Develop a SEM culture across your institution Develop a SEM culture across your institution
Discover innovative approaches from peers Discover innovative approaches from peers
Implement changes to achieve your goals Implement changes to achieve your goals

Why SEMM Forum?

Our goal is student success. The outcome is institutional success.

When professionals learn from peers at other institutions and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved and students benefit as a result.

SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.

Register Now Register Now

Develop a SEM culture across your institution:

Explore every factor impacting enrolment Explore every factor impacting enrolment
Learn from colleagues and peers across Canada Learn from colleagues across Canada
Get your whole team on the same page by learning together Get your whole team on the same page by learning together

Who Should Attend?

The SEMM Forum is for anyone involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals.

Here are some of the job titles of those that attended recent SEMM Forums:

  • Director of Recruitment and Admissions
  • Assistant Director, Student Recruitment
  • Director, Enrolment
  • Vice-President Academic Affairs and Registrar
  • Associate Director, Strategic Enrolment Management
  • Provost & Vice President
  • Registrar
  • Registrar & Director of Admissions
  • Associate Director, Student Services
  • Associate Registrar
  • Associate Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment
  • Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs
  • Enrolment Advisor
  • Chief Recruitment Officer
  • Dean
  • Recruitment Specialist
  • Director of Enrolment Services
  • Director of Finance
  • Director of Institutional Data Analysis & Planning
  • Director of Marketing
  • Director of Student Services
  • Director SEM
  • Manager, International Student Recruitment
  • Manager of Student Services & Athletics
  • Marketing & Recruitment Manager
  • Director of Admissions
  • Director of Communications and Marketing
  • Director, Admissions & Student Recruitment
  • Director, Academic Initiatives & Planning
  • Director, International Marketing & Recruitment
  • Director, Undergraduate Recruitment
  • Student Recruitment Officer
  • Registrar, Student Services
  • Executive Director of Student Experience
  • Executive Director, Student Services

Your Action Plan

1. Register your team today at the best rates. 1. Register your team today at the best rates.
2. Learn, make connections, and discover new strategies and tactics. 2. Learn, make connections, and discover new strategies and tactics.
3. Exceed your goals and objectives back on campus. 3. Exceed your goals and objectives.

Testimonials

See what past attendees say about the SEMM Forum.

"Every presentation I attended was well prepared, delivered professionally and had clear takeaways. It doesn't matter if you have been in the field for less than two years or 15 years. You will leave with knowledge you can start applying now."

Chanelle Landriault

Chanelle Landriault

Recruitment Manager, Le Collège Boréal

"SEMM is Canada's conversation. Participants come together to share their knowledge, experience and accomplishments with openness and a real willingness to help one another. It's like coming home to sit around the table with those who care about what I have to say and from whom I learn great lessons."

Mary Ross

Mary Ross

Registrar, University Canada West

"As an Associate Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management, at one of Canada's medical doctoral universities, I appreciate the opportunity to connect with a variety of individuals (senior leaders through to those new to the field) to discuss emerging topics, trends, and best practices. I have not attended in a few years, and it reminded me that our environmental and cultural contexts are continuously changing and it is important to keep engaged."

Alison Pickrell

Alison Pickrell

Assistant Vice Provost, SEM, University of Saskatchewan

"As someone who is new to the field of recruitment, the SEMM forum provides not only "point in time" information, but credible and informed speakers to deliver it. Content, format, collaboration, expert delivery and support all combine to provide a Canadian event with great perspective."

Georgine Van de Mosselaer

Georgine Van de Mosselaer

Director of Advancement, Booth University College

"I've attended the SEMM Forum for several years now, and have always left with new ideas. I would definitely recommend those in education consider this event, be it delivered virtually or in-person."

Rita Chen

Rita Chen

Senior Manager, International Business Development, Seneca College

"The SEMM Forum is one of Canada's best opportunities to grow a deep understanding of enrolment management and marketing. The program is top-notch and so are the attendees; rarely do I see this type of high quality interaction between presenters and participants."

JP Rains

JP Rains

Director, Digital Strategy & Communications, Laurentian University

"The information presented was relevant to a wide range of post-secondary administrators. This is extremely important as communication between all levels of administration such as recruitment, marketing, student services, admissions and all other facets is needed in recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives."

Lorretta Neebar

Lorretta Neebar

Registrar & Director of Enrolment Management, University of Toronto Mississauga

"The SEMM Forum offers an insightful and engaging look at leading research and activity taking place across the higher-education landscape in Canada. It is a high-value learning opportunity for SEM professionals!"

Mark Kolanko

Mark Kolanko

Associate Registrar, Enrolment, St. Francis Xavier University

"I have worked in higher education communications for seven years but I just recently started a role focused on strategic recruitment communications. SEMM Forum was an incredibly timely and valuable introduction to a side of the student life cycle that is largely unfamiliar to me. I have some building blocks for success as I enter into this next chapter of my career. Thank you!"

