Jamie Grant-Ponce
Jamie Grant-Ponce is a dedicated enrollment management professional with more than 20 years of experience supporting non-profit colleges and universities. Raised in the small towns of West Central Indiana, Jamie grew up surrounded by a love of learning, both of her parents were educators, and their passion deeply influenced her own lifelong commitment to education’s power to transform lives.
Jamie started her own educational journey at Ripon College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, then continued on to earn a Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior from Silver Lake College of the Holy Family. She recently completed her Doctor of Education at Converse University, where she focused her research on exploring relevant and non-relevant jobs in relation to the persistence and retention of first-generation college students.
Over the years, Jamie has led a wide range of enrollment initiatives, always with a heart for students and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. She has championed efforts to create welcoming communities for students from all backgrounds, whether from bustling cities or small rural towns like the one where she grew up.
One highlight of Jamie’s career was helping a private liberal arts college boost interest and enrollment during a period of significant change, including a model shift, a name change, and the challenges of a global pandemic. Her creative marketing strategies and process improvements made a real difference in building a vibrant and resilient campus community.
Jamie also has extensive experience coordinating and training Welcome Centers and One-Stop Shops that bring together admissions, financial aid, student accounts, and the registrar’s office. Her focus on creating student-friendly, efficient service centers has had a lasting impact on the institutions she has served.
As a leader, Jamie is known for her authenticity, her team-first mindset, and her passion for helping others grow. She believes in building trust and empowering her teams to develop strong leaders who will pay it forward.
Outside of work, Jamie loves spending time with her family. She lives in Spartanburg with her husband, Joe, and their beloved German Shorthaired Pointer, Mia (affectionately known as “the Mouse”). In her free time, you’ll find her relaxing at the lake or the beach, reading a good book, or crocheting something cozy.