Martha Faye Ikner

• Increased Undergraduate Enrollment 15%
• Devised and implemented strategic recruitment plan with consideration to both long and short term goals.
• Optimized CRM systems usage among staff members for better tracking of applicant information and communication history, ultimately enhancing recruitment efforts.
• Served as liaison between academic departments and admissions office, facilitating communication on program-specific requirements for applicants.
• Managed application review processes during peak seasons, ensuring all deadlines were met while maintaining high standards of evaluation quality.
• Increased application completion rates by streamlining admissions process and providing clear instructions to prospective students.
• Championed diversity efforts within admissions department, contributing to more inclusive and representative student population on campus.
• Mentored junior admissions staff, fostering professional growth and improving overall team performance.
• Implemented data-driven recruitment strategies that resulted in higher enrollment numbers from targeted demographics.
• Developed training programs for new hires, standardizing best practices across department and improving overall efficiency.
• Evaluated success of recruitment efforts by analyzing data on application rates, enrollment numbers, and demographic trends in incoming class.
• Assessed annual admission trends and provided insights into strategic planning sessions that led to informed decision-making processes.
• Streamlined communications with applicants throughout admissions cycle, ensuring timely notifications and maintaining positive relationships with prospective enrollees.
• Implemented strategies to increase student recruiting, engagement and retention.

• Increased Undergraduate Enrollment 15%
• Devised and implemented strategic recruitment plan with consideration to both long and short term goals.
• Worked with marketing team to develop recruitment strategies in accordance with organizational goals and within budgetary guidelines.
• Implemented recruitment methods designed to increase application pool within targeted areas.
• Collaborated with faculty, staff and students to identify and address institutional challenges.
• Prepared and administered budget of $350,000 for campus with 2,000 students.
• Implemented strategies to increase student recruiting, engagement and retention.
• Increased school registrations over 3% with improved promotional approaches, outreach strategies and parent engagement plans.
• Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
• Implemented CRM; Salesforce/TargetX
• Implemented new CRM; Technolutions SLATE
• Spearheaded technology initiatives to support student learning and academic excellence.
• Devised programs to promote diversity and inclusion among staff, faculty, and students.
• Designed effective and user-friendly processes for both admissions and applicant review.
• Guided and supported faculty and staff in development of new programs.
• Revamped campus engagement program
• Assist with completion, monitoring, and submission of admissions data for federal, state, and institutional reports
• Develop enrollment forecasts and projections
• Gained extensive knowledge in data entry, analysis, and reporting
• Identified issues, analyzed information, and provided solutions to problems
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects
• Recruited, hired, and trained current admissions recruitment personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions
• Manage team of 18 (includes staff and student workers)

• Defined, implemented, and revised operational policies and guidelines.
• Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with business objectives.
• Tasked to turn around low-growth operation by solidifying workflow processes, strengthening client relationships and improving communications supporting client advocacy.
• Assisted prospective students with admissions by processing paperwork, arranging and conducting campus tours, and conducting follow-up activities.
• Planned and implemented campus recruitment events, admissions programs, and open houses.
• Coordinate review, revision, and development of enrollment, recruitment, and admissions policies, processes, and procedures to align institutional and system requirements
• Assist with completion, monitoring, and submission of admissions data for federal, state, and institutional reports
• Generate weekly admissions reports and develop enrollment forecasts and projections
• Collaborates throughout College community and maintains strong relationships with departments and contributes to marketing, communications, and publications
• Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
• Participated in continuous improvement by generating suggestions, engaging in problem-solving activities to support teamwork.
• Worked with marketing team to develop recruitment strategies in accordance with organizational goals and within budgetary guidelines.
• Maximizes recruiting and admissions operations by using modern, state of the art recruiting and admissions technologies
• Devised and implemented strategic recruitment plan with consideration to both long and short term goals.
• Implemented recruitment methods designed to increase application pool within targeted areas.
• Developed team communications and information for meetings.
• Managed team of seven employees, overseeing hiring, training and professional growth of employees.
• Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.

• Tasked to turn around low-growth operation by solidifying workflow processes, strengthening client relationships and improving communications supporting client advocacy.
• Assisted leadership with launch of start-up to achieve Alumni Recruitment Plan, Parent Recruitment Plan, and Faculty Recruitment Plan
• Assisted prospective students with admissions by processing paperwork, arranging and conducting campus tours and conducting follow-up activities.
• Coordinated and participated in various campus recruitment events and efforts, including orientation programs and open houses.
• Increased school registrations over 10% with improved promotional approaches, outreach strategies and parent engagement plans.
• Developed outreach marketing campaigns to relay school's mission to prospective parents and students.
• Manages strategic planning and goal-setting for outreach budgets.
• Develops operational plans to develop and execute admissions strategies, policies and procedures.
• Maintains relationships with all organizations and individuals involved in admissions processes.
• Develops and monitors Regional admissions team and project budgets.
• Lead IL Regional Recruitment team of 2 personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
• Oversaw business calendar of events and scheduled key initiatives.
• Developed team communications and information for recruitment meetings.
• Kept institution financially sound by tracking expenses and maintaining detailed records.
• Coordinated and participated in various campus recruitment events and efforts, including orientation programs and open houses.
• Developed regional admissions marketing campaigns to relay school's mission to prospective parents and students.

