Certificate Program and Balmer Scholarship
Leadership in Enrollment Management Program
Partnering for Your Success
EMA and USC Rossier School of Education have partnered to offer an online certificate program for independent school enrollment leaders. USC Rossier's Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice (CERPP) offers The Leadership in Enrollment Management Certificate program which is 30 weeks in length (including holiday breaks), with a total of 26 weeks of enrollment management content led by experienced practitioners. The program culminates with a robust case study assignment that allows participants to deeply examine and apply their learning to the development of a 3–5 year strategic enrollment plan.
Program Highlights
The curriculum covers enrollment management in institutional and societal contexts, information and knowledge management, pricing and aid policy, college admission policy and practice, retention organization, leadership, and case studies.
The online program has been newly redesigned so that you will gain:
- Intensive training for insightful leadership
- Live sessions (optional) bringing together your peers, faculty and alumni
- Extensive content knowledge across the field
- An expansive view of enrollment management, policy and practice
- Practical case study experience
- A national network of dedicated professionals
- Instruction and advising by recognized leaders in the field
- A USC Certificate in Leadership in Enrollment Management to acknowledge your achievement
Program Dates
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the schedule will be:
- September 22, 2025: Program start date
- November 24–28, 2025: Thanksgiving break
- December 15, 2025–January 5, 2026: Winter break
- April 19, 2026: Program end date
Tuition
Tuition for the full 26-week USC Leadership in Enrollment Management certificate program is $8,000. The tuition is payable by the first day of the course unless otherwise arranged. A three-part payment plan is available upon request.
EMA provides up to five $4,000 Balmer Scholarships annually to applicants from EMA member schools who are accepted to the program.
Application Process & Deadlines
Apply to the USC Certificate Program
USC Certificate Program Application Deadline is September 19, 2025.
Visit the CERPP website to learn more and to apply.
Note: Official application deadline is September 20th, but we recommend that Balmer Scholarship applicants apply ASAP.
Apply for a Balmer Scholarship
Balmer Scholarship Application Deadline is September 5, 2025.
Note: You must be accepted to the USC Certificate program before commencing the application for a Balmer Scholarship.
Balmer Scholarships
Announcing Balmer Scholarships to the University of Southern California's Leadership in Enrollment Management Certificate Program (through the Rossier School of Education's Center for Enrollment Research, Policy, and Practice).
Preserving a Legacy: USC Scholarships in Memory of Dr. Stephanie Balmer
In recognition of the exceptional contributions of the late Dr. Stephanie Balmer to the advancement of enrollment management, trustees of The Enrollment Management Association have announced scholarships to USC's Leadership in Enrollment Management certificate program will be named in her honor.
Dr. Balmer, a faculty member for the certificate program, provided a popular course entitled "Demonstrating Value and Return on Investment.” She derived great satisfaction from working to raise the level of independent school admission professionalism through her USC faculty teaching and training.
Past EMA Board Chair Kevin Plummer, head of school at Tampa Preparatory School (FL), remarked, "The board sought a way to honor Dr. Balmer's unique gifts to the enrollment community, and particularly her dedication to promoting knowledge of strategic enrollment management in independent schools. As a leader in our industry, Stephanie's close ties to the certificate program made our board decision an easy one. It is fitting that our independent school cohort at USC will be reminded of Stephanie's legacy as they seek to expand their knowledge to the benefit of independent schools."
About Dr. Stephanie Balmer
On February 17, 2018, Stephanie Balmer, Harpeth Hall's head of school since 2014, passed away. Beloved by her community, Stephanie exuded a bright, intellectual vitality that touched all who knew her, and her remarkable life and legacy will continue to inspire generations.
Stephanie's path to headship came through her experience in enrollment management at the post-secondary level. Prior to joining Harpeth Hall, she served as vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communications and as dean of admissions at Dickinson College (PA) and was the associate vice president for enrollment and dean of admission at Agnes Scott College (GA).
Stephanie's board service included the College Board’s National Guidance and Admissions Assembly Council (GAAC) and the National Council for Enrollment Policy and Planning. She also served on the board of directors of The Common Application and was a past president of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC). A frequent presenter at national and regional meetings of The College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and the Council of International Schools (CIS), Stephanie lent her time presenting at secondary schools nationally and internationally on selective college admission and the high school to college transition.
EMA Scholarship Recipients for the USC Rossier CERPP Certificate Program
2024–2025 Recipients
"Participation in USC’s Leadership in Enrollment Management program provided both professional growth as well as an in-depth understanding of the emerging field of enrollment management. Connections made between the evolving educational landscape as well as trends that impact enrollment in both higher education as well as K12 Independent schools built a strong foundation for me to strategically manage our school's long term and short term enrollment management plan. The Balmer Scholarship made this program accessible for me and provided the opportunity to build professional relationships. Program faculty and staff are renowned nationally as leaders in enrollment management. The benefits provided by this scholarship opportunity is emblematic of the legacy of Stephanie Balmer."
2023–2024 Recipients
"The USC Leadership in Enrollment Management Program gave me the opportunity to engage with industry experts and apply new knowledge to my school’s strategic practices. I am deeply grateful for EMA and Balmer scholarship, which allowed me to broaden my insights, expand my professional network, and grow both personally and professionally."
2022–2023 Recipients
"Through the USC Leadership in Enrollment Management certificate program, I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge of enrollment management from an independent school and collegiate perspective. The program inspired me to grow professionally and personally. Since attending the program, the Balmer Scholar affinity group has been critical in helping me develop relationships with colleagues from different cohorts. I am continually learning from colleagues due to this shared experience. I am grateful for my experience as a Balmer Scholar, and I highly recommend this professional growth opportunity!"
2021–2022 Recipients
“Because of the Balmer Scholarship, I was able to participate in USC’s Leadership in Enrollment Management program, allowing me to connect and learn from experts in the field at both the independent school and collegiate level. The coursework and the opportunity to network with colleagues have greatly improved my effectiveness as an enrollment management leader. I am so grateful for an engaging and comprehensive professional development opportunity!”
2020-2021 Recipients
“The USC program challenged me to deepen my knowledge of and critically reflect upon my approach to enrollment management. The Balmer Scholarship made it possible for me to engage in programming that helped to further our strategic enrollment practices at LCS.”
2019-2020 Recipients
“The opportunity to learn from enrollment industry experts and then immediately apply my knowledge at my school was an incredibly rewarding experience thanks to the Balmer Scholarship.”
2018-2019 Recipients
“The programme offered me a full scale of knowledge that prepares me for future success in my role, from managing everyday expectations in enrolments to the high-level philosophical understanding of the educational landscape. I have gained so many insights from the experts in the field and my peers in the cohort, as well as had the opportunities to connect and expand my networks. I am sincerely grateful for the kindness and generosity of the Balmer Scholarship. The scholarship has made it possible for me to access such an amazing programme, benefit from the extended curriculum, and further grow myself personally and professionally. It was absolutely a joyful, enriched, and unforgettable learning experience.”
2017-2018 Recipients
“Enrollment in the USC Certificate Program enhanced my insight and knowledge in critical fields of admission, helped me better understand my valuable leadership role in an independent school community and challenged me to explore thoughtful enrollment management solutions - especially important in today’s shifting landscape.”
