What if the hardest part of college isn’t the coursework, but everything that happens before day one?

In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Garrett Spradlin, Assistant Director of Admissions for Graduate Recruitment at the Colorado School of Mines, to explore how students navigate the enrollment journey, and why too many drop off before classes even begin.

Garrett shares insights from nearly 15 years across admissions, marketing, campus visits, and concurrent enrollment, explaining why choice overload hurts student decision-making and how clear, step-by-step pathways increase confidence and follow-through.

The conversation also covers why concurrent enrollment builds readiness, how customer service differentiates institutions, and why simplifying communication is essential in an era of short attention spans.

1. Why enrollment overwhelm stalls student decisions
2. How clear pathways outperform endless flexibility
3. The impact of concurrent enrollment on readiness
4. Why customer experience matters in recruitment

“Students don’t want unlimited options; they want clarity.”

1. LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/garrett-spradlin-a72982a6
2. Portfolio: gspradlin.wixsite.com/portfolio

1. Spotify Link
2. Amazon Music Link
3. ApplePodcast
4. Motimatic
5. LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education.

New episodes drop weekly!

What happens when passion meets practicality in higher education? And how do enrollment leaders balance empathy for students with the financial realities of running a university?

In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Christina A. Taylor, MBA, M.Ed., Education Innovator and Graduate Enrollment Leader at George Washington University (GW), to unpack the evolving landscape of student funding, international admissions, and the business behind higher ed.

Christina shares her unconventional path into academia—starting in edtech, leaving for project management, then finding her way back through a dual master’s program in Higher Education and Business Administration at GW. Her journey offers a powerful reflection on how education, when combined with business insight, can transform both careers and institutions.

As the graduate funding environment rapidly shifts, Christina discusses the uncertainty surrounding Grad PLUS loans, how universities are responding with professional certificates and flexible credentials, and why student empathy and clear communication matter more than ever. From helping international students navigate last-minute visa hurdles to supporting learners facing financial challenges, Christina’s stories highlight the heart and hustle that define modern admissions work.

This conversation is a must-listen for higher ed professionals, enrollment strategists, and anyone passionate about expanding access to education while ensuring institutional sustainability.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Christina’s dual-degree background bridges education and business
• The ripple effects of Grad PLUS loan changes on graduate enrollment
• How universities are adapting with certificates and flexible pathways
• Challenges and opportunities for international graduate students
• The difference between undergraduate and graduate admissions operations
• Why empathy, communication, and preparation are key in student success

Golden Nugget:

“Start early. The more time you have, the less stress you’ll feel—and the more opportunity we have to support you.” — Christina A. Taylor

Connect with Christina A. Taylor & GW:

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Christina A. Taylor
• 🌐 George Washington University

• Spotify Link
• Amazon Music Link
• ApplePodcast
• Motimatic
• LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education.

New episodes drop weekly!

How are universities reimagining graduate education to serve today’s diverse and career-driven learners? And what does it take to design programs that are not only flexible but deeply human-centered?

In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Kittie Pain, Director of Graduate Enrollment at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, to explore how higher education is evolving through innovation, empathy, and adaptability.

With extensive experience across multiple institutions in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Kittie offers a front-line perspective on the transformation of graduate and adult learning, from the post-recession boom in master’s programs to the digital acceleration brought by COVID-19. She shares how Kutztown’s stackable MBA model has empowered students to earn meaningful credentials en route to a degree, meeting both market demands and individual career goals.

This episode dives into how universities can embrace agility without losing their human touch. Kittie explains how her team uses market research and employer collaboration to develop sustainable programs and why authentic, one-on-one communication is still the most powerful recruitment tool. Her message to higher ed leaders is clear: flexibility and empathy are no longer optional, they’re essential.

This conversation is for anyone navigating the changing landscape of higher education, including leaders, enrollment professionals, and faculty, who seek to create programs that truly meet students where they are.

What You’ll Learn:

• How graduate education is shifting toward flexible, student-centered models
• Why stackable credentials are redefining the path to a master’s degree
• How to communicate program value through a human touch
• The importance of rapid adaptation and short-term planning in higher ed
• How market research drives program development and sustainability
• Why empathy and authenticity are higher ed’s strongest differentiators

Golden Nugget:

“Be human. You are in a human industry, support students, listen to them, and give them grace.” — Kittie Pain"

Connect with Kittie Pain & Kutztown University:

• 🔗 Kittie Pain on LinkedIn
• 🌐 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

• Spotify Link
• Amazon Music Link
• ApplePodcast
• Motimatic
• LinkedIn

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a higher ed leader, admissions professional, or marketing innovator driving change in education.

New episodes drop weekly!