Leadership in Enrollment Management Program

Partnering for Your Success

EMA and USC Rossier School of Education have partnered to offer an online certificate program for independent school enrollment leaders. USC Rossier's Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice (CERPP) offers The Leadership in Enrollment Management Certificate program which is 30 weeks in length, with 26 weeks of instruction by enrollment management topic, and 4 weeks of understanding case studies and creating a robust case study with solutions, along with a professional development plan.

Balmer Scholarships

Announcing Balmer Scholarships to the University of Southern California's Leadership in Enrollment Management Certificate Program (through the Rossier School of Educations Center for Enrollment Research, Policy, and Practice).

Preserving a Legacy: USC Scholarships in Memory of Dr. Stephanie Balmer

In recognition of the exceptional contributions of the late Dr. Stephanie Balmer to the advancement of enrollment management, trustees of The Enrollment Management Association have announced scholarships to USC's Leadership in Enrollment Management certificate program will be named in her honor.

Dr. Balmer, a faculty member for the certificate program, provided a popular course entitled "Demonstrating Value and Return on Investment.” She derived great satisfaction from working to raise the level of independent school admission professionalism through her USC faculty teaching and training.

Past EMA Board Chair Kevin Plummer, head of school at Tampa Preparatory School (FL), remarked, "The board sought a way to honor Dr. Balmer's unique gifts to the enrollment community, and particularly her dedication to promoting knowledge of strategic enrollment management in independent schools. As a leader in our industry, Stephanie's close ties to the certificate program made our board decision an easy one. It is fitting that our independent school cohort at USC will be reminded of Stephanie's legacy as they seek to expand their knowledge to the benefit of independent schools."

Stephanie's board service included the College Board’s National Guidance and Admissions Assembly Council (GAAC) and the National Council for Enrollment, Policy, and Planning. She served on the board of directors of The Common Application and was a past president of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC). A frequent presenter at national and regional meetings of The College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and the Council of International Schools (CIS), Stephanie also lent her time presenting at secondary schools nationally and internationally on selective college admission and the high school to college transition.

Up to five $4,000 Balmer Scholarships will be awarded annually to applicants from EMA member schools who are accepted to USC's certificate program. Applicants for the scholarship must first apply to, and be accepted by, the certificate program at USC.

About Dr. Stephanie Balmer

On February 17, 2018, Stephanie Balmer, Harpeth Hall's head of school since 2014, passed away. Beloved by her community, Stephanie exuded a bright, intellectual vitality that touched all who knew her, and her remarkable life and legacy will continue to inspire generations.

Stephanie's path to headship came through her experience in enrollment management at the post-secondary level. Prior to joining Harpeth Hall, she served as vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communications and as dean of admissions at Dickinson College (PA) and was the associate vice president for enrollment and dean of admission at Agnes Scott College (GA).

Stephanie's board service included the College Board’s National Guidance and Admissions Assembly Council (GAAC) and the National Council for Enrollment Policy and Planning. She also served on the board of directors of The Common Application and was a past president of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC). A frequent presenter at national and regional meetings of The College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and the Council of International Schools (CIS), Stephanie lent her time presenting at secondary schools nationally and internationally on selective college admission and the high school to college transition.

Dr. Stephanie Balmer
2023–2024 Recipients

EMA Scholarship Recipients for the USC Rossier CERPP Certificate Program

Felicia Aikens
Co-Director of Admissions
LREI - Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School, NY
Rasheda Carroll
Assistant Head of School
Westland School, CA
Janet Carter
Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management
National Child Research Center, DC
Regina Hur
Interim Director of Enrollment Management
Concordia International School Shanghai, China
Bria Irizarry
Assistant Director of Enrollment Management
Durham Academy, NC

“Because of the Balmer Scholarship, I was able to participate in USC’s Leadership in Enrollment Management program, allowing me to connect and learn from experts in the field at both the independent school and collegiate level. The coursework and the opportunity to network with colleagues have greatly improved my effectiveness as an enrollment management leader. I am so grateful for an engaging and comprehensive professional development opportunity!”

Cindy Kluttz
Director of Advancement and Enrollment Management
Summit School (NC)
2019-2020 Recipient
Past EMA Scholarship Recipients for the USC Rossier CERPP Certificate Program

2022–2023 Recipients

Devin DeShields
Assistant Director of Admission
The Overlake School, WA
Jeffrey Depelteau
Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director of Admissions
Berkshire School, MA
Michael Doyle
Associate Director of Admission
Hotchkiss School, CT
Rachel Jacobson
Assistant Director of Enrollment Management
Latin School of Chicago, IL

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

The EMA Balmer Scholarship is fully funded by The Enrollment Management Association. If you are interested in supporting Stephanie Balmer's legacy, please contribute to the memorial fund named in her honor at Harpeth Hall School.

Past EMA Scholarship Recipients for the USC Rossier CERPP Certificate Program

2021–2022 Recipients

Sylvester Cutler
Director of Enrollment Management
Greenhills School, MI
Ryan James Hertlein
Associate Director of Admission and Alumni
Presbyterian School, TX
Shernina Nichols
Director of Enrollment
Crossroads College Preparatory School, MO
Wendy Denise Sheats
Associate Director of Admissions
The Westminster Schools, GA
Jessy A. Trejo
Director of Admissions
The Calhoun School, NY
Past Recipients

2020-2021 Recipients

Ida Gruber
Director of Admission
The Carey School, CA
McKenzie Harper
Director of Admissions
St. Anne's-Belfield School, VA
Jia Shu
Senior Admissions and Communications Associate
Mulgrave School, BC
Jaclyn Macleod
Director Of Enrolment Management
Rosseau Lake College, ON
Herb Scott
Director of Upper School Admissions
McDonogh School, MD

“The USC program challenged me to deepen my knowledge of and critically reflect upon my approach to enrollment management. The Balmer Scholarship made it possible for me to engage in programming that helped to further our strategic enrollment practices at LCS.”

