When convenience, affordability, and substance come together, powerful things happen. At Norton Norris, we’ve known that for a long time.

It’s that principle that has driven many of our efforts over the years to deliver the highest quality solutions to the schools and higher education professions with whom we partner in a way that works best for them.

And the latest example of this mission is one of the biggest and most exciting to date.

We’ve gone virtual with our industry-leading EnrollMatch® Admissions Training (EM).

First, let’s talk about the substance.

Long-recognized as one of the most respected admissions training programs in the country, EM is at the leading edge of creating better informed prospective students and better-informed admissions professionals.

As anyone who’s worked in the higher education arena knows, more often than not the single most important choice factor for students is “fit.” For years, EnrollMatch® has empowered admissions professionals with the training to understand and decipher the differing preferences of today’s students so that, together, they can achieve that fit.

It begins with seminar training that can range anywhere from a half-day to two full days, and from there is strengthened by custom workshops, webinars, discussion forums, eLearning programs, Train-the-Trainer (T³) options, and ongoing consulting with comprehensive reports.

That’s kind of a long-winded way of saying EnrollMatch® works. It has earned all of the acclaims it’s received. And it’s the first and only admissions training program that’s been reviewed and approved by regulatory counsel for consistency with accrediting and federal admissions related standards.

But don’t just take it from us.

“After a thoughtful review of the training workshops and materials, our firm endorsed this program for alignment with all national and regional admissions related standards,” said Ron Holt, an education legal expert.

Now, about convenience and affordability.

It’s no secret that institutions of higher education across the country are in the midst of major budget constraints and enrollment shortfalls. Public universities continue to see cuts in state funding, and enrollment shortages at private colleges and universities that rely on tuition revenue are leading to cuts in faculty, staff, and program offerings.

Now more than ever, administrators need to find ways to give their admissions departments every advantage they can in terms of their effectiveness in recruiting incoming classes.

So, given the realities that we know schools are dealing with, it only makes sense to remove as many barriers as possible for schools seeking the exceptional offerings of our admissions training.

That’s exactly what going virtual with EnrollMatch® will accomplish.

“It was a natural progression,” said Dr. Jean Norris, managing partner at Norton Norris, Inc. and the primary developer of the training program. “Given the advanced nature of the content and pace, it was important for our team to see the participants and adjust their delivery in the moment. We also stand behind our results so we had to make sure each participant walked out of that room a changed person.  At the same time, the expense of travel and pulling employees away from their jobs for a few days can be a barrier.”

By offering virtual and hybrid models for the delivery of EnrollMatch® training, schools won’t have to incur the expenses associated with sending their admissions teams away, or the loss of productivity while they’re out.

With this endeavor, we’re essentially meeting them where they’re at by offering more affordable and convenient access to the training program, without compromising even a hint of the quality that’s always been associated with it.

“EnrollMatch is a solid, proven program with ongoing support long after the initial workshop,” said Joe Sallustio, seasoned EM trainer and vice president of marketing and enrollment at National American University. “It’s exciting to know the eLearning, discussion forums, coaching, and reinforcement training will still be available. And now we have an additional method to support our efforts for those who prefer the live, virtual option.”

And with the EM’s Train-the-Trainer (T³) program also being delivered virtually and through a hybrid model, more campus-based admissions professionals can earn a license to train their staff, help their team stay compliant, and make the most of their recruiting efforts and meeting the needs of their students.

“Our team is able to effectively onboard new employees, as well as provide ongoing learning and development,” said Wendy Olivieri, long-time EM trainer, and director of admissions at San Joaquin Valley College. “The live, virtual option allows campus-based trainers to work right alongside Norton Norris Master Facilitators. It’s fabulous.”

Learn more right now about our virtual training for admissions, faculty, leadership development management, career services, and financial aid!

