Episode Details

Todd Rinehart from the University of Denver shares how he manages 22,000 applications a year with a small team — and the outreach, AI, and relationship-building systems that keep people from falling through the cracks. 

In this conversation, you'll learn: 

✅ How to scale personalized outreach when your team can't possibly reach everyone individually 

✅ Why the people who need your programs most are the hardest to reach — and the practical nudge strategy that works 

✅ How to use AI to handle high-volume, repetitive communication while keeping the human connection that drives trust 

This episode is for operations leaders and program managers who are managing more participants, cases, or applicants than their team can handle — and need a smarter system, not more headcount. 

👤 ABOUT TODD RINEHART: 

Todd Rinehart is Vice Chancellor for Enrollment at the University of Denver, where he has spent 29 years building one of the most relationship-driven enrollment programs in private higher education. He began his career as an assistant basketball coach before transitioning into undergraduate admissions, where he scaled a framework built on personal connection and relationship trust. Under his leadership, DU received 22,000 applications in a single cycle and is actively piloting AI tools for GPA calculation, credit evaluation, and personalized student communication at scale. 

🔗 Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-rinehart-7034a710/ 

🔗 Organization Website: https://www.du.edu 

🎙️ ABOUT HART & HUSTLE: 

Hart & Hustle brings you weekly conversations with mission-driven leaders solving real problems in healthcare, education, and community services. Every week, hosts Keenan Hart and Efrain Lozada sit down with nonprofit executives, operations directors, and innovators to uncover practical strategies you can implement in your organization. 

Subscribe for weekly insights on nonprofit leadership, operations, and scaling mission impact. 

🔗 CONNECT WITH US: 

FRANSiS™ Website: https://fransis.ai 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fromfransis 

#NonprofitOperations #MissionDrivenLeadership #NonprofitLeadership