I am so very proud of the student recruitment team at Augustana College: They are creative, innovative and empowered. #teamwork #emchat #admissions

As I was strolling across campus today -- less than a week from the completion of another recruitment cycle, I found myself thinking about how proud I am of the effort of the team at Augustana College. To a person, their effort has been nothing short of incredible.

I know some are weary. I know they've worked long hours. I see them put aside other joys to fully commit to the recruitment effort this year. 

I know it. I see it. I admire it. And, I am grateful.

In fact, some of what they’ve done is far beyond what most would consider reasonable, including long hours and the adaptation of countless efforts and initiatives. They’ve tried everything to meet prospective students where they are during this strange recruitment cycle.

In a sentence: The team at Augustana unleashed a creativity that leaves me awestruck. 

They've proven time and time again they are creative problem-solvers and willing to take risks. As a leader, I couldn't be more proud of what I've witnessed during this recruitment cycle from the members of the admissions, financial aid and communications team. They've put it all out there with a special focus and have worked collaboratively to get things done.

A couple of the initiatives that make me most proud include:

The Augustana College Driving Tour. Early in the pandemic team members created, recorded and launched a driving tour and podcast for visitors to see our beautiful campus safely from their cars. (It was pretty awesome when a colleague from another college reached out to steal the idea.)

The Augustana College Pop-up Events. Last fall we took our show on the road with a series of pop-up events in a number of primary markets. We met safely with students and families in an awesome set-up. We did our best to replace our usual high-school visits with something much more COVID appropriate. 

The Justice and Social Change Microscholarship. We aspired to take action for racial justice and introduced a microscholarship in Justice and Social Change. We had 445 applicants complete a four-part series (and accompanying quizzes) designed to jumpstart important discussions of racial, economic and social justice before new students arrive on campus. Already we have nearly 220 of the 445 students who have made the choice to continue the discussion of these important matters as students at Augustana in the fall.

A Taste of Augustana. Food matters. (And we have delicious food at Augustana!) But, we didn't know how much it mattered until we really started to listen to our prospective students. They wanted to know what the food was like at Augustana. We knew we had to take action and members of the recruitment team worked collaboratively with members of the COVID-19 mitigation task force and other campus partners to launch a program that safely brought prospective students and their parents to campus for a pre-arranged meal in our dining hall. We've had hundred to campus to eat our amazing food. And, we did it safely for everyone and in a creative way!

Micro-tours of a residence hall room. We know prospective students want to see a real residence hall, and while that option wasn't available most of the year, the recruitment team worked with campus partners to safely schedule, pre-arranged, five-minute visits to an empty, sanitized room in one of our residence halls. Parents stayed outside. Students often Facetimed their parents from inside rooms. These opportunities, as you can imagine, have been very popular.

Sending Thousands of Covideos. We discovered a tool, Covideo, which we've used in countless ways this year. Yes, we've tried to catch the attention of students in their inbox, by holding up and waving a piece of paper. We've also used this tool to answer questions, explain processes and customize just about every response you can imagine. It's been our customization secret weapon, and team members have made thousands of customized videos through the course of this cycle.

Each of these efforts required the full cooperation and support of everyone on the team--concept, publication, promotion, execution. Team members indulged each other, while pushing for greater creativity. Others tooks ideas and concepts and shaped them into something that could be done successfully and elegantly. 

Everyone contributed. Everyone gave it their all. Everyone worked together. There were no onlookers, only doers.

There were lots of other cool things we did, other innovations introduced and some real improvements in processes that needed to be optimized. I don't think there is a single thing that I can sit back and lament over. This team stepped up, leaned in and supported each other, working together to advance Augustana College's student recruitment effort.

I've always taken pride in my team members, but this year feels different to me--the pride is deeper and my gratitude more fulsome.

So, a week or so away from the end of this cycle, I want to recognize the amazing people who surround me and full me with pride. Here's to the amazing Augustana College student recruitment team!!!

Amy Copeland, Director of Recruitment Technologies and Operations

Liz Nino, Exec. Dir. International Enrollment Mgmt & Alumni Relations

John Furlong, Athletic Recruitment Coordinator

Courtney Wallace, Director of Admissions - Chicago Region

Karen Dahlstrom, Executive Director of Admissions

Eric Rowell, Assistant Director of Admissions & Diversity Outreach

Rachel O'Connell* Assistant Director of Admissions, Chicago Region

Christian Brown, Assistant Director of Admissions, Chicago Region

Rachel Gustafson, Associate Director of Admissions

Mike Pettis, Assoc. Dir. of Admissions for Strategic Initiative & Data an

Bonnie Jessee, Associate Director of Admissions & Transfer Enrollment

Wendy Kelley, Associate Director of Admissions

Anna Castro* Manager of Campus Experience

Jenn Darby, Admissions Counselor

Amy Carton, Recruitment Communications Coordinator

Jill Kelly, Recruitment Applications Coordinator

Jennifer Edwards, Recruitment Data Coordinator

Jenna Lawrence, Campus Visit Coordinator

Quan Vi, Design Director

Keri Rursch, Assistant Vice President of Communications & Marketing

Beth Roberts, Communication Freelancer

Debbie Blaylock, Associate Editor

Rita Gustafson, Manager of Conference Services & Events Scheduling

Amanda Spurgeon* Digital Content Specialist

Kirby Stockwell, Public Relations Specialist

Zach O'Connell, Graphic Designer

Juliane Fricke, Special Projects and Operations Coordinator

Leslie DuPree, Director of Web Services and New Media

Greg Armstrong, Digital Communications Specialist

Danielle Roman, Ticket Office Manager

Lisa Gray, Executive Administrative Enrollment and Financial Aid

Sue Standley, Dir of Financial Aid and Associate VP of Enrollment

Matt Walsh, Associate Director of Financial Aid

Julie Bacon, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Kristin Reinhardt, Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Tyler Vens, Financial Aid Counselor

Roberta Ferguson, Financial Aid Counselor

*Recently moved to a new position, but a damn important part of this amazing effort!