• Increased Illinois enrollment 8% with improved promotional approaches, outreach strategies and engagement plans.
• Lead IL Regional Recruitment team of 2 personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
• Oversaw business calendar of events and scheduled key initiatives.
• Developed team communications and information for recruitment meetings.
• Kept institution financially sound by tracking expenses and maintaining detailed records.
• Coordinated and participated in various campus recruitment events and efforts, including orientation programs and open houses.
• Developed regional admissions marketing campaigns to relay school's mission to prospective parents and students.
• Manage large territory of 200+ schools throughout Illinois with responsibility for driving high levels of enrollment for prospective freshman and transfer for undergraduate
• Counsel prospective students, families, and community stakeholders individual and groups while participating in extensive travel in Illinois communicating PNW admissions, registration criteria and student support services via in-person, email correspondence, panels, and telephone interactions

• Manage large territory of 210 schools throughout Chicagoland area including Kankakee, Northern, and Western Suburbs with responsibility for driving high levels of enrollment for prospective freshman and transfer for undergraduate and graduate degree programs
• Counsel prospective students, families, and community stakeholders individual and groups while participating in extensive travel in Chicagoland and surrounding suburban territory communicating PNW admissions, registration criteria and student support services via in-person, email correspondence, panels, and telephone interactions
• Build strong rapport with Illinois and neighboring states' high schools and community colleges aggressively balancing and developing positive brand image of school among potential applicants, family members and secondary school counselors and administrators
• Interview prospective students, promote degree programs and assist with admissions, scholarship applications and financial aid processes
• Provide support to campus visit coordinator scheduling individual and group accommodation requests for campus tours, visits, open houses, counselor bus-ins and faculty meetings as needed
• Developed record number of applications with 35% increase in inaugural year building Non-Resident students including increase outreach with application workshops for select high school partners
• Responsible for providing regular reports communicating enrollment goals and yield to faculty and staff
• Co-Chair of First Generation Committee formed to help give all first generation students support needed to matriculate, persist and graduate

• Manage large territory of 130 schools throughout Chicagoland area including Kankakee, Northern, and Western Suburbs with responsibility for driving high levels of enrollment for prospective freshman and transfer for undergraduate and graduate degree programs
• Counsel prospective students, families, and community stakeholders individual and groups while participating in extensive overnight travel to Chicagoland and surrounding suburban territory communicating SIU admissions, registration criteria and student support services via in-person, email correspondence, panels, and telephone interactions
• Build strong rapport with Illinois and neighboring states' high schools and community colleges aggressively balancing and developing positive brand image of school among potential applicants, family members and secondary school counselors and administrators
• Interview prospective students, promote degree programs and assist with admissions, scholarship applications and financial aid processes
• Provide support to campus visit coordinator scheduling individual and group accommodation requests for campus tours, visits, open houses, counselor fly-ins and faculty meetings as needed
• Developed record number of applications with 79% increase for four consecutive years in three different recruitment territories including increase outreach with application workshops and creation of free application week for select high school partners
• Responsible for providing regular reports communicating enrollment goals and yield to faculty and staff
• Assisted in creation of mobile app for Undergraduate Admissions which allows students to create their own visit schedule, access to admissions checklist, has campus map at their fingertips, news, weather and other happenings in Carbondale area. MySIU has reached over 1,000 new users and allowed Admissions department to grow technically and helps students be more informed and advocate on their own behalf.

• Recruited, hired, mentored, and trained 17 staff members creating positive and effect team environment resulted in providing excellent client experience
• Cultivated relationships with key players in various industries to create ongoing and mutually beneficial referral systems.
• Managed day-to-day tactical and long-term strategic activities within business.
• Developed and maintained printed and digital marketing materials, press releases, and annual reports
• Developed and executing cost, schedule, contract performance, variance and risk analysis to guide business plans, budgets and quarterly and semi-annual business reviews
• Maintained clean and safe environment by adhering to all federal, state and local sanitation and safety requirement

Promoted to Admissions Executive Assistant duties expanded to include:

• Annually reviewed 400-500 application files making significant decisions on admissions and managed waitlist with Director of Admissions
• Assisted in creation of new CRM system for Admissions staff and establishing effective systems for record retention and demonstrated interest tracking in matriculation
• Developed internal metrics and standardizing of processing student records to increase efficiency and maintain FERPA laws
• Served as primary point of admissions contact and liaison between admissions and other departmental managers
• Responsible for coordinating recruitment initiatives across various units including arranging custom visits and tours for prospective students and parents annually serving 400-500 families
• Communicated with parents and educational consultants via phone, email and in-person to yield prospective students and retain enrolled student
• Scheduled and confirm appointments and recruitment travel for four member admissions team as well as other 25 other staff/faculty members recruitment travel
• Coordinated joint admissions and development departmental functions for target populations and VIP donors
• Supported new student welcome orientation and activities

Promoted to Admissions Executive Assistant

• Represented Brehm at general public outreach and awareness sessions and other special event programs
• Created and maintain newsletter communications and marketing materials for enrolled and prospective students and families
• Maintained detailed administrative and procedural processes to improve accuracy and efficiency
• Consistently prepared reports, proposals, and responded to inquiries from students, parents, faculty and staff
• Responsible for maintaining student database system inputting attendance records, guardianship letters, and other private documents of 100 domestic and international students
• Facilitate medical insurance enrollment of international and low-income students
• Improved productivity initiatives while coordinating itineraries and scheduling appointments.
• Prepared monthly, weekly and daily logs using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Created and completed personnel action forms for all hires, terminations, title changes and terminations.

• Majored in English- Pre-Professional Specialty
• Elected to President for Vanity Fashion Fair Models in 1997