After several years of weak enrollment, the Hilltop finally saw a larger freshman class this fall.
About 1,100 freshmen enrolled in the 2016-2017 academic year, an increase of nearly 200 students from last year’s 929 freshmen. The year before that, 948 freshmen were enrolled at Bradley.
“We take an official census during the third week of the semester,” Justin Ball, associate vice president for Enrollment Management, said. “We are working far more strategically than we ever have. We have strong communication plans that are utilizing digital marketing and social media to reach students and their families.”
Some of the plans that were introduced within the last year include a new website landing page and the InsideBradley app.
Ball said the university recently increased their recruitment efforts across Illinois and throughout Chicago. This year has seen a larger draw of out-of-state students, as well.
“We are doing great work in Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas and California,” Ball said. “We also [host] visit days … to communicate the Bradley brand.”
With the state of Illinois in a budget stalemate that has affected a number of public and private institutions, Ball said many universities have had difficulties recruiting freshmen in recent years.
Welcome Week. Photo by Duane Zehr.
“[These] budget issues have impacted public and private schools throughout the state, some in an extremely negative way and others in a different way,” he said. “With all of the uncertainty, I believe that more students and their families took a closer look at private colleges and out-of-state institutions.”
However, Bradley has “risen to the challenge” of recruiting new students, according to Ball.
In response to this new jump in enrollment, the Wyckoff dormitory reopened this academic year. In Fall 2015, the residence hall was closed indefinitely due to declining enrollment and energy conservation.
“A lot of credit goes to Enrollment Management on executing a plan and seeing the results of a well-built strategy,” Nathan Thomas, vice president of Student Affairs, said. “[It’s] one that engages incoming students with Bradley students, faculty and staff from the beginning.”
According to Thomas, prospective students who visit campus have a well-rounded experience when they tour and meet students and professors. That’s what makes them decide to come to Bradley.
“You can see on a visit day or as we talk about the university – it involves students, faculty, and staff from the very beginning, and that carries on throughout the entire experience,” Thomas said. “The impact for the university is significant, in a good way.”