Allie Downing

Allie Downing

Senior Communications Strategist, Recruitment & Admissions Enrolment Services, Wilfrid Laurier University

"I enjoyed learning from others in the field of enrollment management, marketing, and recruitment. The diverse perspectives they shared during the SEMM Forum were insightful and encouraging, and left me energized bringing back ideas for my institution."

Daniel Deschenes

Daniel Deschenes

Recruitment Officer, Campus Visitors, Brock University

"The SEMM Forum consistently provides a solid program with great opportunities to learn from and interact with our colleagues."

Tom Brophy

Tom Brophy

Senior Director, Student Affairs and Services, Saint Mary's University

View All

2023 Speakers

(Additional speakers to be announced)

Panelist Headshot
Alyson Murray

Associate Director, Recruitment,
Dalhousie University

Panelist Headshot
Andrea Clegg

Equity Education Advisor, Gender Equity and 2SLGBTQ+ Education,
McGill University

Panelist Headshot
Andrew Klotz

Co-Founder,
Circuit Virtual Tours

Panelist Headshot
Ann MacDonald

Associate Director, Admissions,
Dalhousie University

Panelist Headshot
Cristi Flood

Director of Student Recruitment,
St. Thomas University

Panelist Headshot
Daniel Deschenes

Customer Success Lead,
Circuit Virtual Tours

Panelist Headshot
Dayan Boyce

Communications Officer,
Fanshawe College

Panelist Headshot
Dimple Rai

Interim Manager, Student Learning Services,
Humber College

Panelist Headshot
Dr. Lee Ann McKivor

University Registrar,
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Panelist Headshot
Graham Donald

Founder & President,
Brainstorm Strategy Group

Panelist Headshot
Hannah Dang

Senior Director, Partner Relations,
ApplyBoard

Panelist Headshot
Jeannette Miron

Registrar and Senior Director Student Success,
Canadore College

Panelist Headshot
Jeff Hennessy

Provost,
Mount Allison University

Panelist Headshot
Jeffrey Daniel

Statistician & Research Analyst,
Humber College

Panelist Headshot
Jennifer Gilbert

Associate Director,
Carleton University

Panelist Headshot
Jessica Riddell

Professor,
Bishop’s University

Panelist Headshot
John Reid

President,
Glacier

Panelist Headshot
Jonathan Chew

Global Head of Insights and Analytics,
Navitas

Panelist Headshot
Joyce Peralta

Manager, Digital Communications,
McGill University

Panelist Headshot
Julie Green

Registrar,
King’s College

Panelist Headshot
Karl Jarosiewicz

Portfolio Manager, Web Publishing Services,
McGill University

Panelist Headshot
Kate Tippin

Director of External Relations,
Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University

Panelist Headshot
Kathryn Verkerk

Associate Registrar, Student Recruitment and Admissions,
Simon Fraser University

Panelist Headshot
Keir McIsaac

Manager, Admissions,
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Panelist Headshot
Kerrie Martin

Program Manager and Learning Strategist, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre,
University of Toronto - Mississauga

Panelist Headshot
Kirk Kelly

Founder,
CRI - Customer Relationship Index Inc.

Panelist Headshot
Matt Melnyk

Director, Student Recruitment,
Brock University

Panelist Headshot
Melissa Padfield

Deputy Provost, Students and Enrolment,
University of Alberta

Panelist Headshot
Michelle Dittmer

President & Co-Founder,
Canadian Gap Year Association

Panelist Headshot
Michelle Kraus

Associate Registrar, Academic Standards, Advising & Financial Aid,
University of Toronto - Mississauga

Panelist Headshot
Phil Legate

Interim Manager, Advising Services,
Humber College

Panelist Headshot
Poppy Hall

Head of Industry Marketing,
Unibuddy

Panelist Headshot
Sarah Wells

Social Media Communications Officer,
Fanshawe College

Panelist Headshot
Shawn Chorney

Vice President Strategic Infrastructure, Indigenous and Learner Services,
Canadore College

Panelist Headshot
Susan Burhoe

Coordinator of Programs, Centre for Initiatives in Education,
Carleton University

Panelist Headshot
Tom Nault

Registrar and Executive Director, Student Enrolment ,
Simon Fraser University

2023 Schedule

(Additional presentations to be announced )

Day 1

Weds, May 10
Time Icon11:30 - 12:00

Welcome & Opening Session | 8 Insights: How to Attract, Recruit & Engage International Students (Part 1)

Everyone working in post secondary education is affected by the enrolment of international students. Whether they comprise 5% or 50% of your student population, your leadership...

Everyone working in post secondary education is affected by the enrolment of international students. Whether they comprise 5% or 50% of your student population, your leadership is likely talking about attracting them, ensuring their success as students, and helping them transition into the workforce.

In 2022, Brainstorm Strategy Group surveyed more than 4,500 current international students attending universities and colleges across Canada. In this presentation, we'll unveil some of our findings as we not only look at the different attitudes and aspirations between international and domestic students, but also we'll look at how international students from different parts of the world differ significantly in what motivates their education decisions; how they describe their school experience in Canada; and, what they aspire to after graduation.

This presentation will be shared in two parts – at the beginning and end of the conference program.

