NEGAP Conference 2012: Back to Basics: Ordinary Events for Extraordinary Results
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Claudia Pouravelis, Ed.D. Associate Dean of Graduate Affairs Jenene Romanucci Associate Director of Graduate Admission Shelagh Tomaino Assistant Director of Graduate Admission Why should society feel responsible only for the education of children and not for the education of all adults of every age? – Erich Fromm BACK TO BASICS: ORDINARY EVENTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS
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Graduate programs are experiencing both the benefits and repercussions of economic uncertainty as many under and unemployed adults are seeking graduate education to advance or change their careers. Sometimes being creative and effective in recruitment means taking a look at the basics of what we do best and fine tuning those tools to accommodate the unique populations we aim to serve. More often than not, this involves an intrinsically simple approach based on a personal touch. Regis College admission staff present the ins and outs of several recruitment and yield events that cater to various graduate student populations. The presenters review how even making slight adjustments to basic events can lead to outstanding results. Results include not just program growth, but also an increase in positive perception, image, and sentiment. We explore how we periodically revisit our standard admission events and remodel them to fit the variety of student groups we aim to serve with an emphasis on the personal touch. Presented by Dr. Claudia C. Pouravelis, Jenene Romanucci, and Shelagh Tomaino from Regis College in Weston, MA.
Transcript of NEGAP Conference 2012: Back to Basics: Ordinary Events for Extraordinary Results
Claudia Pouravelis, Ed.D.
Associate Dean of Graduate Affairs
Jenene Romanucci
Associate Director of Graduate Admission
Shelagh Tomaino Assistant Director of Graduate Admission
Why should society feel responsible only for the education of children and not for the education of all adults of every age? – Erich Fromm
BACK TO BASICS:ORDINARY EVENTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS
PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
Background:Regis CollegeThe Office of Graduate Affairs
General overview of programs Taking the lead from theory Overview of specific programs
Come to ClassOn The SpotOrientation
Challenges and Future Initiatives
REGIS COLLEGE
Over 1100 graduate students
Program Options:14 Masters degree programs11 Certificate programs1 Doctoral degree program
2 schools Liberal Arts, Education, and Social Science Nursing, Science, and Health Professions
WHO ARE REGIS STUDENTS
Many come from within 40 miles of the Boston area
Working adults with other commitments
Career changers
Looking for professional advancement
GRADUATE STUDENT GROWTH AT
REGIS COLLEGE
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
2010-2011
2011-2012
2012 - as of
11.14.12
2500
2750
3000
3250
3500
3750
4000
4250
4500
4750
5000
REGIS COLLEGE GRADUATE DEPARTMENT: THEN AND NOW
2004 2012
5 Graduate degrees 15 Graduate Degrees (14 Masters, 1 Doctoral)
3 Certificate options 11 Certificate options
200 Graduate students 1100+ Graduate students
2 Graduate Admission staff members (100 students/staff member)
3 Graduate Admission staff members(366+ students/staff) `
A CYCLE OF “NOT ALWAYS ORDINARY”
EVENTS Recruiting Events and Opportunities Information Sessions Come to Class Visits On The Spot Admission Admitted Student Evening New Student Orientation
RECRUITING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
MORE ORDINARY
College/Career FairsRegis CollegeProvidence CollegeWellesley CollegeMerrimack CollegeEmmanuel CollegeAssumption CollegeUMass Amherst 5 College FairMERC Education Career FairRoxbury Community CollegeMiddlesex Community CollegeNorth Shore Community College
RECRUITING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
LESS ORDINARY
Conferences and Forums MA Student Nurses Association HIMSS Nursing Informatics Institute Hospice and Palliative Care Federation of MA Association of Clinical Research Professionals NENIC Nursing Informatics Conference MAAPS – MA Association of Approved Private Schools NEMA – New England Museum Association
NOT ORDINARY
Tufts Health Plan 10K Race Breathe Deep Boston Lung Cancer 5K Walk MIT/Wellesley Virtual Grad School Fair Regis College Undergraduate class visits
Promoting 5th year programs
Area Elementary/Special Ed School visits Gifford School
Visits to area Hospitals MGH Boston Medical Center Faulkner Hospital Lawrence General Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital
RECRUITING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
MOVING FROM ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY
Information Sessions General program and program specific sessions 3 general per semester/2 general per summer An additional 4-5 program specific sessions held throughout the semester Evening and weekend On and off campus
Come to Class visits 4 per semester/2 per summer
“On The Spot” Admission 1 per semester
Admitted Student Event 1 per semester based on decision cycle Program specific
New Student Orientation 1 per semester/1 per summer
AN EXTRAORDINARY COMMON THREADENGAGEMENT!!!
