The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast

Christina Dotchin
  • 4.6 (21)
  • Education

Welcome to The Enrollment Management Association's (EMA) podcast series, "The Enrollment Spectrum." Each episode will explore the central tenets of enrollment management strategy, focusing on the components embodying the spectrum. Join host Christina Dotchin, Vice President of Member Relations at EMA, as we unpack and explore what the strategy of enrollment management means for K-12 independent and private schools and their communities.

  1. From Insight to Impact: Using Perceived Value & Affordability Data to Refine the Admission Experience [S5.E2]

    May 31

    From Insight to Impact: Using Perceived Value & Affordability Data to Refine the Admission Experience [S5.E2]

    In this episode, I am joined by my special co-host for this mini-series, Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data, along with Randie Benedict, Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management at St. Anne's-Belfield School, and Lisa Ha, Chief Communications Officer at St. Anne's-Belfield School. Together, we explore how independent schools can move from insight to action by using data from E3n's (EMA+ERB) perceived value and affordability data to refine the admission experience and strengthen mission-aligned enrollment strategy. Drawing on real-world practices at St. Anne's-Belfield School, this conversation examines how enrollment, marketing, and academic leadership teams can work together to create intentional, authentic experiences for prospective families across all divisions. Listeners will hear how data from surveys, focus groups, student outcomes, and industry research can help schools identify the stories they most need families to hear, what Randie Benedict refers to as St. Anne's-Belfield School's "must-air facts," and how those messages can evolve.  The episode also explores how schools can balance what families say they value with what their behaviors actually reveal, how student ambassadors and parent conversations generate meaningful enrollment insights, and why building strong internal collaboration between enrollment and marketing teams is essential for long-term success. From understanding family motivations to refining tours, viewbooks, and messaging strategies, this episode offers practical examples of how schools can use actionable data to create more connected, compelling, and mission-centered admission experiences.

    55 min

  2. Feb 24

    Exploring Family Perceptions of Value & Affordability with Dr. Raj Raghunathan [S5:E1]

    Join us for a special live Enrollment Spectrum Podcast recording as we sit down with Raj Raghunathan, PhD, to explore connections between his research and EMA's newest special report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Dr. Raghunathan, H.E. Hartfelder/The Southland Corporation Regents Chair of Marketing at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, is an internationally recognized researcher, writer, and speaker. His work examines how judgments and decisions shape happiness, fulfillment, and perceptions of value. Dr. Raghunathan's insights—featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, and a TED Talk that reached millions worldwide—position him uniquely to shed light on today's independent school marketplace. The session will explore how behavioral science shapes the ways families perceive tuition, investment, and the long-term value of an independent school education. This live conversation offers a front-row seat at the intersection of theory and practice—blending research, storytelling, and actionable insights to strengthen enrollment management strategy. Dr. Raghunathan's work has appeared in top journals, including The Journal of Marketing, The Journal of Consumer Research, The Journal of Marketing Research, and The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. His work has been cited in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Fortune, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. Dr. Raghunathan's Psychology Today blog, Sapient Nature, has over 2.5 million page views. His online course on Employee Happiness was rated a Top MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) of 2019 and currently has over 10,000 students. Dr. Raghunathan's book, If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy?, has been translated into 13 languages and has been featured in the Atlantic, Time, Guardian, Times of India, Live Mint, and Mid-Day. Dr. Raghunathan's TED talk was viewed live (on STAR TV) by over 17 million people worldwide.   EMA members can access the full report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, and dig deeper into the results on the accompanying data dashboard by logging into EMA's Community: community.enrollment.org.

    56 min

  3. 09/17/2025

    Behavioral Economics and Tuition: Signals that Shape Perceived Value [S4:E9]

    In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Manoj Thomas, Cornell University's Sabanci Professor of Management and Marketing and Associate Dean of New York City Initiatives. A leading behavioral scientist, Manoj explores how unconscious mental processes shape consumer decisions, from pricing psychology to the subtle cues that influence how we perceive value. We discuss his research on behavioral economics and pricing strategy, and connect these insights to independent school strategic enrollment management. Drawing on his expertise as both a scholar and engaging educator, Manoj offers a fascinating perspective on the psychology of decision-making and what it means for independent schools navigating questions of affordability, value, and perception. EMA members can access the full report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, and dig deeper into the results on the accompanying data dashboard by logging into EMA's Community: community.enrollment.org.

