HOW TO HIT A HOME RUN WITH YOUR STUDENT AMBASSADORS

How to Hit a Home Run with Your Student Ambassadors Brian Hotzfield, Saint Xavier University Laura Carrillo, Saint Xavier University Maura Prunty, Saint Xavier University Amanda Parada, DePaul University Karina Herrera, DePaul University Student Ambassador Fundamentals • Student Ambassadors/Tour Guides, “are generally enthusiastic undergrads with a wealth of information you won’t find in recruitment brochures. They offer a unique combination of personal experience and anecdotes about friends and professors.” (Colleges and Careers - Sept/Oct. 2001) Role of Ambassadors • “Baseball has lost its greatest SALESMAN, the Cubs have lost a great SPOKESMAN, and each of us has lost a great friend,” Jim Dowdle, Chicago Tribune executive & friend of Harry Caray. (“Harry Caray, Remembered as Baseball Ambassador” New York Times - February 28, 1998) Role of Ambassadors • “He’s one of the greatest Ambassadors of the game we have ever seen. He’s a great ROLE MODEL. He’s a role model for baseball but also for the entire population.” (Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks on Cal Ripken, Jr. www.baseballalmanac.com) Importance of Student Ambassadors in Campus Visits • 2007 web-based survey of 8,000 students: – Most students (71%) said the campus visit was their most trusted source of college information. (Chronicle of Higher Education – May 25, 2007) • 2004 survey by a Maryland-based consulting firm: – 65% of polled students said that the campus visit had the most impact on their enrollment decision. (University Business – November 2004) Saint Xavier University • • • • • Chicago’s oldest Catholic university Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy Total enrollment: 5,700 students Undergraduate population: 3,800 students Three campuses: Chicago, Orland Park, Loop Saint Xavier University Who They Are • 60 volunteer students throughout the year, 40 active each semester • Sophomores, juniors & seniors, commuters & residents • Time commitment: 2-4 hours each month • Active members of the SXU Community Saint Xavier University What Do They Do? • Daily Tours, M-F 10am & 2pm, Saturdays at 10am • Participate in Special Events: – Open House, Presidents’ Day, Scholarship Ball, Commencement, Orientation, University Celebrations, Founder’s Day, Golf Outings, Photo Shoots, Hiring Committees, Special Requests Saint Xavier University Where Do They Come From? • • • • • Recruitment Letters Referrals All Campus Picnic FOCUS Screening Process Saint Xavier University What Do You Do When You Get „Em? • Orientation – Biographies – Handbook – SXU Jeopardy – SXU Theatre – Point System – Campus Tour Saint Xavier University Student Ambassador Training/Orientation Saturday September 8, 2007 Agenda TIME: 10:00 am: ACTIVITY: Icebreaker FACILITATOR: Trina Leonard 10:15 am: Intro/Welcome/Purpose SXU History/Mission Rules and Regulations Do’s and Don’ts Attire Ambassador Point System Difficult Questions/Easy Answers Brian Hotzfield Maura Prunty Brian Maura Trina Laura Carrillo ALL ALL ALL 11:15 am: 12:30 pm: Campus Tour SXU Jeopardy! SXU STUDENT AMBASSADOR POINT SYSTEM Ambassadors will earn points for each activity in which they participate. Point values are outlined below. Each ambassador must earn a minimum of 120 points per semester in order to remain active. (8 tours + orientation = 120 points) Activity Orientation Weekday Tour Substitute Weekday Tour Special Events Saturday Tour Substitute Saturday Tour Meeting/Activity Attendance Extras Points 40 10 15 50 20 30 10 TBD Arranging for Substitute Tour No points deducted How Do You Keep „Em? • • • • • • • • • White Sox Games Dash for Cash Scholarship Ball Whirly ball Finals Luncheon Pizza Parties Bowling Outings Student Ambassador of the Year Graduate Gifts Saint Xavier University th 7 Inning Stretch “Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don‟t care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, if they don‟t win it‟s a shame. For it‟s one, two, three strikes you‟re out at the old ball game.” DePaul University • Nation’s largest Catholic university • Founded in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Catholic Community dedicated to the philosophies of St. Vincent DePaul) • Total Enrollment: 24,000 students • Undergraduate Population: 14,000 students • Seven campuses: Five Suburban Satellite Campuses, Lincoln Park, Loop Who They Are • 5 Executive Board Members, 80 volunteer students throughout the year, 60 active each quarter • Mainly Freshman & Sophomore residents • All students are encouraged to join DePaul University What Do They Do? • • • • • Overnight visits Student panels Show rooms for regular tours Housing tour guides Participate in Special Events: - Fall Visit Day, Admitted Student Days, Spring Visit Event DePaul University Where Do They Come From? • E-mail Invites from EBoard to attend monthly meetings • Flyers • Facebook DePaul University What Do You Do When You Get „Em? • Two-day retreat with the Eboard: – Strategic plan for recruitment & retention – Address expectations – Policies – Process for overnight visits – Student panels – Monthly meetings DePaul University How Do You Keep „Em? • • • • • • • • • White Sox Games Ski trips Monthly meetings with food! Whirly ball Movie tickets Scholarship hours Comedy club trips Fright fest Gift cards DePaul University Tips from the Pro‟s • • • • • • • • Organize, organize, organize! Have clear expectations Build a quality relationship Make it fun! Recruit assistant coaches Maintain effective recruitment strategies Conduct a self-assessment Fundraise! Saint Xavier University DePaul University References • Ashburn, Elyse. “Prospective Students Rely on Campus Visits and Web Sites to Learn About Colleges, Report Says.” Chronicle of Higher Education May 25, 2007, 39 • Baseball Almanac – The Official Baseball History Site, www.baseball-almanac.com • Bluth, Andrew. “Harry Caray Remembered as Baseball Ambassador.” New York Times Feb. 28, 1998 • Freedman, Eric. “The Campus Visit.” Careers & Colleges Sept. / Oct. 2001, 38 • Klein, Alana. “Reinventing the Campus Tour.” University Business Nov. 2004, 51-53 Contact The Pro‟s • Brian Hotzfield, Associate Director of Admission, Saint Xavier University, hotzfield@sxu.edu • Maura Prunty, Admission Counselor, Saint Xavier University, prunty@sxu.edu • Laura Carrillo, Senior Admission Counselor, Saint Xavier University, l.carrillo@sxu.edu • Amanda Parada, Admission Counselor, DePaul University, aparada@depaul.edu • Karina Herrera, Admission Counselor, DePaul University, kherrera@depaul.edu Saint Xavier University DePaul University