7 Strategies to Mitigate Summer Melt

About This Webinar

Summer melt remains one of higher education's most persistent enrollment challenges. Join us for this webinar presented by Liaison and CampusESP, where we'll share seven proven strategies to keep your admitted students on the path to enrollment. From targeted communication strategies to re-engage students who've gone quiet to strategies for identifying at-risk students before it's too late, we'll walk you through practical, data-informed tactics your team can begin implementing right away. We'll also explore how engaging parents and families as partners in the enrollment journey can be a powerful part of your summer melt strategy. Whether you're looking to strengthen your outreach workflows or deepen your support for incoming students, this session offers actionable takeaways for every enrollment professional. Don't let your hard-won admits slip away this summer.

Presenters

Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Kelly Brennan, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, UNC Pembroke

Kelly Brennan is Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at the University of North Carolina Pembroke, where she leads strategic initiatives to support student access, success, and retention. She has built and strengthened a collaborative enrollment division focused on student-centered processes, data-informed decision-making, and improved communication. Brennan champions initiatives that ease the transition for new students and their families, aligning admissions, orientation, and financial aid to create a seamless experience. Her work emphasizes expanding opportunity, supporting first-generation and diverse populations, and fostering campus-wide partnerships that enhance student engagement, persistence, and overall success from recruitment through enrollment.

Todd Abbott
Vice President, Liaison

Todd Abbott is a higher education leader with 28 years of experience. As a Vice President at Liaison, he partners with colleges and universities to strengthen their enrollment operations and achieve their strategic goals. His expertise spans enrollment, marketing, and student retention, including leadership roles on campus and in the industry. A former Dean of Enrollment, Todd champions data-informed strategies that prioritize student success and institutional growth.

Joel Pendergrass
Director of Account Management, CampusESP

Joel Pendergrass is an experienced leader and partner in the higher education technology and communication space, having spent 26 years in the industry. Currently in his fourth year at CampusESP, the bulk of his career has been focused on helping institutions with the recruitment of their entering class. In total, Joel has spent eighteen years on the vendor side of higher education, where he has directly supported over 200 campuses. Prior to being on the vendor side, he spent eight years in the Admissions office at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Joel understands both the student and family journey, as the parent of a recent college graduate and a current college sophomore.