Our Team

Jeanne has worked as a practitioner and consultant in financial aid and enrollment management for over 20 years.

Prior to founding BPS, Jeanne was co-founder, President, and CEO of Third Coast Higher Education, a national financial aid and enrollment management consulting firm. She has extensive experience in financial aid and project management, system implementation, compliance, business process review, training, and auditing support.

Jeanne has wide-ranging expertise working with student information systems, including Oracle PeopleSoft, Ellucian’s Colleague and Banner, and College Board PowerFAIDS. She is an expert at developing solutions to improve student service, processing efficiency, and compliance with federal and state financial aid regulations. Her innovative and experienced approach has led to many successful outcomes, including participation in more than thirty Financial Aid Federal Program review responses and related process improvements. Jeanne completed her NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator exam in the fall of 2023.

Bill is an enrollment management leader with recent posts as Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management at Assumption University and Director of Enrollment at Beloit College.

Bill has built data and analytics teams focused on predictive modeling, reporting, and financial aid leveraging, led admissions departments, oversaw complex enrollment operations, and developed full-cycle marketing strategies ranging from search to yield.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized Bill’s expertise in Customer Resource Management (CRM) tools, and he has presented at numerous higher education conferences about his innovative work.

Prior to his most recent appointments, Bill worked in admissions at Marlboro College, where serving a student body of fewer than 400 students instilled in him the importance of working collaboratively and broadly with faculty and staff across institutions.

Bill is passionate about the potential for higher education to serve as an engine for social good and economic growth. He received his Bachelor of Arts in sociology, with honors, from Bates College.

Rob brings more than two decades of experience to client engagements and a proven track record of increasing enrollment and revenue across market segments.

Prior to founding BPS, Rob served as the VP for Enrollment Management at Assumption University, where he was responsible for undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, enrollment marketing, enrollment operations, and athletics.

As VP for Enrollment at Beloit College, Rob led the creation of a multi-year strategic enrollment management plan built on input from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and board members and endorsed by the college’s governing bodies; he also led the team responsible for enrolling Beloit’s largest first-year class since 1975.

Rob has helped public and private institutions develop marketing plans, optimize price increases, and determine student satisfaction and retention drivers.

Rob has presented on enrollment management and financial aid topics at numerous national conferences, including ACT, AACRAO, AMA, and the College Board.

Rob holds master’s and doctoral degrees in social psychology from Princeton University, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Bates College, and a certificate in enrollment management leadership from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Boyd A. Bradshaw serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Towson University, bringing over 25 years of extensive experience dedicated to the specialized field of enrollment management. Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Bradshaw has consistently maximized enrollment potential and improved the profile of incoming classes and student success outcomes at the institutions he has served.

Leading a division of more than 125 full-time staff, Dr. Bradshaw oversees a comprehensive portfolio of offices dedicated to student recruitment, retention, and completion. These include University Admissions, the Academic Advising, Retention & Completion (AARC) Office, the Financial Aid Office, the Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC), the Writing Center, and the Registrar’s Office. The Division also coordinates various other areas supporting strategic enrollment initiatives, outreach, partnerships, technology, and administrative support.

Prior to his role at Towson University, Dr. Bradshaw held positions as the Chief Enrollment Officer at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Logan University, Valparaiso University, Saint Louis University, the University of Louisville, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. He earned his Doctorate in Education, specializing in Higher Education Administration, from Saint Louis University and holds a Master of Science in Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Business, both from Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Bradshaw is a consistent ambassador for strategic enrollment planning, presenting often at local, state, and national conferences, writing articles in higher education publications, and sharing his insight as a guest on national higher education podcasts.

Jessica Brady provides customer relationship management (CRM) services with Best Practice Solutions. Jess has a great deal of experience in multiple types of CRM software, and a proven track record of successfully transitioning schools from one system to another. Most recently, Jess successfully migrated UW Whitewater’s graduate and undergraduate recruitment efforts from Ellucian Recruit to Technolutions Slate. She is also very knowledgeable about FERPA guidelines and has vast experience developing and maintaining an institutional database to support recruitment efforts through event, form and query creation and management.

Shanell has extensive experience in recruitment both domestically and internationally. As an enrollment professional, she represented higher education institutions in 17 countries collaborating with high schools, independent counselors, community-based organizations and global alumni networks. She most recently served as the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Assumption University. Shanell served as a member of the IDEA Committee through NEACAC where she volunteered for the Anti-Racism Initiatives Sub-Committee and participated as a member at large for the International Association for College Admission Counseling. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Economics and Master’s in Business Administration from Assumption University. As a former international student, Shanell understands the complexity of researching, applying to, and selecting an institution for students and their families. As an admissions leader, this helped her recruit students to the institutions that will be the "right fit" for them academically and socially. Her experiences have provided expertise in the areas of cultural differences, marketing intelligence, data analysis, project management, foreign market entry, advertising, recruitment, and planning and decision-making processes.

