Beyond the Funnel: How EMU is Rethinking Student Success

In this episode of EdTech Connect, host Jeff Dillon sits down with Katie Condon, Vice President of Enrollment Management at Eastern Michigan University, to unpack the urgent challenges and innovative strategies shaping higher ed’s future. With over a decade of experience spanning West Virginia University and EMU, Katie offers a candid look at how regional publics can compete amid shrinking demographics, financial aid upheavals, and rising student demands for ROI.

From her viral 4,000-handwritten-note campaign (yes, even the rowing team pitched in) to rethinking transfer student pathways, Katie shares how she balances data-driven decisions with human-centric approaches. Discover why “many” and “a lot” are her least favorite words, how AI could revolutionize financial aid transparency, and why teaching freshman communication classes made her a better leader. Tune in for actionable insights on turning enrollment crises into opportunities—without losing your authenticity.

1. Regional vs. Flagship Realities

• Smaller schools face higher stakes with fewer resources: “At a flagship, risks feel small. At a regional, every risk could be existential.”

Data ≠ Panic

• Avoid reactive decisions: “One negative food review out of 2,000 doesn’t mean overhaul the menu.” Context matters more than raw numbers.

Transparency Wins

• Students demand clarity: “They’re asking, ‘What will my degree cost the day I start?’” EMU’s career-focused messaging highlights short-term ROI (e.g., young alumni on Wall Street).

AI’s Next Frontier: Financial Aid

• Personalized video walkthroughs of aid packages (via tools like Notebook LM) could bridge gaps for first-gen students—but data security is non-negotiable.

The Power of “All Are Welcome”

• EMU’s campus-wide note-card campaign (even athletes wrote 700+ cards) boosted belonging by making recruitment everyone’s job.

Transfer Students Need Segmentation

• Articulation agreements are outdated: “Today’s transfers might have dual enrollment, a failed semester elsewhere, or 100 scattered credits—they’re not a monolith.”

Leadership Hack: Teach Freshmen

• Katie’s 7 years teaching intro comms revealed how recruitment impacts classroom success—and vice versa. “Emailing an A student praise works like a yield campaign.”

Advice for New Leaders

• “Ask ‘why’ relentlessly early on. Later, questions seem suspicious.” Curiosity builds trust and uncovers institutional blind spots.

 

Listen Now to learn how to turn enrollment challenges into student-centered victories! ✨

 

Find Katie Condon here:

LinkedIn                              

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie--condon/

Eastern Michigan University

http://emu.edu/

 

And find EdTech Connect here:

Web: https://edtechconnect.com/

 

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Meet Katie Condon
• (00:01:59) - Enrollment Management: Small Institutions vs. Bigger Schools
• (00:05:07) - Enrollment Management: Data-driven Decisions
• (00:08:11) - What's one initiative you're most proud of?
• (00:10:36) - Financial aid strategies evolve to meet shifting student demographics
• (00:14:29) - Demographic cliff affecting schools
• (00:18:06) - How to Personalize Student Enrollment with AI
• (00:20:51) - How to Save Time by Reading Large Research Reports
• (00:21:55) - Have Student Ambassadors Changed Your Leadership?
• (00:26:26) - What's one area in enrollment or student success that feels broken?
• (00:28:20) - Onboarding to a Vice President's Role