Recruitment

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

The Recruitment Standards and Practices Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) was developed to ensure that alumni/ae representatives, third-party agents, vendors, academic units, internal recruitment staff, and all other entities acting as UWF representatives follow the ethical best practices of the college and university admissions profession. The ultimate goal when working with prospective students is to help them find the right institution based on academic and financial fit while ensuring that UWF and its educational programs and practices are described accurately and with integrity.

AC-44 Student Recruitment Activities

UWF is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and ethics in its student recruiting practices. The AC-44 Student Recruiting Activities policy ensures compliance with federal laws and regulations regarding ethical recruitment and enrollment activities, including Section 487(a)(20) of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) and the Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding between the University and the United States Department of Defense. This policy applies to all University personnel, agents, third-party vendors, and independent contractors who recruit students, engage in admission activities, or make decisions regarding the awarding of financial assistance to students.

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Strategies and Tactics

Keep program pages updated with current information, and drive prospects there to apply or request more information. 

1. Include such items as"
   1. Strong professional exam pass rating (nursing, CPA)
   2. Job statistics that apply to the particular program, including popular careers within the field and/or where alumni have been hired.
   3. Student/alumni/faculty spotlights or quotes.
2. Example program page: Intelligent Systems and Robotics Ph.D. Programs.

Develop supplemental recruitment materials by utilizing the Academic Program Materials templates on the brand portal.

1. Academic Program Materials can be utilized by college/departmental recruiters, faculty, etc. when communicating directly with students and/or industry leaders.

Utilize personal and professional connections to recruit students.

1. Professional organizations including industries, companies and non-profit (local and non-local)
2. Local employers or employment agencies
   1. CareerSource Escarosa or other employment offices
   2. Research and contact local companies with tuition reimbursement programs for job-related programs
3. Contacts at individual departments at state and two-year colleges
   1. Here is a spreadsheet of contacts by department at Pensacola State College
4. College/department advisory board and program members
5. Criminal Justice Example:
   1. Students majoring in criminal justice may go on to pursue a law degree. A local paralegal association would be an ideal organization to contact.
   2. Utilize law enforcement offices in Florida to announce the degree program. 
   3. Emphasize the accessibility of the degree program being online. Police officers who want to go back to school may have difficulty in a traditional classroom setting due to their work shifts.
   4. Target local prisons supporting their guards and wardens returning to school. 
   5. Host live-streamed panel events and invite industry leaders to attend.
      1. Example: Webinar for police enforcement offices including research pertinent to their profession

Contact prospective students directly.

1. Faculty members, department chairs and/or communicators contact admitted and stop-out students directly via:
   1. Hand-written postcards or notes (you can order stationery via Knight Abbey).
   2. Phone calls
   3. Emails
   4. Stop-outs
   5. Letters
2. The below reports are available and can be sorted by college and academic program.
   1. Admitted Student Report
   2. Stop-out Report: For instructions, visit the Confluence Guide

Connect with high schools (FTIC students)

1. High school websites have lists of teachers and student clubs. Contact teachers or presidents of clubs within your discipline and ask to present as a guest speaker.
   1. Class examples: Faculty present at AP English class
   2. Club examples: Future Business Leaders of America, Poetry club
2. Host a local high school competition on the UWF campus

Promote relevant topics on the college’s social media outlets.

1. LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X should be the primary focus. Tailor your content according to the audience.
2. Highlight research, faculty, industry tips, student success stories, alumni success stories.
3. Repurpose content from uwf.edu, news.uwf.edu, uwf.edu/alumniprofiles, etc.
4. Develop a college blog.

Recruitment Updates

For information on current recruitment updates, contact Ethan Henley. To learn more about dates and deadlines, scholarships, events, and more, please visit uwf.edu/admissions.