April Cozine, Director of Enrollment Operations Services, brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, with a proven track record of driving operational excellence across enrollment, admissions, and financial aid systems. She holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Wichita State University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, credentials that reflect her commitment to mission-driven leadership and institutional impact.

Prior to joining the BPS team, April most recently served as the Director of Enrollment Operations at Marymount University. While there she led the management of two Slate CRM instances and streamlined both undergraduate and graduate admissions workflows. Her strategic oversight enhanced cross-functional collaboration and improved the applicant experience.

Prior to Marymount, April dedicated 15 years to Wichita State University, including nine years as Director of Operations and Systems. There, she played a central role in the successful implementation of Slate and led initiatives that bridged admissions, enrollment, and financial aid operations. Her deep understanding of financial aid systems and regulatory compliance enabled her to align technology with student support services, ensuring a seamless and equitable enrollment process.

Known for her collaborative spirit and systems-thinking approach, April excels at navigating complex institutional landscapes and delivering sustainable solutions that support student success.

Melissa is our marketing and technology expert. With more than 25 years experience in both fields, she has watched digital marketing and social media emerge and evolve, growing her skill set and experience with each new platform along the way. Melissa is adept at digital marketing, user interface design, web design and development, proofreading, copywriting, and copy editing. As she helps colleges create, implement, and manage targeted integrated marketing strategies, Melissa maintains a strong focus on quality standards and a careful eye toward opportunities for process streamlining and improvement.

Kevin Dyrland has a passion for data-driven problem-solving. He is known for his inquisitive nature and persistent approach to tackling complex challenges. His expertise lies in report automation, data processing, data development, and statistical analysis.

During his time as the Enrollment Data Scientist at Beloit College, Kevin spearheaded the automation of numerous Financial Aid and Enrollment reports, skillfully integrating data streams to provide actionable insights. He oversaw the creation of more than 10,000 individualized Financial Aid packets sent to 7,000 admitted students, streamlining the process to save time and money and to reduce errors.

Kevin's statistical training enabled him to create an enrollment probability model and evaluate the effectiveness of email campaigns and other enrollment management interventions, enhancing the college's outreach efforts. He holds a MS in Political Science from Florida State and a BS in Economics and Political Science from Coe College.

With his innovative thinking, technical proficiency, and a proven track record of success, Kevin Dyrland is a valuable asset to any project, providing stellar guidance regarding data-driven solutions to complex challenges.

Vicki has extensive experience working with a vast array of financial aid systems and software. With more than twenty years of practice in the field, Vicki is an expert in the use and navigation of the National Student Loan Database System, Common Origination and Disbursement, Central Processing System and numerous federal and state financial aid programs. She also has a comprehensive background in working with third party vendor systems to create, process, and edit aid packages. Vicki has developed algorithms for QC rules and automated packaging, and has wide-ranging ability in report writing and data analysis. VIcki is also a NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator, she completed her exam in the fall of 2023.

Gavin R. Hamms, Ph.D., is a highly accomplished professional with an impressive background in higher education. He received his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business Management from Grambling State University in 2010 and his Master's in Business Administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2012. After beginning his career in higher education as the Manager of Default Prevention at Grambling State University in 2011, where he was promoted to serve as the Director of Financial Aid. During his time as Director of Financial Aid, he was able to streamline several components for the enhancement of student services, and developed a unique understanding of Enrollment Management and Student Success. He went on to receive his Ph.D. in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University in 2016, and used his research to help develop financial literacy initiatives for student success. His highly respected skillset and passion for serving students led him to be appointed as the Chair of the Strategic Enrollment Management Council and then selected as the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management at Grambling State University.

Jed Liston is a visionary Higher Education Executive with a rich legacy of innovation in enrollment growth and marketing. With a remarkable career spanning over three decades, Jed has been a catalyst for fostering enduring relationships and enhancing institutional branding. His expertise encompasses a spectrum of skills, from strategic retention initiatives to trend analysis, marketing campaigns, and team leadership.

Throughout his professional journey, Jed's achievements have been nothing short of extraordinary. He led a record-breaking 21 years of consecutive enrollment growth through pioneering relationship marketing and data-driven strategies. He orchestrated engagement with 105,000 alumni nationwide, revamping alumni engagement chapters, launching advocacy campaigns, and introducing an Alumni Virtual Engagement Series. His leadership acumen was recognized through accolades such as the University Teamwork Award and the JB Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service. Jed also drove brand transformation, producing impactful recruitment publications, videos, and commercials that positioned the University of Montana as a world-class institution.

Jed's leadership prowess extends to various executive roles, including Assistant Vice President for Admissions & Financial Aid. He earned a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and a Bachelors of Arts in Communication Sciences & Disorders from the University of Montana. As a seasoned presenter, Jed has shared his insights with various audiences, from moderating Alumni Virtual Engagement Series to delivering workshops on recruiting strategies, team building, and data collection. Jed's legacy of strategic thinking, dynamic leadership, and unwavering commitment to higher education all make him an exceptional asset to the Best Practice Solutions team.

