The soon-to-be-formed organization resulting from the merger of the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) has appointed Mike Flanagan as its first Chief Executive Officer, effective May 12.
Flanagan, a seasoned leader in the independent school community, brings more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit management and educational technology. He currently serves as the CEO of Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC), where he spearheaded the development of a digital competency-based credentialing platform. Under his leadership, MTC has helped students gain admission to 600 colleges and universities without traditional credit hours or grades. He also navigated the organization through the challenges of COVID-19 and led its successful 2024 acquisition by ETS.
A Vision for the Future
Flanagan’s appointment signals a commitment to innovation and growth as the newly merged organization—currently referred to as “NewOrg” until a permanent name is chosen—prepares to serve independent schools, students, and families in an expanded capacity.
“Mike’s deep understanding of independent schools and families, combined with his expertise in leading organizations through transformational change, makes him the ideal leader for this next chapter,” said ERB Board Chair and Board Chair for NewOrg, Fran Bisselle. “His experience in launching new products and services, as well as his ability to adapt to a rapidly changing educational landscape, will help us build an agile, mission-driven organization that meets the evolving needs of schools and families.”
“I’m thrilled to be joining NewOrg at such a pivotal moment. By combining the strengths of ERB and EMA, we’re creating something far greater than the sum of its parts. This new entity will be designed to serve today’s school leaders and families while continuously innovating to prepare for what’s ahead,” said Flanagan.
A Legacy of Leadership
Before leading MTC, Flanagan served as CEO of School and Student Services (SSS) at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), where he oversaw financial aid solutions for more than 1,700 schools and nonprofits. An entrepreneur at heart, he also co-founded Intrepid Learning Solutions, helping grow the managed services provider into a $35 million organization.
The Path to Merger
EMA and ERB announced their intent to merge on September 5, 2024, aiming to integrate their expertise, data insights, and enrollment tools to enhance student success. EMA is known for its leadership in admission assessments and enrollment management, while ERB has been a trusted provider of student assessment and data-driven insights for a century.
The merger remains subject to final approvals, expected in Spring 2025. Until then, both organizations will continue operating independently, providing assessments, tools, and conferences as usual.
About EMA
The Enrollment Management Association (EMA) is a nonprofit membership organization supporting over 1,200 schools and 80,000 families each year with data-driven enrollment solutions. EMA administers the Secondary School Admission Test (SSAT) and the Standard Application Online (SAO).
About ERB
The Educational Records Bureau (ERB) has a 100-year history of helping independent schools assess and support student learning. ERB provides tools that measure academic performance, well-being, and social-emotional skills, ensuring a holistic approach to student success.
