creating & sustaining a student ambassador program · 2018. 5. 2. · all campuses are...
TRANSCRIPT
Creating & Sustaining a Student Ambassador Program
Presented by:
Stephen McGowan, LMSW, Associate Director of Admissions
Vincent Tinnerello, MSW Student, Ambassador Chair
Graduate School of Social Service
Fordham University
Fordham University Profile
� Student Body Population: 15,000 (9,000 undergrads & 6,000 graduates)
� Located in The Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester, London & Online
� 5 Undergraduate Colleges, 6 Graduate Schools
� Part of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
� Graduate School of Social Service� Roughly 1,500 students across 3 degree programs (1,200 in MSW Program)
� Manhattan: 500, Westchester: 300, Online: 300, Long Island: 100
� Founded in 1916
� Funnel Information:� 2,000 applications, 1,200 admitted students, 600-700 Enrolled Students
About the GSS Ambassador Program
� Then (2015)
� Started with 3 unpaid ambassadors
� Only represented 2 of the 4 campuses
� Primary responsibilities
� Make acceptance calls to about 40% of non-deposited students
� Attend monthly meetings
About the GSS Ambassador Program
� Now (2018)
� Consists of 7 Student Ambassadors, 5 Alumni Ambassadors
� All campuses are represented through the program
� Each ambassador receives a stipend after one semester probationary period
� Roles include:
� Acceptance Calls to over 75% of New Students within 2 Weeks of Acceptance
� Monthly Meetings
� Email Account Management
� Campus Tours, Information Sessions & Recruitment Events
� Attend Annual Trainings & Socials
� Documentation & Activity Tracking
Learning Objectives
� Show How to Build an Ambassador Program from Scratch
� Explain our 4 Pillars for a Sustainable Program
� Describe the Impact of the Program
HOW TO BUILD AN AMBASSADOR PROGRAM FROM SCRATCH
How to Build an Ambassador Program from Scratch
� Start Small
� Be Intentional
� Be Transparent & Open
� Learn to Listen
� Data & Documentation
� Tracking Activity
� Don't Only Focus on Numbers
� Qualitative Outcomes Matter!
How the GSS Ambassador Program Was Built
� Start Small
� Buy-In from other Staff
� Email Blast & Flyers
� Google Forms Application
� Interviews
� Team of 3 Selected
� Think small but dream big!
� Email Address
� Google Voice
� CRM Access
� Be Transparent & Open
� First Meeting is KEY
� Build Trust & Community
� Learn to Listen
� You don’t know everything!
� This is their program
� Explain Expectations
� They are students, interns, mothers, brothers, partners first…not ambassadors
� Slow Down!
How to Build an Ambassador Program from Scratch
� Data & Documentation
� Utilized Google Drive for Documents
� Entering Interactions in CRM
� What works at first might need to change
� Don't Only Focus on Numbers
� Qualitative Outcomes Matter!
� Community Building
� Leadership Development
� This is the key to Sustainability!
4 PILLARS FOR A SUSTAINABLE PROGRAM
4 Pillars of Sustainability
� Defined Roles
� Community Building
� Leadership Development
� Empowerment
Sustaining Your Program
� Community Building
� Training & Orientation
� Highs & Lows
� Active Participation
� Social Events
� Communication
� Outcomes
� Investment
� Accountability to each other
� Fun!!
� Defined Structure & Roles
� Defined, but not Rigid, Deadlines
� Monthly Meetings
� Distribute Work Equitably
� Clear Expectations
� Value of Communication
� Outcomes
� Role Clarity
� Accountability to the Program
Sustaining Your Program
� Leadership Development
� Meeting Facilitation
� Capacity Building
� Delegation
� Mentorship Component
� Chair Role…with, not above
� Outcomes
� High Retention
� Skill Development
� Empowerment
� Strengths Perspective
� Constructive Feedback
� Performance Validation
� Recognition at Graduation
� Outcomes
� Confidence Building
� Accountability to Prospects/Applicants
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM
Fall 2017 Enrollment Data – All Students
Campus Accepted Students Enrolled Students Enrolled %
Lincoln Center 728 322 44%
Hybrid 75 36 48%
Molloy 64 52 81%
Online 187 132 71%
Westchester 231 145 63%
Total 1285 687 53%
Fall 2017 Enrollment Data – Acceptance Call Recieved
Campus Accepted Students Enrolled Students Enrolled %
Lincoln Center 591 300 51%
Hybrid 55 30 44%
Molloy 51 46 90%
Online 142 114 80%
Westchester 135 94 70%
Total 974 584 60%
Ambassador Call Impact on Yield – Fall 2018
43%
33%
23%
Strong Impact
No Impact
Moderate Impact
Voicemails Only
20%
44%
36%
Strong Impact
No Impact
Moderate Impact
Spoke with Ambassador
Testimonials from Survey
� “It is welcoming to actually speak to someone on the phone who welcomes you to the community and wants you to be a part of this experience.”
� “It was amazing to have a personal one on one conversation with someone from Fordham. They were able to answer all of the questions I had. It made me feel as though Fordham will be a supportive learning environment.”
� “With the amount of money I will pay for an MSW program, the welcome call makes it feel worth it. I am more than just a number. You know who I am and care whether or not I attend.”
Testimonials from Survey
� “It eliminates concern about which school to finally choose. I had been waiting from another school but when I received the call from Fordham my mind started thinking more about what was in my hand and not what was under my feet. It is now April and I still have not heard from (the other school)…I will definitely choose Fordham because they called before I even received the letter! I like a University that cares enough about its students not to leave them in suspense.”
� 98% of surveyed students believe that the ambassador program should continue!
In Summary
� Start Small but Dream Big
� Give Ownership of the Program to your Students
� Focus on Community Building Throughout
� Track the Quantitative…Focus on the Qualitative
