Schedule Agenda

Session Title: The Enrollment Cliff

Presenters: 

Dr. James Lentini, President, Molloy University

Donna Linderman, Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Success, SUNY

Dr. Reine Sarmiento, Vice Chancellor Enrollment Management, CUNY          

Keynote Abstract:

Higher education stands at a critical juncture. The landscape is fraught with uncertainty, presenting both challenges and opportunities for institutions, educators, and students alike. As we navigate this complex terrain, resilience and innovation emerge as indispensable pillars for success.

This keynote address delves into enrollment issues and opportunities within higher education. Get a view from the top from three seasoned professionals within the SUNY, CUNY and private education sectors.

Dr. James Lentini began his appointment as Molloy University’s seventh president in 2020. Under his leadership, Molloy has moved from college to a university status and set a record for the enrollment of first-year students. He led the creation of Molloy’s new Strategic Plan 2028 and has developed partnerships to more closely connect Molloy’s curriculum to regional healthcare systems and businesses. Under Dr. Lentini’s leadership, record-setting levels of fundraising and grants have been achieved. He also created the first-ever position of vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Molloy that aligns with the institution’s history and mission as a Catholic institution in the Dominican Tradition. 

Dr. Lentini is a board member of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities and the Long Island Association and the Long Island Arts Alliance. He has been named to the Long Island Business News “Powerlist” as one of the “60 Most Powerful Influencers,” the Long Island Press PowerList, the Long Island Press “A-List,” and the Long Island Business News “Power 25 in Education.” 

In tandem with his achievements as a university leader, Dr. Lentini is an award-winning composer and classical guitarist and is a voting member of the Recording Academy’s Grammy Awards.

Donna Linderman is leading SUNY’s systemwide investment through the SUNY Transformation Fund, which is supporting many campus initiatives including the replication of the evidence-based ASAP|ACE degree completion model, upward mobility initiatives, multi-campus transfer partnerships, operational efficiency and essential student supports.

As Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Success at SUNY, Donna’s portfolio includes Enrollment Management and Financial Aid, University Life and Opportunity Programs, Transfer and Articulation, the Transformation Fund, Higher Education in Prison, and the Center for Professional Development. She is also co-leading the SUNY Transfer Task Force which was established to bring together experts from across the SUNY System to be assured that transfer opportunities are more fully realized.

Linderman also led the development and execution of CUNY Accelerate, Complete, and Engage (ACE), ASAP at four-year institutions, along with CUNY Start, a nationally recognized initiative to help first-year students with academic gaps successfully enter and succeed in college. 

Donna holds a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California, an MFA in Theatre from Brooklyn College, and will soon defend her dissertation for an EdD in Higher Education Administration from Northeastern University.

Dr. Reine Sarmiento has achieved notable success in her 30-year career in the private and public sectors as an innovative and inclusive leader committed to higher education. Increasing enrollment and the college’s profile in her various leadership positions, she has served the City University of New York for the past 19 years as Assistant Dean for Enrollment Services at LaGuardia Community College and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Associate Provost at Lehman College. Currently, she serves as the Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and is working on a CUNY admissions redesign, which includes launching the CUNY Reconnect and increasing access and opportunity for adult students.

Dr. Sarmiento received her B.B.A. in marketing from National University, an M.S. degree in urban affairs from Hunter College, and her Ed.D. in Education, Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Fordham University. She is also a graduate of AASCU’s prestigious Millennial Leadership Institute.

Stay tuned...detailed information coming shortly!

Session Title: Digital Transformation in Counseling and Admissions

Presenter: Dr. Tom Green, Salesforce

Session Abstract:

Education at all levels, especially in the transition time from secondary to college, is racing to meet student, parent, counselor, staff and faculty expectations.  We live in a world where information and transactions are at our fingertips, mobile-enabled, and personalized just for us.  How can the processes and experiences of applying to college meet and even exceed those expectations?  What does it look like and what is important in the experience?  This interactive session will examine digital transformation through the lens of the college exploration and admissions process, providing you a thoughtful reflection of where you and your institution are today, and the areas where additional focus may help you meet students, parents, and others where they are today.

Dr. Tom Green is the Director of Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) at Salesforce.  He brings 35 years of higher education experience to this role, including executive leadership roles in enrollment at seven universities and at AACRAO, where he directed AACRAO Consulting, was editor-in-chief of the SEM Quarterly research journal, and guided professional development content for all areas of SEM for its global membership.  Dr. Green has authored numerous articles and led hundreds of workshops on SEM.  He is a frequent speaker and presenter at higher education conferences in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

Dr. Green holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa, a masters degree from the American Conservatory of Music, where he began his higher education career as an instructor, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University.  Dr. Green is faculty in the graduate School of Education at Drexel University, and serves on the Board of Trustees at Felician University in New Jersey.