Why SEMM Forum?

Our goal is student success. The outcome is institutional success.

When professionals learn from peers at other institutions and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved and students benefit as a result.

SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.

Register Now Register Now

Develop a SEM culture across your institution:

Explore every factor impacting enrolment Explore every factor impacting enrolment
Learn from colleagues and peers across Canada Discover innovative Canadian approaches from SEM peers
Get your whole team on the same page by learning together Get your whole team on the same page by learning together
Implement changes to achieve your goals Implement changes to achieve your goals

Call for Proposals

We invite you to submit a session proposal and share your unique perspectives, insights, and successes with us at the 2023 in-Person SEMM Forum Conference.

Submit Proposal Register Now

Curious about what we're looking for in a proposal?

  1. Relevance, Replicability and “Freshness”

    We want you to submit proposals that will allow you to show others how to do what you did, so it might benefit their institution. Offering your perspective and insights on topics that are relevant to leaders in SEM such as:

    • Innovative enrolment and retention practices
    • Programs or initiatives that have provided specific KPI improvements
    • A focus on embracing and implementing programs related to diversity, equity, inclusion and/or indigeneity
    • Creative and impactful uses of data and technology
    • Improvements related to access, transition, persistence and graduation for all and/or specific student groups
    • Collaboration among departments, faculties and units across the institution supporting enrolment efforts.
    • Top-quality student-centered service models or support initiatives
    • Insightful research or experiences that can guide better decision-making
    • Beneficial partnerships with external partners such as other institutions, community stakeholders and vendors.
  2. Clear Learning Outcomes

    Be as specific as you can about what you want your presentation to “produce” and how you will make this happen. Conference participants want knowledge and skills to take back to their home campuses and apply immediately.

  3. Metrics or Measurements

    What measures of success did you apply to this initiative, program, or innovation? How did you use metrics to evaluate the success of your goals for this project, and what did you learn from this process? (Pro Tip: It can also be helpful to identify unexpected outcomes - not just the goals you made at the start of the process.)

  4. Compelling & Engaging

    Give your presentation a title and description that will inform and attract the right audience to your session and seek opportunities to engage participants with interesting examples or case studies and opportunities to address their specific questions.

Who Should Attend?

The SEMM Forum is for anyone involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals. Each concurrent timeslot will have multiple workshops or roundtables to ensure that every hour will include relevant learning opportunities for all delegates in areas that include: SEM, recruitment, PSE marketing, student success, and international.

Here are some of the job titles of those that attended recent SEMM Forums:

  • Director of Recruitment and Admissions
  • Assistant Director, Student Recruitment
  • Director, Enrolment
  • Vice-President Academic Affairs and Registrar
  • Associate Director, Strategic Enrolment Management
  • Provost & Vice President
  • Registrar
  • Registrar & Director of Admissions
  • Associate Director, Student Services
  • Associate Registrar
  • Associate Registrar, Admissions & Recruitment
  • Associate Vice-President, Student Affairs
  • Enrolment Advisor
  • Chief Recruitment Officer
  • Dean
  • Recruitment Specialist
  • Director of Enrolment Services
  • Director of Finance
  • Director of Institutional Data Analysis & Planning
  • Director of Marketing
  • Director of Student Services
  • Director SEM
  • Manager, International Student Recruitment
  • Manager of Student Services & Athletics
  • Marketing & Recruitment Manager
  • Director of Admissions
  • Director of Communications and Marketing
  • Director, Admissions & Student Recruitment
  • Director, Academic Initiatives & Planning
  • Director, International Marketing & Recruitment
  • Director, Undergraduate Recruitment
  • Student Recruitment Officer
  • Registrar, Student Services
  • Executive Director of Student Experience
  • Executive Director, Student Services

Your Action Plan

1. Register your team today at the best rates. 1. Register your team today at the best rates.
2. Learn, make connections, and discover new strategies and tactics. 2. Learn, make connections, and discover new strategies and tactics.
3. Exceed your goals and objectives back on campus. 3. Exceed your goals and objectives.

Testimonials

See what past attendees say about the SEMM Forum.

"The conference was such a valuable experience, as attending allowed me to give myself permission to put away other work and focus on the key topics at hand. Although the ability to network, research and analyze enrolment management content is always available to us, conferences with colleagues offer a unique opportunity to sink into the information and networks both organically and with attention. I found it helpful to learn how others were putting the sessions into context for their specific institutions and to get a sense of where we all were, along the SEMM path, in relation to one another. I took many notes, had aha moments, ate well and made new friends! Thanks to the hosts and presenters!"

Holly MacDonald

Holly MacDonald

CRM-Advise Retention Specialist, Cape Breton University

"I have been a repeat attendee of the annual SEMM Forum Conference. The 2022 event, like all previous forums attended, provided timely strategic enrolment insights, advice, and recommendations, regardless of the size or type of post-secondary institution attending. Every year the opportunities and challenges in student recruitment and enrollment shift, and every year the SEMM Forum has effectively captured and addressed these constant changes. The speakers and presentations were top quality, and the networking opportunities for post-secondary strategic enrolment and marketing professionals are second-to-none."

Gord Hunchak

Gord Hunchak

Vice President University Relations, First Nations University of Canada

"This was my first SEMM Forum and I was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the sessions and the opportunity to connect with and learn from colleagues across the country. It was a fulfilling experience to hear what challenges we were all facing and to put our heads together to discuss creative solutions. I returned to my institution with a lot to share."

Blessie Mathew

Blessie Mathew

Director, Career Centre and Experiential Learning, University of Alberta

"The 2022 SEMM Forum was an excellent opportunity to learn about higher education enrolment strategies, tactics, issues and opportunities, and to network with recruitment, advancement and marcomm professionals from institutions across Canada."

