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Can you contribute effectively to your school’s and students’ success without understanding SEM?

Everyone on campus has an important role in supporting student success and achieving organizational objectives.

But without a good understanding of what SEM is and how it works, you and your team will be limited to what you can contribute.

The Fundamentals of Strategic Enrolment Management program is designed to give everyone in PSE – regardless of their department, office or Faculty – the foundation they need to contribute effectively to your SEM success.

Register Now
Understand the concepts and objectives of SEM Understand the concepts and objectives of SEM
Explore how your work and your role fits in Explore how your work and your role fits in
Contribute more effectively to student success on your campus Contribute more effectively to student success on your campus

If you are seeking a strong foundation in the principles of SEM, then the Fundamentals of Strategic Enrolment Management program is designed for you.

4 live and interactive workshops 4 live and interactive workshops
Collaborative group work and discussions Collaborative group work and discussions
10 hours of active learning 10 hours of active learning
Dedicated web portal with discussion board Dedicated web portal with discussion board
Online educational materials (video recordings, slides, articles, worksheets) Online educational materials (video recordings, slides, articles, worksheets)
Highly experienced and knowledgeable instructors Highly experienced and knowledgeable instructors

Testimonials

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As a faculty member in an organization that is just starting to form a SEMM culture, this course has proven to be valuable in information, resources, and networking.

Josh Silver

Learning Manager, Industrial Technology and Trades, Holland College

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Fundamentals of Strategic Enrolment Management micro-credential was very informative. I highly recommend it to everyone involved in SEM or interested to learn about the SEM process.

Marlene Phillips

Academic Program Manager, NorQuest College

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This program was fundamental in building my knowledge and understanding of SEM.

Daniel Ramcharran

Manager of Recruitment Services, College of New Caledonia

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If your institution is planning the development of SEM plan, this micro-credential is a must before getting started!

Marc-André Gougeon

Manager – International Market Development, University of Ottawa

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I really enjoyed the course content and the flow of the sessions. The workload is good, especially for busy working professionals. The course was set up really well and the learning dashboard was easy to use.

Nathalie Walker

Team Lead Business Operations, Faculty of Health Studies, NorQuest College

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This was an excellent crash course on the benefits and applications of SEM. My knowledge is stronger because of it.

Robyn McBain

Director, Brand & Marketing, Recruitment & Enrolment Management, Acadia University

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A great overview for those who want to understand the strategy behind enrolment management. The networking opportunities with colleagues from across Canada helped inspire and reassure me that my institution is on the right track.

Danielle Hoogland

Student Recruiter Advisor, Marketing and Future Students, North Island College

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The Fundamentals of SEM was an excellent introduction to SEM. The readings were interesting and relevant, the presentations and panels gave me lots to think about, and the conversations were engaging. Clayton Smith was generous with his knowledge and experience - a true leader in the field!

Morgan Westcott

Associate Dean, Marketing Management, British Columbia Institute of Technology

2024 Program & Schedule

The Fundamentals of Strategic Enrolment Management program features four, 2.5-hour sessions that include workshops, presentations and panel discussions that will be presented live online over a span of 4 weeks. Weekly sessions will include opportunities for participants to reflect on their learning, take part in small and large group discussions, meet with their peers, and complete self-guided learning assignments.

In addition to the four live sessions, it is expected that participants will complete 1-2 hours of homework each week. Homework will consist of literature reviews, posting and commenting on discussion board topics, connecting with co-participants, watching video recordings, and/or completing quizzes. To view the program learning outcomes please visit the Graduates page.

Participants will be supported via a dedicated web portal to access educational materials, connect with peers, post and comment on coursework, discuss topics of interest, and share best practices and information over the course of the program. All live workshops will be recorded and made available for review for 6 months after the completion of the program.

Week 1 – The "What" of SEM

Thursday, April 4, 2024
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Eastern time)

  • What is Strategic Enrolment Management and what is its historical origin?
  • Why SEM? What is its role in the institution?
  • What are SEM’s core concepts?
  • How is SEM structured in varying institutional types and jurisdictions?
  • What is the current state of SEM on your campus?
Week 2 – The "Why" of SEM

Thursday, April 11, 2024
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Eastern time)

  • Panel Discussion: Perspectives on SEM in Canada
  • The External and Internal Challenges to SEM at Your Institution
  • Data and its Importance to SEM
  • Using data to Inform SEM at your institution
  • Use of technology in SEM
Week 3 - SEM Planning

Thursday, April 18, 2024
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Eastern time)

  • SEM Planning Overview
  • SEM Planning Components
  • Implementing SEM planning
  • Assessment, evaluation and renewal
  • Application of scenarios to SEM planning
Week 4 – The "Who" of SEM

Thursday, April 25, 2024
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM (Eastern time)

  • Leadership and SEM
  • Engaging Faculty in SEM
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Turning Learnings into Actions

All details are subject to change.

