Let’s accelerate your team’s success.
Experienced. Affordable. Customized. We are dedicated to improving outcomes in new student enrollment, retention and net revenue.
- EXPERIENCED. Our firm has been in business for more than 20 years and we have worked with hundreds of institutions, from small market-niche schools to large state universities. Our consultants have wide ranging experiences and have expertise in admissions, financial aid, marketing, assessment and course development.
- AFFORDABLE. Let’s face it. Budgets are tight. HES tailors services to your needs. We don’t ask for long term contracts because we believe our industry’s business cycle is changing too quickly.
- CUSTOMIZED. HES customizes services to meet your needs. We focus on admissions, financial aid, marketing and education and can serve as a resource for college executives and board members.
HES Team
Phil Malinoski, CFP, M.Ed., CAGS, President
860.989.8210 / phil@hes360.com
Phil Malinoski, M.Ed. C.A.G.S., CFP, founder and president of Higher Ed Strategies, LLC and co-founder of Rethinkhe, has more than 20 years of financial aid and enrollment management consulting and professional coaching experience. He has worked with over 300 institutions including traditional colleges and universities, for-profit agencies and vocational technical schools. Phil’s expertise and the focus of his consultancy includes strategic, tactical and compliance assessments in the areas of enrollment management, admission and financial aid as well as organizational structure and position reviews.
Phil worked as a subject matter expert in higher education for a national risk management firm in the company’s higher education practice. Phil also serves on the Community Health Resources, Inc. board and is a member of the finance committee.
Prior to starting the firm in 2003, Phil was employed by Northeastern University, Yale University and the University of Saint Joseph. Phil holds a M.Ed. in College Student Personnel from Northeastern University, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Higher Education Administration and earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 1993.
Nitajsha Edwards, Vice President
860.539.9268 / nitajsha@hes360.com
Nitajsha Edwards, FAAC, has more than 25 years of financial aid experience in both the private independent college and the for-profit market segments. She has provided consulting services to more than 200 schools on a national basis. Nitajsha is Vice President of Higher Ed Strategies and serves as a Senior Consultant for Rethinkhe. Nitjasha’s expertise is in Title IV compliance and financial aid operations.
She began her career at National College and has held positions in financial aid at Saint Joseph College and Albertus Magnus College. She also worked in human resources for the Virginia Community College System. Nitajsha provides advisory services that help institutions design and implement compliance solutions. She is experienced in both traditional and non-traditional programs including non-standard and non-term programs.
Brian Parker, Ed.D. Senior Consultant
312.550.3391 / brian@989group.com
Brian Parker, Ed.D., has more than 25 years of leadership in university and collegiate enrollment management, marketing and institutional advancement as a director, dean, and vice president. Brian serves as a managing partner for the 989 Group and serves as a Senior Consultant for Rethinkhe. Brian’s areas of expertise include strategic and tactical enrollment management planning, new student recruitment marketing, and working with faculty in supporting recruitment and development.
Brian holds master’s degrees from the University of Chicago and McCormick Theological Seminary, as well as a doctorate of education from Olivet Nazarene University and attended the Harvard Institute for Higher Education.