Sharon Aschaiek

Sharon Aschaiek

Principal, Higher Ed Communications

"SEMM Forum is a great way to bring brilliant minds together to tackle challenges that we all experience and bring awareness to how we can better support our students and institutions. I always come away with new ideas and ways to do my job better."

Michelle Dittmer

Michelle Dittmer

President & Co-Founder, Canadian Gap Year Association

"Every presentation I attended was well prepared, delivered professionally and had clear takeaways. It doesn't matter if you have been in the field for less than two years or 15 years. You will leave with knowledge you can start applying now."

Chanelle Landriault

Chanelle Landriault

Recruitment Manager, Le Collège Boréal

"As an Associate Vice Provost, Strategic Enrolment Management, at one of Canada's medical doctoral universities, I appreciate the opportunity to connect with a variety of individuals (senior leaders through to those new to the field) to discuss emerging topics, trends, and best practices. I have not attended in a few years, and it reminded me that our environmental and cultural contexts are continuously changing and it is important to keep engaged."

Alison Pickrell

Alison Pickrell

Assistant Vice Provost, SEM, University of Saskatchewan

"As someone who is new to the field of recruitment, the SEMM forum provides not only "point in time" information, but credible and informed speakers to deliver it. Content, format, collaboration, expert delivery and support all combine to provide a Canadian event with great perspective."

Georgine Van de Mosselaer

Georgine Van de Mosselaer

Director of Advancement, Booth University College

"The SEMM Forum is one of Canada's best opportunities to grow a deep understanding of enrolment management and marketing. The program is top-notch and so are the attendees; rarely do I see this type of high quality interaction between presenters and participants."

JP Rains

JP Rains

Director, Digital Strategy & Communications, Laurentian University

"The information presented was relevant to a wide range of post-secondary administrators. This is extremely important as communication between all levels of administration such as recruitment, marketing, student services, admissions and all other facets is needed in recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives."

Lorretta Neebar

Lorretta Neebar

Registrar & Director of Enrolment Management, University of Toronto Mississauga

"The SEMM Forum offers an insightful and engaging look at leading research and activity taking place across the higher-education landscape in Canada. It is a high-value learning opportunity for SEM professionals!"

Mark Kolanko

Mark Kolanko

Associate Registrar, Enrolment, St. Francis Xavier University

"I have worked in higher education communications for seven years but I just recently started a role focused on strategic recruitment communications. SEMM Forum was an incredibly timely and valuable introduction to a side of the student life cycle that is largely unfamiliar to me. I have some building blocks for success as I enter into this next chapter of my career. Thank you!"

Allie Downing

Allie Downing

Senior Communications Strategist, Recruitment & Admissions Enrolment Services, Wilfrid Laurier University

View All

2022 Feature Presenters

(2023 Feature Presenters to be announced)

Panelist Headshot
Dr. Gervan Fearon

President,
George Brown College

Panelist Headshot
Angela Wolfe

Director, Indigenous Student Recruitment,
Simon Fraser University

Panelist Headshot
Ken Steele

Higher Education Strategist,
Eduvation

Panelist Headshot
Blessie Mathew

Director, Career Centre and Experiential Learning,
University of Alberta

Panelist Headshot
Sarah Wells

Olympian,
Believe Initiative

2022 Speakers

(2023 Speakers to be announced)

Panelist Headshot
Aida Osmonva

Regional Development Manager,
Pearson PTE

Panelist Headshot
Angi Roberts

Assistant Registrar, Marketing and Communications,
University of Guelph

Panelist Headshot
Bonnie Crocker

Senior SEM Consultant ,
Academica Group

Panelist Headshot
Chiranjiv Phull

Digital Marketing Lead,
The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

Panelist Headshot
David Cameron

Senior Manager of Research,
Toronto District School Board

Panelist Headshot
Dr. Chris Busch

Associate Vice President, Enrolment Management,
University of Windsor

Panelist Headshot
Dr. Michelle Riconscente

Chief Strategy and Operating Officer ,
Motimatic

Panelist Headshot
Emma Grant

Enrolment Advisor,
Trent University

Panelist Headshot
Grace Acosta

Associate Registrar,
The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

Panelist Headshot
Graeme Collins

Assistant Manager, International Digital Marketing and Communications,
University of Guelph

Panelist Headshot
Hannah Dang

Senior Director, Partner Relations,
ApplyBoard

Panelist Headshot
Jackie Pichette

Director, Policy, Research and Partnerships,
Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario

Panelist Headshot
Jennifer Powell

Director, Community Engagement,
Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.

Panelist Headshot
John F. Albanese

Dean of Enrollment,
Glasgow Caledonian New York College

Panelist Headshot
Kara Eldersveld

Executive Director, Online Program Experience,
Anthology

Panelist Headshot
Kelly Gallagher-Mackay

Associate Professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts,
Wilfrid Laurier University

Panelist Headshot
Nicholas Shalagan

Associate Director, Accelerated MBA, Recruitment and Admissions,
Ivey School of Business, Western University

Panelist Headshot
Nick Valentino

Program Manager, Student Success Initiatives,
York University

Panelist Headshot
Nina Bilimoria Angelo

Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer,
Unibuddy

Panelist Headshot
Richard Mitchell

Manager of Access and Inclusion, Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment,
Queen's University

Panelist Headshot
Rob Brown

Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Education,
York University

Panelist Headshot
Rupaali Kumar

Recruitment Officer, Campus Visitors and Community Outreach,
Brock University

Panelist Headshot
Ryan Snowdon

Strategic Enrolment Management Lead, Faculty of Arts and Science,
Queen's University

Panelist Headshot
Sanchit Mittal

Strategic Partnerships Manager,
ApplyBoard

Panelist Headshot
Sarah Wells

Olympian,
Believe Initiative

Panelist Headshot
Shoshannah Bennett-Dwara

Recruitment Representative, Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment,
Queen’s University

Panelist Headshot
Sohrab Rahmaty

Lead Researcher and Writer,
OCAS

Panelist Headshot
Suzie Addison Toor

Director, Social Innovation and Student Success,
Georgian College

Panelist Headshot
Tina Dealwis

Content Specialist,
York University

Panelist Headshot
Vidur Kalive

AI Architect,
York University

2023 Conference Program to be announced

2022 Conference Program

(2023 Conference Program to be announced)

Day 1 - Pre-Conference Workshops (additional fee and registration required)

Time Icon1:00 - 1:30

Registration Desk Open

Time Icon1:30 - 4:30

Drop the Megaphone: Tools & Techniques for Omnichannel, Multilateral Communication

Prospective students, applicants, enrolled students and influencers are all awash in a flood of traditional and non-traditional education options, and they are all inundated by...

