Steve Kerge
Vice President for Enrollment Marketing
AKA “Keen Kerge“
A comprehensive background in higher education enrollment management and marketing set the stage for Steve Kerge’s founding role at Spark451. As head of business development, he works closely with our partner institutions to understand their challenges and employ tactics that boost brand presence, lead generation, and consequently, student enrollment.
For more than 20 years, Steve worked in enrollment management for Adelphi University, NYU Polytechnic, Hofstra University, and NYIT. In fact, his strategic leadership at NYIT helped raise freshman enrollment by as much as 25 percent. In 2007, Steve transitioned from his campus-based position to become a marketing agency executive. He has been consistently creating award-winning and results-driven strategies for many institutions ever since.
Steve holds a B.S. in banking and money management from Adelphi University, and an MS in human resource management from NYU Tandon. His career-long commitment to helping students navigate the college search process also earned him the Margaret Addis Award for Outstanding Leadership from the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
When he’s not in the office, you can likely find Steve in one of our National Parks. He’s visited almost all of them west of Chicago with his wife and son.
How did you choose your profession/why?
I am pretty sure this was my destiny. I started as a student worker in a financial aid office when I was in my senior year of high school. I immediately loved the idea of helping families, keeping a business mindset, and meeting goals.That's where I met my wife and the rest is history.
What’s one thing everyone needs to know about Spark451 and why?
This team has talent and we bring it every single day!
What is your favorite quote and why?
"Pain is temporary, it might last for a minute, an hour or even a year, but it will subside…quitting, however, is permanent." - Dr. Eric Thomas. I love it because it just speaks so much to those with perseverance.
Which decade do you love the most and why?
2010s: Founded Spark451 in 2011, got back into boating in 2014, celebrated 25 years married in 2017, and my son went away to college in 2014 and graduated in 2018. So much to appreciate in that decade.
