Hosted bimonthly, Redesign Labs offer a virtual space for practitioners from all geographies and sectors to collaborate, learn, and design the future of postsecondary admissions. Below, review content from past Lab sessions, and sign up to learn more about the topics you're most interested in!
September 30, 2026
The trusted adults in students' lives are often the most influential voices in their college-going journeys – more so than a letter in the mail or a conversation with a chatbot. In this session, we considered the distinctly human imperatives posed by admissions redesign. Guests included Lynsey Bow, Hawai’i P-20 Partnerships for Education; Jaslyn Rose, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; Robert Gould, Augsburg University; & Dr. Jim Disrude, DC Education Group
Done right, admissions process simplification creates more time and space for college access professionals to forge meaningful connections with students.
As new admissions processes are introduced to students and families, counselors and educators should be considered as equally important audiences. Comprehensive training platforms, toolkits, and real-time application tracking empower educators to effectively guide students through new admissions pathways.
Impactful college advising is not time-boxed to just one or two years in high school; backwards-mapping advising into earlier high school grades builds trust early, while maintaining support through the post-admission process ensures a smooth transition into campus life.
Integrated and supported effectively, front-line advisors and navigators can become critical partners in quality control and program evaluation. From their front row seats, they can quick identify and communicate oppportunities to improve the student experience,
In order for institutional admissions offices to support directly admitted students, a mindset shift—from transactional to relational—must occur. Achieving this kind of cultural transformation not only drives long-term student success, it also improves advisor job satisfaction.
July 29, 2026
In this session, featured guests shared their unique visions of simplified processes for assessing credit for prior learning, coordinating short-term training opportunities, and evaluating complex transcripts. Guests included: Dr. Jaime Wadowiec, Technical College System of Georgia; Manisha Mishra, Alabama Possible; Dr. Joseph Thiel, Montana University System.
Admissions redesign for working adults centers on solving practical "how do I go?" challenges rather than traditional "will I get in?" admissions hurdles.
Standardizing and automating credit evaluations can bridge non-credit workforce training, military experience, and job history into formal degree pathways.
Proactive outreach, simplified systems, and personalized support can merge adults with existing college credits back on the road degree completion.
Higher education must adapt administrative processes—such as transcript evaluation and navigation support—to fit adult realities rather than forcing learners through rigid bureaucracies.
Establishing clear data taxonomies and shared information systems in non-credit sectors improves program transparency, discovery, and outcome tracking.