Prospective students, applicants, enrolled students and influencers are all awash in a flood of traditional and non-traditional education options, and they are all inundated by a torrent of advertising, recruitment and reminder messages, in print, outdoor, mass media, websites, social apps, and search results. Time is precious, attention is scarce, and patience for the traditional “firehose” of outbound communication has worn thin – at every stage of enrolment. What’s more, expectations have skyrocketed for personalized, interactive, on-demand information – in multiple channels – in response to natural language questions.

Across industry sectors, the worlds of web, social, phone and face-to-face sales, marketing and support are rapidly converging. In response, higher ed institutions have been deploying teams of social media, telephone and outreach ambassadors to engage current and potential students in two-way conversations. They’ve also been investing in sophisticated technologies to maintain contact databases, automate follow-up and communication touchpoints, predict applicant decisions and student needs, and provide 24/7 personalized answers, advice and guidance.

Many smaller institutions have focused on “high-touch” strategies to grow applications, improve conversion and heighten retention, by doubling down on personal attention, student ambassadors, in-person events, active social channels and carefully crafted communications. Larger institutions have deployed high-tech tools to transform marketing, recruitment and success initiatives at scale, including CRMs, AI chatbots, predictive analytics, virtual community platforms and personalized adaptive technologies.

Whether your preferred approach is high-touch or high-tech, and whether you work in marketing, recruitment, enrolment or student success, the goal of communication should be the same: engaging your stakeholders in responsive dialogue, delivering the information they want, in the way they want, at the time they want, and ultimately building a vibrant community based on affinity and multilateral interactions.

In this 3-hour interactive workshop, marketing strategist Ken Steele will outline the fundamentals of bidirectional communication and multilateral community-building, share world-class examples for PSE marketing, recruitment, conversion and retention, and prompt participants to share their own experiences and insights. You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your current strengths and weaknesses, and come away with plenty of food for thought and bright ideas to consider.

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Ken Steele headshot

Ken Steele

Higher Education Strategist, Eduvation

Time Icon1:30 - 4:30

Integrating DEI Into Your Daily Actions & Larger Initiatives

You’ve heard, read, and learned a lot about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recently. But do you feel confident and equipped to implement DEI in your daily work? Do...

You’ve heard, read, and learned a lot about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) recently. But do you feel confident and equipped to implement DEI in your daily work? Do you know how to effectively integrate DEI in your projects and practices?

For diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to be successful they require organizational and individual commitment, cultural change, and time. DEI is a process, not a destination and evidence shows that workplaces that genuinely embrace DEI foster increased productivity and innovation as well as higher levels of meaningful engagement by employees and stakeholders.

To this end, most post-secondary institutions have invested in DEI training and education over the past few years. We have learned about unconscious bias, discrimination, microaggressions, intersectionality, and a whole host of ‘isms.’ Now we are at the point where we need to purposefully integrate this knowledge into the daily actions that form our work. Each individual in an organization has a responsibility in moving the needle forward on cultural change.

In the first half of this 3-hour interactive workshop, you will learn how to practice inclusive leadership regardless of whether you are in a formal leadership role. Inclusive leaders at all levels of an organization are the catalyst to sustainable change. In the second half of this workshop, you will learn how to apply a framework to create and review policies, programs, services, and practices using a DEI lens. Using this framework, you will be able to ensure the work you produce is culturally relevant, considers a wide range of perspectives, and is fundamentally based on justice and inclusion.

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Blessie Mathew headshot

Blessie Mathew

Director, Career Centre and Experiential Learning, University of Alberta

Day 1 - Conference Opening (included in conference registration)

Time Icon4:30 - 5:30

Registration Desk Open

Time Icon5:30 - 8:30

Opening Reception & Light Dinner

Start off your conference experience right with this opportunity to meet and share with peers from across Canada while enjoying drinks and a light...

Start off your conference experience right with this opportunity to meet and share with peers from across Canada while enjoying drinks and a light dinner.

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Day 2

Time Icon7:30 - 8:30

Registration & Networking Breakfast

Time Icon8:30 - 9:00

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Graham Donald headshot

Graham Donald

Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group

Time Icon9:00 - 10:00
Keynote Presentation

Surfing the Waves of Change: New Opportunities Emerging from Turbulence

In turbulent times, visionary leaders and their committed crews recognize the winds of change, reset their sails and change course as necessary. The past few years have...

In turbulent times, visionary leaders and their committed crews recognize the winds of change, reset their sails and change course as necessary. The past few years have disrupted our work, study, family and social lives, magnified pre-existing inequities and vulnerabilities, and accelerated the evolution of technological change. Labour market shifts and automation are driving continuous innovation in our programs. Our students’ diverse hardships and challenges have prompted more flexible policies and procedures, more intense student coaching, bridging and onboarding programs, and more extensive service hours and channels. Instructors and students alike have come to value new pedagogies, technologies and resources, while also appreciating the unique affordances of gathering face-to-face on campus. The pandemic has ushered in an era of unprecedented uncertainty, and a more fluid future for higher ed that will blend disciplines, drive more flexible services and credentials, and blur the lines between online and on-campus, learning and work, virtual and reality.

