Leverage the university brand to clearly promote UIS as a top choice within Springfield and Central Illinois .
1.1. Identify and strategically communicate differences between University of Illinois Springfield and its primary competitors. Regional public university which is located in Illinois’ state capitol.
1.2. Prepare to enhance and leverage academic programs to meet market demand and needs.
Enhance outreach and enrollment strategies that align with UIS’s identity as a public regional university located in the state capital that will result in higher yield and enrollment from across the state.
2.1. Create and implement a robust, intentional student recruitment plan that targets recruitment of Pell eligible, first-generation, under-represented minority students, including rural and transfer students. Enhance outreach programs for high schools and community colleges in the Central Illinois region and throughout the state and beyond.
2.2. Create and implement robust graduate and undergraduate student recruitment plans.
2.3. Recalibrate new student events such as Preview Day, Highschool Mixer Days for local schools, and Campus Visit Days by aligning content and delivery with audience expectations. Gather and analyze attendee data and feedback to predict likelihood of enrollment, and enhance future events.
Further develop dashboards and metrics to measure progress on enrollment and retention.
3.1. Utilize internal dashboard that tracks progress toward established enrollment goals.
3.2. Update the “Admits who go elsewhere” dashboard for each fall, and enhance the resource to provide additional insight (potentially examining patterns in demographics, location, and institution of origin).
3.3. Conduct statistical analyses to identify factors associated with enrollment for FTFY and transfer students. Synthesize findings and present preliminary recommendations to SEM Leadership Team.
3.4. Improve Academic Program Websites.
Review and revise processes to increase enrollment/yield of new admits
4.1. Determine reasonable fee structure, process, and timeline for intent to enroll deposit, housing deposit, and orientation fees.
4.2. Implement Orientation modular tracking to track summer melt from June through Welcome Week in August for FTFY and FTT. Further refine Orientation to meet student expectations based upon student feedback.
4.3. Assess the impact of recruitment scholarships and continue to identify ways to expand scholarships strategically to support yield of new admits.
4.4. Continue to enhance pre-enrollment scheduling for fall and spring semesters for FTFY students including the Campaign 60 initiative and Check In Survey.
4.5. Continue to enhance the use of Prairie Flag System for early alerts and advising and communication processes for FTFY and FTT students.
4.6. Enhance the Transfer population experience
Develop a full and continuous communication plan and student support network for students from inquiry to first semester attendance.
5.1. Develop a detailed communication plan with timelines and roles to fully leverage the customer relationship management (CRM) software.
5.2. Institute ways to leverage the AI chatbot to engage students and reduce summer melt.
Strengthen student financial literacy and security.
6.1. Support FAFSA completion for continuing students.
6.2. Provide high level of satisfaction in counselors and FA processes.
6.3. Provide high level of student satisfaction with Veterans Benefits and awards.
6.4. Expand support for UMR/Rural students.
6.5. Explore further development of retention scholarship programs.
6.6. Expand student programming around financial literacy and competence.
Strengthen and expand programs and resources that support student retention & persistence with attention to closing equity and inclusion gaps.
7.1. Reduce administrative barriers for student success and graduation.
7.2. Expand Prairie Flag to run proactive outreach campaigns to increase persistence.
7.3. Extend proactive caseload management for all Professional Academic Advisors.
7.4. Utilize Peer Success Coaches to proactively outreach students in caseloads to assist with pivotal moments.
7.5. Support students with sense of belonging through Student Affairs activities.
Increase success and retention of UMR/underserved/rural students by expanding programs and services that support academic achievement and a sense of belonging.
8.1. Enhance the Summer Scholars Program by including all departments, reviewing Math offerings, and developing a hybrid delivery model.
8.2. Create intentional community building opportunities to promote a sense of belonging and inclusion.
8.3. Conduct a comprehensive qualitative review, informed by a student needs assessment and an evaluation of existing services (e.g., holistic advising, direct student service hours such as: drop-ins and appointments).
8.4. Review Prairie Flag Early Warning system strategies to provide outreach and early intervention to at-risk students and develop a plan of action for success.
8.5. Enhance employee cultural competence and understanding of the importance of all staff positions related to student recruitment and retention.
8.6. Support students with sense of belonging through Student Affairs activities.
Increase success and retention of Athletes by expanding reviewing policies and practices to enhance full program roster support and enrollment growth. (Athletics)
9.1 Create Athletic Coaches Dashboard.
9.2 Certification improvements