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Sam Mahra

@sammahra

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Enrollment management and communications strategist driving data-informed recruitment marketing outcomes.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I’m looking for an HR or Ed Tech role where I can lead adoption and optimization with data-informed, omnichannel communications, partner across stakeholders, and modernize CRM and student lifecycle programs using AI to improve conversion, engagement, and satisfaction.

I’m a results-driven enrollment management and communications strategist, focused on improving conversion and engagement across the student lifecycle. In my current role as a University Relations Recruiter, I build campus engagement strategies, manage full-cycle candidate pipelines, and partner with hiring managers to align recruiting needs with business goals.

Previously, as Assistant VP of Student Experience Marketing and Communications at Southern New Hampshire University, I unified messaging across student marketing and communication channels to align with enrollment milestones for 200k+ students supporting $1.3 billion in tuition revenue. I led portal optimization (+10% time-on-page, +41% YOY traffic growth, and a 90% satisfaction score), delivered email campaign performance (48% open rate; 25% average click-to-open rate), and guided social media strategy to drive 1B impressions and 123k+ new cross-channel followers.

Earlier leadership roles strengthened my ability to translate insight into scalable strategy and measurable outcomes. At Life University, I generated $3.7 million in tuition revenue (LTV $18M) and implemented an AI chatbot achieving a 70% automation rate. I’ve also built CRM dashboards and reporting to monitor conversion metrics, improved recruiting funnel performance (e.g., 85% applicant-to-interview and 85% interview-to-acceptance), and used generative AI to streamline candidate communication—while serving as an independent consultant advising on higher education and EdTech go-to-market, adult learner needs, and student lifecycle strategy.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

University Relations Recruiter

Ncr Voyix

Aug 2025 - Apr 2026 (8 months)

Develop campus engagement strategies by partnering with career centers, staff, and student organizations, serving as primary contact for students and 8 universities. Manage full-cycle recruiting pipelines and improve candidate communication by using generative AI to create content drafts and streamline hundreds of routine email responses; co-led RippleMatch and Adobe onboarding to accelerate adopt

Campus Recruitment Stakeholder Management Generative AI User Training

Independent Consultant

Apr 2025 - Aug 2025 (4 months)

Advised consulting firms and investor networks on higher education trends, recruitment dynamics, and EdTech strategy, focusing on adult learners and online program delivery. Translated student-lifecycle and higher-ed models into actionable recommendations for investment, partnership, and product design decisions.

Higher Education Strategy Edtech Adult Learner Insights Student Lifecycle Analysis CX And Student Communications Advisory & Consulting

Assistant VP Student Experience

Southern New Hampshire University

Jan 2023 - Apr 2025 (2 years 3 months)

Led unified messaging across student marketing and communications aligned to enrollment milestones for 200k+ students supporting $1.3B in tuition revenue. Improved digital engagement (+10% time-on-page, +41% YOY traffic) and knowledge-base satisfaction (90%), and grew campaign performance with a 48% email open rate and 25% average click-to-open rate; guided social strategy to deliver 1B impression

Email Marketing Social Media Strategy Analytics Reporting Stakeholder Management

Executive Director, Enrollment Mgmt

Life University

Jun 2021 - Jan 2023 (1 year 7 months)

Generated $3.7M in FY2022 tuition revenue for a $18M lifetime value outcome and improved student satisfaction to 3.97/4.00 through optimized touchpoints and communications. Implemented an AI chatbot achieving 70% automation to scale support and reduce resolution times.

Enrollment management Student Satisfaction Optimization Touchpoint Strategy CRM Reporting Mindset Conversion Optimization

Enrollment & Admissions Leader

Trinity Medical Sciences University

Jan 2020 - May 2021 (1 year 4 months)

Led campus recruitment across five states, achieving 85% applicant-to-interview and 85% interview-to-acceptance conversion rates. Built CRM dashboards to monitor funnel conversion metrics, developed outreach templates with 70% open rates, and secured admissions partnerships to expand application pipelines and program awareness.

Dashboards Outreach Email Template Optimization Partnership Development

Enrollment Services & Recruitment Leader

Kennesaw State University

Sep 2013 - Dec 2019 (6 years 3 months)

Oversaw marketing communications and application operations for a team processing 20k+ annual applications, improving top-of-funnel prospects by 25%. Rebuilt applicant messaging and nurturing to increase application volume by 18.6% and new student yield by 21.7%, improved campus visitations by 5–10% through stronger recruiting event outreach and logistics, and implemented SMS texting with 96% opt-

Marketing Communications Lead Sourcing Event Strategy SMS Marketing Funnel Analytics Budget Management