Recognizing Excellence: Michael O’Neill Honored with EMA Rising Star Award

Celebrating Leadership in K–12 Enrollment Management 

Michael O’Neill, Director of Admissions at Taipei American School, has been named one of two global recipients of the Enrollment Management Association’s 2025 Rising Star Award. This honor is reserved for professionals with fewer than ten years of experience who have already made a measurable difference in admissions and enrollment practices at independent schools worldwide. O’Neill is the first Director of Admissions from outside the United States to receive this recognition, marking a proud milestone for both TAS and the international school community. 

The award was presented during the 2025 EMA Annual Conference, held September 16–20 in Austin, Texas. O’Neill was recognized for his leadership, commitment to innovation, and collaborative mindset, all key factors that continue to strengthen TAS’s reputation for inclusive, mission-driven enrollment. 

“This award is really about the team,” O’Neill said. “It reflects the shared effort across our office, our partnerships with other divisions, and the commitment we all have to serve families. It’s part of a much bigger journey, not just a single moment.” 

Driving Innovation at the EMA Annual Conference 

With a theme of “Embracing Change,” the 2025 EMA Annual Conference brought together more than 1,300 admissions and enrollment professionals from around the world. The event covered emerging topics like data-informed decision-making, digital innovation, and building a culture of belonging in schools. Keynote speakers included EMA CEO Mike Flanagan, Dr. David Yeager of the University of Texas at Austin, and sociologist Dr. Bertice Berry. 

“It was incredible to be in a room with so many people who care deeply about this work,” O’Neill said. “I came away energized by the conversations and full of ideas to bring back to TAS.” 

He attended sessions focused on designing better family interviews, building enrollment data dashboards, and making the admissions process more relational and reflective of school values. 

“The collaboration and openness at the conference were inspiring,” he added. “It reminded me why I love what I do—because at its core, it’s about people learning from one another.” 

Watch Michael's firsthand conference experience: 

How EMA Training is Transforming the Admissions Process at TAS 

The connection between O’Neill’s work and the Taipei American School mission is clear. For him, EMA’s professional development resources have been more than just helpful—they’ve been transformative. 

Over the past year, the TAS admissions team has participated in EMA’s online professional development offerings, including courses on designing and structuring family interviews, regional enrollment trends, belonging in admissions, and so many more. These resources are shaping a new, more intentional approach to how the team engages with prospective families. 

“Our community lives the TAS mission every day,” O’Neill said. “Being part of organizations like EMA helps us stay curious, grow with intention, and make sure our work stays closely aligned with the school’s values.” 

Though this new interview model is still in its early stages, feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive. Surveys from the admissions onboarding process consistently show that families feel more known, seen, and valued throughout their experience. 

“There’s a growing sense that families feel known throughout the process, not just evaluated,” O’Neill said. “We’re excited to keep refining this approach and see where it leads.” 

Responding to a Shift in School Demographics 

O’Neill has also led efforts to increase cross-department collaboration, ensuring that the admissions experience reflects TAS’s mission and Schoolwide Learning Outcomes at every stage. By partnering with division heads, advancement, and communications teams, he’s helping create a consistent and meaningful journey for every family. This work is especially relevant at TAS, where over 95% of our students are multilingual. 

At the recent EARCOS Leadership Conference, O’Neill and colleague Virginia Blais presented asset-based approaches to supporting Multilingual Learners (MLLs) in international schools. Their session emphasized the importance of viewing multilingualism as a strength rather than a barrier. 

“Many international schools, including TAS, use unintentionally deficit-based evaluations,” O’Neill said. “If we treat a student’s language as a hurdle, it can shape how families feel about themselves and their place in our community.” 

By rethinking policies and language used in the admissions process, the team at TAS is working to create a more inclusive experience—one where every student’s background is seen as an asset. 

“When we, as adults, work together with purpose and empathy, we’re modeling the kind of thoughtful engagement we hope to see in our students,” he said. 

Looking Ahead: A Continued Focus on Mission and Belonging 

The EMA Rising Star Award recognizes not just past accomplishments, but future potential. For O’Neill, it’s a sign that the work of enrollment management is always evolving. 

“We’re always learning,” he said. “This isn’t about arriving at the finish line. It’s about staying committed to the shared journey.” 

Moving forward, O’Neill plans to continue building cross-functional partnerships, deepen the admissions team’s capacity, and continue shaping an enrollment experience that reflects Taipei American School's values: learning, service, well-being, and global citizenship.