Despite the challenges of chaos, times of turbulence and crisis are also moments of opportunity for nimble institutions and departments to regroup, rethink our strategies and markets, and refocus our resources. In this dynamic session, higher ed futurist Ken Steele will attempt to still some of the current chaos, provide a long-range view toward the horizon, and help us appreciate some emerging opportunities for enrolment and marketing professionals.

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Ken Steele headshot

Ken Steele

Higher Education Strategist, Eduvation

Time Icon10:15 - 11:15
Concurrent Sessions

Thank You for Being a Friend: How York’s AI Tool Helped Students Thrive Through the Pandemic and Back to Campus

When York University launched SAVY, its AI-driven student virtual assistant in January 2020, they couldn't predict that just two months later, the COVID-19 pandemic would...

When York University launched SAVY, its AI-driven student virtual assistant in January 2020, they couldn't predict that just two months later, the COVID-19 pandemic would disrupt in-person education and impact students.

With students learning remotely, SAVY quickly became a key support, providing access to 24/7 help throughout the pandemic. In this session, attendees will learn how SAVY quickly pivoted to become a resource for COVID-19 information, provide mental health support, and be a friend and guide for students – and how SAVY is equally supporting students as they return to campus.

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Vidur Kalive headshot

Vidur Kalive

AI Architect, York University

Nick Valentino headshot

Nick Valentino

Program Manager, Student Success Initiatives, York University

Tina Dealwis headshot

Tina Dealwis

Content Specialist, York University

Time Icon10:15 - 11:15
Concurrent Sessions

Welcoming Indigenous Students: Application to Admission

Recruiting Indigenous applicants to Post-Secondary institutions is a focus of many Universities and Colleges in Canada. However, for many institutions there is a gap of...

Recruiting Indigenous applicants to Post-Secondary institutions is a focus of many Universities and Colleges in Canada. However, for many institutions there is a gap of understanding on how to reach Indigenous applicants. Increasingly, global challenges from COVID 19 have impacted Post-Secondary Education in every facet; recruitment practices and efforts have not been immune to these challenges. Post-Secondary institutions are having to embrace that colonial methods and practices of recruitment do not work for Indigenous communities. New and alternative ways of reaching and attracting Indigenous students must be a priority. In these challenging times, relational recruitment strategies are necessary to attract Indigenous students. The conundrum for Post-Secondary institutions is knowing how to recruit Indigenous students.

This presentation will be in a circle format where participants will discuss and unpack their understandings of how Indigenous student recruitment could look like in a post-secondary setting.

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Angela Wolfe headshot

Angela Wolfe

Director, Indigenous Student Recruitment, Simon Fraser University

Time Icon10:15 -11:15
Concurrent Sessions

Top 12 Tactics Schools Are Using To Get Next-Level Results From Virtual Tours

Over 30% of students depend on virtual tours today*, and schools are hanging on to this high impact, low maintenance digital "multitool" as recruitment shifts back to...

Over 30% of students depend on virtual tours today*, and schools are hanging on to this high impact, low maintenance digital "multitool" as recruitment shifts back to in-person. We've gathered 12 best practices currently being used across the enrolment journey that schools have put in place to take their virtual tours even further than you would expect. Find out how you can set up your virtual tour for success in the world of hybrid recruitment.

You'll learn 12 different techniques being used by institutions to leverage their virtual tours, organized into 3 stages of the decision process:

  • Improve awareness and consideration
  • Enhance conversion
  • Assist incoming student onboarding and support their transition to post-secondary

You'll learn how to set up, promote, and measure these innovative tactics, and get even more value out of a key applicant resource.

*Source: 2021 University/College Applicant Survey by Academica Group

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Andrew Klotz headshot

Andrew Klotz

Co-Founder, Circuit Virtual Tours

Rupaali Kumar headshot

Rupaali Kumar

Recruitment Officer, Campus Visitors and Community Outreach, Brock University

Daniel Deschenes headshot

Daniel Deschenes

Customer Success Lead, Circuit Virtual Tours

Time Icon11:30 - 12:30
Concurrent Sessions

From A to Gen Z: What Students Really Want

Enrolment marketers face competing demands and an ever-changing landscape. But the chief concern that guides their decision-making is understanding the thoughts and feelings of...

Enrolment marketers face competing demands and an ever-changing landscape. But the chief concern that guides their decision-making is understanding the thoughts and feelings of this unique generation of students. Gen Z surveys are ten a penny - but there are two fundamental problems with them. First, they aren't tailored to the higher education experience. The way Gen Z interacts with brands is interesting, but it's not representative of their journey to one of the most important decisions of their life so far. And second, surveys don't accurately capture the true feelings and thoughts of respondents. Unibuddy's chat technology uniquely positions us to offer a window of insight into students' true sentiments about the higher education decision process.

In this session, we’ll share our machine learning-powered analysis from over 12 million messages from prospective students sent to universities around the world about their worries, expectations and aspirations. We’ll also share success stories from our 500+ university partners to illustrate what all of this means for institutions like Trent University. Unibuddy’s Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer Nina Bilimoria Angelo will co-present with Trent's Enrolment Advisor, Emma Grant.

Emma will highlight the benefits of digital interaction to prioritize the preferences of today’s student pool and simultaneously lessen your team's workload.

The session will be co-delivered by Nina Bilimoria Angelo, Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at Unibuddy. A seasoned higher education expert, Nina has held leadership positions at education companies including Top Hat and Pearson.

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Nina Bilimoria Angelo headshot

Nina Bilimoria Angelo

Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Unibuddy

Emma Grant headshot

Emma Grant

Enrolment Advisor, Trent University

Time Icon11:30 - 12:30
Concurrent Sessions

Write Emails That Students (or Anyone) Will Read…or Why Bother?

How many emails do you write in a day? How many do you read? And do you really read every single one of them, word for word?

My guess is no. So then put yourself in...

