Recapping NACAC 2022 conference highlights

If you missed the NACAC conference in Houston or just want to relive some of the fun, here are some major highlights and takeaways from the event.

By: Jacob Hoggard

Saying the NACAC 2022 conference was a blast doesn’t even begin to sum up what a fantastic time the Full Measure team and I had in Houston. We spent the conference catching up with “old” friends, making new ones, and immersing ourselves in such a great learning opportunity. And, of course, throwing one of our most legendary after parties yet. 

But I know some people couldn’t make it out this year or perhaps couldn’t attend the whole conference. Even those who were there the whole time couldn’t make it to everything because there were so many good sessions and events to attend. 

So I wanted to share a few reflections and insights I had from a truly memorable NACAC conference.

Presenting with Illinois College and Cabrini University

It was my pleasure to present with Sara-Jean Gilbert (Director of Recruitment and Outreach at Illinois College) and Bryn Campbell (Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Cabrini University) during Proven Approaches to Maximizing Admissions Efforts, sharing how they and Kennesaw State University are tackling admissions challenges and driving unbelievable results.

Four major takeaways I want to surface:

1. While many institutions have tapped into text messaging, interactive mobile messages with personalized and relevant content are key to really engaging prospective students throughout the admissions process. 
   
   
2. Student voices are powerful, and one of the best ways to tap into that power during the admissions process is by putting user-generated content (UGC) directly into tours. As Campbell puts it: “When it comes to campus visits, authenticity is everything. And there’s no one more authentic than our students. By actively gathering UGC and putting it in our virtual and self-guided tours, we can showcase the diversity of our institution, bolster pride and a sense of belonging among current students, and get prospective students excited about joining the Cabrini community.” 
   
   
3. Parents are increasingly involved in the admissions process, but it isn’t always easy for institutions to engage with them directly — making the ability to message parents without contact information (like Illinois College does) a critical step toward boosting enrollment.
   
   
4. Tapping into social media (including TikTok) during the admissions process is a fun way to generate excitement among prospective students, build a sense of community, and bolster your institution’s marketing efforts in an authentic way. 

After the session, we held an Q&A session at the Full Measure booth that was so well-attended that our one-hour session ballooned into closer to three hours of unbelievable insights on everything from fresh ideas for tours and social media to empowering small or overwhelmed admissions teams to best practices for getting started and driving immediate results.

If you missed either session (or, honestly, even if you were there), I recommend checking out these resources that share some additional strategies and tips you can “steal” to up your admissions game: 

• Reveal 4 strategies Cabrini University uses to improve tours, providing an engaging and authentic experience anytime, from anywhere
• See how Illinois College and Kennesaw State University are maximizing their acceptance processes and driving big results
• Discover how Kennesaw State University enhances the moment of acceptance with a mobile-first approach that engages students, saves money, and drives enrollment

Catching up at the Coalition for College reception we hosted

We love the Coalition for College’s work to support lower-income, under-resourced, and first-generation college students. That’s why we’re especially honored to partner with them in increasing access to campus tours by offering member institutions a free virtual tour powered by our Campus Visit Experience. 

Across the 46 member institutions with this tour in place, there have been over 180,000 tours taken! And over 77 percent of participating institutions have a daily average of 10+ tours (translating to 70+ tours per week!). 

Another way we like to think of it? That’s over 180,000 students who may not have been able to explore campus in person and may now envision themselves pursuing a college education.

Celebrating at our packed after-party at The Dirt Bar

After a conference full of learning, networking, and making new friends, Full Measure and Mass Interact’s packed after-party on Saturday night was the perfect way to close out the conference. It was a fun and truly unforgettable event.

We also announced our lucky contest winner at the party! Those of you who swung by our booth during the conference likely saw the awesome custom guitar we were giving away (and hopefully entered the contest). If by chance you missed it, check out this photo of me wishing I could keep the guitar for myself: 

Are you ready to rock admissions this year?

If you’re interested in learning more about how Full Measure helps institutions of all sizes improve their admissions efforts and drive unbelievable results, start by checking out the quick video below and then schedule a free, no-obligation demo with our team.