Ferris State University

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From a marketing standpoint, Ferris improves its image and draw to students each year. "Noel-Levitz was critical of brochures that are three and a half years old. We are introducing new marketing materials this fall. We were able to bring in one thousand more applicants this year, but still we can do a better job," Avritt said.

James Maas, – more... the acting dean of the College of Business, felt that Noel-Levitz was on target with many of their recommendations. "We do need to improve centralized marketing and recruiting to keep it from being too fragmented," Maas said.

The Noel-Levitz report brought up an issue that Maas felt was an important dilemma for Ferris: the retention of only 33% of new students after one year. "It is crucial to focus on what to do to keep students enrolled," Maas said.

Maas particularly approved of a few Noel-Levitz suggestions. "We could definitely benefit from a database system that tracks students from their application to their enrollment," Maas said.

Noel-Levitz also suggested having spring orientations. "Enrollment potential could definitely be boosted by getting students on campus earlier. For those potential students whose grades or ACTs are not yet up to par, we could host summer workshops to get these students prepared to enroll in the fall," Maas said.

On the whole, the Noel-Levitz report commended Ferris on its strengths while offering suggestions for boosting enrollment. Jerena Keyes, director of the Communication Center, said, "A number of suggestions will help a great deal, especially since we talk one-on-one with potential students, and we give them contact with people who can answer their questions."

Noel-Levitz offered the reminder that recruiting cycles are eighteen months in length. Keyes agreed with this tremendously. "We acknowledge that recruitment is not reserved only for when they are seniors," she said. Keyes also wished to express Ferris' strengths, which Noel-Levitz highlighted. "Ferris has good options, programs, faculty support, positive recruitment and simply a lot to offer," she said.

The Communications Center strives to turn potential students into enrolled students. Noel-Levitz mentioned that a focused approach to the needs of students interested in Ferris would help achieve enrollment success. The Communication Center, the various colleges of Ferris and the Marketing and University Advancement are taking steps to make improving Ferris a campus-wide effort.

"Addressing enrollment concerns should be a campus-wide effort and we are definitely moving in that direction," Keyes said. – less – More from ZoomInfo »

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