About the Episode
About the Episode: Dr. Courtney Skiles, the Director of Enrollment Services at Trinity Valley Community College, shares an unexpected tactic her team uses to engage students and increase college applications: dressing down. By wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and cool shoes, TVCC recruiters aim to be relatable and break down barriers between college representatives and high school students. This tactic has resulted in one in five students applying to their college after a visit. Courtney emphasizes the importance of building rapport and making students feel comfortable by sharing personal stories and being relatable. Overall, her mindset and leadership has led to an 8% increase in enrollment and has challenged the traditional perception of college as a distant and unattainable goal.
Key Takeaways
- Dress Relatable to Connect: Dressing like students instead of formal attire helps recruiters relate to and engage students in a way that feels authentic and inviting.
- Focus on Personal Stories: Sharing personal stories that students can connect with helps create a comfort level that encourages deeper questions and discussion.
- Adopt a Casual, Conversational Presentation Style: Presenting with humor, fun facts, and in students’ language can make information memorable and engaging, especially for Gen Z students.
Episode Summary
Creating a Student-Friendly Image
Dr. Courtney Skiles, Director of Recruiting and Admissions at TVCC, and her team noticed that traditional college presentations weren’t resonating with their audience. Based in rural East Texas, TVCC serves many first-generation college students and individuals from agriculture-heavy communities. The staff saw an opportunity to rethink their approach to create a welcoming environment that demystified the college experience. Instead of dressing formally, the team began showing up in jeans, t-shirts, and trendy sneakers—a look that mirrored students’ everyday style.
This casual approach was an immediate hit, breaking down perceived barriers and sparking curiosity among students. By appearing more like peers than authority figures, Skiles and her team found students were more comfortable engaging in conversations. This friendly, familiar image helped TVCC’s recruiters feel less intimidating, opening the door for authentic conversations.
Storytelling and Engaging Presentations
Alongside their more relatable attire, Skiles’ team revamped their presentation style. Rather than focusing on a rigid, information-heavy pitch, they leaned into storytelling and humor to draw students in. The team shared personal stories about their own college journeys, challenges, and triumphs. Skiles, a first-generation college student herself, shared how she navigated higher education and eventually built a fulfilling career. This relatable approach, she noted, has been essential for connecting with students who may not have had family discussions about college or understand what it involves.
The team also shared quick, memorable insights about TVCC’s programs, costs, and financial aid options. By delivering these messages in a lighthearted and conversational way, Skiles’ team kept students engaged without overwhelming them. Simple tactics, like starting each presentation with a fun fact or joke, helped retain students’ attention, a key factor in connecting with a generation used to fast, easily digestible content.
A Tactic That Drives Results
The results have been compelling: one in five students now applies to TVCC after an in-person visit, a significant improvement in engagement and interest. The shift in dress code and approachability not only fostered immediate rapport but also encouraged students to ask questions they might otherwise hesitate to bring up.
The tactic has been well-received within TVCC and has shown that a small adjustment can have a substantial impact on the student journey. Skiles mentioned that while not every institution may align with this approach, especially those that prioritize a more traditional or prestigious image, it’s a powerful tactic for schools aiming to make college feel accessible. She encourages other schools to think creatively about their brand, values, and the image they wish to convey through recruitment efforts.
About The Enrollify Podcast Network
Talking Tactics is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Mission Admissions and Higher Ed Pulse.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Attend the Engage Summit for Free!
The Engage Summit is your roadmap for AI readiness in Higher Education. We’re not just talking theories; this conference is your guide to understanding and applying AI at your institution. By the end, you won’t just “get” AI — you’ll be ready to lead your campus through an AI transformation.
Every session at the 2024 Engage Summit (June 25-26) will be live-streamed (and recorded!) and registration is free!
That’s right – you can catch all the groundbreaking insights, innovative AI-strategies, and incredible speakers from the comfort of your own couch. No need to choose between sessions (because we’re recording them all!), no FOMO, and no ticket required.
.svg)
.svg)
