 — Generative AI vs. applied AI (and why nuance matters)13:30 — The perfect AI use case: Ithaca’s iCare story16:20 — Data as the new currency: dashboards, governance, culture18:00 — How IT + IR merged into a unified analytics engine21:00 — Breaking organizational silos for AI readiness24:00 — The problem with point-solution AI and why it won’t scale27:30 — Longitudinal AI: why it’s the real future30:00 — Change management: transparency, fear, skills, and pilots34:00 — What colleges should brace for in the next 3–5 years36:20 — David’s crystal-ball prediction: frictionless student experience37:00 — Wrap-up and final thoughtsListen and watch this episode of The VineDown wherever you get your podcasts. And don’t forget to hit that subscribe button!

Most people in higher ed hear “AI in admissions” and think: “Ah, so… another chatbot.”In this episode of The VineDown, I sit down with CollegeVine’s own CTO, Chris Coffey, to pull back the curtain on what we’re actually building: autonomous AI agents that act more like teammates than tools with guardrails, reasoning, and real responsibility.We get into:How our first AI recruiter (“Sarah”) went from a wild experiment to an at-scale product engaging millions of studentsWhy deploying AI in admissions is orders of magnitude harder than most people thinkWhat it really means to keep agents “safe” and why guardrails, tools, and moderation matter so much in higher edHow agents can triage student tasks (registering for classes, FAFSA, clubs, advising) and prioritize what’s urgent vs. what can waitWhy Chris says “there’s nobody building agents the way we are building them right now”What CIOs get wrong about trying to build their own AI solutionsAnd the agent Little Chris wishes he had in college (spoiler: it’s about unknown unknowns, not homework)If you’ve ever wanted a clear, honest explanation of how AI agents actually work in a high-stakes environment like education (and what’s coming next) this one’s for you.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Cold open with Chris02:05 – Meet Chris Coffey, CollegeVine CTO03:00 – From AI recruiter “Sarah” to an agent platform04:25 – Why deploying AI at scale is so damn hard06:10 – Models leveled up. Our architecture had to, too.08:00 – What “safe” actually means in an AI agent11:45 – Agents, tools, and responsibilities (AI as a teammate)14:30 – Long-running relationships: agents that support students for a year+18:15 – How agents decide what’s urgent vs. what can wait20:30 – Guardrails + reporting = less fear, more trust21:55 – Inside Chris’s engineering philosophy23:40 – Non-determinism: why agents are different from normal software25:30 – A message to CIOs who want to “just build it themselves”29:25 – The agent Little Chris wishes he had in college31:30 – Unknown unknowns and the real value of student-facing agents33:25 – Looking ahead: where agents and higher ed go next33:55 – Emily’s closing + why this conversation mattersListen to this special full episode of The VineDown wherever you get your podcasts!

What happens when a first-generation college student grows up to lead enrollment at a major university?In this episode of The VineDown, Emily Smith sits down with Shawana Singletary, Assistant Vice President and Chief Enrollment Officer at Adelphi University. Drawing from her own journey (from working double shifts to pay tuition, to leading admissions and enrollment strategy) Shawana shares how her experiences fuel her vision for equity, belonging, and innovation in higher ed.We cover:- Why “assume nothing” is her starting point for every student and family conversation.- The difference between equity and equality and why higher ed often gets it wrong.- Belonging: how to make it authentic instead of a marketing veneer.- Where AI can (and should) make admissions easier and where human connection must never be automated.- Why enrollment managers may be the university presidents higher ed needs next.- How she creates a psychologically safe, non-toxic culture for her team in an industry known for burnout.This conversation is sharp, candid, and refreshingly human. If you care about the future of enrollment, you’ll walk away with a new perspective on what it means to lead with purpose, equity, and authenticity.Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

What does it really mean to put students first in the college admissions process?In this episode of The VineDown, Emily Smith sits down with Yvonne Espinoza, CEP, nationally recognized counselor, City of Austin Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, and founder of YESpi College Counseling. After 19 years serving Title I and alternative schools in Austin, Yvonne launched her own independent practice to keep doing what she loves most: helping students find their authentic voice and real college fit.We cover:Why independent educational consultants (IECs) are misunderstood (and why banning them won’t fix equity).How Yvonne creates truly student-centered counseling, including her rule: parents aren’t allowed in the room.The difference between prestige chasing and true “fit,” and how to reframe that conversation with students.Why teaching students to reflect and write matters more than ever in the age of AI.What it’s like to move from public schools to private practice and how she’s pushing the profession toward higher ethical standards.Yvonne’s perspective is honest, refreshing, and deeply rooted in equity. Whether you’re an enrollment leader, a high school counselor, or a parent trying to navigate the chaos, this conversation will help you rethink what matters most in admissions: student voice, authenticity, and opportunity.

