OpenApply Admissions Workshop: Kenya

In November 2025, OpenApply held its first professional development programme in Africa, hosted at the International School of Kenya in Nairobi. Over 1.5 days, admissions, enrollment, marketing, advancement, technology and school leadership professionals worked through one central question: how can schools create a better admissions experience, from the first enquiry through enrollment and beyond?

The 2025 theme, The Admissions Experience, looked at that question from three angles: data-driven admissions, school-wide collaboration and innovation in marketing. Interactive workshops, peer-led case studies, panel discussions and sessions with students gave attendees ideas they could test against their own experience and take back to their schools.

What attendees leave with

• Data-driven admissions strategies: ways to use analytics to understand the funnel, spot opportunities and make better enrollment decisions
• Brand and storytelling approaches: ideas for strengthening the school story and improving key touchpoints to attract right-fit families
• A student-first perspective: insight into how prospective families actually experience the admissions journey
• Hands-on platform practice: practical OpenApply workshops on new features and analytics within admissions workflows
• A regional peer network: dedicated time to connect with and learn from admissions professionals facing similar challenges

What attendees told us

4.9 / 5 average rating for the overall conference experience and event organisation & logistics

Facilitation attendees trusted

Attendees consistently praised the depth and preparation of presenters across the professional development sessions and OpenApply product workshops. They described the keynote and panel as authentic, engaging and full of practical takeaways.

Sessions that built real momentum

The keynote, the panel discussion, Student Voice in the Admissions Journey and the Analytics in Action workshop were among the most attended and most often mentioned sessions. Attendees said these sessions gave them a clearer picture of what was possible and what they could bring back to their own schools.

Clear next steps

Attendees left with concrete plans, including:

• Rolling out application and re-enrollment workflows ahead of the January intake
• Applying new data segmentation and reporting practices across the admissions funnel
• Bringing storytelling and student-ambassador strategies back to their marketing and admissions teams

Appetite for more

Nearly every respondent said they would “definitely” attend a future OpenApply event. Attendees clearly preferred a Friday–Saturday format, and several, including first-time participants, expressed interest in speaking or hosting at future events.

The highlight of the day

Two things stood out above everything else: hearing directly from students and learning from peers.

A student-first perspective

Attendees repeatedly called the Student Voice in the Admissions Journey session, led by ISK’s Fareen Lalani-Butt and Pamela Pappas, “eye-opening.” It gave them a direct view of how prospective families experience admissions, which attendees said is hard to find elsewhere. Breakouts and peer conversations added to this. Attendees heard what was working at other schools, and many valued the chance to discuss challenges openly with peers who understand international school admissions.

Looking ahead

The Kenya workshop was a milestone: the first time OpenApply brought its admissions community together in Africa. Attendees left with practical strategies, new connections and a clear plan for putting ideas into practice at their schools. We’re building on that momentum with more opportunities for the community to connect, contribute and keep the conversation going.