Oct. 26, 2018
Prospective students--lots of them--visit CWU
The CWU Fall Open House, which showcases the university to prospective students, attracted nearly three times more students and their family members than the previous year’s event.
Last year, 440 students and family members participated. This year, the total was more than 1,200, according to Josh Hibbard, CWU associate vice president for Admissions and Enrollment.
“New student recruitment is off to a great start!” said an enthused Hibbard. “This is an impressive increase from just a year ago.”
Sharon O’Hare, CWU vice president for Strategic Enrollment added, “This is a positive indicator of healthy new student enrollment. We know that prospective students who visit campus and have a positive experience are more likely to enroll. That’s why this weekend was so important to us.”
Those attending the Fall Open House took advantage of opportunities to visit classes hosted by renowned university professors, learn about academic departments and programs, tour campus and university residence halls, meet university students, and hear details pertaining to available grants, financial aid, and other student assistance programs available at Central.
“The success of this event can be attributed to a strong event marketing and recruitment plan, the collaboration of faculty and staff across campus, and the leadership of our admissions visitation programs,” Hibbard stated.
For the first time during this year’s open house, CWU also offered sessions in Spanish in accordance with university strategic enrollment efforts. Considered crucial for successful student growth at CWU, strategic enrollment management focuses on what is best for a growing student body, from the time when they are first considering choosing CWU through their completion of a degree.
In addition, the CWU athletic department provided tickets for guests who stayed to watch the Wildcats’ record-setting, shut-out football victory over visiting Simon Fraser University.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the admissions staff and the campus community that came together to welcome these prospective students and their families to our beautiful campus,” Hibbard said.
Media contact: Robert Lowery, Department of Public Affairs, 509-963-1487, Robert.Lowery@cwu.edu
Photo: courtesy of CWU Admission’s student ambassador Zane Perry