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Graham Donald headshot

Graham Donald

Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group

Time Icon12:15 - 13:00
Concurrent Sessions

The Road Back: Reclaiming Collaboration From the Command and Control of COVID

The COVID pandemic created a space for decisive action and quick change, the likes of which higher education has never known before. In the wake of this intoxicating pace we...

The COVID pandemic created a space for decisive action and quick change, the likes of which higher education has never known before. In the wake of this intoxicating pace we are experiencing damage to the collegial and collaborative decision-making models that are the hallmark of higher education. Using lessons from ARUCC and our home institutions this session explores how we can move our organizations forward to more collaborative decision making while retaining the best aspects of the recent era.

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Julie Green headshot

Julie Green

Registrar, King’s College

Melissa Padfield headshot

Melissa Padfield

Deputy Provost, Students and Enrolment, University of Alberta

Time Icon12:15 - 13:00
Concurrent Sessions

Smart, Caring, Community: Inclusive Access to University with Carleton’s Enriched Support Program

The Enriched Support Program (ESP) continues Carleton's legacy of access to education, providing a pathway to degree studies for students who may not qualify for...

The Enriched Support Program (ESP) continues Carleton's legacy of access to education, providing a pathway to degree studies for students who may not qualify for traditional university admission. ESP has been operating for 25 years, offering access to first-year university in a supported learning community that helps students qualify for degree programs while earning credits and developing strong academic skills and habits. Many of our students come from traditionally underrepresented groups in universities: Racialized, Disabled, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and others. We will provide an overview of our program's recruitment strategies, inclusive supports, and success measures. We'll also dig in to the "nuts and bolts" of how the ESP operates within the university and facilitate a discussion about how attendees might adapt this model within their own institutional settings.

Learning Outcomes

  • Attendees will learn about a model for inclusive access to university with a proven track record
  • Attendees will learn strategies for engaging diverse students, many with negative prior educational experiences
  • Attendees will be invited to reflect on how they could adapt aspects of the model in their institutions

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Susan Burhoe headshot

Susan Burhoe

Coordinator of Programs, Centre for Initiatives in Education, Carleton University

Jennifer Gilbert headshot

Jennifer Gilbert

Associate Director, Carleton University

Time Icon12:15 - 13:00
Concurrent Sessions

Additional Session TBA

Time Icon13:15 - 14:00
Concurrent Sessions

Shake Hands with the Developer: A Collaboration Guide for Communications, Marketing and Web Development Teams

Once upon a time, our communications and web development teams had a somewhat strained relationship. Conversations went unresolved, collaborations were few, and mutual...

Once upon a time, our communications and web development teams had a somewhat strained relationship. Conversations went unresolved, collaborations were few, and mutual appreciation was limited. Then we made a shared commitment to turning a new page. Some were skeptical of success, but that was then.

Find out how our two teams came to work closely together to present a unified service and in turn foster a better web ecosystem for our entire community.

A few of the shared projects that we'll touch upon include:

  • The redesign of McGill's homepage and undergraduate admissions program finder
  • Web governance and web accessibility initiatives
  • Development and launch of our revamped search tool and digital design system

Learning Outcomes

  • Tips for defining shared goals and objectives, harmonizing methodologies
  • Ideas for presenting and creating a unified front

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Joyce Peralta headshot

Joyce Peralta

Manager, Digital Communications, McGill University

Karl Jarosiewicz headshot

Karl Jarosiewicz

Portfolio Manager, Web Publishing Services, McGill University

Time Icon13:15 - 14:00
Concurrent Sessions

Meeting International Recruitment Goals with AI-Powered, Dynamic SEM Technology

Canadian higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to apply a strategic enrolment management approach to international recruitment in order to meet a variety...

Canadian higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to apply a strategic enrolment management approach to international recruitment in order to meet a variety of different goals including higher conversion rates, nationality diversification and targeting recruitment efforts for undersubscribed programs. In order to make the best possible decisions to achieve these goals, institutions need to have current and accurate data relevant to their target markets and the decision factors their students consider when deciding where and what to study. More importantly, institutions need to be able to easily and quickly analyze that data and apply it to their particular needs and priorities. Using data available at any institution's admission and recruitment offices, combined with insights from IRCC-reported study permit trends, we will demonstrate how institutions can better forecast enrolment, improve conversions, match demand to supply, and strategically plan new program offerings. Particular attention will be paid to how the Knowledge Pyramid model (moving from Data to Information to Knowledge to Wisdom) can be applied to develop a successful international recruitment strategy. A fifteen-minute Q&A session will further enable us to share lessons learned from our experiences.

Learning Outcomes

  • Attendees will learn to use data analysis of institution and IRCC data to identify trends and opportunities in international enrolment
  • Attendees will learn to use data analysis to better forecast international enrolment and program demand
  • Attendees will learn how the Knowledge Pyramid (moving from Data to Information to Knowledge to Wisdom) can be applied to develop a successful international recruitment strategy

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Hannah Dang headshot

Hannah Dang

Senior Director, Partner Relations, ApplyBoard

Additional Presenter TBA headshot

Additional Presenter TBA

Time Icon13:15 - 14:00
Concurrent Sessions

Additional Session TBA

Time Icon14:15 - 15:00
Concurrent Sessions

Hot Topics Meet-Up – Recruitment

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest....

