Top 10 Strategies in the New Enrollment Paradigm Webinar-2025_LP Graphic

About This Webinar

An exploration of four key themes defining the evolution of ten strategic enrollment strategies that position institutions for ongoing success. 

In this two-part webinar series, Liaison’s Vice President of Enrollment Strategy Craig Cornell, will take a closer look at new ways higher ed institutions are reimagining strategic enrollment planning to address the looming “enrollment cliff,” opportunities for AI-powered student engagement, financial aid optimization, and other important trends. He’ll be joined by:  

  • Jay Murray, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Western Connecticut State University. 
  • Tim Valley, Ph.D., Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Management, Milwaukee School of Engineering. 
  • Leslie Dickerson, Executive Director of Admissions and Enrollment, Montana Technological University. 

Designed for higher education professionals, enrollment leaders, and strategic planners, the presentations will guide attendees through an analysis of the latest enrollment data trends and explain how a robust strategic enrollment management plan can drive future success for institutions and students alike.  

Viewed in the context of four different themes and ten strategies presented across two webinars, participants will learn about the concepts of:  

Presenters

Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Learn More
Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Learn More
Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Learn More
Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Learn More
Jillian Baer

Jillian Baer

Solutions Consultant
Liaison

Learn More
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Webinar #1: Integrating Planning and Strategy Across the Institution

April 30 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET 

The first webinar will cover:  

Theme A: Transactional vs. strategic thinking  

  • Strategy 1: Make strategic planning a foundation.  
  • Strategy 2: Prioritize engagement over process.  
  • Strategy 3: Focus on student outcomes over campus numbers.  

Theme B: "The way we've always done it" vs. a more modern approach 

  • Strategy 4: Forget the funnel (to a degree).  
  • Strategy 5: Evolve from student search to AI-informed engagement.  
  • Strategy 6: Advance from leveraging to optimization.  

Webinar #2: Addressing the Need for Agility in Enrollment Management 

May 13 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET

The second webinar will cover:  

Theme C: Silos vs. teams  

  • Strategy 7: Connect enrollment goals to the campus mission. 
  • Strategy 8: Position your admissions team as strategic enrollment leaders. 

Theme D: Reactive vs. proactive decision making 

  • Strategy 9: Make immediate and informed decisions instead of waiting to update the “annual plan.”  
  • Strategy 10: Recruit the individual instead of the class.  

Participants will leave these webinars equipped with an actionable roadmap for implementing data-driven solutions that maximize their limited personnel and financial resources, drive sustainable growth, and better position their institutions for long-term success in the competitive higher education landscape.

Together, we can shape the future of higher education! 

Speakers

Headshots 2025_Craig Cornell

Craig Cornell
Vice President, Enrollment Strategy Undergraduate and State Systems, Liaison
Webinars #1 and #2

Craig Cornell is the Vice President for Enrollment Strategy at Liaison. In that capacity, he brings enrollment management best practices, consultation, and data trends to campuses across the country. Craig also serves as the dedicated resource to the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH) and works closely with higher education systems across the country. Before joining Liaison in 2023, Craig served for over 30 years in multiple higher education executive enrollment management positions. During his tenure, the campuses he served often received national recognition for enrollment growth, effective financial aid leveraging, marketing enhancements, and innovative enrollment strategies. Craig has published, consulted, been a keynote speaker, served on multiple boards, chaired national committees, and has presented for many state and national organizations on the many facets of strategic enrollment management and effective financial aid leveraging.

Headshots 2025_Jay Murray

Jay Murray
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, West Connecticut State University
Webinar #1

Jay is the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Western Connecticut State University. With over thirty years of experience in higher education, he has worked in all aspects of admissions and enrollment, including strategic planning, marketing, and multicultural and international recruitment.

Headshots 2025_Leslie Dickerson

Leslie Dickerson
Executive Director of Admissions and Enrollment, Montana Technological University
Webinar #2

Leslie Dickerson is Montana Tech’s Executive Director of Admissions and Enrollment. She began her career as an admissions counselor at the Montana Tech College of Technology (now Highlands College). Dickerson moved to Enrollment Services in 2008 where she served as the Director and then Registrar. She began her current role in 2019. Dickerson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography & Regional Planning from Eastern Oregon University and a master’s in public administration from the University of Montana.

Headshots 2025_Tim

Tim Valley, Ph.D.
Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Management, Milwaukee School of Engineering
Webinar #2

Tim Valley has worked in the field of admissions and enrollment management for over 30 years. At the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), he oversees the Enrollment Management Department. This includes both undergraduate and graduate admissions, to include transfer and international students. He also oversees some of the student support programs to include residence life and athletics bridging the connection between recruitment and retention. His passion for helping students find the right fit for their educational objectives has allowed him to grow enrollment at MSOE from 1600 students to 2600 students. In his time, Valley has helped catapult his university into the Top 10 Engineering universities in the US News and World Report rankings.