About the Editor - Mark Shay

Mark Shay is the founder and former CEO of Educational Directories Unlimited, a leader in the emerging market of computer-based student recruiting. EDU began in the early days of the Internet, creating market-leading online academic directories such as GradSchools.com, StudyAbroad.com and IIEPassport.org, sites that connected students with schools. Shay has over 25 years of experience in the collegiate marketplace and is one of the leading authorities in the field of online marketing and using the Internet to recruit and communicate with students.

In May of 2006, EDU was purchased by Halyard Capital, a New York-based private equity firm and became part of EducationDynamics. EducationDynamics is an interactive marketing and information services company focused on the higher education industry. EducationDynamics has assembled a network of industry leading companies that serve as the premier source of information for prospective students and their families seeking post-secondary educational options. EducationDynamics is now the leading, most respected resource for student acquisition and retention services for colleges and universities both for-profit and not-for profit, online and campus-based. In addition to EDU, EducationDynamics’ acquisitions have included eLearners, GoalQuest and WorldClass Strategy.

In August of 2007 Shay moved from the day-to-day operations of EDU to a position in the corporate office focusing on academic relations and academic business development. As Chief Academic Liaison he helps traditional (not-for profit) universities and program providers understand the rapidly changing dynamic of student recruiting and retention and helps for-profit universities understand program development opportunities. The higher education industry has experienced great change brought forth by the Internet and the rise of for-profit companies. Shay's role includes bringing best practices to EducationDynamics' university clients in the form of the EDUInsight journal, consulting, white papers, articles, public speaking and conference presentations.

In keeping with the company's vision of shared best practice, Shay developed and now serves as project manager for the National Dialog on Student Retention, an initiative designed to address to the growing problem of student attrition and low levels of student retention. The dialog began with a nationwide survey of college administrators involved in student retention, the results of which were used to guide the agenda of a conference featuring presenters ranging from renowned student retention experts to those involved in direct student services.

Mark Shay began his college marketing business while a student at Syracuse University hanging posters on campus. After earning a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1984, he went on to becoming a Senior Systems Analyst at Conrail Corporation while continuing his on-campus guerrilla marketing efforts part-time in Philadelphia. Business grew to a point where he resigned from Conrail in 1989 and officially began Liberty City Promotions.

As his reputation grew, Shay expanded Liberty City Promotions to include marketing services such as event marketing and printed student guides. In 1995, he developed a new product, StudyAbroad.com, in conjunction with Shay's partner, Mark Landon. StudyAbroad.com, an online directory of study abroad programs, was soon followed by GradSchools.com. As the online directories flourished, the enterprise split into two separate companies: Educational Directories Unlimited and Liberty City College Promotions. Liberty City is now independent.

Through Shay's leadership, EDU has aggressively grown into a vibrant market leader, launching new products and innovative services to connect students and academic recruiters. Despite turbulent times for "dot com" businesses, EDU flourished due in part to Shay's focus on serving the academic community and his adherence to the fundamental business practice of "service, quality and performance." With 2,000 academic customers, EDU provides a full suite of recruiting services in the fields of graduate, international and adult education, and has been listed on the Philadelphia 100 four times, twice on Inc. Magazine's Inner City 100, and on the 2003 Inc. 500.

On successful example of the academic/business partnerships that Shay envisions was the creation of Academic Analytics. At the 2005 Council of Graduate Schools, Shay met Dr. Lawrence Martin whose ideas on measuring faculty performance outside the classroom came to be known as Faculty Scholarly Productivity and a joint partnership with his employer, Stony Brook University created the product known as Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index a powerful indicator of academic performance, evaluating doctoral faculty and program's performance.

Through his experiences working with higher education and businesses, Shay offers unique perspective on issues regarding student recruitment, higher education trends, and international education. He has presented at a number of academic conferences, been quoted in national media and has appeared on CNBC and CNN. Click here to view "Out of the Cubicle and into the Classroom."

Shay grew up in Haddonfield, NJ and now has a home in Boothwyn, PA. He has three children and is active in his church and community, and he coaches children's sports. Shay is also a member and supporter of several education-related organizations including the Association of International Education Administrators and the Forum on Education Abroad. Shay has also been involved with several Internet businesses unrelated to higher education, including BoxBundles.com, the nation's leading online merchant of moving boxes and moving supplies and ClassicWines.com, an innovative community for people passionate about wine

Shay posts weekly commentary on his unique views of the trends in higher education at EDUInsight.com, covering innovation and best practice in online recruiting, retention and student communication.

You can connect with Mark Shay on Linkedin or or by phone at 201-377-3007.

"managing the student dialog, from lead through alumni"

Mark Shay
Chief Academic Liasion
EducationDynamics

Mark Shay
Chief Academic Liaison
EducationDynamics, LLC
www.EducationDynamics.com
5 Marine View Plaza, Suite 212,
Hoboken, NJ 07030
ph: 1-201-377-3007 fx: 1-201-377-3098
Contact Mark Shay mshay@educationdynamics.com.