LEAP Program

Take the LEAP with AISAP

Are you an admission or enrollment professional looking to take your leadership skills to the next level? Look no further than Leadership for Enrollment and Admission Professionals (LEAP)—a yearlong, cohort-based program for those ready to develop the skills and organizational perspectives to help you grow as a leader within your school community or at your next institution. The LEAP program has been developed in close collaboration with a cross-institutional team of University and PK-12 education experts, will be delivered in full partnership with the Board and leadership team at the Association of Independent School Admission Professionals (AISAP), and is fully aligned with AISAP’s Leadership & Development Framework.
 
This program is designed specifically for professionals in the admission and enrollment field who are ready to enhance their leadership skills while tackling enduring and emergent challenges within the independent school community. While engaging in practically grounded learning sessions, you'll develop as an individual while also developing your capacity to learn and lead as a team member. The combination of in-person and virtual learning sessions will help you forge solid working relationships, and your growth will bring immediate benefit to your school community and the broader field of independent school admission and enrollment management professionals.

Apply by July 1, 2024

“LEAP is by far my favorite program that AISAP has offered. We spent a few days at Vanderbilt and heard from some amazing professors and had fun getting to know the other members in our cohort. Our monthly virtual calls always leave me inspired. If you are thinking about making a move in your career, this program is a great jump start. I’ve learned so much.”


- Katie Doherty, Admission Division Director-Upper School, Hockaday School; Incoming Director of Advancement, The Compass School of TX

Dr. Patrick Schuermann, Ed.D
Innovative Programming Strategic Coordinator; LEAP Program Director

Throughout the program, participants will develop a clearer understanding of their leadership attributes, and the leadership skills required to sustain their schools' success today and in the future. Dr. Patrick Schuermann will serve as our lead faculty member. He has assembled a talented array of University and K-12 leadership experts who will connect with program participants alongside LEAP mentors, the AISAP Board of Directors, and the AISAP staff.

Patrick's LinkedIn profile.

Leadership Exploration and Growth through Year-Round Mentoring

Throughout this year-long professional development experience, you will gain valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in leadership and organizational development. You will connect with a community of like-minded professionals interested in elevating their practice and our profession, all while engaging with a set of industry experts serving as mentors. 
 
We will engage as a cohort in a set of monthly, 2-hour virtual meetings facilitated by renowned leadership experts, leading to a 3-day gathering this fall 2024 in Nashville (September 25 - 27, 2024).
 
We will continue our monthly, 2-hour virtual meetings facilitated by leadership experts, leading into culminating sessions at the AISAP Institute in June 2025. You will also benefit from being a part of a small mentor group led by a highly skilled admission and enrollment industry expert. 

Each cohort will explore the biggest challenges facing independent schools and identify innovations in leadership, program, culture and community, finance, management, governance, and operations to address them. Working in small groups and supported by a mentor, participants will identify a significant opportunity or challenge confronting independent schools and use evidence-based research to generate innovative ideas for our profession to consider. Each group’s big idea will be captured in an executive report, and each group will have a chance to present their findings at next summer’s Annual Institute—thus helping to educate further and elevate our field.

Together, all the LEAP program elements and the close-knit community that will develop are sure to provide admission and enrollment professionals with impactful leadership development opportunities.

2024-25 Program Pricing

Members: $2,000     Nonmembers:  $2,795

Fee includes:

  • Monthly professional development through senior-level learning sessions led by Vanderbilt University faculty members, AISAP leaders and partners, and industry experts between July 2024 and June 2025.
  • In-person experience with three days in Nashville (September 25-27, 2024) that includes meals and activities
  • A dedicated learning session at the 2025 AISAP Annual Institute in June 2025.
  • Small group and one-on-one mentoring
  • Online access to a private AISAP LEAP community
  • Complimentary access to two of AISAP’s Summits during the 2024-2025 school year and the AISAP’s Certificate in Admission and Enrollment [CAEP]

    Fees do not include travel expenses to and from Nashville, Salt Lake City (June 2024 Annual Institute), or the June 2025 AISAP Annual Institute, nor registration fees for the Annual Institute.


    2023-24 Teaching Faculty

  • Krystal N. Clark, M.Ed. 
    Director, Employee Learning & Organizational Effectiveness, Vanderbilt University
  • Mark D. Cannon
    Professor, Vanderbilt University
  • Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas
    Professor, Vanderbilt University
  • David Laird, Ed.D.
    Assistant Commissioner for Assessment & Accountability, Tennessee Department of Education
  • Sarah McIlroy, Ed.D.
    Lecturer, Vanderbilt University, 2021
  • Michael Neel Ph.D.
    Senior Lecturer, Vanderbilt University
  • Donna Orem
    Former President, NAIS
  • Andy Van Schaack
    Principal Senior Lecturer, Vanderbilt University
  • Quinton Walker, Ed.D.
    Assistant Head of School, University School of Nashville

2023 Participants

  • Katherine M. Gonzalez, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management, Hawken School (Mentor)
  • Aaron Mieszczanski, Spencer Stuart, Consultant (Mentor)
  • Katrina Austin, International School of Denver, Associate Director Admissions
  • Helen Brown, Harding Academy,    Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management
  • Craig Dodson, Community Brands, VP of Support, Education Solutions
  • Katie Doherty, The Hockaday School, Admission Division Director - Upper School
  • Kelly Emerson, Randolph School    Associate, Director of Admission
  • Glenn Engelberg. Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Executive Director of Admissions
  • Kimberly King, The Savannah Country Day School, Director of Admissions 
  • Sarah McGinn, Rossman School, Director of Admission        
  • Marcus A. Nelson, Dedham Country Day School, Admissions Admin            
  • Corey Pudhorodsky, Community Brands, SVP Customer Experience, K12        
  • Joe Silvestri, The Blake School, Director of Admissions and Financial Assistance

APPLY NOW

For priority consideration, please all applications for consideration and review must be received by July 1, 2024. To apply for this program, we invite you to submit your application by using this link:

LEAP application

For more information, please contact Janice Crampton, AISAP Executive Director and CEO at janice@aisap.org or (203) 421–7051.