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest.

At the SEMM Conferences, our delegates drive exactly what “Hot Topics” are top of mind. Delegates will submit topics they’d like to discuss in the session prior to the conference.

Join in the discussion, learn from your peers, and make new connections in this highly interactive session.

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Time Icon14:15 - 15:00
Concurrent Sessions

Hot Topics Meet-Up – Student Services

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest....

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest.

At the SEMM Conferences, our delegates drive exactly what “Hot Topics” are top of mind. Delegates will submit topics they’d like to discuss in the session prior to the conference.

Join in the discussion, learn from your peers, and make new connections in this highly interactive session.

Read More

Read Less

Time Icon14:15 - 15:00
Concurrent Sessions

Hot Topics Meet-Up – Strategic Enrolment Management

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest....

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest.

At the SEMM Conferences, our delegates drive exactly what “Hot Topics” are top of mind. Delegates will submit topics they’d like to discuss in the session prior to the conference.

Join in the discussion, learn from your peers, and make new connections in this highly interactive session.

Read More

Read Less

Time Icon15:00 - 15:45
Concurrent Sessions

What to Know Before You Start – Demystifying Market Research to Increase its Effectiveness

Different market research approaches generate different outcomes with different applications to the problem you are trying to solve. To get the most from your research efforts,...

Different market research approaches generate different outcomes with different applications to the problem you are trying to solve. To get the most from your research efforts, you need to be clear about your goals and how you will use the results.

Knowing what market research can do is a good place to get the clarity you need to move forward.

Our work with our clients takes proven methodologies from the private sector and adapts them to the needs of postsecondary institutions to support their data-driven decision making. Research approaches divide into two major groups:

  • Reactive: The most common types of research support reactive decision making, speaking to the here and now and telling you what happened, how many, where, what needs to be done based on the data flowing into your hands. This type of support is very common in universities.
  • Proactive: More powerful and less common research supports proactive decision making and building competitive advantage. This sort of research answers bigger questions like: “Why is this happening and how can we change it?” or, “What will happen next and what do we need to do to create the conditions that ensure it happens?” And given that every situation is framed by limitations, “What’s the best that can happen while working within the imposed constraints?”

Kate Tippin of Wilfrid Laurier University will join in the presentation and talk about the practical and innovative ways she has used market research to move the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics forward.

Learning Outcomes

  • Improved understanding of how market research works and how it all begins with the question you are trying to answer
  • How increased levels of complexity can give rise to competitive advantage and deeper intelligence
  • The parallel world of research in the for-profit sector and how it has application in postsecondary

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Kirk Kelly headshot

Kirk Kelly

Founder, CRI - Customer Relationship Index Inc.

Kate Tippin headshot

Kate Tippin

Director of External Relations, Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University

Time Icon15:00 - 15:45
Concurrent Sessions

Lost Sheep or Wise Owls? What is Really Happening When Students Take a Break?

Student Panel:Come learn from current and past students who have chosen to temporarily withdraw or take a gap year. Sharing their stories will help you...

Student Panel:Come learn from current and past students who have chosen to temporarily withdraw or take a gap year. Sharing their stories will help you understand why they choose to take breaks, what encourages them to return and how higher ed can better support them. Students take breaks after high school and between years of study for a variety of reasons but how can colleges and universities recruit and retain these students? Larger data and trends will also be shared. Q&A opportunities with these students.

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Michelle Dittmer headshot

Michelle Dittmer

President & Co-Founder, Canadian Gap Year Association

Time Icon15:00 - 15:45
Concurrent Sessions

Using Analytics Dashboards To Tell Stories

When it comes to information sources used by applicants, your website is #1 by a huge margin. Prospective students rely more than ever on it. However, without detailed...

When it comes to information sources used by applicants, your website is #1 by a huge margin. Prospective students rely more than ever on it. However, without detailed analytics, it's hard to know exactly how effectively your digital assets are engaging visitors, and whether you could be getting even better results.

Measurement is the first step towards improvement. Analytics dashboards give teams and departments valuable insights when properly tied to specific goals and objectives. Whether you're in marketing, recruitment, or faculties, analytics dashboards can deliver valuable insights and help you make informed decisions. In this session, you'll learn how to build an analytics dashboard using Google's free tool - Looker Studio. It will help you track and communicate website performance to your leadership team and other departments within your organization. We'll also share Looker Studio templates that you can easily connect up to your Google Analytics account and put to work.

  • How to set goals and objectives (with different use cases)
  • Define key metrics like engagement rate, understand how to track and make sense of them
  • Using events to understand actions your visitors are taking
  • How to set up a Looker Studio dashboard
  • How to interpret data and identify areas of improvement
  • How to communicate and distribute insights throughout the organization

Learning Outcomes

  • How to set goals and objectives (with different use cases)
  • Define key metrics like engagement rate, understand how to track and make sense of them
  • How to set up a Looker Studio dashboard

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Andrew Klotz headshot

Andrew Klotz

Co-Founder, Circuit Virtual Tours

Daniel Deschenes headshot

Daniel Deschenes

Customer Success Lead, Circuit Virtual Tours

Time Icon16:00 - 16:45
Concurrent Sessions

Building Bridges in SEM to Cut Across Differing Stakeholder Needs

As a SEM leader, you will be acutely aware of the various stakeholder needs, expectations and demands that are placed on you and your team on a regular basis. How do you...

