Keynote Speaking in San Francisco: From Transactional to Transformational at the NAGAP GEM Summit
Keynote speaker Jovan Glasgow inspiring graduate enrollment professionals to embrace transformational impact in higher education at the San Francisco GEM Summit.
In April 2025, more than 800 graduate enrollment management (GEM) professionals gathered in San Francisco for the NAGAP Graduate Enrollment Management Summit—the premier event dedicated to advancing the field of graduate education.
I had the privilege of delivering the opening keynote session, “From Transactional to Transformational,” to an audience of academic leaders, enrollment professionals, and higher education staff who are shaping the future of graduate enrollment across the country.
From Transactional to Transformational
Higher education is at a crossroads. Graduate enrollment professionals face mounting challenges: burnout, shifting student expectations, resource constraints, and the pressure to demonstrate measurable impact. Too often, the work can become transactional—checking boxes, meeting numbers, and responding to endless demands.
My keynote addressed how leaders and teams can move beyond transactions into transformational impact. Key insights included:
Re-centering Mission and Meaning → When the “why” is clear, the work becomes more resilient.
Transformative Thinking → Belief shifts drive behavior shifts, which drive enrollment outcomes.
Leading With Purpose → Enrollment management is not just about numbers; it’s about changing lives.
COME ALIVE → My rallying cry for attendees to bring renewed energy, authenticity, and vision to their roles.
As I shared from the stage: “Walls of routine limit impact. But when you choose transformation over transaction, you don’t just recruit students — you shape futures.”
The Audience Response
The impact of this session was immediate and deeply felt. Attendees rated the keynote a 10/10 for engagement, describing it as “unmatched” and “deeply moving.”
Participants shared that the keynote:
Sparked meaningful conversations in their teams.
Equipped them with practical tools they could apply both professionally and personally.
Reignited their sense of purpose in an often-demanding profession.
One leader summarized it best: “Jovan didn’t just speak; he connected. He spoke to places in our hearts even we didn’t know we needed.”
A Movement, Not Just a Moment
The session’s closing message — COME ALIVE — became a rallying cry for many in attendance. What began as a keynote evolved into momentum that continued beyond the conference, inspiring leaders to integrate transformative leadership principles into their institutions.
As Shaniece Miller of UNT Dallas shared in her testimonial:
“Jovan’s keynote was powerful, dynamic, and deeply moving — exactly what we needed to inspire and energize our attendees. We are so grateful for the impact he made and would highly recommend Glasgow International to any organization looking for a transformative speaker experience.”
San Francisco as the Stage for Change
Hosting the GEM Summit in San Francisco was fitting: a city known for innovation, diversity, and resilience. The spirit of transformation was alive throughout the conference, as higher education leaders embraced new ideas and fresh energy for the challenges ahead.
Book Jovan Glasgow for Your Next Leadership or Higher Education Conference
Speaking at the NAGAP GEM Summit in San Francisco reaffirmed my passion for empowering leaders to move from transactional routines to transformational impact.
If you’re planning a leadership conference, higher education summit, or organizational retreat in San Francisco, across California, or nationwide, I’d be honored to serve as your keynote speaker.