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.
Overview of NEGAP Webinar Presentation - 9/13/2011
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…