In “Being Strategic with Multicultural Recruitment,” a session at
AACRAO 2019, Monze Stark-Magana, University of Idaho; Alphonso Garrett, Virginia Tech; and Michael Sanders, Missouri Southern State University, shared ways they’ve helped their schools increase multicultural student enrollment.
Their suggestions included:
- Create a diverse recruitment team. Build a team that represents and connects with prospective students. Place multicultural recruiters in targeted areas.
- Establish relationships with community members in the state. Examples from the presenters included the Idaho Latino Foundation; Mexican Consulates (Seattle, Sacramento); Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Idaho Commissions on Hispanic Affairs; Community Council of Idaho; 11 Tribal MOU; Virginia Latinos in Higher Education Network; and other community-based organizations.
- Establish buy in with community members on campus. Examples from the presenters included the Office of Multicultural Affairs, College of Assistant Migrant Program, the Women’s Center, LGBTQA office, Native American Student Center, Trio, Gear Up, Upward bound, Office of Inclusion and Diversity, cultural and community centers, Student Opportunity and Achievement Resources Program, Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program, monthly college recruiter meetings, admissions associates, and trained admission essay evaluators.
- Rethink your campus dialogue. Messaging should be different for different audiences. What works for one doesn’t necessarily for all.
- Host multicultural events. Examples shared by the presenters included Black College Institute, Hispanic College Insititue, fall visitations, Campus Connection Day, Gateway, Pow Wow, Avanza, UIDAHO Bound, orientation day, and HOIST.
- Provide financial and student support. Some examples included diversity scholars programs from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the College Assistant Migrant Program, the Women’s Center, the LGBTQA office, and the Native American Student Center as well as Trio, GEAR UP, and Upward Bound.