About This Episode
In this episode of EDU Unlocked, Ashish Fernando sits down with Jason Trainer to explore how he focuses on repositioning the university and motivating students from deficit-based thinking to an asset-driven mindset.
Jason shares why recognizing the strengths students already bring, rather than focusing on perceived gaps, can fundamentally reshape enrollment strategy and campus culture. The conversation also dives into the broader definition of value: not just what happens during university studies, but how alumni represent and bolster the institution’s impact long after graduation.
They also discuss the importance of responsiveness in admissions, including examples of enrollment decisions made within 24 hours, and what today’s students expect from high-value institutions.
This episode offers a practical, forward-looking perspective on speed, trust, and institutional confidence in a competitive higher-ed landscape.
Host & Guest
Jason Trainer
GuestJason Trainer, Ph.D., is the Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management at Minnesota State University Moorhead, a leadership role focused on advancing strategic enrollment growth and long-term institutional sustainability. In this position, he oversees Admissions, Financial Aid & Scholarships, and Marketing while leading cross-campus initiatives to strengthen recruitment, retention, and student success.
Dr. Trainer brings more than 15 years of higher education experience dedicated to strengthening institutional reputation and expanding enrollment. Prior to joining MSUM, he served as Vice Provost of Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing at Indiana State University. His career also includes leadership roles at University of North Dakota, Northland Community & Technical College, and Minot State University.
He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of North Dakota, along with a Master of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Minot State University.
Key Highlights
1. Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management, Minnesota State University Moorhead
2. 15+ years of leadership experience in higher education enrollment and marketing
3. Former Vice Provost of Enrollment Management and Institutional Marketing, Indiana State University
4. Experience across multiple institutions including University of North Dakota and Minot State University
5. Expertise in data-driven recruitment, retention, and strategic enrollment growth
6. Oversees admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and marketing initiatives at MSUM
Ashish Fernando Founder & CEO, EDMO
HostAshish Fernando is the visionary founder and CEO of EDMO, a revolutionary educational technology platform that's transforming how people learn and grow. With over 15 years of experience in education and technology, Ashish has dedicated his career to making quality education accessible to learners worldwide. Before founding EDMO, Ashish held leadership positions at several prominent EdTech companies and worked as an educational consultant for Fortune 500 companies. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Master's in Computer Science from MIT. Ashish is a frequent speaker at educational conferences and has been featured in publications such as EdTech Magazine, Learning & Development Today, and TechCrunch. He's passionate about the intersection of technology and human potential, believing that the right tools can unlock extraordinary learning outcomes for everyone. Under his leadership, EDMO has grown to serve over 100,000 learners globally and has partnerships with leading educational institutions and corporations. Ashish continues to drive innovation in personalized learning, adaptive assessment, and educational analytics.
Key Achievements
1. Founded EDMO in 2019, now serving 100,000+ learners globally
2. Named 'EdTech Innovator of the Year' by Learning Technology Awards 2023
3. Featured speaker at Global Education Summit 2024
4. Published researcher in educational technology and learning analytics
5. Advisor to multiple EdTech startups and educational initiatives
Show Notes
- 1 0:00 – Tackling higher ed challenges head-on
- 2 0:16 – Welcome to Edu Unlocked & introducing Jason Trainer
- 3 1:31 – Repositioning a university after 20 years of enrollment decline
- 4 2:36 – From marketing to enrollment leadership in higher ed
- 5 5:01 – What if financial aid disappeared tomorrow?
- 6 8:36 – Academic value as the real driver of enrollment decisions
- 7 10:56 – Asset mindset vs. deficit mindset for student success
- 8 13:32 – Faster admissions and frictionless enrollment experiences
- 9 17:20 – Test-optional trends and predicting student success
- 10 20:24 – Outcomes, ROI, and rethinking higher education models
- 11 25:01 – Personalized student outcomes and career pathways
- 12 27:32 – AI in higher education and the future of applied AI
- 13 31:05 – Culture change and transforming universities
- 14 33:27 – Final reflections and closing thoughts
Key Quotes
“When challenges show up in higher education, the answer isn’t to run away—it’s to run directly at them.”
“Students and families ultimately ask one question: Is this a quality education that will transform my student’s life?”
“Higher education shouldn’t just deliver a credential—it should create experiences that shape who students become.”
Resources
Supercharge Your University CRM