From First-Gen Student to Enrollment Leader: Shawana Singletary’s Playbook

What happens when a first-generation college student grows up to lead enrollment at a major university?

In this episode of The VineDown, Emily Smith sits down with Shawana Singletary, Assistant Vice President and Chief Enrollment Officer at Adelphi University. Drawing from her own journey (from working double shifts to pay tuition, to leading admissions and enrollment strategy) Shawana shares how her experiences fuel her vision for equity, belonging, and innovation in higher ed.

We cover:

• Why “assume nothing” is her starting point for every student and family conversation.
• The difference between equity and equality and why higher ed often gets it wrong.
• Belonging: how to make it authentic instead of a marketing veneer.
• Where AI can (and should) make admissions easier and where human connection must never be automated.
• Why enrollment managers may be the university presidents higher ed needs next.
• How she creates a psychologically safe, non-toxic culture for her team in an industry known for burnout.

This conversation is sharp, candid, and refreshingly human. If you care about the future of enrollment, you’ll walk away with a new perspective on what it means to lead with purpose, equity, and authenticity.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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