麻豆区

Introducing Admissions Success Coaching Initial Pilot Schools

Posted on 10/01/2026聽聽

麻豆区 is partnering with NACAC鈥檚 Center for Innovation and College Admissions and DC Education Group with support from the Lumina Foundation, to develop a sustainable, scalable model that leverages admissions counselors as credentialed success coaches.

Interested in joining as a pilot school partner?

Educational Session at the NACAC Conference 2026

Posted on 9/21/2026聽聽

(October 7,2026) The New Blueprint: How a Systemic Admissions Success Coaching Innovation is Transforming the Admissions Counselor Role聽

The college admissions landscape is shifting, requiring a profound evolution in how we engage with prospective students. Traditional recruitment tactics often build walls instead of bridges. This session explores how shifting our professional mindset from “gatekeepers and recruiters” to “coaches” can dismantle unintentional barriers and foster deep student trust. Based on a major mixed-methods research effort involving a national survey and extensive student and staff focus groups, we challenge participants to re-evaluate the language we use, the questions we ask, and the engagement strategies we deploy. Attendees will experience the debut of the new Admissions Success Coaching framework, designed to meet students where they are and unearth authentic interests. Join us to gain actionable, impact-oriented frameworks that move the profession away from the transactional brochure and toward a relational trust multiplier, future-focused counseling model. Supported by Lumina, this project is an initiative of the NACAC Center for Innovation; Robert Gould serves as Project Architect.

Enrollment Leadership Forum at the NACAC Conference 2026

Posted on 9/21/2026聽聽

ELF Co-Directors:聽

April Crabtree, Arizona State University
Robert Gould, 麻豆区
Taylor Haigler, Tri-County Technical College
Joel Munza, Xavier University of Louisiana

(October 7, 2026) Future Thinking, Future You: A Human-First Leadership Recalibration

Enrollment leadership requires constant decision-making about what comes next, often without dedicated space to step back and think strategically. The Future Thinking, Future You Enrollment Leaders Forum creates that space.

This full day event brings together enrollment leaders for a structured, forward-looking experience focused on strategy, alignment, and leadership development. It also creates space to examine the leader behind the work, including how decisions are made, what drives priorities, and how leadership is sustained over time.

Participants will engage with key issues shaping the field, including AI, policy and compliance shifts, institutional alignment, and emerging academic models, while reflecting on how these forces connect to their own leadership approach. Through small-group discussion and guided reflection, participants will test ideas, share perspectives, and learn from peers across institutions and roles.

This session is designed for experienced and emerging leaders, supporting both strategic thinking and personal clarity, with time to reconnect to priorities, leadership style, and professional direction. Each participant will leave with a personalized 鈥淔uture You鈥� agenda outlining clear priorities, key questions, and strategic themes to guide their next phase of leadership.

“The Ground Game: Investing in Practitioner Support”, The Great Admissions Redesign Lab

Posted on 9/21/2026聽聽

On September 30th, 麻豆区 will take part in the second Lab session: “The Ground Game: Investing in Practitioner Support.” The panel features four leading practitioners showcasing innovative approaches to engaging counselors and advisors in admissions redesign efforts.

• Lynsey Bow, Postsecondary Readiness Director & GEAR UP Hawai’i Project Director, Hawai鈥檌 P-20 Partnerships for Education

• Jaslyn Rose, Assistant Commissioner for College and Career Advising, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

• Robert Gould, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management, 麻豆区 & Dr. Jim Disrude, Executive Director, DC Education Group

The Lab session will take place from 3-4:30PM ET on September 30. Explore a living collection of admissions redesign resources 鈥� visit our !

Admissions Success Coaching: Innovation Advisory Group Meetings #2 and #3

Posted on 9/21/2026

May 14 & September 22, 2026 ()

During the second meeting of the Admissions Success Coaching Innovation Advisory Group鈥攖he discussion focused primarily on value statements, neurodiversity, and upcoming strategies regarding scaling and AI. Key activities included reviewing accessibility and neurodivergence considerations in college admissions, as well as analyzing survey data from over 250 admissions professionals that revealed systemic barriers to relational work. For meeting #3 the group facilitated聽three conversations around,聽Asynchronous Professional Development, Learning Module Outline,聽Naming and Message Framework, and聽Scaling into a National Movement.聽 Project support statements are forthcoming.