Lead Instructor

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Clayton Smith, Ed.D.

Professor, University of Windsor
Senior Consultant, AACRAO

Dr. Clayton Smith is Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Windsor and Associate Faculty at Royal Roads University where he teaches in the Graduate Diploma in SEM program. Dr. Smith previously held senior enrolment management positions at the University of Windsor, the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, Tallahassee Community College in Florida, and the University of Maine at Augusta.

Known for his focus on comparative enrolment management, Dr. Smith has performed collaborative research into the distinctive qualities of enrolment management in the United States and Canada that has allowed educational leaders from both countries to compare and share best practices. Dr. Smith has, with research colleague Susan Gottheil, co-edited SEM in Canada: Promoting Student and Institutional Success in Canadian Colleges and Universities (2011) and The Effectiveness of SEM in Canada: Reflections from the Field (2022). His recent research focuses on the faculty role in SEM, how change management impacts successful SEM institutional implementation, and Canadian enrollment leaders’ reflections on the effectiveness of SEM in Canada.

Dr. Smith is a leader in the field of enrolment management, with special emphasis on the areas of institutional SEM readiness, implementing SEM, enrolment planning, change management, international student affairs, and student success and retention.

Dr. Smith holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern Maine, an M.A. in Political Science from Drew University, an M.P.A. in Public Administration from the University of Maine, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education from Florida State University. He is a senior consultant with AACRAO Consulting and currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of Strategic Enrollment Management Quarterly.

2024 Panelists & Facilitators

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Graham Donald

Founder & President
Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.

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Lydia Gill Blacket

Assistant Director, University Student Recruitment – Equity & Outreach
University of Toronto

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Georgi MacInnis

Manager Student Success
Lethbridge College

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Pirita Mattola

Acting Senior Director, Strategic Enrolment Management
University of Saskatchewan

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Lee Ann McKivor

Registrar
Memorial University of Newfoundland

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Joseph McNinch Pazzano

Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Fanshawe College

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Phil Ollenberg

Associate Registrar
Bow Valley College

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Trevor Phillips

Assistant Registrar, Indigenous Enrolment Management
University of Alberta

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Jennifer Powell

Director, Community Engagement
Brainstorm Strategy Group

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Clayton Smith, Ed.D.

Professor, University of Windsor
Senior Consultant, AACRAO

Dedicated Support

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Jennifer Powell

Director, Community Engagement

As the SEMM Academy’s dedicated program support person, I’m committed to ensuring that participants and presenters get the most out of their experiences. I am happy to answer questions and provide information and updates to ensure that you are well equipped for this unique learning opportunity.

FAQs

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What are the key program learning outcomes?

To view the program learning outcomes please visit the Graduates page.

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What is the schedule and time commitment?

The core of the program is four, 2.5-hour live sessions held over 4 weeks on Thursdays. In addition to the live sessions, it is expected that participants will complete 1-2 hours of homework each week consisting of literature reviews, posting and commenting on discussion board topics, connecting with co-participants, watching video recordings, and/or completing quizzes.

All sessions will be recorded so that participants can access any sessions that conflict with their personal schedules.

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Will there be recordings available?

Yes, all sessions will be recorded and available exclusively to program participants on the dedicated web portal for 6 months after the completion of the program.

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What happens if I miss a session?

There’s a good chance that a session or two may conflict with your other commitments. Recordings of sessions will be posted on the web portal along with educational materials within 24 hours of each workshop, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to catch up.

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Who should participate?

Virtually everyone on campus has a role to play in Strategic Enrolment Management and will benefit from an investment in learning the fundamentals that will make them a stronger contributor on campus.

Registration Fees

Individual
()
$1095

per person

Registration Deadline April 12, 2024

Register Now
Group of 3 to 5
(20% off)
$930.75

per person

Registration Deadline April 12, 2024

Register Now
Group of 6 to 9
(30% off)
$876

per person

Registration Deadline April 12, 2024

Register Now
Group of 10 or more
(40% off)
$766.50

per person

Registration Deadline April 12, 2024

Register Now