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Think of the important contributions your local school counselors have made in your success as an admissions professional. Counselors spend a great deal of their time helping students develop and grow in three specific areas: academics, social/emotional growth and career development. Post-secondary planning is an important part of what school counselors do. However, a recent study found that they can devote only 30% of their time to college and career readiness due to so many other responsibilities. Exploration of key areas related to post-secondary options directly impacts the options students decide to pursue. This makes the relationship that college admissions counselors establish with their local school counselors critically important to ensuring students are able to perform once enrolled in your programs and institutions.

Many conversations related to the success of college admissions counselors today relate to how we can assist our prospective students in finding the right fit. And for many, the idea of “fit” can be difficult to quantify. What are the elements that a student must consider in order to determine the right “fit”? We can look to our school counselor partners for help in defining those areas. As ASCA’s Executive Director, Kwok-Sze Wong has pointed out that “school counselors actively engage in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents.” In doing so, counselors are instrumental in laying the foundation for determining a student’s “fit” criteria. Through the partnerships we establish with school counselors, we have the opportunity to continue that initial exploration of “fit” criteria as it relates to prospective students, gaining a better understanding of alignment and likelihood for success in our program and beyond.

I wholeheartedly believe that helping students determine if your school, college, university or program is the right fit for them is one of the most important tasks that admissions professionals have when working with prospective students. Our school counselor partners help to establish a foundation of fit criteria early on, by exploring their students’ interests, skills and values associated with specific careers. College admissions professionals then have the opportunity to carry that discovery forward through the student’s journey in a given institution to help increase the likelihood of success at the college and beyond.

I personally would like to give a shout-out to the school counselors whom I have had the good fortune to work with throughout my career. While I have not been a student on your caseload, you have contributed to my development over the years and cultivated a deep passion for helping students. Thank you for your continued collaboration in helping students reach their truest potential and achieve the goals they have set while pushing toward even greater heights. For any of you who have had the privilege to work with amazing school counselors, don’t be shy this week (and beyond). Let them know how much you appreciate their time, passion, energy and efforts in positively impacting students’ lives. #NSCW17

The post Recognizing a Close Ally for College Admission Professionals – School Counselors! appeared first on Norton Norris.

Without a doubt, that sentiment by Ms. Mead is one of my core beliefs and on June 8^th, I had the privilege of bringing together a group of committed higher ed professionals at the inaugural Symposium for Career Education Admission Professionals.  The event brought together high school counselors and professionals working in and for career colleges and community colleges to understand the similarities and differences each share in serving students.  In many cases, this includes advising underserved, first-generation, and/or at-risk student populations who are not looking to take a traditional route when it comes to their post-secondary education.

The Symposium lent itself to the discovery of a number of ideas to help the college admission professional move forward, with a goal of determining how these somewhat unlikely partners can work together to provide meaningful guidance for students interested in alternate paths to higher education.   Three main ideas/takeaways surfaced during the workshop related to development of the career education admission professional.  These takeaways include:

• Credentialing – A common idea/request from the group centered on the credentialing of college admission professionals by offering badging to demonstrate achievement of specific competencies related to the position. For example, a digital badge to verify Admission Advisors’ skills.
• Member Organization – As the landscape in higher education continues to evolve, both presenters and attendees agreed that joining a member organization would help college admission professionals stay abreast of important regulations impacting the profession and open the door to participate in professional development opportunities.
• Education of HS Counseling Professionals – Participants and attendees felt it important to keep exploring ways to expand partnerships with high school counselors to help bridge the gap between high school graduation and preparation for the next step of a student’s education and career. The consensus was that there needs to be continued education and partnership with high school counselors for all groups.

My experience at the Symposium confirmed one of my long held beliefs…admission professionals and high school counselors are united in a main goal – helping students.  Keeping our students at the forefront is a must for all of us.  It is our mission to ensure that the through the insights and ideas shared at the Symposium we can collectively reach more students to make a difference in more lives.

Why not get started with your professional development this summer?! Join us for an EnrollMatch Admissions Training Workshop in Chicago, August 3-5! The workshop will offer tools and techniques for enhancing your relationships with your students as well as helping them find the right college/program fit!  Contact us for more information at (312) 262-7418.  Space is limited so click here to register, today!

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