Adam Lankford
Regional Recruitment Manager – Southwest Ohio
Ohio University
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
I simply love the variety of tasks the world of college admission provides. My first full-time job out of college was working in an admissions office on a college campus. I like to say the world of admissions found me! After grad school, I lived in Arizona. I picked up the phone and called a friend 1,900 miles away who was an admissions counselor at my alma mater, and I asked if he would be interested in potentially working with me. The rest is history!
What is your favorite part of the job?
I would say the relationship-building aspect of recruitment. Much of the success I have achieved in my role is due to the relationships I have developed in my assigned recruitment territory. I love the fact that no day is the same, and I can have genuine conversations with students, counselors, and CBOs alike. Simply, I want to get to know people. I want to understand their story, and hopefully they want to understand mine!
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
I am incredibly honored to be a NACAC member and plan to be for many, many years. I am so glad the organization offers a plethora of opportunities for professional development, which I often take full advantage of to help advance opportunities in my institutional role and as a territory manager. NACAC is a strong community that has a clear mission to not only support me, but each and every member dedicated to our profession in an increasingly challenging time.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
My brain immediately resorts to cost and the affordability of a college education. I find it continually challenging to promote the incredible importance of higher education without having to have difficult conversations over rising tuition costs across the field each year. With increasing costs across the country due to numerous factors (tariffs, inflation, etc.), I believe it is important to be as transparent as possible in recruiting students by painting a clear picture of how I can help them with financial aid opportunities, along with admission requirements.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
I love to dig through piles of old vinyl records. When I am on the road traveling, I always scope out a local record store and see what they have to offer. I love to spin old classic rock tunes when reading admission applications for my job! Led Zepplin and Van Halen are two of my favorites. I also love to oil paint and spread my imagination over a canvas with a paintbrush, when I find the time.
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Norm Peterson from Cheers. After a long, busy day of recruitment and explaining admission requirements, sometimes all I need are some refreshments and good easy-going conversation to make me happy.
Published Nov. 17, 2025