Graduate program collaborations to identify and cultivate graduate enrollment best practices

Abstract

AbstractDetermining best practices for graduate enrollment requires continuous dedication by graduate enrollment personnel to identify innovative and relevant recruitment strategies to attract potential graduate applicants. The dynamic landscape of higher education creates further complexity as these best practices must also align with institutional expectations and the expectations of those overseeing graduate academic programs. To establish a robust enrollment strategy, it is crucial for graduate program officers and graduate enrollment personnel to establish a collaborative relationship that supports timely and ongoing dialogues to attract and retain quality admissions candidates. This manuscript explores how graduate enrollment personnel at a mid‐size regional institution collaborate with graduate program officers to achieve the enrollment goals of the institution and to support continued program growth.Practical Takeaways Establishing collaborative relationships between graduate program officers and graduate enrollment personnel are essential to support program growth and the continuous evaluation of admissions criteria to promote holistic admissions. Recognizing the diverse expectations of applicants and establishing a graduate enrollment framework that allows for individual program needs creates a supportive environment that encourages program growth. The elimination of extraneous admissions requirements can support program growth without negatively impacting the quality of applicants. Supporting graduate program officers throughout the graduate enrollment process is imperative to foster positive experiences for applicants throughout and following the admissions cycle.