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OpenApply Admissions Conference "Empathy Elevates Education"

Hosted at TASIS Portugal
Estrada Nacional No 9 Quinta da Beloura II, 2710-697 Sintra, Portugal
Venue: TBA clear filter
Friday, April 25
 

8:00am WEST

Shuttle: from Hotel to TASIS
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:20am WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 8:00am - 8:20am WEST
TBA

8:20am WEST

Morning Tea & Registration
Friday April 25, 2025 8:20am - 8:45am WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 8:20am - 8:45am WEST
TBA

8:45am WEST

Welcome Remarks
Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
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9:10am WEST

SOUL: What Does Empathy Mean to You?
Friday April 25, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
TBA
Empathy is a core ingredient in successful stakeholder engagement in a school.

Discover how we can leverage empathy, happiness, passion, transparency, and transformation to craft powerful stories that resonate with our school communities. Storytelling is integral to marketing/enrollment/admissions but how can we then celebrate these stories and strategize to foster the success of our students equitably?

In terms of ‘inclusivity’ ‘pluralism’ ‘diversity’ - what are we doing to build classrooms that ought to be representative of a wider audience and not only those who can afford our schools? Similarly, do we have a voice (as Admissions folk) at the big table? Diversity isn’t just for the student body but also within the decision-making level at a school. Admissions is an important voice.

This session will include insights, gained from working with students, staff, parents, and alumni/donors on

Establishing a strategic approach towards enrolment, with one important ingredient, 'SOUL'.
Practical tips for enhancing stakeholder engagement through storytelling.
Speakers
avatar for Arjun Puri

Arjun Puri

Dean of Admissions, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad
Arjun Puri was born and raised in Kolkata and schooled at the prestigious La Martiniere for Boys, where he was appointed the 167th school captain in 2002-03. He graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2007 and worked with Merrill Lynch International Bank in London for nearly... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
TBA

10:00am WEST

Coffee Break
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am WEST
TBA

10:15am WEST

Host School Story
Friday April 25, 2025 10:15am - 11:05am WEST
TBA
Speakers
avatar for Aimee Gruber

Aimee Gruber

Asst. Head - Enrollment Management & Marketing, TASIS Portugal
Aimee has spent the past three decades honing her skills in admission and related fields, first as a director of admission and financial aid at boarding and day schools in the United States, and then working for nonprofit educational associations: The Enrollment Management Association... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 10:15am - 11:05am WEST
TBA

11:05am WEST

Short Break
Friday April 25, 2025 11:05am - 11:10am WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 11:05am - 11:10am WEST
TBA

11:10am WEST

Building Connections: Empathy and Belonging in International School Admissions
Friday April 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm WEST
TBA
At Villiers School, empathy and belonging are at the heart of our international admissions process. We understand the importance of connecting with families from diverse backgrounds and ensure that every applicant feels heard and valued. Our admissions approach goes beyond forms and interviews, focusing on building meaningful relationships that reflect our commitment to fostering belonging. By embracing each student’s unique cultural perspective, we create a supportive environment where all students feel they truly belong. This empathy-driven approach ensures that every student, from the moment they apply, is welcomed into the Villiers School community with care and understanding.
Speakers
avatar for Susan Peña

Susan Peña

Admissions & Communications Manager / DEI Co-Lead, Villiers School, Limerick Ireland
Susan Peña (she/her) is the Admissions, Marketing & Communications Manager, as well as a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Co-Lead at Villiers School, which is located in Limerick, Ireland. Villiers School is an IB World School, one of only four schools in Ireland offering the... Read More →
avatar for Jill Storey

Jill Storey

Head of School, Villiers School
Jill Storey (she/her) is Head of School at Villiers School.Jill holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Philosophy from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Jill has also achieved a Higher Diploma in Secondary Education and Teaching... Read More →
Friday April 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm WEST
TBA

12:00pm WEST

Lunch
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm WEST
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1:00pm WEST

Social Media That Works: A School’s Guide to Effective Online Presence
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
TBA
Every school has a story, but is yours reaching the right audience in the right way? This interactive session will guide admissions, communications, and leadership teams in creating a tailored content strategy that resonates with their unique school community. Learn how to align messaging with admissions goals, leverage data-driven insights, and ensure consistency across platforms. We’ll explore real-world examples, workshop audience-specific messaging, and provide actionable steps to refine your school’s content plan. Walk away with a customizable content framework that strengthens your school’s presence and deepens engagement with prospective and current families.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
TBA

1:00pm WEST

Analytics in Action
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
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1:00pm WEST

Re-Enrolment & Transition
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm WEST
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1:50pm WEST

Short Break
Friday April 25, 2025 1:50pm - 2:00pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 1:50pm - 2:00pm WEST
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2:00pm WEST

Beyond the Homepage: Website Pages That Drive Admissions Success
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
TBA
Your school’s homepage is just the beginning. While it’s a vital first impression, families looking to enroll won’t make their decision based on a homepage alone. This session dives deeper into the pages that truly impact admissions—those that tell your school’s story, answer key questions, and inspire action. From tuition transparency to student life and application support, we’ll explore what matters most to prospective families and how to optimize these pages for conversion.
Speakers
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
TBA

