Transforming Orientation and Transition:
A Case Study on Utilizing Recruitment Tools for Student Success

The Client: A rural two-year college in the American South

The Client (“College”), a community college in the rural South, partnered with our consultants for an external review of its orientation and transition programs. Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the college faced declining enrollment and retention rates. It aimed to revitalize the student onboarding process to support its diverse population, including first-generation students, working adults, and non-traditional learners. The Consultants provided strategic recommendations to build an inclusive, engaging, and impactful orientation and enrollment model that aligns with the College’s strategic plan.

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The Challenges

The College’s existing orientation and transition programs had significant gaps:

Discontinued In-Person Orientation

In-person orientation was not offered for two years, leading to limited student engagement and a fragmented onboarding process.

Equity Gaps

Underrepresented student populations, such as first-generation and adult learners, faced barriers in accessing critical resources and support.

Decentralized Operations

The absence of a designated leader for orientation resulted in inconsistent programming and unclear responsibilities across departments.

Limited Peer Engagement

Student ambassadors were underutilized, and opportunities for peer mentorship and campus community-building were minimal.

Outdated Tools

Orientation relied heavily on transactional, lecture-style sessions rather than dynamic, interactive experiences tailored to students' needs.

The Solutions

The consultants comprehensively reviewed the College’s orientation processes, gathering insights from stakeholders, including students, staff, and faculty. The following strategic recommendations were developed:

Revitalize In-Person Orientation

Introduce a comprehensive, in-person orientation program with multiple sessions in August, October, January, and March.
Incorporate engaging elements such as small group rotations led by student leaders, faculty-student interactions, and family programming

Launch Online Orientation

Utilize Advantage Design Group (ADG) to create an online orientation platform for non-traditional students and as a supplemental resource for in-person attendees.
Require orientation completion for course registration and track participation using certificates of completion.

Enhance Staffing and Leadership

Designate a Director or Coordinator of Orientation, Transition, and Retention (OTR) to oversee program development and execution.
Leverage NODA interns and professional development opportunities to strengthen staff capacity.

Reimagine the Student Ambassador Role

Relaunch the ambassador program with 6-8 students serving as lead mentors
Provide leaders with stipends, priority registration, and other incentives to increase participation and engagement.

Establish an Orientation Advisory Team

Form a cross-functional committee of 7-8 representatives, including faculty and student leaders, to guide program planning and assessment.

Introduce a Welcome Back Week

Create a week-long series of events at the start of each semester to foster campus traditions and build community, such as club fairs, faculty-staff versus student games, and live music events.

Develop a First-Year Experience (FYE) Course

Redesign the Principles of Academic Excellence course into a comprehensive FYE program, integrating co-curricular opportunities and campus traditions.

The Impact

The recommendations were positioned to yield transformative results for the College:

Improved Retention

Research shows that structured, intentional orientation programs enhance student belonging and retention rates, a critical need for two-year colleges.

Enhanced Student Engagement

Interactive in-person sessions, peer-led activities, and Welcome Back Week events create opportunities for meaningful connections among students.

Stronger Equity and Inclusion

Tailored programming, including family engagement and online modules, ensures accessibility for the College’s diverse student population.

Streamlined Operations

A dedicated OTR leader and advisory team provide structure and clarity, enabling the College to streamline operations and execute its orientation vision

Conclusion

The partnership between the College and the consultants demonstrates the power of strategic collaboration in reimagining student success. By implementing these recommendations, the College is well-positioned to foster a vibrant, inclusive community where students thrive academically and socially. These efforts support the College’s strategic goals and have boosted enrollment to pre-COVID levels.