Winning Back Students
What school districts around the country are doing to drive enrollment
After vouchers pass, how do ISDs compete?
School districts across the United States are facing a growing challenge: how to effectively compete for students in an era of school choice, charter schools, and voucher programs. The decline in enrollment, particularly in Texas, is partially due to rising costs and insufficient funding increases, which make it harder for public schools to maintain quality services. In response, districts are turning to marketing strategies that go beyond traditional advertising, focusing on direct engagement with families.
Key opportunities for boosting enrollment include focusing on the early education pipeline – from prekindergarten to kindergarten – and ensuring families are aware of the free and accessible options available to them. Retaining students during transitions, especially from elementary to middle school and high school, is also critical, as these are key moments where families often consider leaving public education for alternatives.
We have helped tell the story of many educational partners like you
Explore how school districts are adapting to the challenges of declining enrollment, evolving marketing strategies, and the future of public education.
Meet the experts
Mustafa Tameez
CEO & Founder
Michelle Cantú-Wilson
VP Education and Workforce
Sabiha Gire
VP Client Services
Mustafa Tameez
CEO & Founder
Michelle Cantú-Wilson
VP Education and Workforce
Sabiha Gire
VP Client Services
We are ready to work with you
Michelle Cantú-Wilson
Vice-President of Education and Workforce
Dr. Cantú-Wilson is a lifelong educator, having served as an administrator and teacher in both higher education and public education. Michelle brings nearly 30 years of experience in education to Outreach Strategists, where she leads the Education and Workforce portfolio. She is passionate about developing the workforce pipeline and believes that quality education is the critical factor in preparing the future workforce.
In the community, Michelle is a member of the Board of Trustees at San Jacinto College and serves on the board of Pasadena Health Center. She was recently appointed by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to the National Assessment Governing Board which sets policy for National Assessment of Educational Progress known as “The Nation’s Report Card.”
Dr. Cantú-Wilson is the host of EdUp Emergence, a podcast that illuminates the voices of emergent higher education leaders and discusses succession planning efforts at colleges and universities. She is also a regular host of the EdUpExperience podcast, a global higher education podcast created by Dr. Joe Sallustio.
Michelle holds a Doctorate of Higher Education Leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision, a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Houston, and an Associate of Arts from Ranger College.
Michelle was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, and was the first in her family to attend college. She is married and has three amazing children. She loves to spend time outdoors, especially at the beach. She’s an avid reader and writer and is working on a leadership book for women and a creative nonfiction series for developing adult readers.
Mustafa Tameez
CEO & Founder
Mustafa Tameez is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Outreach Strategists, a leading full-service public relations and marketing firm. With nearly 30 years of experience, Mustafa is a digital marketing expert, strategic consultant in communications and public affairs, and an authority in multicultural markets.
Under Mustafa’s leadership, Outreach Strategists has helped global brands, public agencies, and industry leaders connect with hard-to-reach constituencies. Mustafa’s long career in communications and public affairs has focused on helping clients overcome communication challenges and develop new markets. He has led successful campaigns on healthcare, education, and consumer safety recall efforts, as well as provided strategic guidance to new business ventures and start-ups.
Mustafa has worked with a diverse range of clients, including national brands like Uber, Facebook, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, as well as local entities and non-profits like AARP Texas and the Houston Police Department. He is a national opinion leader, with over 1,000 appearances on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC.
Honored as one of “2023 Most Admired CEO’s” by the Houston Business Journal, “PR Professional Who Makes a Difference” by Bulldog PR and presented with the “Rising 10 Award” by the Asian Chamber of Commerce, Mustafa’s expertise is not just recognized, but coveted.
In addition to his work with Outreach Strategists, Mustafa is actively involved in various community organizations. He is the Chairman of the Board for the Transportation Advocacy Group-Houston, a board member of the Asia Society of Texas, a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, an alumnus of the Texas Lyceum, and a member of multiple civic boards.
Mustafa’s expertise, leadership, and commitment to making a difference in the community make him a trusted advisor for clients looking to achieve their goals through strategic communications and marketing. Contact Outreach Strategists today to learn more about how Mustafa and his team can help you achieve your goals.
Michelle Cantú-Wilson
Vice-President of Education and Workforce
Dr. Cantú-Wilson is a lifelong educator, having served as an administrator and teacher in both higher education and public education. Michelle brings nearly 30 years of experience in education to Outreach Strategists, where she leads the Education and Workforce portfolio. She is passionate about developing the workforce pipeline and believes that quality education is the critical factor in preparing the future workforce.
In the community, Michelle is a member of the Board of Trustees at San Jacinto College and serves on the board of Pasadena Health Center. She was recently appointed by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to the National Assessment Governing Board which sets policy for National Assessment of Educational Progress known as “The Nation’s Report Card.”
Dr. Cantú-Wilson is the host of EdUp Emergence, a podcast that illuminates the voices of emergent higher education leaders and discusses succession planning efforts at colleges and universities. She is also a regular host of the EdUpExperience podcast, a global higher education podcast created by Dr. Joe Sallustio.
Michelle holds a Doctorate of Higher Education Leadership from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, a Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision, a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Houston, and an Associate of Arts from Ranger College.
Michelle was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, and was the first in her family to attend college. She is married and has three amazing children. She loves to spend time outdoors, especially at the beach. She’s an avid reader and writer and is working on a leadership book for women and a creative nonfiction series for developing adult readers.
Sabiha Gire
VP Client Services
Sabiha Gire serves Outreach Strategists’ clients with her sharpened project management skills and deep understanding of complex digital marketing strategy.
With nearly a decade of experience on the Outreach Strategists team, Sabiha’s insights and expertise are sought by national brands and organizations to lead multi-channel digital communications strategies. Sabiha has overseen successful marketing campaigns totaling over $12 million in ad buys and is certified by PRSA with the Modern Digital Communications Certificate Program.
Sabiha is an award-winning PR specialist, receiving the “2023 Top Women in Media & Ad Tech” from Admonster, PR Daily’s Top Women in Marketing Awards, Class of 2023 in the Marketers to Watch, Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award and “Outstanding AAPI Employee” award from OCA –Asian Pacific American Advocates-Greater Houston. Her leadership has helped projects achieve recognition as finalists and win awards such as the “Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Social Media Focused” from Stevie’s American Business Awards and PR Daily’s “Social Media & Digital Awards” for Healthcare Marketing.
Sabiha leads cross-functional teams that conduct high-impact marketing campaigns for businesses, governmental entities, and nonprofits. Sabiha successfully managed the nation’s largest auto safety recall effort with a strategic campaign that blended target audience research, digital and traditional marketing, and door-to-door canvassing. Other projects include conceiving and executing a college enrollment initiative, a U.S. Census participation campaign, and multiple public health awareness and education efforts.
A Houston native, Sabiha is a member of the Junior League of Houston, The Public Relations Society of America, New Leaders Council,and was a League of Women Voters “Rising Star.” She often contributes to various community organizations including Houston Area Women’s Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, and serves as a mentor for Girls Leading Our World.
Sabiha earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from St. Edward’s University in Austin.
