Enhancing Recruitment & Enrollment of Underrepresented Students by Working with CBOs What We Will Cover

1. Overview of College Greenlight

2. CBOs and the CBO landscape

3. What makes CBOs an ideal recruitment partner

4. Best practices for working with CBOs to enhance enrollment College Greenlight is the leading college admissions advocacy network supporting first-generation Students and underrepresented students on the path to and through college. College Greenlight makes college CBOs more accessible by bridging Colleges Schools information & opportunity gaps and bringing community-based organizations (CBOs), counselors, and colleges together to facilitate successful college enrollment and Scholarship Providers completion. 1,600 Schools & CBO Partners ▪ Partner organizations with more organizations participating every week, expanding the nation’s largest access community utilize College Greenlight as a primary tool for their students’ college and scholarships search ▪ Greenlight offers CBOs free content resources, virtual events & programming, and support in growing college networks ▪ Partner organizations are spread across the country - large cities, mid-sized markets and rural areas where colleges rarely send representatives 200+ universities partner with College Greenlight to connect with underrepresented students, build new recruitment pipelines with right-fit organizations, and promote their diversity initiatives to the access community American University Illinois State University University of California - Berkeley Amherst College Indiana University – Bloomington University of California - San Diego Appalachian State University Johns Hopkins University University of California - Santa Barbara Auburn University Kenyon College University of Chicago Bard College Loyola University Chicago University of Connecticut Barnard College Macalester College University of Delaware Bates College Michigan State University University of Denver Bowdoin College Mount Aloysius College University of Florida Brandeis University Mount Holyoke College University of Ill. Urbana-Champaign Brown University Muhlenberg College University of Illinois-Chicago Butler University North Carolina State University University of Kansas Cal Poly Northeastern University University of Kentucky Carleton College Northern Illinois University University of Mary Washington Carnegie Mellon University Northwestern University University of Massachusetts - Amherst Case Western Reserve University Occidental College University of Miami Central Washington University Ohio University University of Michigan Centre College Pepperdine University University of Nebraska – Lincoln Chapman University Presbyterian College University of North Texas Colby College Princeton University University of Notre Dame Colgate University Purdue University University of Oregon Colorado College Queens University University of Pittsburgh Colorado State University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute University of Portland Colorado School of Mines Rice University University of Rochester Columbia College Chicago Saint Louis University University of Rhode Island Cooper Union Santa Clara University University of San Francisco Cornell College Skidmore College University of South Florida Cornell University Smith College University of Texas at Austin Dartmouth College Southern Illinois University University of Virginia DePauw University Stanford University University of Wisconsin - Stout Duke University Susquehanna University University of Wisconsin - Superior Emory University Swarthmore College Vanderbilt University Fordham University Texas A&M University Washington and Lee University Franklin & Marshall College Texas Tech Washington University in St. Louis George Washington University The College of Wooster Wayne State University Georgia College The Juilliard School Wesleyan University Georgia Tech The Ohio State University West Virginia University Gettysburg College Tufts University Worcester Polytechnic Institute Grinnell College Tulane University Yale University Harvard College United States Coast Guard Academy Hope College United States Military Academy Representative list of college partners “Wraparound” Recruitment to Drive Enhancements in Diversity Enrollment

• Reaching and connecting with students from underrepresented populations-- supported throughout the process by a CBO and who meet your recruitment/academic parameters

• Supporting your team in developing new pipelines of diverse talent by fostering recruitment relationships with “right fit” CBOs

• Elevating your brand and promoting your important diversity initiatives to the college access community The CBO Landscape – We use the term “CBO” broadly

1. Privately-funded or university-funded nonprofit college access & success organizations

2. Department of Education or other government- funded programs

3. Schools including charter school networks

Common Denominator: Organizations committed to getting low-income, first-generation students to and through college CBOs are Located Everywhere You Recruit Organizations in large cities, mid-sized markets, & rural parts of the country

Organizations on Greenlight: 1,600+ ORGANIZATION USING COLLEGE GREENLIGHT Registered Counselors: 15,000+ Selected Organizations We Work with in NC

