Thanks for this post, Michael. It is just as important to tell them goodby each day. Several good administrators I have worked with and for make it a point to be near the dors as students arrive and as they leave for the day. Lots can be learned from these conversations.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Being friendly, smiling, listening to them and engaging are all examples of ways we can make a fantastic first impression. If we show them they're important to us, they may believe they are important to society.
Having the position of Director of First Impressions and now being the Academic Registrar, the first impression occurs prior to the person becoming a student with the initial visit to the school. At that point the perspective student is shopping and your interaction with them can be one of the determining factors of them enrolling in your school. When our Admissions Representatives are on tour if I am in my office I stop what I am doing to greet the person, shake their hand and invite them in. After a brief description of my role here at the campus I ask them if they have any questions. In closing I tell them to enjoy their tour of the school, let them know it was great meeting them and if they should think of any questions please feel free to stop by before leaving. Lastly, it is important to be consistent in your interactions with people. Be as interested and enthusiastic on your 100th meeting as you were on your 1st.
Sharon,
Thanks for this post. You describe the ways other departments should interact with potential students. How does your enrollment team "return the favor" once students start? In other words, what are specific things your enrolment team does to help you retain students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Always displaying good eye contact and a genuine smile shows you're engaged. Mentioning the student by name makes the student feel a closer connnection.
This is such an interesting question. Often, students tell me that they thought I was "scary" before they got to know me. I am always surprised by that as I tend to have great relationships with students and always get good feedback in course evaluations. Reflecting on this, I think I am mis-read, at times, because I am busy and serious about my expectations for students. Other students will say..."she's tough" and "she's a sweetheart". I guess I am both. I will start paying attention to how I may appear as I walk around our school...perhaps a bit more smiling.
Thank you.
I can also help getting to know the student.
Susan,
I have observed that the "tough" teachers, the ones who students were fearful of but learned a lot from, are the ones students flock to at graduation and come back to campus to see.
Jeffrey Schillinger
A student gets a tour on their admissions appointment, so before they are even a student I get out from behind my desk, smile, greet them with a handshake and ask them about their individual interest in our program and speak about how I support them while they are in school.
For myself I am cursed with a resting face that makes me look angry or otherwise troubled. So I make a point of coming into the class and the second I open my mouth putting on a smile and greeting the students warmly. I do this partly to overwhelm a first impression that might see me as being dour or aloof. It has worked well for me in all my years of teaching.
Ted,
Interesting post. I think it is cool that you recognize this and are doing something about it.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Megan,
This is a simple, but effective way to both impress a potential student and to show that you are supportive of the enrollment team. Thanks for sharing this.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Sometimes I let my humorous sarcasm lead into my introduction of myself because I feel that it can be an ice breaker when meeting a new class. I've noticed that that it doesn't alway work with everyone. Before every new term I reevaluate how I can better introduce myself so that it doesn't sound so sarcastic or dry, even if I have repeated over the years.
Be positive and upbeat, smile and look them in the eye to say hello, welcome to our school. Tell them my name and my job title. I usually tell them that we are here to help them and that I am glad they are here.
Tina,
I have often been reminded that each day everyone at the school, especially the teachers, get to make a new first impression each day.
Jeffrey Schillinger
A welcoming smile and a "How are you today?" goes a long way.
First off, smile, smile, and have good open non-verbal communication. Be welcoming and encouraging.
Christina,
Beyond the smile, what are some specific "welcoming behaviors" that students withness on your campus?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Mr. Schillinger,
Love the discussion!
Smile! :-)ïŠ
I could end the discussion here, but for the sake of discussion, I’ll elaborate. People react positively when others around them are smiling and happy. This assumes that the happiness and smiles are genuine. It wouldn’t help to smile a student who was crying and asking for help. I’ve also taken steps to dress more professionally and model the behavior I’d like to see. I work at a trade school who’d student population is 99% male. Teachers, staff and students commonly refer to each other as “sirâ€. Students pay attention when they know they are being respected. A respectful smile, eye contact and being called sir go a long way to instill trust and respect with students.
Big smile and greed every single student. I teach fashion design so I make sure I am representing "Fashion". I as well close the door when class starts to show I am very serious of what I do and what I teach.
