TxGAP Events
From Attendee to Presenter: Why Conferences Matter & How to Get Your Proposal Accepted
Date: March 25, 2026
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM
Speaker: Shaniece Miller, Director of Graduate Admissions at North Carolina A&T State University
Description: Ever left a professional conference feeling inspired and thinking, “I could have presented this session”? This workshop is your sign—it’s time to move from the audience to the podium.
Conferences are more than name badges and tote bags—they’re spaces for growth, idea-sharing, and leadership development in graduate admissions. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned traveler, this session will show why conferences are key to your success and how to craft a session proposal that gets noticed.
Walk away with tips on choosing the right conference, creating a compelling proposal, and leveraging participation for growth. No prior presenting experience needed—just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to share your expertise.
Come ready to learn, laugh, and leave empowered to say, “I belong on that stage.”
About the Speaker: Shaniece Miller, M.Ed., is a higher education leader and Director of Graduate Admissions at North Carolina A&T State University, the nation’s largest HBCU. She oversees graduate recruitment, admissions, and enrollment management, driving student access and institutional growth.
With over a decade of experience, including 11 years at the University of North Texas at Dallas, Shaniece has honed expertise in graduate admissions, recruitment, student success, and professional development. Her work is rooted in equity, access, and a deep understanding of the graduate student lifecycle.
Shaniece has served on the TxGAP Board, including as Conference Chair, and currently serves on the NAGAP Conference Planning Committee. She is slated to assume the role of NAGAP Conference Chair, reflecting her commitment to advancing the field and creating meaningful professional development opportunities for her peers.
At the core of Shaniece’s leadership philosophy is a strong commitment to servant leadership and the overall well-being of Graduate Admissions Professionals. She is deeply passionate about mentoring, fostering inclusive professional spaces, and ensuring that those who support graduate students are themselves supported, valued, and empowered.
Shaniece is widely respected for her collaborative approach, strategic mindset, and unwavering dedication to graduate education and professional excellence.
Texas Swing Calendar
If you have an event that needs to be added to the calendar, contact Amanda McSween, Chair TACRAO Graduate & Professional Schools Committee, at amanda.mcsween@ttuhsc.edu
Past Webinars
The Current State of the Marketplace and Global Student Flows
Speaker: Jeff Yacup, Regional Partnerships Director, Quacquarelli Symonds
Description: The future of global student enrollment depends on universities' response to challenges and opportunities. Global Student Flows equips your institution to analyze trends and shape the future of education. Watch this webinar to explore market insights and future scenarios for global student enrollment by 2030.
Watch Presentation (Passcode: z4HRPp$M)
TxGAP Board Round-Table (Updates, Insights, and Answer Member Questions)
Speakers: TxGAP Governing Board
Description: Join the TXGAP Board for a round-table on what’s new and ahead for our community.
What Motivates Graduate Students? Looking Beyond Achievements to Connection
Speaker: Elizabeth Rawlings, Owner of Selected Insights LLC
Description: What truly motivates graduate students? Is it a sense of belonging? A desire for a better future? A job promotion? In this session, we will delve into research on the psychological drivers behind decision-making and how these factors influence motivation for degree attainment, needs, and even institutional choice.
The Grad Enrollment Playbook for Google & AI Search Behavior
Speakers: Tony Fraga, CEO and Kirby Wilson, Senior Optimization Strategist of Direct Development
Description: The way prospective graduate students search for programs and make enrollment decisions has fundamentally changed. Traditional SEO tactics that focus on ranking “blue links” aren’t enough to reach and resonate with today’s digitally savvy prospects. Students are relying on new sources of information and expecting faster, clearer, and more detailed answers. This session will explore how graduate enrollment managers must evolve their content strategies to meet these changes.