Families obsess over “dream schools.” Colleges obsess over rankings and yield. Somewhere in between, the real truth about admissions gets lost.In this episode of The VineDown, I sit down (again!) with bestselling author and higher ed strategist Jeff Selingo to cut through the myths and talk candidly about what really drives admissions decisions today.Jeff has spent decades reporting on higher education, embedding inside admissions offices for his book Who Gets In and Why, and now challenging families to rethink what “a good college” actually means in his newest work Dream School.We get into:- Why admissions isn’t the pure meritocracy most families assume.- The outsized role of “hooks” like legacy, athletics, and full-pay admits.- Why prestige is more fluid than people think (remember when Northeastern, NYU, and USC weren’t “powerhouses”?)- How institutions can invest in the “knitting” that really matters: great teaching and faculty mentorship.- Why the first weeks on campus are make-or-break for student retention.- What colleges need to change about campus tours to show, not just tell, families what they’ll experience.- Why fit (not rankings) is the most reliable predictor of student success.If you’re a parent, an enrollment leader, or just curious about the future of higher education, this conversation will help you see admissions with fresh eyes: less about chasing the top 25, and more about finding the schools that will actually deliver on growth, opportunity, and long-term success.

What happens when universities stop thinking of “student experience” as a buzzword and start treating it like an outcome-driven mission?In this episode of The Vinedown, host Emily Smith sits down with Joe Hartman, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at UMass Lowell, to explore how his university reimagined student success by breaking down longstanding silos between academics, student life, and career services.Drawing on insights from employer feedback and research-backed frameworks, Joe and his team developed the groundbreaking Mosaic Student Experience. It’s an intentional system that helps students build a comprehensive record of not just classroom achievements, but also real-world experiences, co-curricular activities, and professional milestones. The goal: Ensure that every student leaves campus career-ready, equipped with crucial soft skills, and fully prepared for life beyond graduation.In this conversation, you’ll learn:Why academic and student affairs should live under one roof—and how merging these typically separated functions can radically improve student outcomes.The “Mosaic” framework UMass Lowell uses to guide students intentionally through a customized, holistic college experience.How UMass Lowell tackles equity gaps by guaranteeing paid, career-aligned internships for all students—including majors traditionally excluded from these opportunities.Joe’s unique insights into why soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability increasingly determine graduates’ career success—and how higher ed can better cultivate them.What higher ed leaders can do right now to build meaningful career-connected experiences that benefit first-generation, Pell-eligible, and underserved student populations.If you care about closing gaps, breaking outdated structures, and helping students succeed in college and beyond, you won’t want to miss this episode.Tune into the full episode on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts!

What if the secret to enrollment success isn’t about bigger funnels, but about smaller friction?In this episode of the Vine Down, I chat with Kevin Halle, VP of Enrollment Management at Wayne State College: a public institution serving a student body that’s nearly 50% first-gen. Kevin breaks down how Wayne State has not only grown enrollment significantly over the past decade but maintained a uniquely personal touch while doing it.We dive into the common “scary friction” points first-gen students face, like hesitating to speak with professors about grades, feeling intimidated when dropping classes, and navigating unfamiliar college systems. Kevin shares how Wayne State proactively addresses these anxieties by intentionally creating a culture where students feel known, heard, and supported.You’ll hear:How Wayne State balances rapid enrollment growth with highly personal student experiences.Specific ways their staff identifies and eliminates friction that can block student success.Why the concept of “Nebraska Nice” actually powers a cohesive, cross-departmental support network.Kevin’s insights are not only thoughtful, but refreshingly actionable: If students repeatedly struggle, he says, it’s not the students who need to change. It’s us.Listen in for powerful, practical ways your institution can get proactive about student support, and keep enrollment growth both meaningful and sustainable. Available wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode, Emily Smith sits down with Dan Garcia, VP of Enrollment Management at the University of New Mexico, to unpack the realities and anxieties around adopting AI in enrollment and retention strategies.Dan gets candid about shifting from if to how to use AI, the outdated tactics to abandon, and the core enrollment fundamentals he’ll never give up. He shares practical strategies for addressing your team’s fears about new tech, increasing cross-campus buy-in, and why human connection remains irreplaceable in admissions.Key Highlights:Which enrollment processes AI truly transforms (and which ones it doesn’t).How Dan increased housing applications by 72% with one simple tweak.Tackling hidden anxieties within your team about AI adoption.Why curiosity and questioning are essential leadership tools at any career stage.If you’re navigating innovation fatigue or wrestling with how to effectively roll out AI at your institution, this episode offers clarity, actionable advice, and reassurance that you’re not alone.Watch now to transform how you think about AI, retention, and leading change in higher ed.Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

