In this episode, Nastaran Hakimi and Meg Shannon from Boston University Academy share how they’ve built an innovative alumni interviewing program that now handles 150 admissions interviews per season. They discuss the evolution from a small Saturday program to a comprehensive initiative that engages alumni across the country through virtual interviews, personalized email campaigns, and speaking opportunities. Learn their practical strategies for training alumni interviewers, keeping them updated on school changes, managing evening interview schedules, and addressing family perceptions about interview importance. The conversation reveals how this collaboration between admissions and alumni relations creates wins across the board: reducing staff workload, providing more equitable access through evening and weekend interviews, keeping young alumni engaged with the school, and giving prospective families authentic connections with graduates who’ve lived the school experience.

Nastaran Hakimi is the Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management and Institutional Advancement at Boston University Academy, where she oversees admissions, alumni relations, and marketing. Meg Shannon serves as Senior Associate Director of Admission. Together, they’ve built BUA’s alumni engagement initiatives over 13+ years at the school.

Hosts & Guests

Matt Soule | Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School

Angie Ward | Enroll Media Group

Nastaran Hakimi

Meg Shannon

Upgrade School Marketing now on Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

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This panel-style episode comprises 5 Enrollment Management, Admission and Marketing Professionals from 5 different independent schools who are ready to talk yield. From clever acceptance packages and videos, to email marketing, ads, and beyond, this discussion is packed with creative ideas to help Independent Schools move parents and students from the acceptance stage to enrolled status. 

Meet our panel:

Alexandra Tolischus

Alex is a seasoned leader in K-12 independent day/boarding schools and non-profit organizations. She is focused on data-driven strategy, program design, and team leadership, with a proven record of increasing enrollment and retention. Alex is the Director of Enrollment Management at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, a Pre-K- Grade 12 Day and Boarding School with 1350 students.

Luke Heywood

Luke Heywood is a dynamic leader in education with over 20 years of experience in enrollment management, marketing, and communications, and data strategy. As the Head of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid at The Stony Brook School, a premier private, Christian, college preparatory boarding and day school, Luke leads efforts to recruit, engage, and enroll a diverse and mission-aligned student body. Serving 480 students in grades 7–12 from 10 states and over 30 countries, he works to attract top-tier students from across the U.S. and the globe, who will contribute meaningfully to the school community.

Lakeya Newton

Lakeya has a 16-year career working in marketing and technology through multiple industries, including retail, e-commerce, and education. She is currently the director of marketing at King School in Stamford, CT.  She is versed in digital and offline marketing, public relations, website management, event planning, and brand management. She is also an active volunteer participating on multiple alumni boards for her alma mater, including her independent PreK-9 school, her boarding high school, and her college.

Stacy Jagodowski

Stacy Jagodowski is a marketing and communications professional with over 20 years of experience in independent schools. She spent five years in admissions, bookended by extensive experience in strategic marketing and communications. As the Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications at Tabor Academy, she specializes in storytelling, brand positioning, and yield strategies to engage prospective families and drive enrollment.

James Layne

James has been at The Orchard School for 15 years, serving as Director of Marketing & Communications for the past 8. He has a passion for independent schools and small businesses with a focus on authentic storytelling and clear messaging to help schools connect with families and reach their goals. James and his wife also run Ivan & Louise, a photography company of 13 years. When not working at Orchard, and shooting weddings, he can be found hanging with his kids, skateboarding, or catching punk shows with lifelong friends.

From this Episode

• Enroll Media Group

Hosts & Guests

Matt Soule | Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School

Angie Ward | Enroll Media Group

Alexandra Tolischus | Saint Andrew’s School

Luke Heywood | Stony Brook School

Lakeya Newton | King School

Stacy Jagodowski | Tabor Academy 

James Layne | Orchard School

Upgrade School Marketing now on Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

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In this episode, Jesse Roberts from ISM dives into the different trends he’s seeing within the independent school landscape, and what data is available to put to use. From who to target, what to track, and why it all matters, we are reviewing deep insights schools can leverage right away to strengthen their enrollment marketing efforts.

Watch Episode on YouTube:

From this Episode

• Unbound360

• BatchGeo

• A+ School: Northfield Mount Hermon

Upgrade School Marketing now on Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

Hosts & Guests

Matt Soule | Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall School in Waltham, MA

Angie Ward | Enroll Media Group

Jesse Roberts on LinkedIn

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