How many emails do you write in a day? How many do you read? And do you really read every single one of them, word for word?

My guess is no. So then put yourself in a student's shoes: at the height of student recruitment/admission/conversion, how many emails fill their inbox? We already know the adage, "students don't read". But why? Because we aren't writing with them in mind. We're writing with us, our objectives, our daily tasks, our institutional goals in mind. Let's spend a bit of time learning why students don't read your emails and a lot of time learning how to change that. We'll use a method I call FIB: F-pattern meets Inverted Pyramid meets BuzzFeed. Using this method, we experienced an email open rate that was 44% higher than the industry standard! Join me to find out why!

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Angi Roberts headshot

Angi Roberts

Assistant Registrar, Marketing and Communications, University of Guelph

Graeme Collins headshot

Graeme Collins

Assistant Manager, International Digital Marketing and Communications, University of Guelph

Time Icon11:30 - 12:30
Concurrent Sessions

The Impact of School Closures and Emergency Remote Learning on Postsecondary Transitions

School closures and educational disruption associated with the COVID-19 epidemic have raised significant concerns about the impact on high school student learning and pathways...

School closures and educational disruption associated with the COVID-19 epidemic have raised significant concerns about the impact on high school student learning and pathways into post-secondary. This presentation will summarize HEQCO-supported research which draws on data from the Toronto District School Board (the largest school board in Canada) to look at student high school achievement and transitions to post-secondary during the first few school years affected by COVID-19. It will explore how grades, graduation and postsecondary applications/confirmations vary across three cohorts of approximately 50,000 students – including one pre-pandemic cohort.

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David Cameron headshot

David Cameron

Senior Manager of Research, Toronto District School Board

Kelly Gallagher-Mackay headshot

Kelly Gallagher-Mackay

Associate Professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts, Wilfrid Laurier University

Rob Brown headshot

Rob Brown

Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Education, York University

Time Icon12:30 - 1:30

Networking Lunch

Time Icon1:30 - 1:50
Concurrent Sessions

Interactive Demo: Build a Virtual Campus Tour that Engages Future Students

Curious what it takes to create a top-notch virtual campus tour? Join the interactive demo and see how Circuit empowers creators with easy-to-use tools for crafting a highly...

Curious what it takes to create a top-notch virtual campus tour? Join the interactive demo and see how Circuit empowers creators with easy-to-use tools for crafting a highly engaging virtual campus tour.

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Daniel Deschenes headshot

Daniel Deschenes

Customer Success Lead, Circuit Virtual Tours

Andrew Klotz headshot

Andrew Klotz

Co-Founder, Circuit Virtual Tours

Time Icon1:30 - 1:50
Concurrent Sessions

How to Reach, Motivate & Convert your Students: Motimatic Shares Practical Insights to Improve Spring Registration

When we change how students think about higher ed, they start to act differently—and achieve success at critical moments in their educational journey. Today, colleges and...

When we change how students think about higher ed, they start to act differently—and achieve success at critical moments in their educational journey. Today, colleges and universities around the world are leveraging Motimatic’s proven behavioral science and digital marketing expertise to drive immediate, measurable improvements in student enrollment and registration. Join our session to hear Motimatic’s Chief Strategy and Operating Officer – and former USC education professor – Dr. Michelle Riconscente, share new insights on how to engage, even your hard-to-reach students or on-the-fence admits. Whether you’re using email, texting, calls or social media to reach prospects and students, Dr. Riconscente will walk you through practical and easy-to-apply ways to benefit from behavioral science in your own work. The session will also feature perspectives from your AACRAO peers who partnered with Motimatic to increase registration and improve enrollment.

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Dr. Michelle Riconscente headshot

Dr. Michelle Riconscente

Chief Strategy and Operating Officer , Motimatic

Time Icon2:00 - 3:00
Concurrent Sessions

Surf Camp 101: Rad Skills for a Fluid Future

This interactive workshop picks up where Ken Steele’s “Surfing the Waves of Change” keynote left off, considering the implications of turbulent times and the emerging...

This interactive workshop picks up where Ken Steele’s “Surfing the Waves of Change” keynote left off, considering the implications of turbulent times and the emerging opportunities for enrolment, marketing and student services. But we’ll also wade into the fundamentals of nurturing entrepreneurial thinking and an innovation mindset – for yourself, your team, and the broader campus community – so that you can surf the crests and curls with confidence, leveraging the awesome currents of change without getting “wiped out.”

To identify and pursue the most “righteous” opportunities, you’ll inevitably have to overcome long standing traditions of academic risk-aversion and hypercriticism, fierce competition for limited resources, and deep-rooted anxieties about “rocking the boat.” But the world’s most innovative organizations bring diverse perspectives to bear, unlock the creativity and drive of entrepreneurial thinkers, provide them with resources and time to experiment, and foster a climate of trust, curiosity and adventure where bold new ideas can bubble to the top and truly flourish.

With a bit of effort, talent, and luck, you’ll leave this session better prepared to “hang ten” with the best of them, using some actionable techniques to contribute to a more nimble and entrepreneurial institution.

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Ken Steele headshot

Ken Steele

Higher Education Strategist, Eduvation

Time Icon2:00 - 3:00
Concurrent Sessions

The Role of Data Integrity in the Changing Landscape of Higher Education Marketing

With the world in constant state of flux, this presentation offers timely insights to help institutional marketers and higher-ed leaders hone their strategies to drive...

With the world in constant state of flux, this presentation offers timely insights to help institutional marketers and higher-ed leaders hone their strategies to drive sustained success. Join Anthology and Glasgow Caledonian New York College as we explore a wide range of trends impacting institutions' abilities to successfully navigate the highly dynamic higher-education environment including leveraging data to meet changing student expectations, trust, escalating complexity and competition. As the definition of “student success” becomes more nuanced and personalized, the growing volume of student data presents an opportunity for colleges and universities to deliver bespoke experiences, programs, and interventions for the right students, at the right time.

