AEA Conference — May 20–22, 2013

Peter Bryant
Senior Vice President, Noel-Levitz (Monday sessions)

Peter Bryant is one of the nation's most respected enrollment managers, perhaps most widely known for his ability to diagnose enrollment opportunities effectively and efficiently. Over the course of his extensive career in higher education marketing, he has consulted directly with over 500 institutions. Mr. Bryant has more than 25 years of on-campus enrollment management experience, serving Cornell College (IA), Coe College (IA), Drake University (IA), Kirkwood Community College (IA), and the University of Iowa. He also served on the staff of a worldwide public relations firm, a Young & Rubicam affiliate based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1991, Mr. Bryant received the prestigious CASE Steuben Apple Award for excellence in speaking. He has been published in national professional journals and is co-editor of Advancing the Two-Year College (Jossey-Bass), a sourcebook for presidents and other administrators. Currently he serves on the Cornell College Board of Trustees. An active civic leader and past national officer in several higher education organizations, Mr. Bryant holds an MA from the University of Iowa.

 

Gary Fretwell
Senior Vice President and Principal, Noel-Levitz (Monday sessions)

As a senior vice president and a consultant for Noel-Levitz, Gary Fretwell has been a strong catalyst for enrollment success on hundreds of campuses throughout North America. His recommendations and guidance have helped institutions establish strategic and tactical enrollment plans, train staff and faculty in enrollment management practices, and coordinate comprehensive enrollment management initiatives for both graduate and undergraduate programs. In addition to providing consulting services, Mr. Fretwell frequently delivers presentations on such topics as strategic enrollment management, developing a campuswide retention program, graduate and professional school recruitment, and mobilizing your campus to achieve enrollment success. Mr. Fretwell has conducted hundreds of workshops and presentations at international, national and regional conferences in higher education, including the International Roundtable of Residential Colleges in Oxford, England. Over the course of his 30-year career in higher education, Mr. Fretwell has served as vice president for enrollment and student affairs and dean at Millsaps College (MS). He has also held a variety of administrative posts at Tulane University (LA) and the University of South Florida. Mr. Fretwell holds an MA from Stetson University (FL).

 

Chris Blake
Associate Professor of English and Communications, Union College (Wednesday morning presentation)

Chris Blake is beginning his twenty-first year serving as a custodian at Union College. In addition to cleaning up student language and thinking, he has won numerous national awards for writing and editing. His most recent book, CREATION Health Bible Program, will be released this summer. He enjoys playing disc golf and riding his mountain bike over Lincoln’s precipitous peaks--but not simultaneously. Chris Blake has been Associate Professor of English and Communication at Union College since 1993, when he arrived after serving eight years as editor of Insight magazine. He teaches a wide range of topics in composition, communication, journalism, and literature, and takes special interest in helping students get into print—more than 200 of his students have been published in magazines.

 

Breakout Session #1 (Wednesday, 10:15-11:15 a.m.)
 

“Ambassadors and the Visit Experience”
Hagan Room, Ortner Center (Bldg #13)

Discussion on how to create a successful ambassador team, the registration process and how to manage stats for campus visits.

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Becky Daniel, Director of Campus Visits, Union College
• Shelly Erhard, Director of Student Visits, Andrews University

 

“6 Ways to Spice Up Your Recruitment Strategies”
Shawnee Porter Room, Ortner Center (Bldg #13)

A look at marketing/recruiting ideas and strategies to reach out to students through public high schools, community colleges, churches/youth groups, Christian school alliances, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Natasha Castro, Enrollment Specialist, Adventist University of Health Sciences
• Lewis Hendershot, VP for Marketing, PR, and Admissions, Adventist University of Health Sciences
• Yoouhenky Hickman, Assistant Director for Recruitment, Adventist University of Health Sciences

 

“NAD Graduate Tour”
Presidential Dining Room, Union Market (Bldg #13)

Beginning the journey of an NAD grad fair tour: Should we have graduate fairs on our campuses? What would that look like? Who will coordinate them? Would it help our students and our institutions? Participants should be graduate recruiters and VP’s/directors interested in helping lay the groundwork for graduate recruitment on our campuses.