Appalachian State University (GEAR UP) Appalachian State University Upward Bound Carolina College Advising Corps Carolina Youth Coalition Central Carolina Community College - Upward Bound Math and Science CollegePoint (College Advising Corps eAdvising) Crosby Scholars - Rowan County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership Davidson College Advising Corps Duke University College Advising Corps Elon Academy Emily K Center Game Plan: College Fayetteville State University Office of College Access Programs Fayetteville State University TRIO Talent Search LatinxEd NC State University Education Talent Search North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs Talent Search North Carolina State University College Advising Corps Project Discovery-Talent Search (Western Carolina University) Student U UNC Chapel Hill Upward Bound YES Appalachia What Makes CBOs Ideal as an Enrollment Partner

1. Student Recruitment

2. Programmatic Support

3. New Pipelines of Diverse Talent

4. Outcomes What Makes CBOs Ideal as an Enrollment Partner 1. Student Recruitment • Intentionally recruit and select students, prioritizing those from under-resourced or underrepresented backgrounds • Students who self-identify as college-bound and demonstrate high educational interest and potential • Identify and vet students just as selective colleges do––but often months or years before students appear in most colleges’ pipelines • CBOs find students that colleges want to recruit - often serving students from a number of high schools (one visit – several schools)

2. Programmatic Support 3. New Pipelines of Diverse Talent 4. Outcomes What Makes CBOs Ideal as an Enrollment Partner

1. Student Recruitment 2. Programmatic Support • Provide essential college admissions guidance • Introduce students to a variety of college options and support in decision-making (Yield!) • Financial aid knowledge and support to find/win outside scholarships • This meaningful work has continued VIRTUALLY post COVID-19 3. New Pipelines of Diverse Talent 4. Outcomes What Makes CBOs Ideal as an Enrollment Partner

1. Student Recruitment 2. Programmatic Support 3. New Pipelines of Diverse Talent • CBOs are trusted sources of information and guidance by students as they begin the college search and application process. • No longer “go where you know.” Recruitment visits to the same areas, schools and college fairs year after year yield similar applicant pools. • With changing demographics and declining student populations, finding new sources of students is an imperative. For many institutions, CBOs represent new pools of diverse talent 4. Outcomes What Makes CBOs Ideal as an Enrollment Partner

1. Student Recruitment 2. Programmatic Support 3. New Pipelines of Diverse Talent 4. Outcomes • Through their deliberate recruitment practices and dedicated support, CBOs have demonstrated results in the form of higher college enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. CBOs have demonstrated results: higher college enrollment and graduation rates

College Graduation Organization Areas Served Rate Chicago Scholars Chicago 83% College Horizons Nationwide 85% College Match Los Angeles 95% EMERGE Fellowship Houston 80% Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse Nationwide 90% America (LEDA) Minds Matter Multiple Cities (including NY, Chicago, 94% Cleveland, SF, Seattle) SEO Scholars (Seizing Every Opportunity)New York, San Francisco 90% Simon Scholars Program - California Southern California 92% The Opportunity Network New York 92%

National college graduation rates for low-income, first-generation students: Less than 20% CBOs intentionally support students from underrepresented backgrounds

Hispanic/Latino 38% African American 31%

American Indian or Native Asian or White Alaskan Pacific 19% 3% Islander 9% The Value of College and CBO Collaboration – Your Partner in Getting Students to Day One and Graduation Day CBOs combat many of the challenges faced by admission counselors • Identify academically qualified students, often early in the process • Assist in application and FAFSA completion • Hand-select students from their cohort that would be a “best-fit” • Winning big time scholarship opportunities – many CBOs have their own scholarship programs • Help with yield by supporting decision-making

Focus on college transitions, persistence, and career success • They’re in your corner, every step of the way! • CBO students have an advocate at home supporting them as obstacles arise • College completion programs can be potential transfer pathways Best Practices for Working with CBOs

1.Initiate

2.Implement

3.Improve Initiate Best practices for working with CBOs

Self-assess – ask questions • What partnerships do we have currently? • How have we engaged with this community in the past? • Have our CBO relationships been reactive vs. proactive? • What’s worked and what hasn’t? Initiate Best practices for working with CBOs

