Jefferson Blackburn-Smith, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, Otterbein Enrollment Management Division, Otterbein University

Higher Ed Leaders: Transforming and Innovating Higher Education in the US sponsored by Viv Higher Education

Understanding the student life cycle, increasing diversity and inclusion the importance of curiosity in creating change are some of the topics Jefferson Blackburn-Smith, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Otterbein University, discusses on the Higher Ed Leaders Podcast.

Blackburn-Smith shares his wisdom from 12 years in higher education and has a strategic, inclusive and thoughtful approach in higher education, aimed at successful outcomes for all students.

He talks about how the focus should be on understanding the entire life cycle of a student, from high school to post-graduation, integrating services, and making strategic partnerships.

Blackburn-Smith shares how at Otterbein, through targeted initiatives like meeting all financial needs of Pell-eligible students, they increased diversity and successfully eliminated the success gaps between students of different backgrounds. They also changed focus from discount rates to net revenue, using a methodical approach to convince skeptics of the effectiveness of their strategies by showing successful outcomes.

Jefferson Blackburn-Smith

Jefferson Blackburn-Smith is the esteemed Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives within the Enrollment Management Division at Otterbein University. With a tenure since 2012, he brings a wealth of experience from his prior 17-year leadership at The Ohio State University, where he spearheaded transformative recruitment and strategic planning endeavors.

At Otterbein, Jefferson's visionary leadership is marked by a steadfast commitment to expanding access and affordability for underserved students. His innovative approaches have led to remarkable outcomes, including a 140% surge in enrollment of students of color and the elimination of retention achievement gaps. Notably, under his guidance, Otterbein welcomed its most diverse cohorts in seven consecutive years.

Jefferson's advocacy extends beyond enrollment, as he champions Integrated Enrollment Management, fostering collaboration between Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Management to enhance student success. His efforts have significantly boosted retention and graduation rates.

An alumnus of The Ohio State University, Jefferson's diverse background includes teaching, managerial roles, and prolific authorship. He is a sought-after voice in the media, contributing insights on access, affordability, and enrollment management.

Read more on the Otterbein University website: https://www.otterbein.edu/profiles/jefferson-blackburn-smith/

This podcast is sponsored by Viv Higher Education

About Viv Higher Education

Viv Higher Education is a Boston-based, female-owned comprehensive marketing agency specializing in higher education. With expertise in strategic planning, creative asset development, and media campaigns, we focus on enrollment-centric initiatives. Our approach is grounded in industry best practices, ensuring precision in reaching target audiences. We have extensive experience in marketing to diverse groups, including high school students, Hispanic, military, LGBTQ+, international students, and online learners. Navigating the complex landscapes of university environments is second nature to us, and we prioritize fostering collaborations that yield mutually beneficial outcomes. With a personable, nimble, and highly responsive approach, we deliver tailored solutions to empower organizations to achieve their objectives.
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