Jessica McCaughey is a seasoned strategic marketing and communications professional with extensive experience in enrollment management, digital marketing, and visit experience. In her most recent role as the Director of Enrollment Marketing Strategy at Pepperland Marketing, Jessica led a dynamic team of digital marketing professionals, driving impactful content marketing, SEO, paid media, and inbound marketing projects for higher education and K-12 independent school clients. Her innovative strategies and leadership have significantly increased enrollment, retention, and revenue for her clients.

During her career, Jessica has also held pivotal roles in admissions and marketing at UMass Dartmouth, Bryant University, College of the Holy Cross, and Assumption University. As the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at Assumption University, she set an elevated standard for designing and managing admissions visit experiences and events that earned stellar reviews and consistently improved enrollment outcomes. She also expanded the university’s student ambassador program, empowering students to take active roles in recruitment efforts and cultivated long-standing, meaningful relationships.

Complementing her student recruitment experience, Jessica has also developed a strong command of digital tools and strategies to drive prospective student engagement. For example, Jessica has developed deep expertise in HubSpot as evidenced by her achievements as a Partner Scaled Onboarding Specialist and numerous certifications, including HubSpot Marketing Software, Content Marketing, Inbound Marketing, and more. Additionally, she has an affinity for building custom visit processes and student portals within Slate. Jessica is proficient in leveraging CRM and marketing automation tools to streamline operations and enhance campaign effectiveness.

Beyond her professional skills and achievements, Jessica is dedicated to volunteer and professional service roles in higher education. She currently serves as a Board Member on the NACAC Women Empowering Women SIG. She has also presented at numerous industry conferences, including those of the New England Association for College Admission Counseling, the Association of Catholic Admissions and Advancement Professionals, and the Collegiate Information & Visitor Services Association.

Jess holds a BA in International Business from Immaculata University, a post-baccalaureate certificate in College Admissions Counseling from UCLA, and is in pursuit of an MS in Enterprise Risk Management from Boston University, underscoring her commitment to continuous learning and excellence in her field.

Sarah is a graduate of Northern Illinois University, and has worked in various industries, including hospitality, transportation, and education. Sarah has extensive experience in planning and organizing a myriad of different types of activities and work. Her patience and skills in customer service make her an incredible asset to our team and a skilled collaborator on all types of projects.

Becki brings over 25 years of leadership in higher education, specializing in student-centered financial aid systems and strategic enrollment planning. Prior to consulting, Becki most recently served as the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UC Irvine, she led with vision, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets and programs that served tens of thousands of students annually.

Becki’s expertise spans policy development, compliance, and cross-campus collaboration, with notable experience implementing advanced CRM and and financial planning technologies. Her dynamic approach has consistently driven institutional growth, increased accessibility, and enhanced student support. Prior to her time with BPS, she also held senior roles at California Baptist University, UCLA, and Northwest University. In those roles she was known for advancing student equity, development and mentoring of financial aid teams, and shaping institutional policy. Becki holds an MPA from California Baptist University and a BA in Business Management from Northwest University.

Zoey Trenkle is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in Information Technology, most recently specializing in Student Financial Services at the University of Vermont. Zoey's expertise centers around navigating the intricate maze of financial aid systems. For example, she has utilized Ellucian Banner to serve a diverse student community of 13,000 undergraduates, graduates, medical, and continuing education students. With a robust proficiency in SQL, SQR, and JAVA, Zoey seamlessly integrates technology to optimize critical functions, spanning from federal fund processing to algorithmic budgeting and packaging.

Zoey's impact doesn't stop at technology. She has played a pivotal role in providing indispensable data analysis to senior administrators, aiding in informed decision-making regarding budgetary allocations, enrollment strategies, and recruitment initiatives. Originally from San Francisco, Zoey earned her Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on American Sign Language from California State University, East Bay. Now deeply rooted in the serene landscapes of Vermont for the past three decades, Zoey channels her passion for service and innovation to elevate the efficiency and efficacy of financial aid offices.

Jeremiah is an enthusiastic, innovative, and data-driven executive leader who brings 10+ years of experience in business operations, project management, and online product management to the Best Practice Solutions team.

Jeremiah has held several previous roles at institutions of higher education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Connecticut, and Iowa State University in the Registrar’s Office and Student Affairs areas. Additionally, Jeremiah obtained his Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University.

Jeremiah also brings a wealth of experience in business operations, project management and systems. In the past he has managed teams and projects for well-known companies such as Brad's Deals, cars.com, and HomeFinder.com.

Jeremiah is a skilled problem-solver. He enjoys providing clients with functionality or a process that eases their workload and provides more opportunities for success. He is an expert at identifying inefficiencies, developing alignment strategies, and building the structure to support improvement and continued growth and progress.

As an experienced leader of project teams, Jeremiah has an in-depth understanding of agile development and project management frameworks, and he has successfully managed the end-to-end development lifecycle in a variety of industries. Jeremiah holds a Master's degree in Education from Iowa State University and a BS from Eastern Illinois University.