The importance of developing and nurturing direct relationships with students has never been more important. How institutions gather and extract insights from student data will become more critical. As institutions move from one moment of uncertainty to the next, data-driven student insights and the ability to quickly adjust strategies will be more important than ever. Institutions that can successfully operationalize rapid decision making and act on student insights will be better placed to achieve student-centric innovation and growth.

During this presentation we will discuss the following levers that should be considered as you work to build a student first ecosystem:

  • Student obsessed mentality
  • Program identification and development
  • Benefits of a first party data marketing strategy
  • Contextual, relevant, and helpful personalization at scale

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Kara Eldersveld headshot

Kara Eldersveld

Executive Director, Online Program Experience, Anthology

John F. Albanese headshot

John F. Albanese

Dean of Enrollment, Glasgow Caledonian New York College

Time Icon3:15 - 4:00
Concurrent Sessions

Roundtable: What Is The Value And Role Of Student Services Within SEM Plans?

SEMM Forum Roundtables provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among peers from across Canada on topics of common interest.

In this session,...

SEMM Forum Roundtables provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among peers from across Canada on topics of common interest.

In this session, participants will discuss the value of including and collaborating with student service teams in the development of post-secondary strategic enrolment management plans. What is the role of student services in your SEM efforts? What are the challenges presented and the opportunities available?

Join in the discussion, learn from your peers, and make new connections in this highly interactive session.

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Suzie Addison Toor headshot

Suzie Addison Toor

Director, Social Innovation and Student Success, Georgian College

Time Icon3:15 - 4:00
Concurrent Sessions

Situated Recruitment: How a Social Learning Theory Can Be Used as a Guide to Improve the Quality of Applicants

Learning is social and we learn by doing – of course! That’s why we are here at SEMM Forum, and this is one of the foundational concepts of Situated Cognition Theory.

...

Learning is social and we learn by doing – of course! That’s why we are here at SEMM Forum, and this is one of the foundational concepts of Situated Cognition Theory.

By the end of this session you will be able to improve the quality of your application pipeline by applying the concepts of Situated Cognition Theory to your recruitment and admissions process.

If you are reading this and thinking “What is Situated Cognition Theory?” that means you are an outsider. But don’t worry! You are also an insider and part of a community of practice that is comprised of anyone involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada.

This workshop will put you on an inbound journey of understanding how situated cognition theory can be utilized to create a social learning environment that allows prospective students to demonstrate alignment to your program’s selection criteria and program outcomes.

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Nicholas Shalagan headshot

Nicholas Shalagan

Associate Director, Accelerated MBA, Recruitment and Admissions, Ivey School of Business, Western University

Time Icon3:15 - 4:00
Concurrent Sessions

Finding the Right Candidates in a New Market

As our labour market and digital technology evolves, post-secondary education and training institutions need to develop new programs to keep up and get ahead. In 2021, The...

As our labour market and digital technology evolves, post-secondary education and training institutions need to develop new programs to keep up and get ahead. In 2021, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN – which is unique in that it only trains the allied health professions - launched a new program in Digital Health and Data Analytics.

For many of those involved in the process, it was their first time developing and rolling out a new program. More significantly, it was the first time Michener's recruitment and digital marketing advisors were marketing a program to an unfamiliar target audience – those seeking a career related to data and AI, as opposed to healthcare providers. The Communications and Marketing and Recruitment teams at Michener worked closely together to develop a successful recruitment marketing campaign within six months of the program's development and are pleased to share their learnings. This is essentially a crash course in digital recruitment marketing that could benefit anyone with a revenue generation or awareness raising mandate but will especially benefit those in the PSE sector recruiting to new markets.

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Chiranjiv Phull headshot

Chiranjiv Phull

Digital Marketing Lead, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

Grace Acosta headshot

Grace Acosta

Associate Registrar, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

Time Icon4:10 - 5:00
Plenary Session

20,000 Voices: Understanding the Diverse Characteristics of Today’s Students

Everyone has an opinion about "students today". We seek generalizations to help us understand how to attract, recruit, and support students. And while these generalizations may...

Everyone has an opinion about "students today". We seek generalizations to help us understand how to attract, recruit, and support students. And while these generalizations may help us make decisions, invest resources, and possibly even become more effective in our work with students, they often hide a diversity of views, experiences, and interests.

Regardless of what part of the student lifecycle you are focused on, being in tune with these diverse perspectives will support the work you do as a SEMM professional.

This presentation will feature highlights of a new edition of the Brainstorm Student Interests Report focused on developing a better understanding of the interests, aspirations, and expectations of today's students. Based on an in-depth survey of more than 20,000 current Canadian university and college students in 2022, the report provides insights that will support the work of SEM leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, deans, student services, and other post-secondary professionals.

While providing fresh insights into the general characteristics of current students; the breadth of this research also allows us to uncover the unique attributes of students by gender, diversity group, age, major area of study and GPA. Further, we can explore the unique interests and needs of international students, graduate students, and first generation students.

Join us for the exclusive launch of the first report from this year’s research, hear some highlights, and participate in the discussion among your peers.

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Graham Donald headshot

Graham Donald

Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group

Time Icon5:00 - 6:00

Networking Cocktail Reception

Day 3

Time Icon7:00

5 KM Run With Canadian Olympian, Sarah Wells

Come one and come all! Invigorate your mind and body and expand your conference experience by running with Canadian Olympian, Sarah Wells. Gather outside the hotel lobby at...

Come one and come all! Invigorate your mind and body and expand your conference experience by running with Canadian Olympian, Sarah Wells. Gather outside the hotel lobby at 7:00 AM.

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Sarah Wells headshot

Sarah Wells

Olympian, Believe Initiative

Time Icon8:00 - 8:45

Networking Breakfast

Time Icon8:45 - 9:00

Opening Remarks

Jennifer Powell headshot

Jennifer Powell

Director, Community Engagement, Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.

