About the Episode
On this episode, Jeremy catches up with Angie Cooksy, AVP for Enrollment Management at Bradley University. Most of their conversation focused on evolving as a leader. Angie also talked about how the admissions profession has changed over the years, and why she has stayed put at one school for her entire higher ed career.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Incremental Change: Big changes aren’t always necessary. Small, intentional adjustments—followed by assessments—can help build momentum and reduce resistance to innovation.
- The Power of Asking Questions: New professionals should lean into their curiosity, ask thoughtful questions, and seek clarity on institutional processes. Asking "why" can uncover opportunities for improvement.
- Work-Life Flow, Not Balance: Leaders should encourage their teams to embrace flexibility by recognizing that some seasons may require more attention to work, while others may prioritize life outside of the office.
- Tailor Leadership to Generational Differences: Understanding the unique values and experiences of different generations on your team is essential for fostering collaboration and minimizing friction.
- Transparency with Purpose: Leaders should assess whether sharing specific information helps their team work more effectively—or if it creates unnecessary stress. Transparency is critical, but so is discernment.
- Professional Development Matters: Investing in structured opportunities for growth, like the Elevate leadership program Angie co-founded, helps mid-career professionals develop confidence and skills to take on senior roles.
How the Admissions Landscape Has Evolved
Angie reflects on how the admissions profession has changed since she began her career—transitioning from reviewing paper applications in manila folders to using data-rich CRM systems. Beyond technology, the shifting expectations of students, staff, and institutions mean that leaders must constantly reevaluate strategies to remain effective. She notes that doing things “because it’s how they’ve always been done” is no longer a viable approach. Instead, teams should regularly assess whether long-standing practices are producing the desired outcomes—and if not, explore incremental improvements.
Building a Career in One Place
As someone who has spent 16 years at Bradley University, Angie shares her perspective on what has kept her at one institution. The key, she explains, is the ability to grow in her role and take on new challenges over time. Supportive mentors and a culture that values innovation and curiosity have been critical to her longevity. Leaders like her former boss, Dr. Justin Ball, empowered Angie to think critically and bring well-researched ideas to the table. Her advice for others in leadership is to create a workplace culture where employees feel challenged, valued, and inspired to grow.
Incremental Change as a Strategy
One of Angie’s core beliefs is that leaders often feel pressured to implement sweeping changes when smaller, targeted improvements may be more effective. She suggests that institutions focus on making incremental adjustments, followed by assessments to determine what’s working. This approach not only makes change more manageable for teams but also builds the capacity for larger shifts down the line.
Leadership is a Journey of Self-Discovery
For Angie, leadership wasn’t an “aha moment” but a natural extension of her curiosity and desire to ask questions. However, she acknowledges that her leadership style has evolved over time, particularly in balancing transparency with discretion. While she values openness, Angie emphasizes that not every team member needs to know every detail, especially if it could cause unnecessary stress.
Generational Differences in the Workplace
A key challenge for many leaders today is managing teams composed of multiple generations, each with distinct values, communication styles, and approaches to work. Angie believes that flexibility and communication are key to bridging these gaps. She advises leaders to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach and instead tailor strategies to meet the unique needs of individual team members.
Professional Development for Women Leaders
Angie’s passion for professional development led her to co-found Elevate, a leadership program designed for women in higher ed enrollment management with eight or more years of experience. While Elevate focused specifically on women, Angie and her co-founder are currently reimagining the program to include other underrepresented groups in leadership. Her advice for anyone thinking about creating similar initiatives? Look for gaps in professional development offerings and take action to fill them.
Actionable Tips for Enrollment Leaders
- Start Small with Change: Begin with manageable improvements and build momentum through frequent assessments. Incremental changes can pave the way for bigger shifts.
- Invest in Professional Development: Create opportunities for mid-career professionals to grow through mentorship, workshops, and leadership training.
- Adapt to Generational Needs: Take time to understand how generational experiences shape the values and work styles of your team. Flexibility is key to building trust and collaboration.
- Prioritize Clear Documentation: Processes and policies that “live in someone’s head” should be written down to ensure consistency and reduce confusion.
- Model Work-Life Flow: Leaders should take vacation time, set boundaries, and demonstrate that it’s okay to prioritize personal wellness.
- Balance Transparency with Strategy: Ask yourself whether sharing specific information will help your team succeed—or if it might cause unnecessary distraction or stress.
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About the Enrollify Podcast Network
Mission Admission is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jaime Hunt, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more.
Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!
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