Live from NAGAP - Empowering Self-Learning for Career Success

About the Episode: 

Lauren McGowan, the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment at the University at Buffalo's School of Social Work, sits down with Mallory at NAGAP. Fresh from her recent promotion, Lauren shares her journey from Director of Recruitment and Admissions to her current role, emphasizing the diverse skill sets needed in higher education leadership, from student recruitment to budget management. She also dives into the critical role of continuous learning, value of teaching yourself new skills, and the promise of AI in academic settings.

Key Takeaways:

• Career Evolution in Higher Ed: Lauren discusses her transition from recruitment to strategic decision-making roles, highlighting the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
• Professional Development: Lauren's involvement in the Professional Development Committee at NAGAP, planning institutes and seminars that foster career growth for both new and experienced professionals.
• Self-Directed Learning: Lauren emphasizes the necessity of self-teaching in today’s fast-evolving educational landscape, with personal anecdotes about her learning journey and resource recommendations.
• Networking and Professional Growth: The significance of building and leveraging professional networks in advancing one's career in higher education.

‍

From Recruitment to Strategic Leadership

Lauren McGowan’s journey in higher education began in the School of Nursing at the University at Buffalo, but her passion for social work led her to the School of Social Work, where she has grown into a leadership role. Now serving as Assistant Dean for Admissions and Enrollment, Lauren oversees everything from admissions and marketing to budgeting and projecting enrollment. She shares how her ability to self-teach and take initiative helped her secure this new leadership role.

Lauren advises higher ed professionals, especially those early in their careers, to embrace a growth mindset and actively seek out resources to develop new skills. By taking responsibility and demonstrating a willingness to grow, professionals can set themselves apart and create new opportunities for advancement.

‍

The Power of Professional Development

As a member of NAGAP’s Professional Development Committee, Lauren is passionate about creating opportunities for higher ed professionals to continue learning throughout the year. The committee organizes events such as the Pre-Summit Institute, the Summer Professional Development Institute, and the Virtual Fall PDI. These smaller, more intimate gatherings offer a unique chance to network, share ideas, and learn from others in the field.

Lauren’s own experience attending a PDI early in her career inspired her to join the committee and help plan these events. She encourages higher ed professionals to take advantage of these resources to build their networks and develop their skills.

‍

Embracing AI in Higher Education

Lauren participated in the Pre-Summit Institute on artificial intelligence and came away inspired by its potential to transform higher ed. The session covered everything from foundational AI knowledge to practical demonstrations of tools like ChatGPT.

For Lauren, AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about creativity and problem-solving. She shares how she’s already using AI to streamline her work, from simplifying calculations to crafting strategies for recruitment. Lauren also highlights the importance of understanding ethical considerations and learning how to use AI tools effectively.

‍

The Role of Creativity and Communication

Lauren believes that effective communication and creativity are critical to standing out in higher ed admissions and enrollment. She recommends Everybody Writes by Ann Handley as a resource for improving writing skills and fostering creativity. Whether you consider yourself a strong writer or not, the book offers practical advice to help anyone communicate more effectively.

Lauren also emphasizes the value of video in recruitment efforts. Although she had no prior experience with video production, she taught herself the necessary skills through online resources like YouTube. Her willingness to experiment and learn has made a significant impact on her work, helping her connect with prospective students in more engaging ways.

The Future of Higher Ed and AI

Looking ahead, Lauren sees AI as a critical tool for higher ed professionals. She encourages her peers to get ahead of the curve by experimenting with AI tools and understanding how they can be used ethically and effectively. By doing so, higher ed professionals can position themselves as leaders in their field and better serve their institutions and students.

‍

Connect With Our Host:

Mallory Willsea 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/ 
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea 

About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. 

Connect with Us at the Engage Summit: Exciting news — Mallory will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI. 

Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout.

Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!