Leverage the university brand to clearly promote UIS as a top choice within Springfield and Central Illinois.
1.a. Communicate differences between UIS and its primary competitors (#1 Regional public university in the Midwest located in Illinois’ state capital).
1.b. Leverage academic programs to meet market demand and needs.
1.c. Collaborate with the Office of Marketing and Brand Strategy to measure effectiveness of leveraging efforts.
Enhance outreach and enrollment strategies that align with UIS’s identity as a public regional university located in the state capital resulting in higher yield and enrollment.
2.a. Implement a robust, intentional student recruitment plan that targets recruitment of Pell eligible, first-generation, under-represented minority students, rural and transfer students.
2.b. Enhance outreach programs for high schools and community colleges in the Central Illinois region and throughout the state and beyond.
2.c. Annually review graduate and undergraduate student recruitment plans.
Use dashboards and metrics to measure progress on enrollment and retention.
3.a. Conduct statistical analyses to identify factors associated with enrollment for first-year students.
3.b. Conduct statistical analyses to identify factors associated with enrollment for transfer students.
3.c. Conduct statistical analyses to identify factors associated with enrollment for graduate students.
Annually review processes to increase enrollment/yield of new admits.
4.a. Annually review admission processes and data.
4.b. Enhance transfer student processes and transfer student experience.
4.c. Review the impact of process changes, as they relate to increased enrollment.
Improve communication plan and student support network.
5.a. Annually review and update communication plan as it relates to enrollment.
5.b. Use Business Process Automation and AI to improve overall communication structures.
5.c. Enhance employee cultural competence and understanding of domestic and international students.
Strengthen financial aid strategy and communication efforts.
6.a. Improve communication to students using various methods of delivery with an aim to provide a high level of student satisfaction.
6.b. Optimize financial aid funds to use as a yield and retention tool, while remaining fiscally responsible and budget conscious.
6.c. Support and increase FAFSA completion rates for students.
Expand support for student retention and persistence to close equity gaps.
7.a. Collaborate with Professional Academic Advisors across campus to support student retention efforts.
7.b. Work with all other divisions (e.g., Academic Affairs, Student Affairs) to identify and resolve issues related to retention and persistence.
Increase success and retention of URM (underrepresented minority), underserved, and rural students by expanding programs and services that support academic achievement and a sense of belonging.
8.a. Expand and assess success of Summer Scholars and Smart Start programs.
8.b. Expand and assess academic success interventions for students.
Increase success and retention of Student Athletes.
9.a. Improve student athlete advising opportunities.
9.b. Assess student athlete academic success correlated to support activities.