Welcome to GACRAO's 2025 Mid-Year Workshop Agenda

May 21, 2025

*Zoom Links will be sent to registrants two days prior to the event.

 

Opening Session 

(8:30 A.M. to 8:55 A.M.)

Welcome and Mid-Year Workshop 2025 Overview 

Let’s focus on developing the upcoming generation of higher education professionals and ensuring all staff, new and veteran, have the skills to offer top customer service to all stakeholders. GACRAO Executive Committee will share upcoming Professional Development Opportunities offered to members and ways to get involved for the fall conference. 


Opening Session Outline 

Welcome! 

Luke Ellis – GACRAO President 

Mid-Year Workshop 2025 Overview! 

Wesley Sewell – Member at Large IV: Professional and Membership Development

Meet the Team!

GACRAO’s Executive Committee 



1st Block

(9:00 A.M.  to 9:40 A.M.) 

Session Title: Private Institution Roundtable

Description: A place to discuss things specifically related to working in a private school setting.

Presenter: Karis Fowler

Job Title: Director of Recruitment

Institution: Piedmont University 

1st Block 

(9:00 A.M.  to 9:40 A.M.) 

Session Title: The Anxious Generation

Description: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness is a 2024 book by Jonathan Haidt that argues that the spread of smartphones, social media, and overprotective parenting has led to a "rewiring" of childhood and a rise in mental illness – yes, these are our next recruits and employees.

Presenter: Meredith Head Bruno 

Job Title: Executive Director of Strategic Communication & Recruitment

Institution: Georgia Highlands College

1st Block 

(9:00 A.M.  to 9:40 A.M.) 

Session Title: Stronger Voices, Stronger Campus: Improving Communication at Every Level

Description: This session focuses on enhancing communication and collaboration between students, faculty, and staff to foster a more connected and efficient campus community.

Presenter: Kayla Hanner

Job Title: Admissions Coordinator

Institution: Chattahoochee Technical College

 

2nd Block

(9:45 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.)

Session Title: Your Smile is Contagious

Description: How you communicate can be more important than what you communicate.

Presenters: David Fulmer

Job Titles: Registrar

Institutions: Trinity Medical Sciences University

2nd Block


(9:45 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.) 

Session Title: The "Dual Enrollment Triathlon"

Description: Insights from a former educator’s perspective: learning to navigate the path, jump the hurdles, and maintain the momentum and endurance needed to finish strong.

Presenters: Holly Spires

Job Titles: Dual Enrollment Recruiter

Institution: Middle Georgia State University

2nd Block 


(9:45 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.) 

Session Title: Adapting to Students - Communication is Key

Description: A lot of us are seeing irregularities in our numbers.  Many institutions are battling a decrease in applications, acceptances, or visit show rates.  The student this year is moving at a different pace. We will discuss ways to create incentive and urgency to move students through the admissions process.

Presenter: Jonathan Scott

Job Title: Director of Recruitment & Admissions

Institutions: Georgia Southwestern State University

 

3rd Block 


 (10:35 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.)

Session Title: Financial Aid: What You Need to Know

Description: The Financial Aid process can be challenging for many. This session is designed to give you a clearer understanding of the Financial Aid process. We will highlight the process for students to gain funding for their post-secondary education. We will clearly define financial aid, explain each type, and the different sources. By the end of the session, you will understand how to assist students when applying for aid. We will also cover any new updates and changes to the financial aid process.

Presenter: Katie Minich

Job Title: Outreach Representative

Institution: Georgia Student Finance Commission 

3rd Block 


 (10:35 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.) 

Session Title: From Day One to Graduation: Helping Students Transition Seamlessly into College

Description: This session equips faculty and staff with the tools and strategies to effectively support students as they transition from high school to college, ensuring a smooth and successful start to their academic journey.

Presenter: Kayla Hanner

Job Title: Admissions Coordinator

Institution: Chattahoochee Technical College

3rd Block 


 (10:35 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.) 

Session Title:  Collaboration, Connection, & Communication: The 3 C’s of Facilitating Student Success

Description: From start to finish, student success is everyone’s job! It’s time to get out of our silos and work together to create a network of professionals focused on supporting students during their academic journey.

Presenter: Angela Jenkins

Job Title: Assistant Registrar

Institution: Georgia Southwestern State University

 

4th Block 

(11:25 A.M. to 12:10 P.M.)

Session Title: Grow with GACRAO: Professional Development Opportunities

Description: Are you interested in growing professionally? Join GACRAO Past-President to hear about the GACRAO Institute for Strategic Enrollment Management (GISEM) and GACRAO Rising Enrollment Professionals (G-REP) program. In this session, you will hear about the opportunities the program provides, and the pre-conference curriculum. 

Presenter: Kayla Walker

Job Title: Assistant Vice President for Enrollment

Institution: Young Harris College

4th Block

(11:25 A.M. to 12:10 P.M.)

Session Title: Bridging Borders 

Description: This session will discuss the evolving landscape of international student experiences. We’ll deliberate not only the opportunities but the challenges these students face today. From managing the academic pressures to navigating a rather big cultural transition, we will discuss different methods of communication, the “Hot Topic” of student Visa’s and much more.

Presenter: Brittany DeVane

Job Title: Senior Admissions Advisor

Institution: Piedmont University

4th Block

(11:25 A.M. to 12:10 P.M.)

Session Title: Building the AI Ready Campus

Description: Move from theory to action in this dynamic, hands-on workshop designed to help you assess and enhance your institution’s AI readiness. Through interactive activities and real-world applications, you’ll explore the practical steps needed to integrate AI across various functions of your institution. Equipped with a personalized AI readiness toolkit, you'll assess your current landscape and design a flexible roadmap tailored to your institution's unique goals and challenges. This session empowers you to be at the forefront of higher education transformation, leveraging AI to elevate both student learning and institutional efficiency.

Presenter: Ryan Hogan

Job Title: Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing & Communications

Institution: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College


Closing Session 

(12:15 P.M. to 12:30 P.M.)


THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!


Closing Session Outline

Mid-Year Workshop Closing Remarks 

Wesley Sewell & Luke Ellis - Member at Large IV: Professional and Membership Development & President

Not Goodbye, but See You Later!

GACRAO Executive Committee