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Wednesday, April 22
 

12:30pm EDT

Early Registration
Wednesday April 22, 2026 12:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Stop by the registration table to check in, pick up your badge and materials, and get ready for a great conference experience.
Wednesday April 22, 2026 12:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
OPH Foyer

1:00pm EDT

Level Up Your Brand: 6 Lessons from Getting on Game Shows
Wednesday April 22, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Discover personal branding strategies that aren’t only a win for yourself, but also your school! From owning your strengths, to researching your target demographic, to crafting your story together – you’ll learn how to better connect with Gen Z on tours and in the classroom. As an added bonus, you’ll get a crash course on TikTok so that you better understand why video-based platforms are crushing competitor social apps and how you can capitalize on this craze. (You’ll even learn the secret to getting cast on a game show!)
Speakers
avatar for Jenn Lyles

Jenn Lyles

Executive Director, Beauty School Marketing Group
Jenn Lyles is an award-winning marketing and communications professional with an expertise in vocational school marketing and lead generation. She's helped schools across the country dramatically grow their population with her millennial and Gen Z expertise. She currently serves as... Read More →
Wednesday April 22, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
CR South

1:00pm EDT

Basic Financial Aid Bootcamp (4 Hours)
Wednesday April 22, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
The financial aid boot camp with give new financial aid staff the tools to understand the process of applying for aid through packaging the student. It includes verification and resolving conflicting information, packaging students, and calculating Pell awards and direct loans for all types of programs. We will also include a timeline, so important deadlines are not missed.
Speakers
avatar for Carolyn Melton

Carolyn Melton

Fame
Carolyn has been in the higher education sector for 26 years. Carolyn served as Director of Financial Aid prior to her finding a position in the Consulting Services Department at Fame. She now brings her extensive knowledge of ESP, Advantage FinAid, Freedom, Freedom FinAid, and APFAM... Read More →
avatar for Ibis Chow

Ibis Chow

Consulting Services Manager, Fame
Ibis Chow received her Bachelor's and Master of Science in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Since joining the higher education industry in 2002, she has attained a myriad of experiences and extensive financial aid knowledge within her different roles. She... Read More →
avatar for Sally Samuels

Sally Samuels

Director of Compliance, Fame
Sally is one of the country’s leading authorities on Federal financial aid administration with 41 years of “in the trenches” experience. As a respected Industry leader, she is frequently called upon to speak at School, Accrediting, Regional and State conferences as well as... Read More →
Wednesday April 22, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
CR West

2:00pm EDT

The Cheapest Student You’ll Ever Recruit Is the One You Keep
Wednesday April 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Every student who walks out the door before graduation takes tuition, aid eligibility, and your school’s reputation with them. In today’s regulatory climate, retention isn’t optional — it’s the single greatest lever for protecting revenue and ensuring compliance.
In this session, you’ll discover how to connect leadership, student support, and career services into a powerful system that keeps more students enrolled, engaged, and walking across the finish line. Because when it comes to the future of your school, the cheapest student you’ll ever recruit is the one you keep.
Speakers
avatar for Penny Burns

Penny Burns

Founder, Beauty Cast Network
Penny Burns – Founder, Beauty Cast Network
With nearly four decades in the beauty industry, Penny Burns
is a passionate advocate for career success in the beauty and
wellness space. As the founder of Beauty Cast Network, she
brings a wealth of experience—from owning and managing
n




... Read More →
Wednesday April 22, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
CR South

2:45pm EDT

Afternoon Break
Wednesday April 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm EDT
Grab a snack, stretch your legs, and connect with fellow attendees. Don’t forget to swing by the vendor booths to see what’s new before the next session starts!
Wednesday April 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm EDT
OPH Foyer

3:15pm EDT

Meet your Starts Goals: Simple Marketing Moves That Drive Profitability
Wednesday April 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:10pm EDT
You don’t need a big budget to get big results, just a smarter approach. In this session, we’ll explore practical ways schools can improve their marketing and make every campaign more profitable. Learn how to turn your website into an active lead generator, and how AI can help you reach students with the right message at the right time. You’ll walk away with proven tactics that can boost inquiries and enrollments, without increasing spend.
Speakers
avatar for Sterling Simpson

Sterling Simpson

Enrollment Resources
Sterling is a driving force in reshaping digital marketing and admissions performance in higher education. His ability to unearth and leverage untapped opportunities for schools has significantly boosted enrollment rates and revenue while enhancing marketing efficiency without increased... Read More →
Wednesday April 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:10pm EDT
CR South

4:10pm EDT

The Admissions Playbook on Turning Student Interest into Enrollments
Wednesday April 22, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm EDT
Reaching enrollment capacity doesn't just happen, it's built on consistent best practices. This session walks through what the most successful schools are doing to connect with students earlier, follow up faster, and close more enrollments. We’ll cover simple frameworks to improve communication, nurture inquiries, and create a student experience that builds trust and commitment from the very first interaction. Walk away with practical ideas your admissions team can apply right away to attract, engage, and enroll more students.
Speakers
avatar for Sterling Simpson

Sterling Simpson

Enrollment Resources
Sterling is a driving force in reshaping digital marketing and admissions performance in higher education. His ability to unearth and leverage untapped opportunities for schools has significantly boosted enrollment rates and revenue while enhancing marketing efficiency without increased... Read More →
Wednesday April 22, 2026 4:10pm - 5:00pm EDT
CR South
 
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