 

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Bobby Brown, Associate VP of Enrollment, La Sierra University
• Chuck Dart, Director of Marketing and Recruitment, Loma Linda University

 

“AEA Boot Camp!”
Everett Dick Building, Room 302 (Bldg #6)

An introduction to the Adventist Enrollment Association with a discussion on competition, collaboration, and championing Adventist higher education and how we all work together. This presentation is required of all newcomers to the organization.

 

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Dave Lofthouse, VP of Enrollment, La Sierra University
• Randy Graves, VP of Enrollment Management, Andrews University
• Rob Weaver, VP for Marketing, AACU

 

“13 Schools, 1 Goal: Why We Do What We Do”
Everett Dick Building, Room 303 (Bldg #6)

Why we do what we do.

 

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Adam Brown, Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Southern Adventist University

Breakout Session #2 (Wednesday, 11:30-12:30 p.m.)

 

“How You Can Successfully Navigate the High Seas of Campus Politics (Bonus: How to Identify and Best Avoid Hidden Shoals)”
Shawnee Porter Room, Ortner Center (Bldg #13)

Campus politics has its very own adage—Sayre's Law: "Campus politics is the most vicious and bitter form of politics, because the stakes are so low." So why should we care about campus politics? We will review how we could understand and navigate campus politics and how to create spaces and approaches that invite input and participation/buy-in from all levels within your own organization. Navigating and responding positively to the realities of campus politics will help ensure success (and even optimism) for your team and campus.

 

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Stephen Payne, Gum Guy and VP, of Integrated Marketing and Communication, Andrews University

 

“If You're Not Getting Better, You're Getting Worse”
Presidential Dining Room, Union Market (Bldg #13)

Our focus will be on key strategies and habits that will foster innovation in our work as enrollment professionals.

 

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Trevor Congleton, Associate VP of Marketing and Enrollment Services, Walla Walla University
• Gerry Larson, Recruiter, Walla Walla University
• Melissa MacPhee, Associate Director of Recruitment, Walla Walla University
• Jodi Wagner, Vice President of University Relations, Walla Walla University

 

“Clarity and Conciseness in Professional Writing: Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say”

Everett Dick Building, Room 303 (Bldg #6)

Our personal and professional lives are filled with writing. Are you an effective communicator? Would you like to sharpen up your resume? This session will introduce a few tips, tricks and resources to help improve your professional writing.

Presenters/Facilitators:

• Katie Shaw, Director of Enrollment Services, Adventist University of Health Sciences

AEA Business

• AEA Agenda (05.07.13)
• NAD Fair Tour Draft (04.08.13)
• AEA Executive Minutes (3.18-19.13)
• AEA Executive Minutes Final (05.22-23.13)
• AEA Minutes (05.22-23.12) - General Membership Approved by Email Vote Oct. 2012
• AEA Constitution and Bylaws (03.19.13)

Breakouts

• 13 Schools, 1 Goal: Why We Do What We Do
• 6 Ways to Spice Up Your Recruitment Strategies
• Ambassadors and the Visit Experience
  • Ambassador Application
  • Ambassador Re-Application
  • Ambassador Recommendation Form
  • Committee Sign Up Form
  • Visit Results Example
• AEA Bootcamp
• Clarity and Consciousness in Professional Writing
• How You Can Successfully Navigate the High Seas of Campus Politics
• If You're Not Getting Better, You're Getting Worse

 

Noel-Levitz

• Best Practicers in Student Recruitment Presentation (slides or handout)
• Best Practicers in Student Recruitment Breakout (slides or handout)

• Best Practicers in Student Retention Presentation (slides or handout)
• Best Practicers in Student Retention Breakout (slides or handout)

• 35 Good Practices in Retention — An Exercise

 

School Updates

• Adventist University of Health Sciences
• Andrews University
• Canadian Union College
• Kettering College
• Loma Linda University
• La Sierra University
• Oakwood University
• Pacific Union College
• Southwestern Adventist University
• Southern Adventist University
• Union College
• Washington Adventist University
• Walla Walla University

• The Union College Ortner Center is an excellent location for lodging. Breakfast is not provided gratis, but the Union Market and bakery is on the first floor—below the guest rooms. The Union Market accepts cash and credit card and provides a variety of fresh breakfast options. 
   