If your institution treats student recruitment separately from retention, you’re missing a critical connection.On this episode of The Vinedown, Emily Smith speaks with Katie Condon, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University. Katie draws from her own experiences as a first-generation college student to explain why student retention begins from the very first interaction with recruitment, and why that matters deeply to the health of any institution.Katie shares powerful personal insights and data-driven approaches for colleges aiming to improve student success, address internal campus silos, and better prepare students for life after college. She also provides a candid exploration of the “Glass Cliff” phenomenon and how it uniquely impacts women in enrollment leadership.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why Katie believes recruitment equals retention, illustrated through her personal story of experiencing rejection and alienation as a first-generation student.How every interaction matters: from faculty comments to dorm conditions, seemingly small experiences have major impacts on student retention.Effective strategies for breaking down silos across departments to improve student outcomes—starting with a clear, unified vision for student experiences.The hidden challenges of the “Glass Cliff”—how women in leadership roles are often asked to achieve more with fewer resources and higher stakes, setting them up for disproportionate failure risks.Preparing students for the real world: why higher education often fails to prepare students adequately for non-academic careers, and what colleges should do instead (including meaningful career prep and skill-building like AI literacy).Practical ways enrollment managers can better understand students, including student-focused data collection and proactive campus engagement.Katie’s thoughtful discussion emphasizes practical actions colleges can take right now to boost both recruitment and retention, while genuinely serving students’ best interests.Listen now for an honest, actionable conversation on enrollment management’s most pressing issues.

Colleges are stuck sending mixed messages about AI—and students are paying the price.Emily Pacheco, Associate Director at Case Western Reserve and founder of the AI in College Admissions (AICA) group, joins Emily Smith on The Vinedown to break down how the absence of clear AI policies in college admissions is quietly damaging student belonging, creativity, and authenticity.In this conversation, you’ll discover:Why unclear AI guidelines fuel anxiety, shame, and uncertainty in students.How outdated AI detection fears inhibit genuine student creativity.Practical frameworks to help colleges establish transparent AI admissions policies.Why normalizing open conversations about AI use is critical to student success.Emily offers candid insights and actionable advice to help institutions bridge the AI clarity gap—before more students are left behind.Watch now to learn how colleges can embrace AI openly, ethically, and effectively.Subscribe for more deep dives on higher ed’s biggest challenges.

Enrollment leaders, listen up—it’s time to confront an uncomfortable truth: colleges stuck in old models of recruitment and data management risk falling dangerously behind.In this eye-opening episode, Emily Smith sits down with David Burge, VP of Enrollment Management at George Mason University, to unpack the critical issues facing higher education enrollment today. From the limitations of traditional selectivity metrics, to the hidden potential of transfer and community college populations, David argues it’s time for a fundamental rethink of how enrollment offices use data to shape their futures.They discuss:- Why colleges overly dependent on freshman admissions alone are facing a difficult decade ahead- How widening the funnel to embrace transfer students and non-traditional populations can unlock entirely new enrollment pathways- The critical difference between having data and effectively using it to drive decision-making- The dangers posed by a potential dismantling of the Department of Education’s data infrastructure, and how institutions might cope- Actionable advice to embed genuine data fluency across your team—regardless of your current resources or skill levelIf you’re serious about future-proofing your enrollment strategy, building a truly data-informed culture, and identifying overlooked talent pools, this conversation is your essential guide.Ready to adapt? Dive in and start the transformation.

