Taking a Big Swing at Enrollment Success: Candace Boeninger

Like many institutions in higher education, Ohio University saw enrollment plummet
during the Covid pandemic. Rather than take small, incremental steps to turn things
around, Ohio U – led by Candace Boeninger, VP for Enrollment Management –
"stepped up to the plate" and took a "big swing" at reversing the course of enrollment
declines and, in fact, producing record enrollment numbers in the past few years. It
was this baseball metaphor that resonated with Boeninger, the mother of four boys
who play the sport. It prompted her to think big: the school overhauled its student visit structure and space; reimagined its financial aid approach; revamped its student
outreach strategy; and took other bold steps to re-energize enrollment efforts.

In this discussion with WittKieffer Senior Partner Amy Crutchfield, Boeninger reflects
upon the challenges she and colleagues at Ohio U have faced, and how their bold
vision of the future has benefited the institution. They also discuss current challenges
in enrollment management (including FAFSA uncertainty) and how enrollment leaders
can shape their strategies for the future – with the support of peers and their presidents.