It’s Time for Bigger Goals—How Faculty Can Help Fall Enrollment

The Enrollment Management Group (EMG) is asking faculty to help foster connectedness and community among accepted students who haven’t yet made their deposit and committed to attending Duquesne.

A photo of a student holding a sign that says #futureduquesneduke“Current research shows that students today seek and appreciate authenticity, demonstrated quality and academic challenge while being supported to achieve their best. Faculty and peers—other students—are seen as the most valued resources,” explained Joel Bauman, senior vice president for enrollment management. “Additionally, these potential students are interested in a sense of culture and opportunities that will get them to invest emotionally into the college experience. As we focus on bigger goals, we are asking you to partner with EMG to take advantage of the many opportunities for faculty, current students and recent graduates to build affinity and set a positive tone with these students.

Bauman explained that, more than ever before, these students are still being recruited by other schools.

“Outreach from faculty and students who are successful at Duquesne can and does make a difference, especially at a time when people are feeling very disconnected from each other,” Bauman said.

The following are ways in which faculty and academic departments can help the University connect potential new students to Duquesne:

  • Work with your department/program content manager to ensure that your department/program website is up to date in terms of benefits and unique aspects
  • Add alumni testimonials (these should be refreshed on occasion) to your website in which they share where they work, their titles and the graduate schools they attended
  • Personal notecards and suggested language is available from EMG.
  • Identify students in your program who would be great representatives and ask them to provide information about what they like best about the program as well as advice for accepted students considering the program. Invite them to be available to answer questions from prospective students and to write an email that EMG can send to accepted applicants
  • Call or text applicants who have been accepted to your program. If they aren’t available, leave an enthusiastic message to let them know that you’d be happy to talk to them and answer any questions, and mention some highlights they can look forward to in the program during their freshman year
  • Include information from a career development survey, accreditation details or even LinkedIn searches on your website.

For more information or for questions, email Joel Bauman or contact EMG at 412.396.6207.