With the May 1 enrollement deadline approaching, recruitment outlook is keeping up with the university’s goal.
“We are on target to meet or exceed our three-year average of approximately 1,080 students,” Susan Andrews, Associate Vice President for Marketing said.
A new marketing strategy to draw in potential students may be responsible for the increased interest, she said.
To get the word out about Bradley, there has been stronger use of the various media outlets. Andrews said using media would help prospective students see a clearer picture of what the university has to offer.
“This year, a new marketing strategy and communications plan was implemented in print, on the Internet and across social media platforms,” she said. “These key messages were integrated in all of our communications from speeches, to signage, to the compelling stories we told about our extraordinary faculty and students.”
A main focus of the new strategy is to explain how unique Bradley is to prospective students, Andrews said.
“In addition to telling the best and most compelling stories, we have focused on communicating the distinctiveness of the university, our five colleges and graduate school and our diverse academic programs,” she said. “[The plan also] emphasizes Bradley’s academic excellence, experiential learning and leadership development.”
Robbie Erickson, Student Admissions Representative, said he has noticed increased interest from perspective students.
“At this point in time we’re doing really well,” he said. “It appears that families are more excited about the school, and I’m sure the marketing campaign and that construction will be finished next year has helped.”
With marketing efforts in full swing, Andrews said Bradley is already benefiting.
“The admissions office staff is proud to get the word out about the wonderful programs, faculty and students at Bradley,” she said. “We have a world-class education to promote and believe it is the quality of the people here that create a truly outstanding Bradley experience.”
In addition to new marketing ideas, Andrews said the ‘Go Far, Go Bradley’ tagline was also introduced as part of the plan. The slogan can be found on prospective student materials and banisters on the streetlights around campus.
“‘Go Far, Go Bradley’ appeared on all of our communications to reinforce that a Bradley education takes you places,” she said.
Andrews said she is thrilled to share the university with potential students and hope those who go with Bradley indeed go far,” she said.
Andrews said Bradley is also trying to attract potential students from out of state on the East and West Coasts as well by using permanent admissions representatives.
“This is the first year in over a decade that we have a permanent admissions representative residing on the East Coast,” she said. “This semester is also the first that we have an admissions representative residing in California. We have a highly engaged and supportive alumni base on both coasts who are interested in increasing the visibility of the university on a national level.”
