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

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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

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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!

What does it take to keep higher education relevant in the age of AI? And how are universities like NYU adapting to meet the evolving needs of today’s learners?

In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Lindsey O’Reilly, Assistant Director of Admissions Operations at New York University, to explore how technology, accessibility, and student expectations are reshaping the graduate experience.

From her early days as a student tour guide to leading admissions operations and pursuing her own master’s in Learning Technology, Lindsey has witnessed firsthand how innovation can enhance—not replace—the human side of education. She shares how AI tools like Slate’s knowledge base, Boodle Box, and Interview Buddy are transforming administrative efficiency, classroom engagement, and student career readiness.

This conversation dives into what students want most today: speed, ROI, and flexibility, and how NYU is responding with job-ready programs, global accessibility, and human-centered design in both admissions and academics.

🎓 This episode isn’t just about technology it’s about people, progress, and the power of learning in a digital world.

What You’ll Learn:

• How NYU is integrating AI in admissions and learning without losing the human touch
• Why modern graduate students are prioritizing ROI and career readiness
• How one-year master’s programs are redefining speed and value in higher ed
• How NYU is expanding accessibility for international students
• The evolving role of lifelong learning in a fast-changing job market
• The impact of AI-assisted tools like Boodle Box and Interview Buddy in classrooms

Golden Nugget:

“AI should be like a calculator—a tool that helps, not something that overtakes everything.” — Lindsey O’Reilly

Connect with Lindsey O’Reilly & NYU School of Professional Studies:

• 🔗 LinkedIn: Lindsey O’Reilly
• 🌐 NYU School of Professional Studies

• 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!

When most universities are struggling to stay afloat, how does one small private institution on Long Island grow enrollment by 57% in just four years?

In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Stephen Ostendorff, Dean of Admissions at Molloy University, to explore how the school is redefining what success looks like in higher education.

With over two decades of experience in higher education, spanning enrollment management, marketing, and student success, Stephen has built a career on connecting data, technology, and human connection. At Molloy, he leads initiatives that merge mission-driven leadership with bold innovation, including AI-enhanced admissions, data-driven decision-making, and direct admissions models tailored for today’s digital-native students.

This episode isn’t just about admissions strategy; it’s about courage, adaptability, and what it really takes to lead transformation in higher education.

• How Molloy University achieved 57% enrollment growth in four years
• Why student retention and success begin with authentic storytelling and culture
• How AI is being used to enhance (not replace) human relationships in admissions
• The rise of AI recruiters and automation in higher education
• Why direct admissions is changing how students find their right-fit schools
• How to meet Gen Z students where they are, on TikTok, text, and beyond
• How alignment between marketing, admissions, and academics drives institutional growth
• Stephen’s leadership philosophy: “Be comfortable being uncomfortable.”

“The phrase ‘That’s the way we’ve always done it’ will kill any progress you’re trying to make. Be open to change. Optimize every year. And never stop trying new things.”

• 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ostendorff
• 🌐 Molloy University Website: molloy.edu

• 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.

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What if the future of higher education isn’t about bigger campuses or larger enrollments, but about personalization, adaptability, and mission-driven leadership?

In this episode of The Outcomes Podcast, host James Dressing sits down with Ben Boivin, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Manhattan University, to explore how one small New York institution is achieving outsized results.

With over 13 years of experience in admissions, enrollment lifecycle marketing, brand messaging, and student engagement, Ben shares how Manhattan University is blending tradition, technology, and mentorship to drive exceptional student outcomes.

Ben opens up about his journey from communications major to admissions leader, the challenges of navigating an enrollment downturn, and how his team turned crisis into clarity by reimagining how they connect with students. He also reveals how Manhattan University is preparing students for the future of work, embedding AI certification into every degree and cultivating critical thinking in the age of automation.

This conversation goes beyond recruitment strategy; it’s about staying true to your mission while adapting to the seismic shifts reshaping higher education, technology, and student expectations.

• How Manhattan University turned an enrollment challenge into a strategic advantage
• Why personalized admissions is the new key to student success
• How alumni networks amplify career outcomes and lifelong engagement
• The role of AI certification and digital literacy in building future-ready graduates
• Why mission alignment and adaptability matter more than ever in higher ed
• The power of critical thinking and the human touch in an AI-driven world
• How to meet Gen Z where they are on TikTok, text, and beyond
• Ben’s advice for higher ed leaders: Know your mission. Stay authentic. Adapt boldly.

“AI may not replace your job, but someone who knows how to use AI better than you will. That’s why adaptability and critical thinking must go hand in hand.”

• 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ben-boivin-04833616
• 🌐 Manhattan University Website: manhattan.edu
• 🎥 TikTok: @ManhattanUAdmissions — A creative peek into campus life and student engagement

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

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with an educator, admissions professional, or higher ed leader passionate about innovation and student success.

New episodes drop weekly!