Exemplary:

Serving as a model; worthy of imitation; commendable

What does an exemplary enrollment program look like?

An exemplary enrollment program:

• Achieves enrollment goals each year regardless of the competition or market conditions

• Attracts and retains talented staff

• Prepares enrollment professionals for career advancement within the program or at other colleges and universities

• Achieves lasting success that transcends the leader

Elements of an exemplary enrollment program:

1. Sound enrollment fundamentals

2. Timely and accurate management information

3. An exemplary enrollment plan

4. A talented staff who executes the plan

Enrollment fundamentals

1. Strong leadership

2. Clear and realistic goals

3. Comprehensive written enrollment plan

4. Effective organizational structure

5. Trained and talented enrollment team

6. Sufficient resources (e.g. budget, staff, technology, facilities)

7. Effective systems and processes

Enrollment fundamentals (continued)

8. Accurate and timely management information

9. Critical mass of qualified inquiries

10. Effective funnel management strategies (predictive models, qualifying and grading)

11. Effective communication strategies and systems

12. A competitive financial aid and scholarship program

13. Institutional service philosophy and student-centered policies and procedures

14. High quality academic programs

Enrollment fundamentals (continued)

15. High quality student services and student life programs

16. Faculty commitment to student success and effective teaching/learning

17. First-year student experience program

18. Developmental approach to academic advising

19. Individualized student success plans (e.g. early alert, mentoring)

20. Accurate and timely retention data and research

An enrollment management information system

• Market and institutional research (image study, competition study, student satisfaction data)

• Population and demographic trends and projections

• Operational data and funnel management information monitoring progress toward goals

• Predictive models and net revenue analysis

• Cohort retention and graduation data

• Reasons why students drop out and persist

Elements of an Exemplary Enrollment Plan

External and Internal Environmental Scan

• Internal strengths and weaknesses

• External threats and opportunities

• Key planning assumptions

• Situation Analysis

• Brutal honesty

The enrollment plan

• Realistic goals

• Key strategies (80/20 Rule)

• Action Plans- Activities

- Measurable objectives

- Implementation timetable

- Assignment of responsibility

- Resources

- Control/evaluation

The enrollment plan (continued)

• Systems alignment

• Organizational structure

Talent development

• Knowledge

• Skills

• Attitudes

Motivation will always beat mere talent.

Norman Augustine

Exemplary enrollment program outcomes

• Enrollment stability and predictability each year

• Clear and realistic new and returning student enrollment goals

• High levels of staff commitment and understanding

• Accurate and timely data and information for planning and decision-making

• Comprehensive written plan with key strategies and action plans

Exemplary enrollment program outcomes (continued)

• Talented and highly trained staff

• Increased confidence and higher morale among staff

• Fundamentally sound enrollment program that is not dependent on the leader

• Greater teamwork and improved communication

• More effective systems aligned with the strategies

• Higher levels of confidence campus-wide