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.)
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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
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Welcome!
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Luke Ellis – GACRAO President
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Mid-Year Workshop 2025 Overview!
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Wesley Sewell – Member at Large IV: Professional and Membership Development
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Meet the Team!
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GACRAO’s Executive Committee
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1st Block
(9:00 A.M. to 9:40 A.M.)
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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
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1st Block
(9:00 A.M. to 9:40 A.M.)
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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
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1st Block
(9:00 A.M. to 9:40 A.M.)
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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
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2nd Block
(9:45 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.)
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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
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2nd Block
(9:45 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.)
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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
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2nd Block
(9:45 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.)
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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
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3rd Block
(10:35 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.)
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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
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3rd Block
(10:35 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.)
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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
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3rd Block
(10:35 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.)
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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
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4th Block
(11:25 A.M. to 12:10 P.M.)
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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
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4th Block
(11:25 A.M. to 12:10 P.M.)
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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
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4th Block
(11:25 A.M. to 12:10 P.M.)
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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
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Closing Session
(12:15 P.M. to 12:30 P.M.)
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THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
Closing Session Outline
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Mid-Year Workshop Closing Remarks
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Wesley Sewell & Luke Ellis - Member at Large IV: Professional and Membership Development & President
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Not Goodbye, but See You Later!
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GACRAO Executive Committee
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