• Since it is the closest off campus hotel, Union College has reserved a block of 20 rooms at the Hampton Inn (see below), available until April 20.
   
• No matter what hotel you choose, please be sure to indictate that you are with Union College to receive the special rate below. 
   
• All rates are valid until April 20. After that, rooms and prices are not guaranteed.

On-campus hotel

Ortner Center
Union College center of campus, above Union Market cafeteria
402.486.2545
$55 + tax
 

Off-campus hotels

AmericInn—4.5 miles away 8701 Amber Hill Ct 402.420.0027 $75 + tax Candlewood Suites—2.1 miles away 4100 Pioneer Woods Dr 402.420.0330, 1.888.Candlewood $73 + tax Comfort Suites (East)—3.2 miles away 331 N Cotner Blvd 402.325.8800 $73 + tax Hampton Inn—Heritage Park—2.1 miles away Reserve by: April 20, 2013 5922 Vandervoort Dr 402.420.7800 $96 + tax

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites—4.5 miles away 8801 Amber Hill Ct 402.423.1176 $82.99  + tax Victorian Suites—2.8 miles away 216 N 48th St 402-464-4400 $59.99 (king) $69.99 (double) + tax Residence Inn—2.8 miles away Reserve by: April 20, 2013 5865 Boboli Ln 402-423-1555 $99 + tax

View our campus map and access virtual tours here.

3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506  Maps and additional directions found at www.mapquest.com.

From Lincoln Airport (Lincoln Municipal Airport)

2400 West Adams Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68524  To Lincoln airport from Union Start out going east on West Adams Street toward North Park Road (1.4 m) Merge onto I-80 West/US-77 South (1.7 m) From US-77 South take exit number 397 (.4 m) Merge onto Salt Valley Roadway/US-77 South (2.4 m) Take the NE-2/West Van Dorn Street exit toward Lincoln/Nebraska City (.2 m) Merge onto Van Dorn Street (2.7 m) Turn right onto NE-2 East (3.7 m) Turn left onto48th Street (1 m) Union College will be on your right just past Pioneers Boulevard Estimated time: 18 minutes Estimated distance: 11 miles

From I-80 West/Omaha Airport (Eppley Airfield)

4501 Abbott Drive, Omaha, Nebraska 68110 To I-80 East/Omaha airport from Union Start out going northwest on Abbott Drive toward Fort Ct. (1 m) Turn slight left onto Storz Expressway (2.3 m) Merge onto US-75 South via the ramp on the left toward I-480 South. (5 m) Merge onto I-80 West via exit 452C toward Lincoln. (43 m) Take the US-6 exit at exit number 409 toward Waverly/East Lincoln (.3 m) Turn left onto US-6 West (2.6 m) Turn left onto 84th Street (4.2 m) Turn right ontoO Street (2.4 mi) Turn left onto 48th Street (2.6 m) Union College will be on your left just past Calvert Street Estimated time: 1 hour, 14 minutes Estimated distance: 64 miles

From I-29/Kansas City International Airport

601 Brasilia Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64153 To I-29/Kansas City airport from Union Take I-29 North (119 m) Take the Route-2 exit via exit 10; turn left onto Nebraska Hwy (49 m) Turn right onto48th Street (1 m) Union College will be on your right just past Pioneers Boulevard Estimated time: 2 hours, 51 minutes Estimated distance: 171 miles

From I-80 East

To I-80 West from Union Merge onto Salt Valley Roadway/US-77 South via exit 397 toward Beatrice (2.4 m) Take the NE-2 East/West Van Dorn Street exit toward Lincoln/Nebraska City (.2 m) Merge onto Van Dorn Street (2.7 m) Turn right onto NE-2 East (3.7 m) Turn left onto48th Street (1 m) Union College will be on your right just past Pioneers Boulevard

Learn more about our city here.