In this episode of The Hidden Gem, Maya Demishkevich speaks with John McGreal, Dean of Enrollment Services at Waukesha County Technical College, about the college’s research-driven approach to improving adult student enrollment. John shares insights from a recent study funded by a grant, exploring the barriers adults face in returning to school and how targeted marketing and operational changes have led to a significant increase in enrollment. Learn how WCTC is helping adult learners succeed in their educational journeys.
Key Takeaways:
- Hear about the research WCTC conducted to better understand why adult learners were not enrolling, and how they used both quantitative and qualitative data to gain insights.
- Learn how adult students want to go from application to enrollment in as little as 4-8 weeks, and how this insight reshaped WCTC's enrollment processes to accommodate this fast-paced decision-making.
- Discover the impact of combining in-person focus groups with AI-driven qualitative analysis to identify key motivations for adult students, such as career pivots and second chances.
- Find out how WCTC leveraged digital marketing, targeted messaging, and in-person experiences to better engage adult learners and increase enrollment by 7%.
- Get practical advice on using grant funds to experiment with new approaches, offering flexible enrollment options, and tailoring marketing strategies to meet adult learners where they are.
Guest Name: John McGreal, Dean of Enrollment Services, Waukesha County Technical College
Guest Bio: John McGreal currently serves as the inaugural Dean of Enrollment Services at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee, WI. He received his Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama. Previously, John has worked for Rockford University, the University of Alabama, and Bellin College. He has also served as the President of the Wisconsin ACAC, chair of the WACAC government relations committee, and numerous other roles related to conference planning and professional development. John's passion is using data to make informed decisions, process improvement, and college access. He is also a husband and father, a runner and a book lover, and enjoys finding the best burger in every city.
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Connect With Our Host:
Maya Demishkevich
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayademishkevich/
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Hidden Gem: Marketing Community Colleges is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! Some of our favorites include Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook and Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Element451 is hosting the AI Engage Summit on Oct 29 and 30
Register now for this free, virtual event.
The future of higher ed is being redefined by the transformative power of AI. The AI Engage Summit brings together higher ed leaders, innovators, and many of your favorite Enrollify creators to explore AI’s impact on student engagement, enrollment marketing, and institutional success. Experience firsthand how AI is improving content personalization at scale, impacting strategic decision-making, and intuitively automating the mundane tasks that consume our time. The schedule is packed with real examples and case studies, so you leave knowing how to harness AI to drive meaningful change at your institution. Whether you’re looking to enhance student outcomes, optimize enrollment marketing, or simply stay ahead of the curve, the AI Engage Summit is your gateway to the next level of higher education innovation. Registration is free, save your spot today.
