Scaling Connection: How Indiana University Builds Community Before Day One

Episode 213

ZeeMeeSummer Series - Week 4 of 4

In this episode, we talk with Sacha Thieme, Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Director of Admissions at Indiana University Bloomington. Sacha shares how her team is rethinking student engagement long before day one on campus. From building community at scale to partnering across departments like First Year Experience, Sacha walks us through how IU is creating connection and clarity for thousands of students. She also dives into how data and digital tools are shaping a more intentional admissions experience, and what it takes to lead a team with purpose in an ever-changing enrollment landscape.

🎧 Listen to Learn:

✅ Great admissions leadership begins with listening and a deep understanding of the student journey.

✅ A clear, authentic institutional identity will help you stand out.
✅ Connection and belonging should begin well before students set foot on campus.

✅ The best strategies come from understanding student needs, not assumptions.

✅ Technology can enhance human touchpoints and community.

Join the Discussion:

03:04 Leading with Purpose in Higher Education

06:03 Empowering Admissions Teams

08:56 Building Community at Scale

11:44 Seamless Transitions for New Students

14:38 Leveraging Data and Technology in Admissions

20:36 Creating Meaningful Engagement

ZeeMee is the #1 student community app, used by millions worldwide. It’s where Gen-Z connects and where colleges drive 2x the apps, 3.6x the yield and half the melt.

ZeeMee analyzes tens of millions of data points on each student in real time, giving colleges access to the largest set of student behavior data and the most accurate predictive model in Higher Ed today.”

Join the movement at ZeeMee.com.

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