PCSANJ Annual Conference

Friday, November 13, 2026

Galloping Hill Golf Course

3 Golf Drive, Kenilworth, NJ 07033

The Private College and School Association of New Jersey (PCSANJ) invites you to its Annual Conference, a one-day professional development event designed to equip career education professionals with practical strategies, fresh ideas, and valuable connections.

Join instructors, admissions professionals, campus leaders, and staff from New Jersey's private career colleges and schools for a day of learning focused on strengthening student success and workforce readiness.

The conference features two rounds of breakout sessions, with two concurrent sessions offered during each round, giving attendees the opportunity to choose the topics most relevant to their role and professional goals. Sessions will cover timely issues in teaching and learning, admissions and enrollment, leadership, student success, compliance, and other emerging trends shaping career education.

Whether you work in the classroom, admissions, student services, or institutional leadership, you'll leave with practical takeaways, new perspectives, and stronger connections with colleagues from across New Jersey's career education community.

Agenda

8:15 AM | Breakfast & Registration

8:45 AM | Welcome & PCSANJ Update

9:00 AM | Opening Keynote: Your Struggle is Your Strength, Jordan Toma

10:00 AM | Breakout Sessions

Session I - Enrollment Exchange , Part 1
Session II - Back to Basics: Simple Strategies, Powerful Learning

11:00 AM | Break with Exhibitors

11:15 AM | Breakout Sessions

Session I - Enrollment Exchange , Part 2
Session II - Belonging by Design: A Blueprint for Student Retention

12:15 PM | Lunch

12:45 PM | New Jersey State Update

Mary Kay Roberts
A Special Video Message from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill
Assemblywoman Carmen T. Morales
State Senator Joseph Cryan

1:45 PM | Closing Remarks

2:00 - 3:00 PM | Reception

Session descriptions below.

Schedule subject to change.

Registration

Early Registration Deadline: October 18, 2026

Regular Registration Deadline: November 6, 2026

PCSANJ Rates: $125 | $150 | $175

Nonmember Rates: $150 | $175 | $200

Exhibitor Registration: $500, includes one 6ft table and one staff registration.

Additional booth staff should be registered as attendees.

Registration

Contact Us

For questions regarding the conference, please contact us at events@career.org or 571-800-6521.

breakout Session Descriptions

Opening Keynote: Your Struggle is Your Strength

Speaker: Jordan Toma

An uplifting message about perseverance, overcoming challenges, and recognizing student potential—a meaningful reminder of the role educators and school staff play in helping students build confidence and move forward.

Back to Basics: Simple Strategies, Powerful Learning

Speaker: Katrina Starr, MS, Assistant Professor - Science, American Career College/West Coast University

Explore practical strategies for classroom and online instruction, clear communication, and student engagement. Instructors will leave with approaches they can apply immediately to build stronger connections with learners and support learning, persistence, and success.

Enrollment Exchange Part I: The New Enrollment Playbook, What Actually Gets Students to Respond

Moderator: Rachel Gordon, Vice President of Student Financial Aid Services, American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Panelists:

Jay Rasmussen, SVP of Admissions, Lincoln Tech
Shibu Thomas, VP of New Markets & Strategic Growth, Triumph Education - Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Explore how prospective students’ expectations are changing, how AI influences their school search, and which outreach channels and messages generate responses. The conversation will cover speed-to-contact, what high-performing admissions teams do differently, and how to build trust before the first conversation.

Belonging by Design: A Blueprint for Student Retention

Speaker: Ash Carter, Vice Provost of Instruction and Student Affairs, Carrington College

For students balancing education, work, and other responsibilities, belonging can make a difference. This session translates research into practical actions for students’ first weeks: normalizing challenges, reinforcing that every student matters, and connecting with those who may not seek support. Staff across departments will leave with concrete steps to strengthen belonging and support retention.

Enrollment Exchange Part II: From Lead to Start: Closing the Enrollment Gap

Moderator: Rachel Gordon, Vice President of Student Financial Aid Services, American University of Antigua College of Medicine

Panelists:

Jay Rasmussen, SVP of Admissions, Lincoln Tech
Shibu Thomas, VP of New Markets & Strategic Growth, Triumph Education - Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Examine why interested students lose momentum before enrollment or their first day. Topics include follow-up during the first 24–48 hours, communicating cost and aid options, admissions and financial aid coordination, and reducing barriers from application through start. The discussion will also cover AI-assisted follow-up, re-engaging unresponsive prospects, and the metrics admissions leaders should watch.

PCSANJ Annual Conference

Agenda

Registration

Contact Us

breakout Session Descriptions

Opening Keynote: Your Struggle is Your Strength

Back to Basics: Simple Strategies, Powerful Learning

Enrollment Exchange Part I: The New Enrollment Playbook, What Actually Gets Students to Respond

Belonging by Design: A Blueprint for Student Retention

Enrollment Exchange Part II: From Lead to Start: Closing the Enrollment Gap

Thank You to Our Sponsors