Percept Research is thrilled to welcome Jillian Melton to our team as a Senior Consultant. With her extensive expertise, Jillian will spearhead key consulting engagements, including Influential Testimonial Development, Information Sessions Optimization, Lead Nurturing, Marketing Communications, Media Rankings Management, Referral Programs Development, and Student Experience Enhancement. She will also play a pivotal role in transforming client custom research into actionable insights.
Jillian brings over 20 years of experience in marketing, product development, and leadership, with a decade dedicated to higher education. Before joining Percept Research, she served as Assistant Dean of the Working Professional MBA Programs at SMU Cox School of Business in Dallas, Texas. She oversaw recruiting, admissions, and program development for four MBA programs and ten graduate certificate programs, generating over $35 million in annual revenue for the Cox School of Business.
Her portfolio included the Executive MBA, Professional Part-Time MBA, Online MBA, and the first-of-its-kind MBA Direct program. Jillian also led the launch of the Online MBA in 2018 and the MBA Direct in 2020, partnering with an online platform management firm before transitioning those services in-house in 2023.
In 2024, Jillian began consulting with SMU Cox Executive Education, focusing on recruiting and program development for open enrollment programs. She also teaches graduate-level Business Communications.
Known for her passion for innovation in higher education, Jillian is committed to developing programs that meet students' evolving needs and helping institutions communicate their value clearly and effectively.
“We are excited that Jillian has joined our team,” said Brian Mahoney, Managing Partner of Percept Research. “Jillian’s extensive expertise in program development, recruiting, and marketing communications brings unparalleled value to our clients. Her leadership and innovative approach will be instrumental in crafting effective strategies that address higher education’s unique challenges and opportunities.”
Before her tenure at SMU Cox, Jillian held product marketing roles at Honeywell, 3M, and Sabre Holdings, where she developed iconic brands such as Post-it, Scotch, Scotch-Brite, and Travelocity. Originally from Minneapolis, Jillian holds an MBA from Emory University and a B.A. from the University of Puget Sound. She resides in Dallas with her husband and two children.
Please join us in welcoming Jillian to the consulting team!