We were thrilled to be in Nashville, TN last week and meet all the inspiring admissions and enrollment professionals in AISAP’s Leadership for Enrollment and Admission Professionals (LEAP) program cohort.
The LEAP program serves professionals in the admission and enrollment field who are ready to enhance their leadership skills while tackling enduring and emergent challenges within the independent school community.
During the year-long LEAP program initiative, cohorts engaged in a set of monthly, 2-hour virtual meetings facilitated by renowned leadership experts, leading to the eventful 3-day gathering held in Nashville on September 25-27, 2024.
Craig Dodson, VP of Support, and Rachael Cramond, Director of Customer Service were the representatives during the Nashville in-person event. The LEAP program is very much designed to build the capacity for leadership across the enrollment management professionals at independent schools.
Dodson notes, “Seeing this talented group of individuals collaborate and learn from one another, while simultaneously learning from foremost experts in the field of educational leadership, was awe inspiring. Guided by the brilliant mind and heart of Dr. Patrick Scheurmann, these professionals began to layer best practices in leadership upon their own strengths and shared best practices from across the profession as they deepened their relationships with one another.”
“As a way to put theory into practice, the program participants will take on a small-group project through which they attempt to respond to the challenges faced by their profession. Last year’s cohort had two groups, one who focused on the implications of artificial intelligence within the independent school enrollment space, while the other analyzed the factors impacting enrollment professionals desire to continue working in independent schools. Both were enlightening in their own ways and deeply impactful to the AISAP membership at large. I’m eager to learn what challenges and opportunities the 2024-25 cohort choose to pursue,” Dodson says.
AISAP supports over 3,000 professionals who share experiences and insights in all aspects of independent school and private school admission and enrollment management.
One of the most valuable aspects of LEAP is the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning. Participants shared their experiences, successes, and failures, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment. By learning from each other, they gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by their colleagues and discover new approaches to overcoming them.
The LEAP program also provided participants with access to expert guidance from our VenturEd Solutions’ leadership team. These experienced professionals offered invaluable insights, mentorship, and strategic advice, helping participants to navigate the complexities of their roles and make informed decisions.
Touching on the cohort experience overall, Dodson underscored the program’s value, “Having participated in a variety of leadership development opportunities while I was an enrollment management director in independent schools, I will say without hesitation that the AISAP LEAP experience is second to none. The depth of thought, learning content, expert contributors, guidance and mentorship that comprise the program provides the participants with a variety of tools to employ as they continue to help advance their profession. I’m proud that we can play a role in supporting this program and the profession as a whole that goes well beyond a conference session or one-time experience.”
Participating in LEAP is a transformative experience equipping participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead their schools into the future. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and leadership development, LEAP helps strengthen the independent school sector and ensure its continued success.
To learn about the latest trends and key strategies in expanding your admissions program, download our 2024 Trends in Admissions Report.