In this episode, Emily Smith sits down with Reggie Hill, Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment at the University of Missouri, St. Louis. They discuss innovative approaches to recruitment at regional public universities, building community partnerships, and adapting to changing enrollment landscapes in higher education.TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Introduction & UMSL's Institutional Context 3:08 Balancing Local Service with National Reach 7:38 Building Strategic Community Relationships 10:35 Creating Corporate Partnerships & Workforce Development 13:04 Overcoming "No Culture" at Regional Public Universities 16:38 Becoming an Agent of Change in Higher Education 21:17 Shifting from Competition to Collaboration 24:53 Strategic Budget Allocation & Prioritization 29:59 Training the Next Generation of Enrollment Leaders 33:17 Finding Value in the Higher Education Ecosystem 38:55 Book Recommendations for Enrollment Leaders

In the latest episode of The VineDown, Heath Einstein, the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at Texas Christian University, reflects on the evolving challenges and responsibilities we face in higher education today.

In this episode, Emily sits down with Sean Whitten, Director of Strategic Partnerships at SMU in Dallas, to explore workplace psychology, emotional wellbeing, and managing stress in higher education. They dive into the neuroscience behind our stress responses, tactics for maintaining emotional health during workplace conflicts, and practical strategies for avoiding burnout. Throughout their conversation, Sean and Emily share personal experiences and insights about creating psychological safety, navigating job transitions, and finding balance in professional life.TIMESTAMPS:0:41 - Introduction to workplace psychology and emotional wellbeing2:40 - Understanding the connection between physical and emotional responses to stress5:21 - The science behind our brain's stress response and impact on decision-making10:09 - Sean's approach to psychological safety and "right-sizing" conflicts15:44 - Emily's strategy for grounding herself in her body during difficult conversations19:42 - The vulnerability of asking for processing time during conflicts24:42 - Self-care strategies during job transitions and searches36:29 - Scaling up in a new job while maintaining emotional wellbeing41:19 - Recognizing the early warning signs of burnout

Higher Ed expert Jeff Selingo (former Chronicle of Higher Education editor) joins The Vinedown to discuss the future of colleges in 2025 and beyond. Will two dozen colleges close this year? What separates surviving institutions from truly thriving ones? In this episode, we dive deep into: - Which colleges are just "limping along" vs innovating for the future - How AI might transform college administration (not just classrooms) - The surprising future of enrollment management - Creating flexible pathways from high school to career Plus, get an exclusive preview of Jeff's upcoming book "Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You" and his curated list of 75 colleges worth watching. Whether you're a higher ed professional, parent, or student, this episode offers crucial insights into the changing landscape of college education.

For years, colleges have been navigating technological change. Many institutions today KNOW they need to embrace new technology, but they remain tightly gripped to familiar processes. In this conversation, Adam Park, the CEO of Softdoc, gives candid insight into why this happens. It's not just about resistance to change – it's deeper than that. It's about institutional trauma from past failed projects, about departments that have weathered storms together and developed protective instincts, and about leaders who carry the weight of their institutions' futures on their shoulders.

Enrollment marketing may not seem like the most glamorous aspect of higher education, but for PJ Woolston, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at IU Indianapolis, it’s an art form. During our recent conversation on The Vinedown, PJ shared insights into the role of swag (yes, swag!) in creating memorable and lasting connections with prospective students. From thoughtful giveaways to bridging guidance gaps, PJ’s approach goes beyond the surface, delivering practical strategies with a human touch.

Enrollment marketing may not seem like the most glamorous aspect of higher education, but for PJ Woolston, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at IU Indianapolis, it’s an art form. During our recent conversation on The Vinedown, PJ shared insights into the role of swag (yes, swag!) in creating memorable and lasting connections with prospective students. From thoughtful giveaways to bridging guidance gaps, PJ’s approach goes beyond the surface, delivering practical strategies with a human touch.

In this week’s episode of VineDown, I am joined by Gene Chao, a leader in digital transformation and the founder of GenReventures. Our discussion spans AI's evolving role, the importance of human-machine collaboration, and how organizations can embrace technology without losing the human touch.

Sometimes, leadership means stepping into your team’s shoes to see how you can improve your team from the bottom-up. Dr. Brent Gage, Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Strategy at the University of Iowa, recently returned to the recruitment trail after a decade-long break. When unexpected staffing changes left his team short-handed this fall, Brent hit the road, attending college fairs and high school visits in Ohio. What he discovered there challenged his assumptions about Gen Z, reignited his connection to the admissions process, and shed light on how institutions can better serve students.

