PRESIDENT - BFE BLUEPRINT; ENROLLMENT CONSULTANT

Robert Borden, MSEd, is the President of BFE Blueprint, an enrollment consulting firm. He is also currently serving as the Associate Dean of Enrollment at the Tianjin Juilliard School. He has spent more than two decades working in college enrollment, holding the posts of Vice President of Enrollment at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Vice President of Enrollment at the Cleveland Institute of Art, and various enrollment capacities at the Eastman School of Music and Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

Now, in his work for BFE Blueprint, he is able to use his years of knowledge and expertise in the area of visual and performing arts to counsel institutions on strategies to reach their enrollment goals.

Robert earned his undergraduate degree in music education at DePauw University and obtained his MS Ed. in Higher Ed Administration from Miami University of Ohio.

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT - THE JUILLIARD SCHOOL

Kathleen Tesar, BM, MM, EdD, is the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management at The Juilliard School. A former professional violinist, she was previously the Associate Dean at the Colburn School Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, and Director of Admissions at the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester.

Tesar earned her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from the Eastman School of Music, and her Master of Music degree in violin performance from the Catholic University of America. She earned her Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the USC Rossier School of Education. Tesar presents frequently on topics related to performing arts admission, advises on management and careers in higher education, and is co-author of College Prep for Musicians (Bosler, Greene, Tesar).

ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR ADMISSION AND STUDENT AFFAIRS - USC THORNTON SCHOOL OF MUSIC

Phillip M. Placenti, Ed.D, is the Associate Dean for Admission and Student Affairs at the USC Thornton School of Music. In this role, he provides leadership to the areas of recruitment; admission; academic advisement; student support; and scholarships.

Placenti’s work in higher education began as a recruiter for the USC Thornton School of Music; he later became the director of Admission and Financial Aid before assuming the role of assistant dean for Admission and Student Affairs. Originally from Central California, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music (Piano and Voice); a Master’s degree in Public Administration; and a Doctorate in Education, all from USC.