In this episode, we explore an engagement initiative that we've implemented on our campus to ensure that college students who can’t travel home for Thanksgiving have a meaningful holiday experience. Whether they’re international students, out-of-state students, or those with work commitments, many find themselves far from family during this time of year. To address this, we partnered with local community members to host students for Thanksgiving dinner, fostering engagement and belonging.

Tune in to discover how this simple yet impactful idea can create unforgettable holiday memories and bring students and community members closer together.

In this episode co-hosts Jared Tippets and Eric Kirby sit down with Leslie Tod from the University of South Florida to talk about retention strategies on her campus. This episode was recorded at the National Symposium on Student Retention in early November 2024.

Registration can be a stressful time for students, but a well-timed and personalized outreach campaign can make all the difference. In this episode, we explore how proactive outreach efforts after registration opens can boost enrollment, remove barriers, and build stronger relationships between students and institutions.

We dive into:
-Strategic Timing: Why staggered registration calendars create opportunities for targeted outreach.
-Personalized Engagement: The power of one-on-one interactions in addressing specific concerns, from registration holds to course guidance.
-Building Trust: How friendly, individualized conversations foster connections, especially with Gen Z students.
-Improved Processes: How student feedback from these calls has led to better institutional programs and initiatives.

We also share actionable steps for creating a successful calling campaign, including:
-Setting clear goals and segmenting outreach lists.
-Crafting effective scripts and training callers.
-Leveraging tools like pre-call texts to improve answer rates.
-Maintaining detailed records to track outcomes and improve future campaigns.

Whether you’re looking to boost registration numbers or deepen student engagement, this episode will give you the tools to make meaningful connections and improve the student experience.

Tune in to learn how outreach can turn routine registration into a transformative moment for your institution!