Office of Graduate Affairs
Coordinator of Graduate Student Services and Engagement
Graduate Admission Staff
Center for Student Services
Faculty
ADULT LEARNING THEORISTS
Malcolm Knowles, 1968Adult education and andragogy
Vincent Tinto, 1993Retention and attrition
Andragogy Process of helping adults engage in learning (in contrast to pedagogy)
Elaborated on four assumptions by suggesting that classroom climate and the relationship between teachers/students should encourage acceptance, respect, and support for the adult student Assumption 1: Adults tend to be more self directed as a result of their
maturity Assumption 2: Adults possess personal histories which define their
identities and serve as a resource of experiential learning upon which new learning can be applied
Assumption 3: Motivation in adults is directed to more socially relevant learning
Assumption 4: Adult learners have interest in immediate application for problem solving
Knowles (1968, 1980) Adult Learning Theory and Adult Education
ADULT LEARNING THEORISTS
AttritionCaused by academic difficulties, inability to determine
educational and professional goals, and failure to incorporate into the intellectual and social life of the institution
RetentionTinto’s “Model of Institutional Departure” says that to
persist, students need:○ Integration into formal (academic performance) and informal
(faculty/staff interactions) academic systems○ Formal (extracurricular activities) and informal (peer-group
interactions) social systems
ADULT LEARNING THEORISTSTinto (1993) Model of Institutional Departure
BACK TO BASICS WITH EXTRAORDINARY GRADUATE
ADMISSION EVENTS Come to Class event
On the Spot Admission
New Student Orientation
COME TO CLASS EVENT Evening/Weekend class meetings Extensive promotion to “hot” prospects Faculty advisement with advanced notice Coincide with campus activities
Weekend Health Administration ‘Come to Class’ event is right before a Graduate Student Luncheon with President Hays. Attendees are encouraged to join faculty, students, and staff for the luncheon.
“I think what really helped me with my decision to enroll in Regis full time was the idea of having small classes and being
reassured that professors are very supportive and highly engaged with their students.”
- Erica McCrea ‘13, MS in Health Administration
COME TO CLASS EVENT The Basics: What might be ordinarily expected…
Class that is free of charge to attendStudents provided with an opportunity to see the campusAllows students to get a sense of what lies ahead
Beyond the Basics: What might not be ordinarily expected…Greeted by an Admission Representative Informal Information Session and admission informationMix and mingle with current students, faculty, and staff
○ Lunch for weekend class○ Coffee/refreshments for evening class
Camaraderie between prospective studentsStudents encouraged to participate in the class, thus feeling part of
the Regis Community
COME TO CLASS EVENT Total CTC Numbers
62 prospective students CTC events in:○ Biomedical Sciences○ Communication○ Education○ Health Administration○ Heritage Studies○ Regulatory and Clinical Management
Specific program example – MS in Health Administration Attended Enrolled
April 2011 5 3
November 2011 10 6
March 2012 11 6
December 2012 3 RSVP’s to date TBD
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
WHO is On The Spot Admission for?
All prospective students in Graduate programs with the exception of:Applied Behavior AnalysisDirect Entry NursingDoctor of Nursing PracticeNuclear Medicine
Students who are in their first two courses who have not yet applied are encouraged to attend to avoid registration holds at a later time
ON THE SPOT ADMISSIONWHAT is On The Spot Admission?
Students bring their application materials and receive an immediate decision for their chosen graduate programs Applications also available at the event
Students are asked to bring: Resume 500 word Personal Statement Letter of Recommendation Official Transcripts
Materials may sent ahead of time
Interview and development of curriculum plan with faculty
Students are encouraged to register for classes at the event
Application fee waived
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
WHERE is On The Spot Admission held?
