Bridging the Gap: Uniting Athletics and Admissions for Recruitment Success

Daniella Nordin is a marketing and communications leader with over 15 years of experience specializing in higher education marketing and engagement. In her role as Director of Customer Success and Engagement at Element451, she leads a team dedicated to ensuring exceptional customer experiences. With a focus on collaboration and communication, Daniella builds bridges between customers and internal teams, ensuring alignment and driving outcomes that exceed expectations. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing marketing strategies that drive growth and increase visibility and influence. Daniella holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from The Ohio State University and a Master’s, also in Communications, from the University at Albany, SUNY. She is committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends and best practices in higher education marketing and engagement. She thrives on the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and is driven by her passion for helping colleges and universities achieve their goals.

Brendan Henkel is a dynamic force in the tech and education sectors, leading as the Manager of Solutions Engineering at Element451 with a unique flair for merging technology with learning. Not only is he a seasoned expert with 13 years in higher education, but Brendan is also the undisputed Disney nerd in his circles, bringing joy and insights with a touch of magic. In his illustrious career, particularly his 10 years on the institution side, Brendan has mastered the nuances of enrollment management and financial aid, shaping futures with his strategic acumen. His philosophy is simple yet profound: create welcoming spaces and prioritize understanding others. This approach has been the bedrock of his ability to foster lasting, fruitful partnerships. Brendan's superpower lies in his dedication to building personal connections, believing them to be the key to success in any endeavor. Adding another layer to his multifaceted persona is his enthusiasm for AI, positioning him as both an enthusiast and an evangelist in this rapidly evolving field. With a master's degree in New Media Journalism, Brendan seamlessly blends his educational background with his passion for tech, Disney, and AI, offering a captivating narrative that's both informative and entertaining.

Charity Schneeberger is in her fourth year as Director of Admissions at the University of Valley Forge. During her time in Admissions, enrollment at UVF has grown or held steady each year. In the last year, she has overseen expansion of travel and implementation of a new CRM (Element451). Prior to working in Admissions, Charity’s background was in Institutional Effectiveness. Her experience with accreditation, assessment, and strategic planning gives her a unique perspective in Enrollment Management. Charity earned her Bachelor of Arts in Church Ministries (2017) and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (2019), both from the University of Valley Forge. Prior to coming to UVF to finish her degree in 2014, she served as Worship Pastor and Creative Director at a large church in Pennsylvania, and helped to open a local coffee shop as Assistant Manager.

Gretchen LeVan is entering her sixth year as the Director of Athletics at the University of Valley Forge, and eleventh year as Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Prior to becoming the helm of the department, LeVan served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for five years. During her time at UVF, LeVan re-branded the department with creating a new mission statement, vision statement, and pillars of stability, as well as developing the Patriot Way, a student-athlete handbook. She piloted the Patriots in becoming a core member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) and established UVF’s athletic recruitment strategy, the Patriot All-Academic Team, and the addition of Men’s Volleyball as a varsity sport. LeVan also developed the creation of two club sports, JV Men’s Basketball and Track & Field. Under her leadership, the importance of the full student-athlete experience has increased. In Fall 2018, the athletic department notched a 3.24 GPA, the highest in department history. LeVan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. LeVan continued her education at Bloomsburg University, graduating with a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Before her venture to Steel City, LeVan attended the University of Valley Forge (2003-2005), where she received an Associates of Art in Bible. During her time at UVF, LeVan was a two-year starter on the Women’s Soccer team, receiving the Most Valuable Player award both seasons. LeVan holds the most career goals scored in Patriot history with 24 goals. In addition to soccer, LeVan was a member of the Women’s Basketball team, where she led the team in both assists and steals. As a Patriot, LeVan tabbed a spot on the NCCAA All-Conference and All-Region team. LeVan was also awarded Co-Most Valuable Player, as well as being the recipient of the prestigious O.L. Harrup Award in her final year.