As a SEM leader, you will be acutely aware of the various stakeholder needs, expectations and demands that are placed on you and your team on a regular basis. How do you maintain strategy when you are pushed and pulled in so many directions, some of which are not rooted in organizational strategy but rather, narrow scope views?

This session will provide insights and pragmatic approaches to maintaining SEM momentum and direction in a way that balances stakeholder engagement with organizational strategy and will build on years of successful SEM outcomes in an environment that has launched more than 40 new programs in 10 years, and grew from 2400 to more than 9000 students.

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Shawn Chorney headshot

Shawn Chorney

Vice President Strategic Infrastructure, Indigenous and Learner Services, Canadore College

Jeannette Miron headshot

Jeannette Miron

Registrar and Senior Director Student Success, Canadore College

Time Icon16:00 - 16:45
Concurrent Sessions

Big Impact, Small Budget: How to Create Engaging Gen Z Content

If there's a generation who really enjoys consuming content, it's Gen Z! Creating engaging content for this demographic is vital, but can be daunting if you are on a budget. We...

If there's a generation who really enjoys consuming content, it's Gen Z! Creating engaging content for this demographic is vital, but can be daunting if you are on a budget. We will talk through how to create engaging content without breaking the bank and how to repurpose this content to help fill your content calendar. We'll also show examples of best performing content & explain why it worked so well.

Learning Outcomes

  • What content resonates with Gen Z
  • How to make authentic content on a budget
  • How to repurpose this content to fill up your content calendar

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John Reid headshot

John Reid

President, Glacier

Matt Melnyk headshot

Matt Melnyk

Director, Student Recruitment, Brock University

Time Icon16:00 - 16:45
Concurrent Sessions

Thriving in a Hyper-Competitive World – Results from the Inaugural Global Survey of International Education Leaders

Join Navitas’ Global Head of Insights and Analytics, Jon Chew, as he discusses the results from Thriving in a Hyper-Competitive World – a recent global survey of...

Join Navitas’ Global Head of Insights and Analytics, Jon Chew, as he discusses the results from Thriving in a Hyper-Competitive World – a recent global survey of International Education Leaders completed in partnership with the Nous Group.

This session will look at the detail underpinning the report’s six key findings from over 100 international education leaders at universities across Canada, Australia and the UK:

  • The internationalization agenda: Internationalization is a top priority for universities and a strategic imperative for leaders, but confidence in the ability to deliver successfully is less certain.
  • Student recruitment: International student recruitment remains at the heart of the international agenda, but new global delivery models are emerging among fierce competition.
  • Balancing priorities: Leaders feel pressured to return cash flows to pre-pandemic levels while balancing revenue and volume with quality and diversity.
  • Recruitment levers: The pandemic necessitated significant change to strategic positioning while heralding rapid digital change. This provides new opportunities to leverage different recruitment mechanisms.
  • Risks abound: Intensifying competition, rapidly shifting markets and changing international dynamics present risks for universities globally.
  • Optimism remains: University leaders remain confident in their own strengths and in the underlying demand for international education.
The session will highlight the significant responsibilities international education leaders bear in their institutions and the weight of expectations that come with such a prominent portfolio.

Learning Outcomes

  • Differentiate between the varying elements of the internationalization agenda of universities across universities in Canada, Australia and the UK.
  • Understand the diverse and competing priorities of senior international education leaders.
  • Explore areas of increased and decreased investment by universities in the landscape of student recruitment.
  • Access insights into the medium to long-term challenges, opportunities and risks facing universities with internationalization ambitions.

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Jonathan Chew headshot

Jonathan Chew

Global Head of Insights and Analytics, Navitas

Day 2

Thurs, May 11
Time Icon11:30 - 12:15
Concurrent Sessions

Decision Making 101: The Science Behind What Drives Students to Take Action

In this session, we'll offer unique insight into how students make decisions about higher education, and what universities can do to guide them best. St. Thomas University and...

In this session, we'll offer unique insight into how students make decisions about higher education, and what universities can do to guide them best. St. Thomas University and Unibuddy will unveil Unibuddy's proprietary research, where students themselves share their experience of choosing a university - and what led them to their final decision. We'll also delve into the science of decision making, and the subconscious psychology that influences all of our choices. St. Thomas University will discuss how to weave this science through every stage of the higher ed journey to fully support students. You'll hear how to help students overcome the fear of making decisions and tips for empowering them to take the next step in confidence. Attendees will also learn what their other peers are doing in this space. We will share the results of an annual 'pulse' survey of university admissions and marketing teams, and share what's trending in the sector: from digital approaches, to peer-to-peer.

