E507: Finding, Polishing and Keeping Your Admission Gems: The Hiring, Training and Retaining of New College Admission Employees Chuck Bachman, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania Justin Ledesma, Villanova University, Pennsylvania Lisa Rycroft, University of South Florida, Florida Three years or thirty 3 Years Three years or thirty 1
Pay closer attention: Hiring Pay closer attention: Training Pay closer attention: 2
Three years or thirty 3 Years Hiring Training Three years or thirty Overview Hiring Needs of the office Job applicant pool Interview process Training What did not work Training concepts Training program example Providing challenge/responsibility Mentoring Feedback Rewards Discussion 3
Today s Audience 1. Less than 5 years of admission work? 2. Middle level of admission career: 6 15 years? 3. Beyond that? 4. Responsible for hiring? 5. Responsible for training? 6. Responsible for retention? 7. Went through formal training program? 8. Did not receive training? Hiring Identify your needs Dynamics of current office Hiring Identify your needs What will make us better? Reorganize or restructure the team Special responsibilities Social media Alumni relations Academic college of department liaison Access populations (first generation) High ability/achieving Scholarships International 4
Hiring Reach a diverse, qualified applicant pool Advertise Institutional website Email listserv Regional/National ACAC Word of mouth Hiring Reach a diverse, qualified applicant pool Résumé review Work experience and involvement Quality assurance Alumni or not Hiring Reach a diverse, qualified applicant pool Build a pipeline University of South Florida s Enrollment Specialist (EMS) 5
Hiring The interview process Include the people who will interact most with the new hires Hiring The interview process Design an interview schedule that will showoff skills and personality Interview groups Presentations Writing sample Portfolio Open forums Lunch Tour Training 6
My first job Is the office ready for the new employee? Proper equipment 7
Proper software Office community A different way 8
Is this a test? Assigning temporary workspace Be in the middle of cleaning/painting workspace Unavailable Prepare for arrival Avoid Less than ideal workspace 9
Prepare for arrival Include Assign a counselor to be responsible for training Clean workspace before Computer with necessary software ID s and passwords Keys to the office Parking pass Name on office or desk Welcome sign example The message Prepared Unprepared Integral part of this team Oh, I didn t know you were here We want/need you to be It doesn t really matter what you successful do. We have a plan for you. Just go with the flow. We ll figure this out later. GET TO WORK! 10
More than just brochures More than a list of phone numbers/email addresses Arm them with information Arm them with information Knowing everything Show them where to find things Access to the community 11
Let s not be on an island Possible new responsibilities Get his or her input Specific timeline 3 months 6 months 1 year Path of progression Training Program Example 12
Scheduling high school visits Ordering supplies Territory overview Office policies Events Student employees & volunteers Training topics Campus tour Overview of year Study abroad Student activities Open houses & special events Multicultural recruitment Multicultural affairs Happy hour Presentation Residence life Mission effectiveness Pre-professional studies Varsity/Club/Intramural sports Learning communities Greek life Scholarship International admission Transfer admission Training topics Career services Publications Databases and other software Alumni volunteers Application review Training tasks (on your own) Obtain office credit card Obtain university ID Learn phone/voicemail Activate email Learn office appliances Learn Outlook Setup email distribution lists 13
Put them to work, now Minimize bad habits Set the tone Give them a chance to succeed immediately! Scenario Non-alumni employee Disengaged Mentally stuck at their alma mater Solution Address right away Engage them with the student body What is special about this school and these students 14
Pay closer attention: Capitalizing on strengths and interests Provide real challenge and growth opportunities 15
Compliment responsibilities with timely and relevant feedback Establishing mentoring relationships Encourage professional development opportunities 16
Rewards Maintain and grow staff morale The millennial factor 17
What s kept you in the profession? Discussion and questions E507: Finding, Polishing and Keeping Your Admission Gems: The Hiring, Training and Retaining of New College Admission Employees Chuck Bachman, Lafayette College, Pennsylvania Justin Ledesma, Villanova University, Pennsylvania Lisa Rycroft, University of South Florida, Florida 18