Episodes

What if the enrollment KPI you've been optimizing for is the wrong one? James Steen, VP of Enrollment, Admissions, and Marketing at Houston Christian University, joins host Gjergj Dollani on The Enrollment Clinic to challenge some of the field's most deeply held assumptions — and share what's actually driving growth at HCU. With 33 years in higher education enrollment, James breaks down: Direct admissions as both a recruitment strategy and a brand awareness play — and why lower yield rates can c...

In this eye-opening episode of The Enrollment Clinic , we sit down with Robert Kadar, Senior Director of Marketing at Yeshiva University, to challenge one of higher ed’s most sacred cows: the lead form. Robert reveals the data behind why 85–90% of enrolled students never filled one out — and why most universities are optimizing their digital marketing for the wrong audience. We unpack: The fatal flaw in most higher ed ad strategies Why your lead gen obsession may be costing you quality applicati...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, host Gjergj Dollani sits down with Faton Sopa and Granit Doshklaku, the founders of Manaferra—an award-winning digital agency laser-focused on SEO for higher education. Recorded in Manaferra’s offices in Kosovo, this conversation explores why most universities misunderstand SEO, how organic search outperforms paid ads in student recruitment, and what an omnichannel SEO strategy actually looks like. The episode also dives into: Why higher ed institutions ...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , I sit down with Dr. Linda Robertson, a seasoned higher education leader and former director at Kent State University, to discuss the evolving landscape of higher ed leadership. We explore key topics such as accreditation, institutional transformation, and the challenges facing universities today. Drawing from her book, Bullshit with Cream on It , Dr. Robertson shares how leadership lessons from her Wyoming ranch upbringing shaped her approach to guiding...

Higher education marketing is evolving , and universities that fail to optimize for SEO are missing out on thousands of potential students. In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , I sit down with Paula French , Director of Sales and Marketing at Search Influence , to break down how search engine optimization (SEO) can drive enrollment growth for universities . We cover: ✅ Why 51% of universities lack an SEO strategy (despite 84% of leaders saying it's crucial) ✅ The biggest SEO mistakes in hi...

How can higher education and aviation training join forces to prepare the next generation of aviation leaders? In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , Alexandre Alves, COO of Airways Aviation Group, shares how his organization combines pilot training with higher education partnerships in 15+ countries. We discuss the global demand for skilled professionals, the role of AI in education , and how integrating non-technical skills creates a competitive edge for pilots.

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , we sit down with Dr. Raquel Bermejo, Associate Vice President of Market Research and Planning at RNL, to explore the critical intersection of mental health and student enrollment. Discover how prospective students’ emotional well-being impacts their college decision-making process and learn actionable strategies for higher education professionals to address fears, anxieties, and uncertainties. From data-backed insights into students’ top concerns—like a...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , we sit down with Asaf Wolff, Senior VP of Enrollment at University of the People, to dive into the remarkable journey of scaling a university against all odds. Asaf shares insights on growing an online learning institution from 137 students to a projected 150,000 by 2025—all without tuition. We explore innovative strategies, from eliminating outdated admissions requirements to creating a model based on volunteer-driven education. This episode is packed ...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic Podcast, we dive into international recruitment with Caleb Bennett, Director of International Enrollments at East Tennessee State University. Caleb shares his on-the-ground insights on navigating safety concerns, optimizing agent partnerships, and the surprising benefits of recruiting from a midsize town in Tennessee. We explore innovative campaigns like 'Bucky’s Road Trip,' the evolving role of agents, and the strategic importance of emerging markets lik...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , I sit down with Dallin Palmer, co-founder of Halda, an AI-driven platform that’s changing the way higher education institutions engage with prospective students. Dallin reveals how Halda shifts from traditional “Request for Information” forms to dynamic, student-focused interactions that drive higher conversions and deliver a more meaningful enrollment experience. We explore the critical role of personalization in recruitment, the impact of AI on higher...

In this episode, Gjergj sits down with Dr. Liesl Riddle, Dean of George Washington University's College of Professional Studies, to dive into some of the most exciting topics in higher education today. 🎙️ We explore: The launch of RevU's first micro-credential in Election Security, which started October 14th. The Catalyst brand campaign and how it's reshaping GW's approach to professional studies. Strategies to better serve adult learners and the evolving landscape of continuing education. The "...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , we sit down with Janet Chang, Director of Student Services at Washington University of Science and Technology. Janet brings a wealth of knowledge from her own journey as an international student to becoming a leader in student services. We dive into: International student recruitment and university internationalization Trends in English-As-A-Second-Language education ( ESL ) What the Chinese student market is looking for right now The future of educatio...