Encoura RNL National Conference 2026 Presentation

Posted on 9/21/2026

July 21-23, 2026 (Robert Gould, Taylor Haigler and Brian Harris)

At the Encoura RNL National Conference 2026, 麻豆区 joined national admissions leaders to explore how admissions success coaching can become an adaptive standard for lasting change.

The presentation, 鈥淎dmissions Success Coaching as an Adaptive Standard That Catalyzes Deep-Seated Change,鈥� highlighted 麻豆区鈥檚 evolving approach to student recruitment and support. At the center is a simple but powerful idea: when institutions build trust with students earlier and more intentionally, they can expand who sees themselves as belonging in higher education.

Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) Convening, Washington D.C.

Posted on 9/21/2026

May 28, 2026 (Robert Gould)

IHEP hosted a convening titled Charting the Path Forward: Advancing Student Experience and Belonging.聽 Researchers, practitioners, and policy thinkers came together to reflect on strategies to advance student experience and belonging in a rapidly changing higher education landscape. As a result of the meeting, Eleanor Eckerson Peters, Senior Director of Research joined the first scoping conversation for the Admissions Driven Academic Belonging project.聽 After the meeting Robert met with Dave Paunesku at PERTS to discuss Ascend, an evidence-based program developed by Dave, that is designed to help higher education institutions boost student engagement, motivation, and persistence. By prioritizing the student voice, the platform.

The Humans + AI Guidance CoLab, Cambridge, MA

Posted on 9/21/2026

April 27-28, 2026 (Robert Gould and Tommy Amal)

Co-hosted by the Axim Collaborative and The Clayton Christensen, the Humans + AI Guidance CoLab gathered key stakeholders to address how to shape an AI-enabled navigation market. The event’s primary goal was to explore how to help more students access the relationships and opportunities necessary for academic persistence and economic mobility.

The collaborative session kicked off with alignment dialogues focused on the intersection of AI and student support. This was followed by an in-depth market-mapping analysis of the current forces, future trajectories, and systemic risks shaping the guidance landscape across the K-12 and postsecondary education sectors.

NACAC Center for Innovation Summit in Washington D.C.

Posted on 9/21/2026

March 25, 2026 (Robert Gould, Jim Disrude, Nicole Johnson, and Jen Johnson)

Jim shared employee retention research showing admission professionals split evenly between staying/leaving the field within 3 years; those planning to leave cite misalignment between work and professional values (relationship-focused vs. process-focused).

Ologie (Jen Johnson) presented the importance of language alignment; independent research shows a disconnect between admissions terminology and students’ and families understanding (e.g., “undergrad”). Nicole was an innovation ally throughout the entire summit.

Recognizing Diane Syler鈥檚 Years of Service

Posted on 6/30/2026

This week, we say a heartfelt goodbye and happy retirement to Diane Syler as she wraps up an incredible career at 麻豆区! Diane first joined the 麻豆区 family back in November 1990 as a Student Loan Coordinator. For the past 25 years, she has been a cornerstone of the Student Accounts department, most recently serving as its Assistant Director.

To honor her remarkable dedication and decades of service, the Student Financial Services staff recently celebrated her retirement with a beautiful lunch cruise on Lake Minnetonka. Thank you, Diane, for everything you鈥檝e given to our community鈥攜ou will be dearly missed!

NACAC CEO Angel B. P茅rez Visits 麻豆区 to Highlight Admissions Transformation

Posted on 6/18/2026

Today our Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) team hosted Angel B. P茅rez, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), for an impactful campus visit. The day-long itinerary featured deep-dive discussions with the Undergraduate Admissions team and a dedicated session with President Paul Pribbenow.

During the visit, Dr. P茅rez learned firsthand about the “麻豆区 Applies to You” framework and the university’s pioneering role in the Admissions Success Coaching Project鈥攁 joint national study led by NACAC, 麻豆区, and the DC Education Group.