Modern admissions offices are facing a paradox. As processes become more automated, how do they hold onto authentic human connection? Rick Clark, Executive Director of Strategic Student Access at Georgia Tech, isn’t just asking that question—he’s answering it. With over two decades of experience in admissions and a reputation as a truth-teller in higher ed, Rick is finding ways to embrace AI while championing the stories, relationships, and human moments that define the college admissions process. Dive in to learn how AI can help your institution move faster, tell better stories, and focus on what really matters: being human.

Traditional college counseling isn’t keeping up with today’s digital-first students. Jeff Neill, Director of College Counseling at Graded - The American School in São Paulo, is using AI to make counseling more effective. By handling routine tasks, AI frees up Jeff’s time to connect more deeply with his students. And for Jeff, it’s not just about saving time; it’s about giving students a new kind of support that’s always there when they need it.

Higher education marketing has reached a crossroads, and Jenny Petty knows it well. In her second appearance on *The VineDown*, Jenny, VP of Marketing Communications at the University of Montana, dives into the “perfect storm” facing higher ed—a series of shifts reshaping how colleges recruit, engage, and retain students. From demographic changes to consumer expectations, Jenny unpacks what these challenges mean for today’s enrollment teams and how they can prepare for what’s next. Jenny shares the balance we all have to maintain: between adapting to massive change and staying true to what makes an institution genuine. So, what are the biggest challenges? And more importantly, how do we tackle them? Let’s dig in.

You’ve heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder,” but what are the actual steps to make this happen? This week I was joined by Jay Jacobs, Ed.D., Vice Provost of Enrollment Management at the University of Vermont. We chatted about how to measure work in innovative ways to truly “work smarter”, and Jay expanded on three key projects his university started: the Vendor Scorecard, Emerging Leaders Program, and Summer Academy.

This week, I was joined by Erika Pepmeyer, MCIS, Director of Admissions at the University of Northern Colorado to chat about leading in a tech-driven world, balancing automation with human touch, and ensuring personalization and equity in AI systems.Erika, drawing from her experience as a college athlete and her work in admissions, shared how coaching behaviors continue to shape her leadership in higher ed. She also provided insights on building authentic student communities and outlined the 3 essential elements for team success!

This week, I invited Teege Mettille, Director of Enrollment Success at enroll ml and author of "The Admissions Counselor Malaise", to share insights from his book and discuss how AI is transforming the admissions process. We were able to chat about the challenges faced by admissions professionals, the evolving landscape of higher education, and practical solutions for improving staff morale and student engagement.

This week I was joined by David Hatami, CEO and Founder of EduPolicy.ai, where we chatted about how AI is reshaping enrollment and institutional decisions. We covered the vital role of rules and ethics in AI and explored strategic preparations institutions must consider as the need for consistency in AI ethics across higher education continues to grow.

This week I was joined by Rakin “Rock” Hall, M.Ed., Vice President for Enrollment Management at Ithaca College, where he shared his expertise on how to succeed in the current state of higher ed enrollment. From pivoting strategies to being an excellent goal setter for your team, Rock offered a roadmap to success in today's unpredictable landscape, providing actionable insights on turning obstacles into opportunities!

This week, I was joined by Carlos O. Cano where we discussed the importance of recruiting LatinX and first-gen students and the cultural nuances that influence their educational journeys. Carlos was able to share expert insights on why it's increasingly crucial to excel in recruiting LatinX and first-gen students, especially as demographic shifts create significant challenges in student recruitment.

This week, I was joined by Cindy Haney, Ed.D. of Lehigh Carbon Community College where we unpacked winning strategies for mastering enrollment, brand, and recruitment in your local market. This episode is all about the magic of making meaningful local connections and how partnerships with high schools and community organizations can supercharge recruitment efforts. Don't miss this chance to get the inside scoop from Cindy Haney on how to turn local opportunities into big wins!

This week, Emily welcomed CollegeVine co-founder Vinay Bhaskara to discuss our latest innovation: the CollegeVine Brand Index. Leveraging feedback and behaviors from the 2.2 Million students and parents on our platform, this FREE tool offers colleges a unique lens on brand perception and competitor peer analysis across numerous dimensions. It's a groundbreaking resource for all colleges aiming to understand and enhance their visibility and appeal from a family perspective. Don't miss out on this enlightening session!