Examine CBOs’ missions and programs to evaluate fit Dedicatedagainst work with your high internal-achieving criteriastudents in new rural, urban, and suburban populations. Demonstrated commitment to partner with students early in high school, establish student support models,• andAcademic provide robust profile college ofsearch students and application programming that includes frequent, in-depth interventions. Clearly •definedStudent transitiondemographics-to-college programing, including near-peer coaching and/or staff mentoring after matriculation.• Where students are located (in-state, out-of state, your An understanding of financial aid policies aligned with U-M’s approach, including offers with a modest amount of loans.“backyard”, rural communities) A commitment• Programming to sending students offered out-of-state for college. • Areas of academic interest • Financial fit (ability to pay, have their own funding) • Other (religious affiliation, social justice orientation) • Willingness to travel to a college far away College Greenlight CBO Directory Initiate Best practices for working with CBOs

Take initiative to create and establish mutually-beneficial partnerships

• Organize and train your team – diversity is everyone’s job. • Consider having a CBO “point person” (a CBO liaison) - but then task each team member to visit CBOs in their territories • Establish goals and metrics – individually and/or as a team • Dive in – the water is warm! Implement Best practices for working with CBOs

Make sure your CRM is “CBO Ready”

✓ Track CBO engagements and link to student records ✓ Allow students to report CBO involvement ✓ College Greenlight CBO Directory as a source for coding Implement Best practices for working with CBOs Develop communication/outreach strategies and materials focused on this community

Focused CBO relationship building AND broad communication efforts

• Reach out and build relationships with organizations with a meaningful number of right fit students

• Every CBO has a student that would be a fit for your campus – educate the broader community about your institution and your key initiatives

• Practice “wraparound” student recruitment – connecting with students AND families AND advocates (counselors, advisers, CBOs) Webinars showcase your institution to counselors nationwide

Presenter(s) Topic

Stanford and Princeton Myths of Highly Selective College Admissions

Swarthmore, Amherst, and Williams Student Fly-in Programs

Smith College Women’s Colleges (including student panel)

Harvard College Info Session for CBO Counselors

Tufts University How to Help Students Tell Their Unique Stories (through essays & letters)

The Juilliard School The Performing Arts College Admissions Process

Swarthmore & University of Michigan Supporting Rural Students Through the College Admissions Process

Pratt Institute Visual Arts, Design, and Architecture Colleges

Rice University Committee-Based Evaluation

Macalester College Case Study Workshop Newsletters & Other Communication Tools promote your institution and important diversity initiatives to thousands of advisers nationwide Implement Best practices for working with CBOs Develop communication/outreach strategies and materials focused on this community

• Content and Conversation

1. Support initiatives 2. Outcomes 3. Affordability 4. Changes to admissions process Implement Best practices for working with CBOs Provide practical supports and exploration opportunities valued by CBOs

• Often the best question to ask is: How can I help your organization?

• Walk before you can run! Virtual sessions, “Get to know our university” 1-on-1 with a main contact first Host events specifically for CBOs “coffee chats” or “lunch-n-learns”

• Provide support assisting students and CBO advisors at each stage of the college search, application, and matriculation process – workshops, mentoring help to build awareness AND trust with your institution Implement Best practices for working with CBOs Anticipate and minimize financial barriers for lower-income students • In serving lower-income students, it is important to consider the types of monetary obstacles they may encounter—and the financial support they need to enroll and graduate • CBO counselors take note of institutions that clearly communicate about financial aid. Admissions counselors working with this community must be educated on the institution’s financial aid policies, especially on what financial aid packages Pell-eligible students can expect to be eligible for • Just as colleges can establish a recruitment liaison for CBOs, colleges may want to appoint a financial aid point of contact as well Implement Best practices for working with CBOs Anticipate and minimize financial barriers for lower-income students

• Colleges that are unable to meet full need must elevate other reasons why their institution would be a good home. These might include strong outcomes (graduation & job placement rates), academic and other supportive campus resources, and opportunities to participate in a variety of high-impact experiences. • Even small cost savings can have an outsized impact on lower-income students’ likelihood of applying to and attending selective institutions (e.g. offering widely accessible application fee waivers) • Some universities offers a specific fee waiver for students affiliated with CBOs, which incentivizes students to self-report their organizational involvement and enables tracking CBO participation across their applicants • Increasingly colleges are offering scholarships for CBO participation or being a member of certain named CBO programs Questions?

Jonathan April General Manager, College Greenlight [email protected] [email protected]