The annual Brainstorm Student Interests Survey results provide insights into the preferences and experiences of tens of thousands of Canadian university and college students across the country. Attendees will gain actionable data and fresh perspectives to inform institutional strategy, enhance student services, and better align with the shifting priorities of today’s learners.
Graham Donald Graham Donald, Founder and President of Brainstorm Strategy Group, is one of North America’s leading experts on attracting, recruiting, and engaging students and graduates.
He founded Brainstorm Strategy Group in 2003 where he supports major employers and post-secondary institutions’ success through research, training, and strategic consulting. His clients include KPMG, PwC, University of Toronto, Deloitte, GE, McGill University, HSBC, UBC, Rutgers University, Kraft, and many others.
Each year is invited to speak at national and international conferences on topics related to attracting and engaging future generations. He also hosts numerous annual conferences and training programs including the Campus Recruitment Forum, the Strategic Enrolment Marketing & Management Forum (SEMM Forum), the Employer Engagement Academy, and the Post-Secondary Leaders Academy.
He was Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE) and the founder of Canada’s first job board for students, Campus WorkLink. He has also held leadership roles at Workopolis, Simply Hired, and Day Communications.
He received both his BA and MBA from the University of Toronto.
Presented by: Beth Shotton, Global Recognition Manager, International Baccalaureate Organization
Presentation Description: This session will share insights from Canadian institutions to guide informed recognition of IB programs. We’ll discuss research-backed academic outcomes, math readiness, and performance predictability of IB students. Attendees will learn how the IB’s curriculum, skills focus, and recent innovations—like the Career-related Programme and electronic transcripts—support student success and align with evolving post-secondary admission and enrolment strategies.
Presented by: Jodi Tavares, Executive Director, ARUCC MyCreds/MesCertif Natasha Buis Deering, Executive Director SEM & Registrar, University of Lethbridge
Presentation Description: In a rapidly evolving post-secondary landscape, institutions are looking for innovative ways to capture and communicate a student's full learning experience. The University of Lethbridge, in partnership with MyCreds, has pioneered the MyExperience Transcript, seamlessly integrating co-curricular records (CCR) into official academic documentation through the MyCreds API (Orbis). This session will provide a dual perspective on execution and impact: MyCreds will focus on collaboration and partnership with ULeth, sharing insights on what it takes to bring a major credential innovation from concept to execution. Attendees will gain an inside look at how institutions can effectively connect academic and co-curricular learning records, ensuring that students graduate with a comprehensive, employer-recognized digital credential.
Presented by: Phil Ollenberg, Associate Registrar, Emily Carr University of Art + Design Katie Buchanan, Lead, Enrolment Services & Testing, Bow Valley College
Presentation Description: Struggling with silos, turnover, and competing demands, a small admissions and registration team transformed into a future-ready, cross-trained unit. This session reveals how they streamlined workflows, strengthened collaboration, and built resilience—without a dedicated operational supervisor. Gain actionable strategies to modernize processes, boost team morale, and future-proof operations in an evolving educational landscape.
Presentation Description: This session will foster a space for WARUCC members to connect, collaborate, and commiserate with those who are already using, implementing, or contemplating SLATE CRM for use in their institutional operations. SLATE is becoming more recognized in Canada, with some of our WARUCC members being early adopters and current users. Whether you are in recruitment, admissions, records, financial aid, or student advising, you are invited to take part in this conversation.
You're invited to join us for a special buffet lunch as we come together to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions within our community. Enjoy great food, meaningful moments, and the chance to applaud your peers in a warm, celebratory atmosphere.
Presentation Description: This session explores how the BC Associate Registrars and Managers Association (BCARMA) leveraged technology, our existing network, and diverse approaches to engage registrarial staff across the province in professional development activities. The goal is to foster in staff professional pride, identity, and a sense of community related to the work they engage in every day. Our aim is to share creative ideas, within budget constraints, for staff development and connection.
Presented by: Jeremy Perrott, Registrar, Canadian Mennonite University Stephanie Penner, Assistant VP Academic for Program Development and Associate Registrar for Student Data, Canadian Mennonite University
Presentation Description: This session will explore the benefits, challenges, and best practices of SIS adoption, drawing from Canadian Mennonite University’s recent transition to a new system. Attendees will gain valuable insights into system selection considerations, integration, and optimization strategies aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and student services.
Presented by: Fiona Halbert, Assistant Registrar Student Financial Support, University of Alberta David Goertzen, Specialist - Student Financial Support, University of Alberta
Presentation Description: Learn how we improved our bursary process to aid students amid rising needs & limited resources. See our review’s key findings & process changes. We plan to share valuable lessons learned throughout our review process, including key learning about student-centered design, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making. Attendees will gain practical insights that they can apply to their own institutions or programs.
Presented by: Courtney Walker, Manager, National Recruitment, University of Alberta
Presentation Description: Student Recruitment at the University of Alberta utilizes a service-partner model to build meaningful connections with faculty and programs. Attendees will learn how to establish and leverage a relationship-based approach to support faculty/program recruitment, how to break down institutional silos to support overall enrolment outcomes and how to utilize a data-driven approach to build trust. Recent U of A initiatives will be showcased to demonstrate this work in action.
Presented by: Norma Roodenburg, Vice-Provost and University Registrar, University of Alberta Jane Lee, Associate Registrar, University of Alberta
Presentation Description: Leading effectively requires us to continually learn to help our organizations adapt and thrive in times of change. AI experts reiterate time and time again that the introduction of generative AI tools and systems will transform our work and lives. Like any other disruptive technological leaps we have experienced in the past, such as the internet, this will require us to balance the opportunities and risks in a holistic manner. But what does this actually mean? Over the past few months, the presenters have taken a personal and professional journey to learn as much as they can in this shifting landscape. We are motivated to share our journey and reflections and engage in a conversation about how this could impact the work in the Registrar’s office.
Presented by: Graham Donald, Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group
Presentation Description: This roundtable workshop will highlight some key student insight data points from Graham's earlier WARUCC plenary session. He’ll then share the key challenges employers are facing to meet their talent needs. With a deeper and more current understanding of students’ interests and employers’ needs, the final portion of this workshop will be an interactive discussion of the implications for your post-secondary education in general and your institution specifically.