Time Icon9:00 - 10:00
Keynote Presentation

A Transformative Opportunity: Building Towards the Future of Post-Secondary Education

We have seen incredible growth in human prosperity and possibilities over the past centuries. We have often attributed human progress to technology and, indeed, everything but...

We have seen incredible growth in human prosperity and possibilities over the past centuries. We have often attributed human progress to technology and, indeed, everything but our people – all our people. Over the past three years the pandemic shone a spotlight – and in many cases, exacerbated – economic inequities experienced by Black, Indigenous and racialized communities, people with disabilities and women. As we rebuild and recover, instead of simply reconstructing the status quo, we have an opportunity to enact transformative changes that can benefit both our economy and our society as we build towards the future.

Post-secondary institutions can play a critical role in (a) cultivating a foundation of equity, reconciliation and belonging, (b) improving access to educational opportunities, (c) addressing tremendous economic and technological turbulence, and (d) providing an environment for diverse learners to succeed. Part of our challenge is matching our stated values to our realized outcomes as we build towards the future.

Attend Dr. Gervan Fearon’s keynote address to hear about how post-secondary institutions can make meaningful inclusion part of their core community expectations, policies, practices, and strategies as well as succeed in meeting the economic and technological challenges of our times. Join this critical discussion on moving to and beyond the ROI of EDI.

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Dr. Gervan Fearon headshot

Dr. Gervan Fearon

President, George Brown College

Time Icon10:15 - 11:15
Concurrent Sessions

Roundtable: Ensuring Optimal International Student Enrolment in SEM Plans

SEMM Forum Roundtables provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among peers from across Canada on topics of common interest.

In this session,...

SEMM Forum Roundtables provide an opportunity for an open, facilitated discussion among peers from across Canada on topics of common interest.

In this session, participants will discuss how institutions ensure optimal international enrolment by providing that they can effectively recruit, enrol, and graduate international students while increasing the probability that those graduates will become alumni with strong connections to the school. Are institutions prioritizing international students in their SEM planning? How are others addressing this challenge?

Join in the discussion, learn from your peers, and make new connections in this highly interactive session.

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Dr. Chris Busch headshot

Dr. Chris Busch

Associate Vice President, Enrolment Management, University of Windsor

Time Icon10:15 - 11:15
Concurrent Sessions

Making Sense of the Numbers: Using Data to Guide your Enrolment Planning

Data-driven decision-making is the standard in enrolment planning today. Now that you have collected your institutional data, which data should drive your process, how...

Data-driven decision-making is the standard in enrolment planning today. Now that you have collected your institutional data, which data should drive your process, how can you apply it to your planning, and how does this all fit within the larger theory of strategic enrolment management? Join Academica Senior SEM Consultant Bonnie Crocker and Grace Acosta from The Michener Institute of Education at UHN for a discussion of how you can turn this year’s data and numbers into next year’s enrolment strategy.

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Bonnie Crocker headshot

Bonnie Crocker

Senior SEM Consultant , Academica Group

Grace Acosta headshot

Grace Acosta

Associate Registrar, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

Time Icon11:30 - 12:30
Concurrent Sessions

Digital Tools and Data Insights to Improve International Enrolment Forecasting and Conversion

Canadian higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to apply a strategic enrolment management approach to international recruitment in order to meet a variety...

Canadian higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to apply a strategic enrolment management approach to international recruitment in order to meet a variety of different goals including higher conversion rates, nationality diversification and targeting recruitment efforts for undersubscribed programs. In order to make the best possible decisions to achieve these goals, institutions need to have accurate and understandable data relevant to their target markets and the decision factors their students consider when deciding where and what to study. Using data available at any institution's admission and recruitment offices, combined with insights from IRCC-reported study permit trends, we will demonstrate how institutions can strategically plan enrollment forecasting and improve conversions.

Particular attention will be paid to how the Knowledge Pyramid model (moving from Data to Information to Knowledge to Wisdom) can be applied to develop a successful international recruitment strategy. A fifteen-minute Q&A session will further enable us to share lessons learned from our experiences.

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Sanchit Mittal headshot

Sanchit Mittal

Strategic Partnerships Manager, ApplyBoard

Hannah Dang headshot

Hannah Dang

Senior Director, Partner Relations, ApplyBoard

Time Icon11:30 - 12:30
Concurrent Sessions

Lost Sheep or Wise Owls? What is Really Happening When Students Take a Break?

STUDENT PANEL: Come learn from current and past students who have chosen to temporarily withdraw or take a gap year. Sharing their stories will help you understand why they choose...
STUDENT PANEL: Come learn from current and past students who have chosen to temporarily withdraw or take a gap year. Sharing their stories will help you understand why they choose to take breaks, what encourages them to return and how higher ed can better support them. Students take breaks after high school and between years of study for a variety of reasons but how can colleges and universities recruit and retain these students? Larger data and trends will also be shared. Q&A opportunities with these students.

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Karan Agrawal headshot

Karan Agrawal

Student Panelist

Yvan Kammelu headshot

Yvan Kammelu

Student Panelist

Lauren Marshall headshot

Lauren Marshall

Student Panelist

Time Icon11:30 - 12:30
Concurrent Sessions

Remote College Programs: An Open Door for Adult Learners

Researchers across the world are finding the shift to emergency remote learning, caused by the pandemic, may have inadvertently opened doors to postsecondary education for some...

Researchers across the world are finding the shift to emergency remote learning, caused by the pandemic, may have inadvertently opened doors to postsecondary education for some traditionally marginalized learners. For mature learners especially, labour market disruptions and remote working arrangements may be pushing those doors wide open. This presentation will summarize findings from a collaborative research project between HEQCO and OCAS, aimed at better understanding the pandemic’s impact on prospective Ontario college students. The presenters will draw from their analysis of approximately 13,000 survey responses to explore how student learning preferences and decision-making about postsecondary have been impacted by the COVID-19 / remote learning environment.