    56 min

  4. 09/12/2025

    Paying for Independent School: Insights from the 2023 NAIS Financial Aid Parent Survey [S4:E8]

    ​In this episode, we sit down with Mark Mitchell, Vice President of Access and Affordability at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and Amada Torres, Vice President for Studies, Insights, and Research at NAIS. Together, Amada and Mark bring deep expertise on various factors influencing independent schools today, and they are both authors of How Parents Pay School Costs: 2023 NAIS Financial Aid Parent Survey. This episode is part of a mini-series inspired by EMA's latest research report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Guest co-host Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner at Mission & Data, will join me throughout this mini-series. While the survey populations and methodologies differ, together, the EMA and NAIS reports offer a more comprehensive view than either does alone.

    55 min

  5. 08/04/2025

    A Deep Dive Into EMA's 2025 Special Report: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability [4:7]

    EMA's 2025 report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, offers a large-scale analysis of how families across the socioeconomic spectrum perceive the value and affordability of independent school education. The report provides critical insights into the complex factors shaping families' decisions to enroll their children in independent schools. This report was a collaboration between EMA and Mission & Data, EMA's strategic data partner. Join us as we explore some of the highlights from EMA's latest report with Ari Betof, Co-founder and Partner of Mission & Data, and Sarah Enterline Roch, Institutional Research Consultant at Mission & Data and Director of Institutional Research at St. Mark's School (MA). EMA members can access the full report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, and dig deeper into the results on the accompanying data dashboard by logging into EMA's Community: community.enrollment.org.

    42 min

  6. 04/14/2025

    How to Leverage EMA Reports for Strategic Decision-Making [S4:E6]

    ​In this episode, we sit down with Carolyn Gorowski, Dean of Admission at Lake Forest Academy (IL); Laurel Baker Tew, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment at Viewpoint School (CA); and Victoria Muradi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Durham Academy (NC). Together, they share practical, actionable strategies for leveraging insights from EMA's special reports to drive strategic decision-making in independent schools. This episode is part of a mini-series inspired by EMA's latest research report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Guest co-host Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner at Mission & Data, will join me throughout this mini-series. Stay tuned for more episodes in this mini-series coming this spring and summer!

    40 min

  7. 03/27/2025

    Marketing Strategies for Success [S4:E5]

    Brendan Schneider, Founder and CEO of SchneiderB Media, helps independent and private schools boost enrollment through digital marketing. He is the creator of the MarCom Society, SchoolMarketingCRM, and the author of School Marketing the Right Way. Brendan is also the opening keynote speaker for EMA's virtual Marketing Symposium, which will take place on April 8, 2025, and EMA's EMLC Spring Seminar in Dubai on May 1, 2025.  Join me for a conversation with Brendan as he shares insights and actionable strategies from his new book on the latest marketing techniques schools can use to stand out in a competitive landscape. Resources: EMA's Marketing Symposium: Register Here EMA's Enrollment Management Leadership Council (EMLC) Spring Seminar: Register Here School Marketing the Right Way

    41 min

  8. 02/23/2025

    Top Risks for K-12 Independent Schools: A Deep Dive into United Educators' Latest Findings [S4:E4]

    In December 2024, United Educators (UE) released their latest Top Risks Report for independent and charter K-12 schools. This survey shows the self-reported most pressing risks across the UE independent and charter K-12 membership and highlights changes they see when comparing the results to previous reports from 2020 to 2024. Join me for an insightful conversation with Hoda Hussein, Senior Risk Management Consultant at UE. We'll explore emerging trends, dive into the importance of scenario planning, and share practical tips on leveraging the data from this report. Link to United Educators website: www.ue.org Link to United Educators Report: Top Risks Report: Insights for Independent Schools  About United Educators (UE): United Educators is a member-owned captive insurance company that focuses solely on education. With a large and diverse membership ranging from large university systems to small, independent K-12 schools, UE is committed to providing the coverage and tools needed to allow our members to confidently operate their campus while managing education-specific risks. Since 1987, we've strived to provide peace of mind so members can focus on what's important – delivering a high-quality academic experience.

    19 min
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4.6
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Enrollment Management Association's (EMA) podcast series, "The Enrollment Spectrum." Each episode will explore the central tenets of enrollment management strategy, focusing on the components embodying the spectrum. Join host Christina Dotchin, Vice President of Member Relations at EMA, as we unpack and explore what the strategy of enrollment management means for K-12 independent and private schools and their communities.

Information

  • Creator
    Christina Dotchin
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Enrollment Management Association 2018
  • Show Website
    The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast

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