We are battling on so many fronts and enrollment is in trouble. We should be turning our attention to yield and next year’s cycle, but we can’t even package this year’s aid. This week, Geoff Baird from EnrollML joined me on the VineDown to talk about ruthlessly evaluating, breaking, and rebuilding the business process of enrollment in order to work smarter-not-harder.

Last week, our host Emily Smith explored the balance in enrollment's wild, wild west with Ericka Jackson from Wayne State University. Discover how to stay calm and collected above the surface while navigating the chaos below. Don't miss Ericka's powerful insights on managing both the visible and unseen aspects of our work.

This week on the VineDown, we dove deep into the heart of Student Search with none other than John Laverty from the University of Iowa. Tune in for an episode packed with insight about what it takes to run your Search effort in-house using the right mix of art and science.

Data informs a lot of things we do in admissions and enrollment, and it's especially important to consider data when formulating your message and positioning. This week, Ashley Miller of Old Dominion University joined the VineDown to give us some valuable insights into some simple ways you and your team can use data to drive your institutional story.

This week's show is all about transitioning to new roles both within enrollment and elsewhere. On this iteration of our Higher Ed Leaders Series, our host Emily Smith was joined by DJ Menifee to chat about the tactical strategies that people should follow as they take on a new roles. The pair also dove into the less tangible (but equally important) things like building culture as a leader, fostering trust, and ensuring psychological safety for your team.

In this week's VineDown featuring Jennifer Lonchar, co-founder of AmbioEdu, she and our host Emily Smith will explore the power of streaming TV ads in institutional marketing. Learn how targeted advertising on streaming platforms can boost awareness and engagement for colleges and universities.In this episode the pair shared insights on implementing targeted streaming ads for higher education, strategies for enhancing college awareness and FAFSA education, and insights on how students view various institutional marketing practices

In this week's VineDown, Emily Smith delves into the world of higher education marketing with Jenny Petty, VP of Marketing, Comms Experience, and Engagement at the University of Montana. Petty's career journey from corporate marketing to a pivotal role in higher education underscores her pioneering approach to marketing, which emphasizes serving the community and adopting a human-centered strategy.Petty advocates for principles like servant leadership, radical candor, and maintaining authenticity, which have guided her successful marketing strategies. Her innovative concept of "servant marketing" places the consumer at the heart of every effort, emphasizing integrity and responsible creativity. Through her podcast, "The Servant Marketer," Petty explores how to engage consumers more intentionally, aligning marketing with core human values.

In this special bonus VineDown short, join Emily Smith as she sits down with Kent Barnds of Augustana College for an in-depth conversation about the complications surrounding the new FAFSA rollout. Ken shares his perspective on the Department of Education's latest efforts, including a significant $50 million concierge service aimed at aiding families through the FAFSA completion process. Despite these developments, challenges persist, with filing rates hitting alarmingly low numbers, underscoring a crisis in educational access. From the importance of student-focused strategies to the power of individual advocacy, this episode is a must-listen for enrollment and admissions leaders, parents, policymakers, and anyone committed to shaping the future of college-bound students. Listen in to get some insight into the complexities of the current situation with FAFSA, the importance of advocacy, and what you can do to support your students and their families.

Wanna know something that all directors, deans, AVPs, and VPs of enrollment do, but very few have been formally trained on how to do it well? People management! We are pumped to have been able to welcome Ashley Hardy of DePauw University to the show this week where we talked tactfully about how to be a great manager, supervisor, and mentor.

This week on the show, our host Emily Smith chatted with Leigh Mlodzik (Vice President for Enrollment, Simspon College) in another episode of our Higher Ed Leaders Series on the VineDown.The pair talked through how Leigh's small, private institution in the midwest executes a relationship-first recruitment strategy, how Leigh motivates his team to actually communicate with applicants, and how to make decisions about where in the process to personalize. As usual, you can expect a candid and unfiltered view into this institution's admissions office, and some real conversation about what's best for students. 

Curious about how AI might shape enrollment management and recruiting? This week, host Emily Smith chatted about what changes we are already starting to see in admissions offices, what's still to come in 2024 and beyond, and how your team can use AI to improve your enrollment funnel and recruitment process.