Joining Southeast Missouri State University’s Office of Admissions in July 2003, Lenell Hahn has over 20 years of experience in higher education admissions and recruitment. She has served as director of admissions since January 2013. Lenell provides leadership for the development and implementation of effective strategies to attract and enroll new students and advocate for access to higher education. Leveraging technology in the recruitment and admissions process has been key to the enrollment success Southeast has experienced. Implementing Element451 in 2020 significantly enhanced SEMO’s engagement with future Redhawks through every stage of the funnel. Her educational background includes an AA degree from Three Rivers College and BSBA and MBA from Southeast Missouri State University. She has completed professional certifications and trainings in enrollment analytics and customer service excellence. Over the last 20 years, Lenell has presented at numerous state and national conferences to share her knowledge with other professionals. “Southeast challenged me but also believed in me when I was a student. The relationships I built with faculty and staff were key to me seeing the potential in myself and encouraging me to get involved and take on leadership roles. From being a founding member of Omicron Delta Kappa's chapter at SEMO to winning first place in the Delta Epsilon Chi national competition to traveling abroad visiting four countries in Europe, these experiences have shaped who I am today. My commitment is to help others see the impact a college degree can have on their life and close the gap in them achieving their dreams.”