Spotlight: Admissions

Tapping into the interests, habits, and communication methods engaged by prospective students is driving Creighton’s Undergraduate Admissions Office to the forefront of technology users on campus. If it’s part of student daily life, then it’s integrated into the business operations of each Admissions staff member.

Many of the systems used by Admissions are unique to the recruitment efforts but tie into campus systems. For example, the Undergraduate Admissions website is powered by Datatel which bridges into Recruitment Plus, a student database, which bridges into the Banner system.

Continual and accurate digital communication takes several forms reaching three target audiences (students, parents and guidance counselors). For example:

Admissions staff members are just as connected with technology as the students. An intensive travel schedule has been eased through the use of the campus VPN (virtual private network) client in accessing email and through cell phone technology.

Long-gone are the days of “shoebox admissions”, a term which refers back to the time in which student records were catalogued in a shoebox on index cards. The move from paper to digital records is accelerating. Today’s students expect digital communication and technology services on the school of their choice. Prospective students are asking pointed questions about technology resources on campus including

Undergraduate Admissions Director, Mary Chase, is enthusiastic about the future of technology integration into the recruitment and admissions process. She predicts the growing interest in podcasting and personal webspaces such as Facebook will influence future offerings to attract students. According to Chase, “Personalizing prospective students’ experiences will set Creighton apart from the other universities and is key to recruiting the next generation of students. This generation expects information their way on their time. We must adapt and respond to their requests or we won’t be their college of choice.”

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