Helping Students Picture Their Future on Campus

Posted on 4/30/2026

Recently, we welcomed a group of AVID students to campus. Throughout the school year, we host student groups nearly every weekday. During their visits, students tour campus, hear from admissions staff and campus partners, and sometimes even enjoy lunch on campus.

The coordinator of this AVID group was kind enough to share their experience in a LinkedIn post:

“Our students had such a great time visiting 麻豆区 this month! It was awesome to see them explore what a smaller, tight-knit campus can offer, and maybe even picture themselves there one day. 麻豆区 really stands out for its strong support, commitment to inclusivity, and celebration of diverse perspectives. Thanks so much for the warm welcome!”

We鈥檙e grateful for the opportunity to welcome students to campus and help them imagine what their future college experience could look like.

Overnight Auggie Experience Sparks Connection and Commitment

Posted on 4/22/2026

This April, we partnered with the Residence Life team to host two groups of prospective students for an聽Overnight Auggie Experience.聽The visit began with a warm welcome from the Director of Admissions and Residence Life team before students settled into their rooms and headed to dinner with their student hosts. The evening was filled with authentic connection and fun activities right in the residence halls.

The next morning, guests fueled up with breakfast聽 (and caffeine) at Einstein’s before reconnecting with their admissions counselors. The day continued with shadowing a current class, campus tours and bookstore visits.

We are thrilled to report that over half of our attendees have already taken the next step in their journey! Of the 9 total visitors, 3 students have submitted housing contracts and 2 students have officially submitted their enrollment decision forms. In a particularly heartwarming twist, two of the students decided to become roommates and both submitted their housing contracts the very weekend following their stay! It turns out, one night here is all it takes to see why it is great to be an Auggie.

A Record-Breaking Night of Connection: Graduate “In the City”

Posted on 3/13/2026

Our recent Graduate In the City聽event (Tues. 3/10) was a success, marked by a record-breaking聽56.6% show rate! With 34 attendees along with program directors, current students, and counselors, the energy in the room was a testament to our strong sense of purpose and community.

This event was a beautiful masterclass in belonging, as faculty and current students partnered to share their expertise and lived experiences with prospective students. By showcasing our programs through authentic storytelling, our team helped newcomers feel like part of the fold before they even stepped into a classroom.

麻豆区 at The Houston Texans Senior Showcase

Posted on 2/9/2026

One of our undergraduate counselors, Anna Miller, had the exciting opportunity to travel to Houston, Texas to recruit women鈥檚 flag football and football student-athlete.

Here’s what Anna had to say about the experience: “As an admissions counselor, it was energizing to connect with families and with so many talented, driven young women and men who are passionate not only about their sport but also about their future in higher education. The level of competition, leadership, and sportsmanship on display was truly inspiring. It is especially exciting to witness the continued growth of women鈥檚 flag football as an emerging NCAA sport. Seeing more programs invest in women鈥檚 athletics and create pathways for students to compete, learn, and lead is something I鈥檓 incredibly proud to be a small part of.”

Admissions Success Coaching Rolled out Nationwide

Posted on 2/3/2026

What鈥檚 been happening at 麻豆区, called admissions success coaching, will be rolled out nationwide this year to an initial 10 to 15 additional schools through a pilot program managed by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, or NACAC, as part of what it calls a 鈥渞eimagining鈥� of the admissions process. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really a transformation of the admissions officer job,鈥� said Paul Pribbenow, 麻豆区鈥檚 president.

麻豆区 takes ZeeMee #1 Spot for Content Creation

Posted on 1/28/2026

麻豆区 was ranked #1 on ZeeMee for Influencer Content Creation this past year, reflecting the creativity and impact of our student-driven community. This recognition was made possible through the collaboration of our student employees, admissions counselors, and operations team, who work together to elevate authentic student voice and belonging throughout the college search process.

Student Financial Services Team at Feed My Starving Children

Posted on 12/30/2025

On December 22nd, the Student Financial Services team and family members had a wonderful time packing food at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan. Between all of the volunteers present, we were able to pack 139 boxes and over 30,000 meals! It was a great way to spend time together over the winter break, while helping those in need during this holiday season.