2:00pm WEST

Data-Driven Empathy: Enhancing Admissions Through Compassionate Analytics
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
TBA
To help school admissions teams learn how to balance data-driven decision-making with empathy in order to create more inclusive, fair, and community-centered admissions processes. Look at strategies for using analytics not just to process applications efficiently, but to truly understand the students behind the numbers.
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
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2:00pm WEST

Help Desk
Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
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Friday April 25, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm WEST
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2:50pm WEST

Coffee Break
Friday April 25, 2025 2:50pm - 3:10pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 2:50pm - 3:10pm WEST
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3:10pm WEST

Panel: Empathy Elevates Education
Friday April 25, 2025 3:10pm - 4:15pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 3:10pm - 4:15pm WEST
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4:15pm WEST

Shuttle: from TASIS to Hotel
Friday April 25, 2025 4:15pm - 4:35pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 4:15pm - 4:35pm WEST
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5:30pm WEST

Happy Hour 🙌🏻
Friday April 25, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm WEST
TBA
Friday April 25, 2025 5:30pm - 7:00pm WEST
TBA
 
Saturday, April 26
 

8:10am WEST

Shuttle: from Hotel to TASIS
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:10am - 8:30am WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:10am - 8:30am WEST
TBA

8:30am WEST

Morning Tea
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am WEST
TBA

8:45am WEST

OpenApply Roadmap
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 8:45am - 9:10am WEST
TBA

9:10am WEST

What's New?
Saturday April 26, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 9:10am - 10:00am WEST
TBA

10:00am WEST

Coffee Break
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:20am WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:20am WEST
TBA

10:20am WEST

Unconference
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 10:20am - 11:10am WEST
TBA

11:10am WEST

Short Break
Saturday April 26, 2025 11:10am - 11:20am WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 11:10am - 11:20am WEST
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11:20am WEST

Heart Matters: Supporting Families of Neurodiverse Applicants with Empathy and Integrity
Saturday April 26, 2025 11:20am - 12:10pm WEST
TBA
How admissions teams engage with families of neurodiverse applicants speaks volumes about a school’s values, vision, and reputation. Whether the answer is yes or no, every interaction must be rooted in empathy, care, and respect.

Drawing inspiration from the SPAN Speaker Series featuring experts from SENIA International and parents of neurodiverse students, this session explores best practices for fostering meaningful and transparent conversations with families. Participants gain insights into how to:
  • Balance honesty with compassion when discussing admissions decisions
  • Support families through the process with sensitivity and clarity
  • Ensure that every interaction reflects the school’s commitment to inclusion
  • Position admissions as a bridge to trust rather than a gatekeeper

Expect discomfort, reflection and practical strategies that strengthen relationships, uphold integrity, and reinforce your school’s dedication to welcoming all learners.
Speakers
avatar for Catalina Gardescu

Catalina Gardescu

Admissions, Marketing & Communications Consultant, Copenhagen International School
Catalina Gardescu is an experienced Educational Marketing, Admissions, and Communications professional with over 20 years of expertise in international school advancement. She established and led the Admissions and External Relations Department at the American International School... Read More →
Saturday April 26, 2025 11:20am - 12:10pm WEST
TBA

12:10pm WEST

Lunch
Saturday April 26, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm WEST
TBA

1:00pm WEST

School Tour
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:00pm - 1:30pm WEST
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1:30pm WEST

Connecting with Stakeholders Through Empathy, Courage and Diplomacy
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
TBA
To create the perfect recipe for building strong connections with prospective parents, the admissions team needs to first ensure they have the right ingredients—namely solid relationships with key stakeholders within their own school. However, just like in a complex dish, each stakeholder brings their own unique flavor to the table, with different needs and perspectives that can sometimes clash. This can make crafting those relationships a bit tricky. In this presentation, you’ll have the chance to explore how to blend these varied perspectives with a dash of empathy, a sprinkle of courage, and a pinch of tact, all while improving the way you connect with prospective families and making the enrollment process run more smoothly.
Speakers
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
TBA

1:30pm WEST

Alumni & Advancement
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
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Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
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1:30pm WEST

Stretegies for Smarter CRM
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm WEST
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2:20pm WEST

Short Break
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:20pm - 2:30pm WEST
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Saturday April 26, 2025 2:20pm - 2:30pm WEST
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2:30pm WEST

Strengthening Alumni Relations: Strategies for Engagement, Networking, and Long-Term Community Building
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
TBA
This session is in the format of a job-alike meeting in which professionals working in alumni relations share their best practices, challenges, and innovative strategies for fostering meaningful connections with former students. Topics will include alumni engagement, networking opportunities, communication strategies, event planning, and leveraging alumni support for school initiatives. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss successful programs, and explore new ways to strengthen alumni ties. Whether your school has a well-established alumni network or is in the early stages of development, this collaborative session will provide valuable insights and practical takeaways to enhance your alumni relations efforts.
Speakers
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
TBA

2:30pm WEST

Processing Applications from Enquiry to Enrolment
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
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2:30pm WEST

The Parent Perspective
Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
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Saturday April 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm WEST
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3:20pm WEST

Closing Reception
Saturday April 26, 2025 3:20pm - 4:20pm WEST
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Saturday April 26, 2025 3:20pm - 4:20pm WEST
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4:20pm WEST

Shuttle: from TASIS to Hotel
Saturday April 26, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm WEST
TBA
Saturday April 26, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm WEST
TBA
 
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