1.2. Successful Recruitment and Admissions Strategies to Attract International Students After COVID

Moderator: Fernando Fleurquin MD, Michigan Language Assessment

Panelists: Philip Hull, Northwest Missouri State University, Luis Castillo, University of Arizona, Georgette Perez, Miami Dade College

The pandemic greatly affected the ability of colleges and universities to recruit international students. We were fortunate to hear from representatives of Northwest Missouri State University, the University of Arizona, and Miami Dade College on the topic. They shared their experiences and how they adapted their approaches for attracting students to campus during these times. Common themes were being more collaborative and flexible in their recruitment strategies. There was a heavier reliance on partnerships with community colleges, educational organizations, and agents on the ground in different countries. The panel spoke about the ways in which they shifted their efforts digitally, utilizing virtual fairs, video conferencing, and text messaging services. Overall, their strategies are more student-focused and data-based. There was an emphasis on finding ways to make the process more convenient for students and not necessarily higher education institutions themselves.