COLLEGE EXPANDS RECRUITING TERRITORY

Iowa Lakes Community College has hired two new admissions counselors in an effort to reach into new geographic areas and access potential students (and their parents) who speak multiple languages.

Dusty Wadlington has been hired part-time in the Admissions office. His territory is in northwest and eastern Iowa. He will retain his other position as Assistant Men’s Basketball coach at Iowa Lakes.

Daniel Acosta recently accepted a part-time job in the Admissions office. He will be responsible for contacting schools with Latin American populations. Besides recruiting internationally, Acosta will travel to some area schools. In addition to work in the Admissions office, Acosta will continue as the Assistant Baseball coach.

These new admissions counselors join a veteran staff of Anne Stansbury, Assistant Director of Admissions; Roger Guge, Senior Admissions Counselor; and Nate Hansen, Admissions Counselor.

“As population trends continue to decrease in area high schools, we saw the need to expand our recruitment area and target new markets,” said Julie Carlson, Dean of Enrollment Management for Iowa Lakes. “The fact is we couldn’t expand our recruitment territory and target new markets without the addition of Danny and Dusty.”

We recruit students not only from the high school visits, but also college days and a host of other events held throughout the year.

“When we meet with prospective students, we spend time helping them determine if Iowa Lakes meets their educational and personal goals. It’s important that Iowa Lakes is the right fit for each student,” Carlson said.

The college has students enrolled from 80 percent of the 99 counties in Iowa, 25 different states and 10 foreign countries.

“Our data at Iowa Lakes also shows us that once a student makes a campus visit to our college, we have a very high likelihood of enrolling that student. So we know that once we make a contact with a student, we can influence them with a positive decision to attend our college.”

Acosta is bilingual and that offers the college a chance to reach new markets. While most Latin American students in area schools are fluent in both languages (English and Spanish), other members of their families may have limited English proficiency.

“It is important to educate both students and parents on the value of higher education and the role Iowa Lakes Community College can play in providing opportunities that will enhance their quality of life,” Carlson said. “Research indicates that parents are the number one influencer in their child’s decision-making process when selecting a college.”

Iowa Lakes offers more than 100 areas of study at its five locations in Algona, Emmetsburg, Estherville, Spencer and Spirit Lake. In addition, the college provides training and retraining to employees of area business and industry as well as continuing education courses.