Engagement Strategies for Overcoming Challenges in International Student Recruitment Recruitment Track

1. #TargetXSummit
Engagement Strategies for Overcoming
Challenges in International Student
Recruitment
Josh Dean
Lori Gardiner
Hayley Wolf
Leah Martin

2. #TargetXSummit
Engagement Strategies for Overcoming
Challenges in International Student
Recruitment
Josh Dean
Lori Gardiner
Hayley Wolf
Leah Martin

3. #TargetXSummit
Overview
● Goal: Explore challenges to international student engagement and how you
can leverage TargetX to simplify and clarify the student experience.
● We will look at strategies for communicating with Students and Parents
through various stages in the admissions funnel
● Discussion and Panel Q&A

4. Challenges
1. Lack of basic knowledge of admissions process(es) & terms
2. Multiple countries/processes
3. Immigration process
4. Parents and agents are often facilitating the process for the student
5. Student Engagement and Melt

5. Challenge 1 & 2 : Terms and Process
● Clear Timeline and Process
○ Explain the enrollment process/ Dedicated FAQ for international students with key vocab/terms
and documents needed with explanation
○ Make sure you know how to complete EVERYTHING a student would need to
○ Many students give up if they do not understand
● Pacing and Timing
○ Lots of departments are sending out communications and forms
■ May be best to centralize this and be strategic about when students
receive what
■ Are there duplicates or things that can be eliminated?

6. Challenge 3: Immigration process
● Immigration Bureaucracy
○ Messaging to remind students to make their visa appointment, what documents they may need,
who to contact with questions, etc.
○ Automated messaging and updates about I-20 generation and shipping
○ Increased visibility and real-time updates reduce barrier to enrollment due to immigration related
issues
○ Messaging to reassure students, particularly during busy/process heavy times of the year

7. Challenge 4: Parents and Agents
● Language and Communication
○ Engaging parents in their native language with messaging and webinars
○ Dedicated parent/agent communication plan
● Parents are key influencers
○ Engage them in the recruitment and pre-arrival stages
○ Dedicated content and FAQ for parents
○ Scholarship & Financial Aid
● Information for counselors and agents
○ Clear content on prestige, reputation, rigor, services, cost, safety, etc. for agents and high
school counselors
○ Alumni success, faculty awards/accolades, ‘state of the art’ fast facts, employability stats all in
one place

8. Challenge 5: Student Engagement & Reducing Melt
● Point of contact
○ Set up calling campaigns and/or appointments with student life
○ Set up a peer mentor program
● Life Abroad
○ Virtual tour
○ Roommate finder/Housing assistance
○ Preparation Checklists and Guidance
● Community
○ New Student Orientation and Registration Days
○ Kick off parties in local area
○ Link with existing student communities

9. Panel Discussion and Q&A
Leveraging Technology
● Meeting students where they are
● Build community virtually to keep
them engaged
● TargetX tools
Innovative Processes
● Admissions Policies
● Tips and Tricks
● Cross-department collaboration

10. Thank You
J.dean@Lancaster.ac.uk
Lori@byu.edu
Hayley.Wolf@Targetx.com
Leah.Martin@Targetx.com