Join us on this episode of The Enrollment Clinic as we chat with Blendi Salaj—media personality, former Director of Communications at Marin Barleti University, and a thought leader in education and stoicism. Blendi shares his eye-opening experience as an international student in the United States, where he encountered the disconnect between admissions processes and the actual student experience after enrollment. We also discuss the challenges he faced in his role in higher education communicatio...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, Gjergj Dollani engages in an insightful conversation with ChatGPT, exploring critical trends and challenges in higher education. They discuss actionable strategies for boosting adult learner enrollment, improving the quality of international student applications, and how universities can enhance overall performance. The episode highlights practical solutions for institutions to stay competitive in today’s evolving education landscape. The conversation wr...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic , host Gjergj Dollani interviews John McLoughlin, Executive Director of Enrollment Partnerships at St. George's University, to discuss the latest enrollment trends in medical schools . They dive into strategies for increasing diversity in student admissions , the impact of evolving medical policies on enrollment , and address the growing concern around student mental health in medical education . This episode offers actionable insights for higher educatio...

In this episode, we dive into: 🌏 The unique dynamics of the Chinese international student market 🎓 What makes Chinese students stand out from a U.S. university perspective 🌐 The impact of geopolitics on U.S. university recruitment strategies David shares his expertise on how Sunrise International bridges the gap between Chinese students and American universities, offering invaluable insights for anyone involved in higher education marketing and admissions. This is a must-listen for educators, ma...

Welcome to Episode 3 of the "Sorry, No Budget" podcast! 🎙️ Join your hosts Sam Fleischmann and Gjergj Dollani as we dive into the art of attending higher education conferences without breaking the bank. Whether you're a seasoned academic or new to the world of higher ed, we've got tips, tricks, and strategies to help you make the most of your conference experience on a tight budget. In this episode, we cover: Finding affordable conferences and maximizing early-bird discounts Tips for cost-effect...

The Enrollment Clinic presents a limited series titled "Sorry, No Budget" ...a higher education-ish podcast. I recorded this with my good friend Sam Fleischman. This episode was recorded one week before the AIRC Convention in Phoenix (2023). Sam and I were to conduct a panel discussion on Future-Proofing Higher education. We decided to record an episode and brainstorm our ideas on the topic. It was part podcast, part rehearsal for the main event. We cover a lot of ground. We talk about variou...

"The Enrollment Clinic" podcast welcomes Besart Kunushevci, a leading expert in the field of academic integrity and the founder of Crossplag, the world's first cross-language plagiarism-checking solution. In this episode, we dive into the world of EdTech and explore the challenges faced by K12 and higher education institutions in ensuring academic integrity. Besart shares his journey in the field and the innovative approach that led to the development of Crossplag. We also discuss the impact of ...

In Episode 8 of the Enrollment Clinic, my guest John McLoughlin from St. George's University School of Medicine talks about enrollment in a highly specialized area of Higher Education; Medicine. Many of the challenges we face at traditional universities get amplified when you are enrolling students who are interested in a specific profile. We cover a lot of ground in this episode and I feel we need to follow up with a part 2 as I was very interested to hear about the successes John has had buil...

In this episode, Samira Pardanani - Associate Vice President, International Education & Global Engagement at Shoreline Community College - takes us through her experience in International enrollment, from when she started as an international student. We talk about the benefits that community colleges, like Shoreline, offer to international students, and the importance these institutions have as primary enrollment sources for traditional 4-year colleges and universities. We also talk about her...

In this episode, George Kacenga, the VP of University Partnerships for M Squared Media / MSM Unify, talks about the recent trends in International Student enrollment; changes in student preferences on how they communicate with colleges and universities; and the marketing, enrollment support and global reach that MSM & MSM Unify offers to colleges and universities around the world. MSM is an international recruitment and marketing management organization that offers not just online enrollment man...

In this episode of The Enrollment Clinic, my guest David Arango (Director of Recruitment, Latin America and Europe at Global Study Partners) and I discuss the Latin American market. We cover a range of topics from the intricacies of various countries, regions and cultures within Latin America to working with Global Study Partners and what higher education institutions should expect from partnering with Global Study Partners. Global Study Partners (GSP) is a unique online platform that allows in...

I invited my friend, Granit Doshlaku -- Head of Search at Manaferra (http://www.manaferra.com) -- to discuss SEO for Higher Education. Granit is an expert in the field and Manaferra is a multi-award-winning Search Marketing agency. We talk about what Search Marketing encompasses, trends in higher education, content, etc. We spend a good amount of time talking about what universities do right, when it comes to SEO, and what they do wrong. There is definitely tons of info to pack in our 25 minu...