Learning Outcomes

  • The biggest influencing factors of student decision making in within the past year, and what this teaches us about the evolution of prospective students
  • The behavioural model which underpins student decision making
  • How this knowledge and insight can be applied to marketing and admissions, to create a higher ed journey that truly connects with student experiences

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Poppy Hall headshot

Poppy Hall

Head of Industry Marketing, Unibuddy

Cristi Flood headshot

Cristi Flood

Director of Student Recruitment, St. Thomas University

Time Icon11:30 - 12:15
Concurrent Sessions

Pre-Arrival Group Advising at Humber College: 3-Year Findings of the Impact on Student Success and Retention

Humber College has offered pre-arrival group advising sessions since 2015, when the program was created through involvement as an institutional research participant in a...

Humber College has offered pre-arrival group advising sessions since 2015, when the program was created through involvement as an institutional research participant in a replication study conducted by the Mohawk College Student Success Innovation Centre (CSSIC). This session will provide an overview of the pre-arrival group advising program at Humber, describe the facilitation and content delivery of the program, and share findings from three (3) years of student participant data (2019-2021), highlighting a significant positive impact of the program on student retention, persistence, and program GPA.

Learning Outcomes

  • Attendees will learn about the inception of the pre-arrival group advising initiative, Mohawk CSSIC research study, and the initial program design.
  • Attendees will learn about Humber College's current pre-arrival group advising program, including changes since the pandemic, new partnerships within the initiative, and challenges that have been faced.
  • Attendees will learn about Humber College's findings from three (3) years of student participant data (2019-2021).

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Phil Legate headshot

Phil Legate

Interim Manager, Advising Services, Humber College

Dimple Rai headshot

Dimple Rai

Interim Manager, Student Learning Services, Humber College

Jeffrey Daniel headshot

Jeffrey Daniel

Statistician & Research Analyst, Humber College

Time Icon11:30 - 12:15
Concurrent Sessions

Additional Session TBA

Time Icon12:30 - 1:15
Concurrent Sessions

Moving Memorial Forward – SEM Development in a Unique Environment

Established as a living memorial honouring the sacrifices of our population in past world conflicts, Memorial University of Newfoundland has a special obligation to the people...

Established as a living memorial honouring the sacrifices of our population in past world conflicts, Memorial University of Newfoundland has a special obligation to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. As our province’s only university, Memorial serves as a driving force for education, research and community engagement while supporting population growth, diversity and economic development. With five campus locations across a province ranked 9th in provincial population density and highest in median age, Memorial faces numerous demographic and enrolment management challenges. We are preparing to relaunch our SEM planning at Memorial to support the pan-university strategic plan (Transforming our Horizons) and its themes of proactive programs, inspired learning, dynamic research, commitment to communities, and promotion and pride—while ensuring long-term, diverse and accessible enrolment success and fiscal health. This presentation will take participants on a SEM planning journey through the lens of the new University Registrar, joining Memorial at a point where mis-steps have occurred but success is within reach. Participants will be guided through past and continuing challenges that are helping to inform future successes while also outlining the path forward for this unique, mid-sized Canadian institution re-embarking on SEM planning within our non-traditional environment.

Learning Outcomes

  • Attendees will benefit from the unique struggles that Memorial has and will face as the only university in the province with strong ties to a colonial past and a connection as the "people's university"
  • Attendees will be guided through a lens of multi-campus collaboration, that will provide transferable paths forward
  • Attendees will be provided with a low-risk opportunity to challenge the presenters, offer organizational/aspiration suggestions, and evaluate their own experiences against the challenges faced at Memorial

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Dr. Lee Ann McKivor headshot

Dr. Lee Ann McKivor

University Registrar, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Keir McIsaac headshot

Keir McIsaac

Manager, Admissions, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Time Icon12:30 - 1:15
Concurrent Sessions

You Can’t Do it All: Strategic Communication in the Student Recruitment Process

With a fragmented media landscape and rapidly changing communication preferences among students, it’s easy to stretch your office too thin when it comes to student outreach. For...
With a fragmented media landscape and rapidly changing communication preferences among students, it’s easy to stretch your office too thin when it comes to student outreach. For Dalhousie, this has meant taking a strategic look at our communication efforts to assess impact and determine what to keep, what to halt, what to change, and where to go next. Join us to learn how we’ve navigated this changing landscape, while evolving to better meet the needs of our students and our team.

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Alyson Murray headshot

Alyson Murray

Associate Director, Recruitment, Dalhousie University

Ann MacDonald headshot

Ann MacDonald

Associate Director, Admissions, Dalhousie University

Time Icon12:30 - 1:15
Concurrent Sessions

Does What We Value in Higher Education Impact Student Success?

The question at the front of our minds is: How do you prototype hopeful systems whereby value is clearly defined, dynamic enough to capture different kinds of contributions,...

The question at the front of our minds is: How do you prototype hopeful systems whereby value is clearly defined, dynamic enough to capture different kinds of contributions, supportive of human flourishing, and advances the social mission of universities? In this session we will share two reflections about our encounters with value at the individual level; extracting design principles from these vignettes may help us re-wire the systems and institutional cultures within which we live, work, learn, and lead.