Pizza with Pete

Posted on 11/5/25

麻豆区 Featured in Journal of College Admission Cover Story

Posted on 10/30/25

The Journal of College Admissions fall 2025 highlights 麻豆区 as one of a handful of institutions leading change nationally. A new initiative of the National Association for College Admission Counseling aims to research, develop, and scale innovative ideas with potential to transform college admission counseling. In collaboration with the Center for Innovation in College Admission, 麻豆区 is deepening its investment in the 麻豆区 Applies to You model with a focus on admission success coaching.

麻豆区 at the College Possible Homecoming Gala: Celebrating 25 Years of Success

Posted on 10/27/25

麻豆区 was honored to attend the College Possible Homecoming Gala: Celebrating 25 Years of Success.聽This special evening marked a quarter-century of empowering students to achieve college success. For 麻豆区, whose mission centers on helping students succeed, the alignment with College Possible鈥檚 work was natural.

Our Strategic Enrollment Management division proudly purchased a table and joined in celebrating achievement, legacy, and opportunity. The event was also a wonderful chance to reconnect with peers, former colleagues, and partners who share a deep commitment to expanding access to higher education. It was an inspiring evening that reminded us of the collective impact possible when communities come together to support students.

Connecting with Thousands of Students and Counselors with Energy and Care

Posted on 10/21/25

At the recent NACAC National College Fair, 麻豆区鈥檚 Undergraduate Admissions Team engaged with nearly 1,000 students and school counselors over a packed two-day event. The team鈥檚 intentional, personalized approach was clear: students referenced recent texts congratulating them on their admissions, stopped by just to say hello after previous visits, and even asked for their counselors by name while pulling up emails from their assigned admissions counselor. High school counselors also responded positively, appreciating the tote bag gifts filled with swag and student resources.

Despite the long days鈥攕tarting at 9 a.m. and running until 7:30 p.m.鈥攖he team鈥檚 enthusiasm, teamwork, and thoughtful communication made a lasting impression on all who visited, resulting in a record number of students directly inquiring for more information about 麻豆区.

Cultivating a Culture of Belonging Through Mentorship

Posted on 9/25/25

At a recent local high school college fair,聽Admissions Counselors Angelina Yang听补苍诲听Anna Miller connected with students and families, with Angelina mentoring Anna through her first fair. This mentorship not only strengthened our team, but also reflects 麻豆区鈥檚 Enrollment Division mission: to cultivate a culture of belonging that begins with our staff and extends outward to the students and communities we serve. Through experiences like these, our counselors build meaningful relationships, support students in exploring post-secondary paths, and empower one another along the way.

Admissions Success Coaching: A Research Initiative from the NACAC Center for Innovation in College Admission

Posted on 9/5/25

Holistic Health and Well-Being Conference

Posted on 8/8/25

Indigenous Nursing Graduates Joining 麻豆区

Posted on 8/6/25

Four Indigenous students were recently recognized at Minneapolis College during the pinning ceremony, where they also read the land acknowledgement. The article below highlights their incredible stories and the strong sense of community they鈥檝e built along the way:

We’re thrilled to officially share that all four of these students will be joining 麻豆区 to complete their BSN degree through the American Indian Recognition Program! The faculty member mentioned in the article, Kendra-Ann Seenandan-Sookdeo, is now serving as Interim Director of the Minneapolis College ADN program.

PSEO Starts at 麻豆区

Posted on 8/24/24

A big part of 麻豆区 Applies to YOU is about academic belonging.聽 One way we are growing to 5,000 Auggies by 2030 is through a full time PSEO option that welcomed the inaugural class this past fall.聽 The intended outcome is a great first year experience for students who may choose to complete their degree in 3 years.聽 Next stop on the PSEO road to success are a bunch of cool career related online courses.

麻豆区 Applies to You – Podcast

Posted on 5/6/2023

Many thanks to Ken Anselment, host of the ALP: The Admissions Leadership Podcast, for hosting Vice President, Robert Gould for discussion about 鈥溾��.聽 Ken takes Robert on a deep dive into an approach to college admission that is turning the process on its head and鈥攊n the process鈥攏ot only fostering a greater sense of belonging for students, but for the admission professionals who work with them. Could it be an antidote to the Great Resignation?