NEGAP Conference 2012: Back to Basics: Ordinary Events for Extraordinary Results
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The document discusses Regis College's efforts to move ordinary graduate student recruitment and onboarding events to the extraordinary through engagement and a personal touch. It outlines programs like "Come to Class" visits, "On the Spot" admissions, and new student orientations. These events aim to immerse prospective and new students in the campus community through class visits, immediate admissions decisions, and multi-hour orientations. The goal is to apply adult learning theory to better integrate and engage students using a casual yet informative approach. While staffing and resources present challenges, initiatives like designating an Office of Graduate Affairs and hiring engagement staff aim to enhance the personal recruitment approach.
NEGAP Conference 2012: Back to Basics: Ordinary Events for Extraordinary Results
- 1. Claudia Pouravelis, Ed.D. Associate Dean of Graduate Affairs Jenene Romanucci Associate Director of Graduate Admission Shelagh Tomaino Assistant Director of Graduate Admission BACK TO BASICS: ORDINARY EVENTS FOR EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS Why should society feel responsible only for the education of children and not for the education of all adults of every age? – Erich Fromm
- 2. PRESENTATION OVERVIEW Background: Regis College The Office of Graduate Affairs General overview of programs Taking the lead from theory Overview of specific programs Come to Class On The Spot Orientation Challenges and Future Initiatives
- 3. REGIS COLLEGE Over 1100 graduate students Program Options: 14 Masters degree programs 11 Certificate programs 1 Doctoral degree program 2 schools Liberal Arts, Education, and Social Science Nursing, Science, and Health Professions
- 4. 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
- 5. GRADUATE STUDENT GROWTH AT REGIS COLLEGE 5000 4750 4500 4250 4000 3750 3500 3250 3000 2750 2500
- 6. 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 3 Graduate Admission staff members ` (100 students/staff member) (366+ students/staff)
- 7. 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
- 8. RECRUITING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES MORE ORDINARY College/Career Fairs Regis College Providence College Wellesley College Merrimack College Emmanuel College Assumption College UMass Amherst 5 College Fair MERC Education Career Fair Roxbury Community College Middlesex Community College North Shore Community College
- 9. 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
- 10. RECRUITING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 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
- 11. 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
- 12. AN EXTRAORDINARY COMMON THREAD ENGAGEMENT!!! Office of Graduate Affairs Coordinator of Graduate Student Services and Engagement Graduate Admission Staff Center for Student Services Faculty
- 13. ADULT LEARNING THEORISTS Malcolm Knowles, 1968 Adult education and andragogy Vincent Tinto, 1993 Retention and attrition
- 14. ADULT LEARNING THEORISTS Knowles (1968, 1980) Adult Learning Theory and Adult Education 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
- 15. ADULT LEARNING THEORISTS Tinto (1993) Model of Institutional Departure Attrition Caused by academic difficulties, inability to determine educational and professional goals, and failure to incorporate into the intellectual and social life of the institution Retention Tinto‟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
- 16. BACK TO BASICS WITH EXTRAORDINARY GRADUATE ADMISSION EVENTS Come to Class event On the Spot Admission New Student Orientation
- 17. 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
- 18. COME TO CLASS EVENT The Basics: What might be ordinarily expected… Class that is free of charge to attend Students provided with an opportunity to see the campus Allows 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 information Mix and mingle with current students, faculty, and staff ○ Lunch for weekend class ○ Coffee/refreshments for evening class Camaraderie between prospective students Students encouraged to participate in the class, thus feeling part of the Regis Community
- 19. 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
- 20. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION WHO is On The Spot Admission for? All prospective students in Graduate programs with the exception of: Applied Behavior Analysis Direct Entry Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Nuclear 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
- 21. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION WHAT 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
- 22. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION WHERE is On The Spot Admission held? Students are invited to the Regis College campus for the event Centrally 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
- 23. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION WHY is On The Spot a good idea? Student Convenience Reduces the “drawn out” process of applying to Grad School Decreases likelihood of registration holds for students in their first two courses Office of Graduate Admission Encourages those with incomplete applications to complete the process in one fell swoop Gets faculty in one place at one time to meet with students
- 24. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION WHEN is On The Spot Admission held? Once per semester After course registration opens Generally the first week of registration Afternoon/Evening 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
- 25. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION 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
- 26. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION The Basics: What might be ordinarily expected… Meet Admission representatives Convenience as part of a personal approach to students Refreshments served Beyond the Basics: What might not be ordinarily expected… Immediate decision that night ○ Everything is provisional Financial Aid representative available to answer questions Application Fee Waiver Reduction of Letter of Recommendation requirement from 2 to 1 Development of curriculum plan with faculty/advisor
- 27. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION Possible Concerns and Hesitations EVERYTHING 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 event Competitiveness of programs ○ Have exclusions in these cases ○ Be cautious where and to whom you promote the event
- 28. ON THE SPOT ADMISSION 39 40 35 30 27 25 21 20 16 15 10 Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2012 Fall 2012
- 29. 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
- 30. NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION 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
- 31. 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
- 32. NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION Event logistics On Campus ○ Student Union Central Hub of Activity ○ Café style Welcoming and approachable ambiance promotes interaction ○ Student Services On perimeter encompassing café area Easy 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
- 33. NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION What may seem ordinary: on campus versus online Intentionally bring people to the Regis campus True taste of what to expect Open, casual and professional, informative Reality Commute Parking Campus logistics Personal and engaged approach Results Informed and engaged students from the start
- 34. CHALLENGES AND INITIATIVES Challenges Limited staff Limited resources Initiatives Establishment of Office of Graduate Affairs ○ Advisement ○ Admission ○ Student Services ○ Faculty resource for program promotion Coordinator of Student Services and Engagement Continued recruitment with a personal approach ○ Personalized visits to community organizations, homes, etc.
- 35. WHAT DOES IT ALL COME DOWN TO Collaboration Engagement Know your “audience” Think beyond status quo Student-centered philosophy and approach get you results…