David Darby OCT, MEd
Assistant Head: Enrolment Management
Lakefield College School (ON)
2019-2020 Recipient
Past Recipients

2019-2020 Recipients

Casey Awad
Director of Admissions
St. Andrew’s School, GA
Joanna Craik
Senior Associate Director of Admission
Pine Crest School, FL
David Darby
Assistant Head
Community Relations
Asha Sundae Dean
Associate Director of Admission
University Prep, WA
Jenna Frost
Director of Admission
Oakwood School, CA
Harriet Klumper
Admission Coordinator
Crofton House, BC
Cindy Kluttz
Director of Admission
Summit School, NC
Darrin Knox
Director of Admission
Army and Navy Academy, CA
Gretchen Lurie
Director of Admission
Chandler School, CA
Kathleen Rutty-Fey
Director of Enrollment
Derryfield, SC

“The opportunity to learn from enrollment industry experts and then immediately apply my knowledge at my school was an incredibly rewarding experience thanks to the Balmer Scholarship.”

Ida Gruber
Director of Admission & Financial Aid
The Carey School (CA)
2020-2021 Recipient
Past Recipients

2018-2019 Recipients

Claire Bunting
Director of Middle and Upper School Enrollment
The Baldwin School, PA
Joanne Carruthers
Director of Admissions
Stanstead College, QC
Tom Hamilton
Associate Director of Admissions
The Winchendon School, MA
Francisco Hernandez
Assistant Dean of Admission
The Buckley School, CA
Matt Kessler
Co-Director of Secondary School Counseling
The Park School, MA
Marjorie Mitchell
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services
The Westminster Schools, GA
Jennifer Pease
Director of Financial Aid K-12 & Asst Director of Admissions 4-12
The Dalton School, NY
Kelly Tedrow
Associate Director of Lower School Admissions
Francis Parker School, CA
Emily Wagner
Assistant Dean of Admission
Lake Forest Academy, IL
Amy Walia-Fazio
Associate Director of Secondary Admissions
Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, CA

“The programme offered me a full scale of knowledge that prepares me for future success in my role, from managing everyday expectations in enrolments to the high-level philosophical understanding of the educational landscape. I have gained so many insights from the experts in the field and my peers in the cohort, as well as had the opportunities to connect and expand my networks. I am sincerely grateful for the kindness and generosity of the Balmer Scholarship. The scholarship has made it possible for me to access such an amazing programme, benefit from the extended curriculum, and further grow myself personally and professionally. It was absolutely a joyful, enriched, and unforgettable learning experience.”

Jia Shu Li
Senior Admission & Communications Associate
Mulgrave School (BC)
2020-2021 Recipient
Past Recipients

2017-2018 Recipients

Kate Auger-Campbell
Director of Outreach
The Enrollment Management Association, NJ
Julie Cameron
Director of Admission and Financial Assistance
Ridley College, ON
Sara Gillis
Assistant Director of Admissions
Lawrence Academy, MA
Xiomara Hall
Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions
The Chapin School, NJ
Margaret Marks
Assistant Director of Admission
The Overlake School, WA
Kathleen Ngkaion
Director of Admissions
Jakarta Intercultural School, Indonesia
Tricia Xavier
Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
The Gooden School, CA

“Enrollment in the USC Certificate Program enhanced my insight and knowledge in critical fields of admission, helped me better understand my valuable leadership role in an independent school community and challenged me to explore thoughtful enrollment management solutions - especially important in today’s shifting landscape.”

Gretchen Lurie
Director of Enrollment Management
Chandler School (CA)
2019-2020 Recipient
Past Recipients

2016-2017 Recipients

Elizabeth Calderon
Director of Admissions, Marketing & Communications
Mulgrave School, BC, Canada
Dr. Susan Chen
Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management
American University Preparatory School, CA
Mark Copestake
Assistant Dean of Admission
Lake Forest Academy, IL
Katelyn Forero
Associate Director of Admission
Viewpoint School, CA
Amy Harriman
Director of Admission and Financial Aid
Randolph-Macon Academy, VA
Dayna Hollins
Admission Associate & Assistant Preschool Director
Westside Neighborhood School, CA
Matthew Neeb
Director of Admission and Marketing
St. Stanislaus College, MS
Sarah Scandrett
Director of Admissions
Appleby College, ON, Canada
Stacy Wang
Admissions Manager
Beijing City International School, China
Beth-Sarah Wright
Director of Enrollment Management
Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, GA
Past Recipients

2015-2016 Recipients

Victoria Adamo
Director, Upper School Admission
Dwight-Englewood School, NJ
Reto Camenzind
Head of Admissions, Senior School
St. George's School, BC, Canada
Elena Castellanos
Director of Admission, Grades PreK3 – 8
Gulliver Schools, FL
Anne Halupka
Student Recruiting Association
The Bishop Strachan School, ON
Sarah Jallo
Director of Enrollment Management
The St. Andrews Schools, HI
Tanya Lucas
Associate Director of Admissions
Cary Academy, NC
Elise Morgan
Associate Director of Admission
St. Mark's School, MA
Jennifer Neely
Admissions Director
Grier School, PA
Clayton Smith
Associate Director of Admissions
St. Stephen's Episcopal School, TX
Alyson Waldman
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