Susie Poli-Smith

Susie Smith is a higher education enrollment and financial aid executive with more than 30 years of experience helping students, families, and institutions achieve successful outcomes. Throughout her career, she has led strategic enrollment initiatives, financial aid operations, admissions, recruitment, and student success efforts at both public and private universities. Her expertise spans enrollment management, financial aid leveraging, scholarship strategy, CRM implementation, data analytics, and organizational leadership.

Known for her collaborative leadership style and student-centered approach, Susie has successfully increased enrollment, strengthened net tuition revenue, optimized financial aid resources, and built high-performing teams. She is passionate about removing barriers to higher education and helping students make informed decisions about their academic futures. Whether working with first-generation students, student-athletes, STEM majors, or families navigating the complexities of financial aid, she brings practical experience, empathy, and strategic insight to every interaction.

In addition to her executive leadership experience, Susie enjoys mentoring students and counseling families through the college admissions and financial aid process. She believes that every student’s journey is unique and that thoughtful guidance can make a lasting difference in both educational and personal success.

Susie holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership from Siena Heights University, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was selected by faculty as Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year. She also earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University. Today, she continues to support educational organizations through consulting, admissions counseling, enrollment strategy, and financial aid advising, helping institutions and students achieve their goals with confidence and integrity.