Moreover, if we model caring and supportive work environments, students will encounter possibility models on their own pathways towards purpose. William Damon in his book The Path to Purpose (2009) argues that the major crisis of 21st-century youth is not a lack of ambition, drive, work ethic, or even resilience, but rather a paucity of purpose. A university or college that articulates a sense of purpose beyond itself will reinforce this value in students who desire to connect their studies with their own place in the world and the things about which they care deeply.

We must be better, not just for ourselves, but in community with others.

We cannot continue to perpetuate systems where working to the point of exhaustion is a badge of honour, or burn out humans whose work has impact beyond traditional systems of evaluation. If we cannot do this for ourselves, let's do it for our colleagues and students, the precariat and the outliers, as we reimagine the ways we reproduce or reflect value.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critical reflection
  • The relationship between purpose, value and belonging
  • Conceptual tools to build hope circuits in their own context

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Jessica Riddell headshot

Jessica Riddell

Professor, Bishop’s University

Jeff Hennessy headshot

Jeff Hennessy

Provost, Mount Allison University

Time Icon13:30 - 14:00
Concurrent Sessions

Hot Topics Meet-Up – Marketing

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest....

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest.

At the SEMM Conferences, our delegates drive exactly what “Hot Topics” are top of mind. Delegates will submit topics they’d like to discuss in the session prior to the conference.

Join in the discussion, learn from your peers, and make new connections in this highly interactive session.

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Time Icon13:30 - 14:00
Concurrent Sessions

Hot Topics Meet-Up – International

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest....

Hot Topic Meet-Up’s provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among like-minded peers from across Canada on current hot topics of common interest.

At the SEMM Conferences, our delegates drive exactly what “Hot Topics” are top of mind. Delegates will submit topics they’d like to discuss in the session prior to the conference.

Join in the discussion, learn from your peers, and make new connections in this highly interactive session.

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Time Icon13:30 - 14:00
Concurrent Sessions

Hot Topics Meet-Up – TBA

Time Icon14:15 - 15:00
Concurrent Sessions

Take Action! Promoting Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Best Practices for Websites

In multiple surveys, McGill's community of site managers and editors expressed an eager interest in ensuring our digital spaces support and align with McGill's EDI-related...

In multiple surveys, McGill's community of site managers and editors expressed an eager interest in ensuring our digital spaces support and align with McGill's EDI-related strategic goals. They've also told us they're not sure what steps to take to make that happen. To encourage an actionable understanding of what equity, diversity and inclusion mean in digital spaces, McGill's Equity Office collaborated with the unified Web Services team (Communications and External Relations partnered with IT Services) to produce resources and training for our 1400+ site managers and editors. Come learn about our process and outcomes and get tips to:

  • Help your community understand how EDI considerations can influence website management
  • Foster skills for applying EDI concepts to websites
  • Promote familiarity with your institution's equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategies - at McGill, these strategies are outlined in the following documents:
    • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan 2020-2025
    • Action Plan to Address Anti-Black Racism 2020-2025
    • Provost Task Force on Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Education's 52 Calls to Action

We'll also touch on our related initiatives for improving web accessibility, see: A grassroots approach to web accessibility, #PSEWeb 2020ted initiatives for improving web accessibility, see:

  • A grassroots approach to web accessibility, #PSEWEB 2020 (https://pseweb.ca/session/a-grassroots-approach-to-web-accessibility/).

Learning Outcomes

  • Help your community understand how EDI considerations can influence website management Foster skills for applying EDI concepts to websites
  • Promote familiarity with your institution's equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategies

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Joyce Peralta headshot

Joyce Peralta

Manager, Digital Communications, McGill University

Andrea Clegg headshot

Andrea Clegg

Equity Education Advisor, Gender Equity and 2SLGBTQ+ Education, McGill University

Time Icon14:15 - 15:00
Concurrent Sessions

Promoting Student Success: A Review of U of T Mississauga’s Collaborative Model for Students at Academic Risk

The “Promoting Academic Skills for Success” (PASS) program started at U of T Mississauga in Winter 2015, targeting students at risk of/on probation and those on or...

The “Promoting Academic Skills for Success” (PASS) program started at U of T Mississauga in Winter 2015, targeting students at risk of/on probation and those on or returning from academic suspension. In addition to building resilience, the PASS program seeks to improve academic performance, student retention, and graduation rates. Working collaboratively with many UTM partners, this seven-week program focuses on exercises that rebuild motivation, model successful academic behaviours, and raise self-awareness through reflective writing.

Learning Outcomes

  • Assess the value in adopting a peer-based approach to supporting at-risk learners.
  • Describe UTMs collaborative approach to improving the academic outcomes and retention levels of at-risk learners.”