Students are invited to the Regis College campus for the eventCentrally located College Hall Foyer is an ideal location for
OTS at Regis
Because students are encouraged to register for classes, the event is held in close proximity to the Regis College Center for Student Services
When determining location, easy access to a copy machine is ideal
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
WHY is On The Spot a good idea?
StudentConvenienceReduces the “drawn out” process of applying to Grad
SchoolDecreases likelihood of registration holds for students in
their first two courses
Office of Graduate AdmissionEncourages those with incomplete applications to complete
the process in one fell swoopGets faculty in one place at one time to meet with students
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
WHEN is On The Spot Admission held?
Once per semester
After course registration opensGenerally the first week of registration
Afternoon/Evening3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
HOW is On The Spot Admission successful?
SUPPORT, SUPPORT, SUPPORT Center for Student Success/Registrar Faculty/Advisors
Structure Appointments required
○ Know your faculty/advisors○ Know your students
Assign a faculty to each student ahead of time Thirty minute interview slots Know how many students per interview slot you can assign
○ Depends on faculty/advisor availability
Organization RSVP list organization is essential Have folders made ahead of time Locate materials that students may have sent in previously Utilize your Graduate Assistants or Work Study students
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
The Basics: What might be ordinarily expected…Meet Admission representativesConvenience as part of a personal approach to studentsRefreshments served
Beyond the Basics: What might not be ordinarily expected…Immediate decision that night
○ Everything is provisionalFinancial Aid representative available to answer questionsApplication Fee WaiverReduction of Letter of Recommendation requirement from 2 to 1Development of curriculum plan with faculty/advisor
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
Possible Concerns and HesitationsEVERYTHING is provisional
○ This should continuously be conveyed to the students○ You are not locked in to any decision that is made
Awkwardness of denial○ Language used: “Here are some things that would strengthen
your application” versus “Denied” Does not change application process
○ Exception is application fee and reduced letter of recommendation requirement
○ How the student perceives the eventCompetitiveness of programs
○ Have exclusions in these cases ○ Be cautious where and to whom you promote the event
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2012 Fall 201210
15
20
25
30
35
40
16
21
27
39
ON THE SPOT ADMISSION
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION The Basics: What might be ordinarily expected…
One per semester and one per summer Invitations by mail and e-mail Required RSVP General event overview
Beyond the Basics: What might not be ordinarily expected… Outreach within Regis Community (months in advance)
○ Program Directors/Faculty○ Departments
IT Nursing
○ Student Services Registrar Bursar Financial Aid Housing Health Services Library Services Academic Advising
Leading up to Orientation
Congratulatory call from Coordinator of Student Services and Engagement
Personalized communications
Regular, consistent, and tailored communications
Flexibility
Welcoming/Mandatory yet casual
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
From ordinary to extraordinary with the simplicity of information, collaboration, and
engagement.
Six hour event with energy and engagement Treating adult learner as an adult Program specific times integrated with
flexibility for all other components No one student tied to set amount of time
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
Event logisticsOn Campus
○ Student UnionCentralHub of Activity
○ Café styleWelcoming and approachable ambiance promotes interaction
○ Student ServicesOn perimeter encompassing café areaEasy visibility and accessibility for one-on-one
○ Program specific sessions alternate in common room to see campus culture and campus amenities
IT Sessions○ Purposefully held on campus
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
What may seem ordinary: on campus versus online
Intentionally bring people to the Regis campusTrue taste of what to expect
Open, casual and professional, informative Reality
CommuteParking Campus logistics
Personal and engaged approach Results
Informed and engaged students from the start
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
CHALLENGES AND INITIATIVES
ChallengesLimited staffLimited resources
InitiativesEstablishment of Office of Graduate Affairs
○ Advisement○ Admission○ Student Services○ Faculty resource for program promotion
Coordinator of Student Services and EngagementContinued recruitment with a personal approach
○ Personalized visits to community organizations, homes, etc.
WHAT DOES IT ALL COME DOWN TO
Collaboration
Engagement
Know your “audience”
Think beyond status quo
Student-centered philosophy and approach get you results…
