By Autumn Walden, Editor, ̽»¨Â¥ Connect, Content Strategy Manager, ̽»¨Â¥
Think about your last group project, leveled up with expert coaching and an ambitious cohort to tackle real strategic enrollment management challenges. The ASCEND program experience can transform your outlook on professional development that feels less like homework and more like workforce-applied teamwork. For Bridget Jones, a recent graduate of ASCEND Cohort 5, the program widened her scope of understanding strategic enrollment management from the context of four-year institutions to a focus on community colleges and prepared her to earn an internal promotion.
Jones’ ASCEND project group designed a unique SEM plan grounded in real data, showing how theory can become practice when the right people collaborate. Her story is a window into how ASCEND builds capacity and confidence in the next generation of SEM leaders and why each year you’ll see ASCEND scholars actively contributing at the ̽»¨Â¥ SEM Conference and Annual Meeting, where the program’s energy and ideas continue to ripple across our profession.
Looking back on your time in the ASCEND Program, how have you incorporated your professional experience together with the new framework of SEM?
When I first learned about Strategic Enrollment Management, I learned about it in the context of a four-year institution. I now work for a community college, and my time in ASCEND gave me a new lens through which to understand familiar SEM concepts. I got the opportunity to adjust my understanding of SEM to apply it to the community college ecosystem better. It was important for me to learn which principles are more or less universally applicable across various institutional types and which principles need to be interpreted with more nuance to apply to a community college.
Can you share about how the "SEM Core Concepts" book, the ASCEND program, and your group work translated to real-life implementation?
I can speak to our group work: We used real data in real time to build a SEM plan, and it was great to work with a group that brought their unique perspectives and professional experiences to the development of the plan. As we were collecting data, asking questions, and setting goals, I gleaned some ideas for my current role. As an example, we examined demographic trends for the state where I actually work, and that was very insightful for thinking about how I, in admissions, need to adjust recruitment tactics for shifts in who will and won't be attending college in 5, 10, or 20 years.
What does leadership look like to you at a community college, and how do you hope to shape or influence the culture in your role?
Ideally, leadership at a community college looks like a good balance between compassionate care and practical service. Our students have a diverse set of needs and an eagerness to learn, so I think leaders need to think about how we can build systems and programs that make them feel welcomed, supported, and successful. Because we need to provide these services at scale, good leadership maintains a lens of continuous improvement to ensure systems and resources are used effectively, are student-centered, and remain within our often limited budgets.
In my role, I hope to contribute to the shaping of a culture that keeps this balance in mind and encourages people to try new ideas and iterate towards what works for our institution based on the resources (human and otherwise) that we have. I would also like to contribute to a culture where the humans that do this work are not overwhelmed by compassion exhaustion.
What advice would you offer to other mid-career enrollment professionals considering a leadership path like yours?
It's important to understand why you would want to pursue a leadership path. Many of us choose this profession because we love working with students. As many know, direct student contact occurs less and less the higher you go, and it's important not to lose sight of the importance of serving students (regardless of position) and the need to shift your thinking for the scope of your leadership role (e.g., people management principles, systems thinking, etc.).
What or who is inspiring you now?
I'm finding inspiration as I've been reading the writings of a Franciscan priest. It's been very grounding and has been a poignant reminder of the necessity to care for my WHOLE self...both inside and outside of work.