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Kerrie Martin headshot

Kerrie Martin

Program Manager and Learning Strategist, Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre, University of Toronto - Mississauga

Michelle Kraus headshot

Michelle Kraus

Associate Registrar, Academic Standards, Advising & Financial Aid, University of Toronto - Mississauga

Time Icon14:15 - 15:00
Concurrent Sessions

Additional Session TBA

Time Icon15:15 - 16:00
Concurrent Sessions

You Can Do It: Developing an Enrolment Plan Using Only Internal Resources

Institutions frequently use consultants in the development of strategic enrolment plans. Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Memorial University (MUN) recently developed strategic...
Institutions frequently use consultants in the development of strategic enrolment plans. Simon Fraser University (SFU) and Memorial University (MUN) recently developed strategic enrolment plans in-house. In this session, we will explore the methodology and strategies used by both SFU and MUN in the development of their respective plans. The session will also examine some of the challenges and opportunities when developing an enrolment plan using only internal resources.

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Tom Nault headshot

Tom Nault

Registrar and Executive Director, Student Enrolment , Simon Fraser University

Kathryn Verkerk headshot

Kathryn Verkerk

Associate Registrar, Student Recruitment and Admissions, Simon Fraser University

Time Icon15:15 - 16:00
Concurrent Sessions

Building Collaboration City Out of Chaos

In 2015 when the Social Media Communications Officer role at Fanshawe was created, the social media landscape was a bit chaotic and there was a strong need to bring structure...

In 2015 when the Social Media Communications Officer role at Fanshawe was created, the social media landscape was a bit chaotic and there was a strong need to bring structure and strategy to social media at the college. In this session you will hear where the Fanshawe College team started from. We will tell you about the relationships we had to build and the resistance we met along the way. We will introduce you to the tools we developed (social media toolkit) and those we implemented (Hootsuite Enterprise, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft 365) to support our team of social media representatives (now over 100 people). These relationships and tools allowed us to create a community of collaboration that has brought brand consistency and strategic direction to social media at Fanshawe.

Learning Outcomes

  • How to develop friends and allies for social media at your institution
  • How to build a social media toolkit
  • Tools to effectively support social media

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Sarah Wells headshot

Sarah Wells

Social Media Communications Officer, Fanshawe College

Dayan Boyce headshot

Dayan Boyce

Communications Officer, Fanshawe College

Time Icon15:15 - 16:00
Concurrent Sessions

Additional Session TBA

Time Icon16:15 - 16:45

Closing Presentation | 8 Insights: How to Attract, Recruit & Engage International Students (Part 2)

Everyone working in post secondary education is affected by the enrolment of international students. Whether they comprise 5% or 50% of your student population, your leadership...

Everyone working in post secondary education is affected by the enrolment of international students. Whether they comprise 5% or 50% of your student population, your leadership is likely talking about attracting them, ensuring their success as students, and helping them transition into the workforce.

In 2022, Brainstorm Strategy Group surveyed more than 4,500 current international students attending universities and colleges across Canada. In this presentation, we'll unveil some of our findings as we not only look at the different attitudes and aspirations between international and domestic students, but also we'll look at how international students from different parts of the world differ significantly in what motivates their education decisions; how they describe their school experience in Canada; and, what they aspire to after graduation.

This presentation will be shared in two parts – at the beginning and end of the conference program.

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Graham Donald headshot

Graham Donald

Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group

Registration Rates

date IconMay 10 - 11, 2023

Location IconVirtual

$595

Regular

Register before April 27

Register Now
$695

Late

Register before May 11

FAQs

Expand FAQ
Is the SEMM Forum right for me?

Are you involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada? If the answer to this question is yes, then the SEMM Forum is right for you. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals. Check out the “Who Should Attend?” section here.

Expand FAQ
What's the benefit of a program focused on Canadian practices?

We’re Canadian, eh? SEM is very different in other countries. We believe that when professionals learn from peers at other institutions who have similar goals, students, systems and constraints and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved and students benefit as a result. The SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.

Expand FAQ
Can I take advantage of group rates before I know who’s joining me?

Yes! To take advantage of group rates and early discounts, simply purchase the number of tickets you want and enter “TBD” for any attendee names you don’t have confirmed yet.

You can also transfer registrations between team members at any time at no cost.

(Please note however that there are penalties for cancellations as per our policy here: https://semmforum.ca/registration/#cancellation)

Expand FAQ
Will this just be a series of webinars?

Absolutely not. Of course, there will be great live presentations, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions. But there will also be opportunities to network 1:1 via chat and video, collaborate in roundtables, meet with vendors at their exhibits, and connect directly with experts.

Expand FAQ
What is the schedule and time commitment?

The program will run May 10 & 11, 2023 for a little more than half a day each day: 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern time. Local times can be found here: semmforum.ca/registration

Please note that we don’t expect you to participate in every session. You can choose the ones that are most relevant to you; take time to network and meet with other participants; tour the exhibits; jump into a roundtable discussion; and, take breaks to stretch your legs.

Additionally you’ll receive a year’s access to the presentation recordings included with your registration.

This will give you an opportunity to listen to any sessions you may have missed whenever you’d like.

Expand FAQ
Will there be recordings available?

Yes! All registrations include free access to the recordings for 12 months.

2023 Sponsors

If you're interested in sponsoring this year's SEMM Forum, please contact Jennifer Powell.