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Jackie Pichette headshot

Jackie Pichette

Director, Policy, Research and Partnerships, Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario

Sohrab Rahmaty headshot

Sohrab Rahmaty

Lead Researcher and Writer, OCAS

Time Icon12:30 - 1:30

Networking Lunch

Time Icon1:30 - 2:30
Concurrent Sessions

Building Bridges in SEM to Cut Across Differing Stakeholder Needs

As a SEM leader, you will be acutely aware of the various stakeholder needs, expectations and demands that are placed on you and your team on a regular basis. How do you...

As a SEM leader, you will be acutely aware of the various stakeholder needs, expectations and demands that are placed on you and your team on a regular basis. How do you maintain strategy when you are pushed and pulled in so many directions, some of which are not rooted in organizational strategy but rather, narrow scope views?

This session will provide insights and pragmatic approaches to maintaining SEM momentum and direction in a way that balances stakeholder engagement with organizational strategy and will build on years of successful SEM outcomes in an environment that has launched more than 40 new programs in 10 years, and grew from 2400 to more than 9000 students.

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Time Icon1:30 - 2:30
Concurrent Sessions

Access, Awareness and Success – Building an Equity Ambassador Program

This session will focus on building a program intended to assist in increasing the diversity of the undergraduate student population by providing peer support to applicants from...
This session will focus on building a program intended to assist in increasing the diversity of the undergraduate student population by providing peer support to applicants from equity-seeking backgrounds; applicants can ask questions and receive support from current students from equity-seeking backgrounds. Joining the co-presenters will be Shoshannah Bennett-Dwara, who is a recent Queen’s University Bachelor of Science (Honours) of Biology graduate. We will highlight growing the program from 5 initial ambassadors in the winter of 2020 to a current staff of over 20. Topics of discussion will also include utilizing government grants to build the program, creating professional development opportunities for our staff, and highlighting testimonials from team members and incoming students who have interacted with our ambassadors. To conclude we will open the floor for a Q&A session with attendees.

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Ryan Snowdon headshot

Ryan Snowdon

Strategic Enrolment Management Lead, Faculty of Arts and Science, Queen's University

Richard Mitchell headshot

Richard Mitchell

Manager of Access and Inclusion, Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment, Queen's University

Shoshannah Bennett-Dwara headshot

Shoshannah Bennett-Dwara

Recruitment Representative, Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment, Queen’s University

Time Icon2:45 - 3:45
Keynote Presentation

We’re All In A Race: How To Ignite Ambition, Inspire Action, and Redefine Success For Yourself And Others

We’re all in a race. The pressure, the deadlines, the competition for students. For Olympian Sarah Wells, it was a literal race at the Olympic Games and on the popular TV...

We’re all in a race. The pressure, the deadlines, the competition for students. For Olympian Sarah Wells, it was a literal race at the Olympic Games and on the popular TV show The Amazing Race, but in the Student Engagement world, there are a lot of parallels. While every scenario may be unique, we all have pressure to move quickly and push boundaries in order to achieve success. In this session Sarah will bring her energetic approach to teach us how to ignite ambition through fostering self-belief, how to inspire action by leveraging our distinguished strengths, and how we can redefine success to create momentum everyday. You’ll want to listen up when Olympic semi-finalist and Pan American silver medallist Sarah Wells takes the stage!

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Sarah Wells headshot

Sarah Wells

Olympian, Believe Initiative

Time Icon3:45 - 4:00

Closing Remarks

Graham Donald headshot

Graham Donald

Founder & President, Brainstorm Strategy Group

Jennifer Powell headshot

Jennifer Powell

Director, Community Engagement, Brainstorm Strategy Group Inc.

Registration Rates

date IconNovember 7-9, 2023

Location IconToronto, ON

$895

Very Early-Bird

Register before June 16

Register Now
$995

Early-Bird

Register before July 28

$1,200

Regular

Register before Sept 29

$1,500

Late

Register before Nov 7

FAQs

Expand FAQ
Is the SEMM Forum right for me?

Are you involved in attracting, recruiting, or engaging students in their post-secondary experience in Canada? If the answer to this question is yes, then the SEMM Forum is right for you. This includes strategic enrolment leaders, marketers, recruiters, registrars, senior administration, deans, student services and other professionals. Check out the “Who Should Attend?” section here.

Expand FAQ
Where is the conference taking place?

The SEMM Forum Conference will be hosted at the beautiful Marriott Downtown at Toronto Eaton Centre Hotel.

We have secured a very special conference rate of $309. Space is limited so book your room early – and now later than October 9th, 2023. You can reserve your accommodations directly online here or by calling Marriott Reservations at 1 (800) 321-2211 or (416) 924-0611 and reference the Group Name “2023 SEMM Forum”.

Whether you’re arriving by public transit, car, taxi, rideshare, plane or train, Toronto streets and our main highways are busy, so plan accordingly – we don’t want you to miss a moment of it!

Expand FAQ
What's the benefit of a program focused on Canadian practices?

We’re Canadian, eh? SEM is very different in other countries. We believe that when professionals learn from peers at other institutions who have similar goals, students, systems and constraints and share Canadian-made solutions across silos, organizational goals can be achieved and students benefit as a result. The SEMM Forum provides an opportunity for everyone on campus to have a positive and sustainable impact on the institutional outcomes that support student success.

Expand FAQ
Is this conference entirely in person, virtual or hybrid?

The conference is entirely in person. You can be confident knowing that the conference team is taking all public health measures very seriously and we will follow and request that our delegates follow guidelines at all times.

2022 Sponsors

If you're interested in sponsoring the 2023 In-Person SEMM Forum Conference, please contact Jennifer Powell,
via jennifer@brainstorm.ca to learn about available opportunities.

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