A Tale of Two Business Schools: Building Agility and Influence Within Centralized GEM Models

Please provide a one-paragraph overview of the session.‎ (200 words or less): Graduate enrollment management often walks the line between centralization and autonomy. While centralized graduate schools ensure consistency, compliance, and shared technology, the real magic happens where strategy meets execution — in the decentralized teams embedded within colleges.

This session explores how two business schools have learned not just to operate, but to thrive within centralized structures. At the University of North Florida, Coggin Graduate Programs, the team oversees the full student lifecycle — from recruiting through alumni engagement — while aligning seamlessly with the Graduate School. At UNC Greensboro, the Bryan School of Business and Economics drives recruiting and admissions strategy within a shared Slate instance and centralized policies.

Together, these case studies demonstrate how decentralized units can maximize impact through collaboration, communication, and shared data systems. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and relationship-building tools to strengthen partnerships with central offices, enhance decision-making, and achieve greater enrollment outcomes within their own GEM structures.

Session Agenda/Outline (200 words or less): 1. Setting the Stage (5 min): Overview of centralized vs. decentralized GEM models and the unique role of college-level teams.
2. Case Study – University of North Florida, Coggin Graduate Programs (10 min): How Coggin manages the full student lifecycle — from inquiry through alumni engagement — while collaborating closely with the Graduate School.
3. Case Study – UNC Greensboro, Bryan School of Business and Economics (10 min): How the Bryan School builds strong recruiting and admissions pipelines within a shared Slate instance and centralized policies.
4. Strategies for Collaboration (10 min): Communication practices, shared governance, data-sharing, and relationship-building approaches that enhance performance in centralized systems.
5. Key Takeaways & Application (5 min): Interactive discussion where attendees identify their own GEM model and map actionable strategies for relationship management and cross-unit success.