Operating enrollment at peak efficiency with a data-driven, mission-led approach

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This week, we hosted a powerful conversation that couldn’t be more timely for higher ed professionals navigating the complex world of enrollment. The webinar, “Operating Enrollment at Peak Efficiency with a Data-Driven, Mission-Led Approach,” brought together campus leaders, enrollment strategists, and technology professionals to examine what it really takes to thrive in a fast-changing landscape.

Our featured guest, Dr. Cherise Y. Peters, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life at Clark Atlanta University, shared the university’s extraordinary admissions journey — one that resulted in a record-breaking 46,000+ applications for just 1,200 freshmen seats. But the story wasn’t just about scale. It was about how Clark Atlanta University elevated academic quality, strengthened alignment with its mission, and streamlined operations without compromising care.

Here’s what unfolded during the session.

The challenges surrounding the US educational landscape

The webinar opened with a discussion on the current challenges enrollment teams are facing across the US. With shifting demographics, budget constraints, and heightened competition, institutions are expected to do more with less and do it faster. Attendees acknowledged the challenge: rising expectations and the admin workload.

Inside Clark Atlanta University’s enrollment strategy

The heart of the webinar was Dr. Peters’ in-depth look at how Clark Atlanta University approached their enrollment transformation. She took the audience step by step through the institution’s strategy, execution, and outcomes. What stood out immediately was how Clark Atlanta University centered its mission throughout the process. Every data point, system, and communication channel was designed not just for operational performance — but for purpose.

Here are a few highlights from her walkthrough:

A Data-informed foundation
Clark Atlanta University built a responsive system that tracked applicant behavior in real time. From inquiry to yield, the team used analytics to drive decisions, identify bottlenecks, and tailor communications to the individual student.
Segmented and personalized engagement at scale
With tens of thousands of applicants, personalization engagement was critical. Clark Atlanta University implemented a segmented outreach strategy, crafting journeys for different student types while maintaining a consistent and personalized voice aligned with the university’s values.
Automation where it matters the most
Automation was used to reduce manual tasks, speed up processing, and allow the admissions team to focus on high-impact interactions. Dr. Peters emphasized that automation should never replace human connection — it should support it.

Efficiency doesn’t mean losing your mission

One of the most resonant moments of the webinar came when Dr. Peters described the importance of staying rooted in the “why” — especially when enrollment pressures mount.

“We’re not just trying to fill seats. We’re building a community of students who shall in future reflect the legacy and the future of Clark Atlanta University.”

She spoke about the intentional work done to ensure every admitted student aligned not only with academic standards, but with Clark Atlanta University’s culture, mission, and purpose. That alignment, she noted, is what drives long-term student success — and institutional resilience.

What comes next

This webinar made it clear that enrollment success in today’s educational landscape requires a dual focus: operational precision and unwavering mission alignment.

If you missed the live session, the full insightful recording is available here. In the meantime, we invite you to reflect on your own approach: Are you building efficient systems that still make space for meaning? Are your strategies truly serving your mission? Because Clark Atlanta University has shown us, when those elements align, the results can be extraordinary. Schedule a demo today and join 1200+ institutions that are already using Meritto to scale their admissions efforts.