Recruiting and Retaining Recruiting and Retaining International Students on International Students on

a Limited Budgeta Limited Budget

Thy Yang and Desiree JohnsonThy Yang and Desiree JohnsonCenter for Multicultural AffairsCenter for Multicultural Affairs

Dickinson State UniversityDickinson State UniversityDickinson, NDDickinson, ND

IntroductionIntroduction

What position do you serve on your What position do you serve on your campus?campus?

What do you hope to gain through What do you hope to gain through this program?this program?

Dickinson State UniversityDickinson State University

13 Consecutive Years of Enrollment 13 Consecutive Years of Enrollment GrowthGrowth

International students make up International students make up nearly 15% of the total enrollmentnearly 15% of the total enrollment

In 1998, DSU had only 24 In 1998, DSU had only 24 international students on campus. international students on campus. Today, we have over 400 students Today, we have over 400 students enrolled at DSU.enrolled at DSU.

Global Awareness InitiativeGlobal Awareness Initiative Established in 2000 with four main objectives:Established in 2000 with four main objectives:

– To create a more diverse and invigorating learning To create a more diverse and invigorating learning environment by recruiting and retaining international environment by recruiting and retaining international students and faculty; students and faculty;

– To increase student and faculty involvement in foreign To increase student and faculty involvement in foreign exchange programs;exchange programs;

– To engage students and area citizens in activities which To engage students and area citizens in activities which foster a greater understanding of the economic issues foster a greater understanding of the economic issues and opportunities related to globalization; andand opportunities related to globalization; and

– To foster the ideal that individuals can contribute to To foster the ideal that individuals can contribute to world peace through education, understanding, world peace through education, understanding, tolerance and interaction with people from other tolerance and interaction with people from other cultures.cultures.

Center for Multicultural AffairsCenter for Multicultural Affairs

Thy Yang, Director of Multicultural Thy Yang, Director of Multicultural AffairsAffairs– thy.yang@dickinsonstate.eduthy.yang@dickinsonstate.edu

Tracy Peterson, Native American and Tracy Peterson, Native American and Student Support SpecialistStudent Support Specialist

Desiree Johnson, Administrative Desiree Johnson, Administrative SecretarySecretary– desiree.m.johnson@dickinsonstate.edudesiree.m.johnson@dickinsonstate.edu

International StudentsInternational Students

2006-2007: 260 international 2006-2007: 260 international students from 30 different countries students from 30 different countries (122 new for Fall 2006)(122 new for Fall 2006)

2007-2008: 328 international 2007-2008: 328 international students (180 new for Fall 2007) students (180 new for Fall 2007) from over 30 different countriesfrom over 30 different countries

2008-2009: 400+ international 2008-2009: 400+ international students (225 new for Fall 2008) students (225 new for Fall 2008) from over 30 different countriesfrom over 30 different countries

International Student EnrollmentInternational Student Enrollment2006- Present2006- Present

Fall2006

Fall2007

Fall2008

050100150200250300

350

400

450

New

Total

Diversity Initiative—Tuition Diversity Initiative—Tuition AssistanceAssistance

Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA and Students must maintain a 2.00 GPA and complete a minimum of 24 credits per complete a minimum of 24 credits per academic yearacademic year

Cultural Diversity Tuition WaiverCultural Diversity Tuition Waiver– In 2007-2008, 120 recipients were identified as In 2007-2008, 120 recipients were identified as

4-year degree seeking 4-year degree seeking 28% identified as Native American28% identified as Native American

– 10 Tribal Nations Represented10 Tribal Nations Represented

Global Awareness Tuition WaiverGlobal Awareness Tuition Waiver– In 2007-2008, 170 recipients were identified as In 2007-2008, 170 recipients were identified as

4-year degree seeking4-year degree seeking

Dual Degree Joint Program Dual Degree Joint Program (DDJ)(DDJ)

Over 160 of this year’s international Over 160 of this year’s international students enrolled at DSU are DDJ students enrolled at DSU are DDJ students and will return to their students and will return to their home country in 1- 2 year’s time.home country in 1- 2 year’s time.

DSU has an agreement with schools DSU has an agreement with schools from China and Russia.from China and Russia.

The principle behind the DDJ Program The principle behind the DDJ Program is reciprocal acceptance of credits is reciprocal acceptance of credits earned at either institution.earned at either institution.

Chinese SchoolsChinese Schools

Beijing University of TechnologiesBeijing University of Technologies Central University of NationalitiesCentral University of Nationalities Dalian Jiatong UniversityDalian Jiatong University Sichuan International Studies Sichuan International Studies

UniversityUniversity Sichuan Normal UniversitySichuan Normal University Soochow UniversitySoochow University Taiyuan UniversityTaiyuan University

Russian SchoolsRussian Schools

Voronezh State UniversityVoronezh State University

Dual Degree Joint Degree Dual Degree Joint Degree ProgramsPrograms

ArtArt Business AdministrationBusiness Administration FinanceFinance CommunicationsCommunications Computer ScienceComputer Science History (VSU)History (VSU) Political Science (VSU)Political Science (VSU) University StudiesUniversity Studies

Disney International College Disney International College ProgramProgram

Unique study abroad opportunity which Unique study abroad opportunity which enables students to experience two unique enables students to experience two unique settings: a US Residential Campus plus settings: a US Residential Campus plus placement with a Fortune 500 Companyplacement with a Fortune 500 Company

Students study at DSU for one semester Students study at DSU for one semester and then live and work at the Walt Disney and then live and work at the Walt Disney World ResortsWorld Resorts

Students can choose to pursue a Students can choose to pursue a Certificate in Human Resources Certificate in Human Resources Management or take credits needed for Management or take credits needed for their home university degrees. their home university degrees.

Disney International College Disney International College Program Enrollment TrendProgram Enrollment Trend

Fall 2007--27Fall 2007--27 Spring 2008--32Spring 2008--32 Fall 2008--41Fall 2008--41

0

10

20

30

40

50

Fall 2007

Spring 2008

Fall 2008

Visiting ScholarsVisiting Scholars

8 Visiting Scholars in residence at 8 Visiting Scholars in residence at DSU for Fall 2008DSU for Fall 2008– 7 from China7 from China– 1 from Japan1 from Japan

New InitiativesNew Initiatives

1-Year Pre-Med Program with 1-Year Pre-Med Program with students from Japanstudents from Japan– Fall 2008: 4 students bound for medical Fall 2008: 4 students bound for medical

school in Eastern Europe school in Eastern Europe – Students will enroll in ESL and pre-med Students will enroll in ESL and pre-med

courses (Biology, Chemistry, etc)courses (Biology, Chemistry, etc)– Projecting 20 students for Fall 2009Projecting 20 students for Fall 2009

New InitiativesNew Initiatives

ESL position added in Academic ESL position added in Academic Success CenterSuccess Center

Alumni Trip to ChinaAlumni Trip to China– Led by Executive Director of Alumni Led by Executive Director of Alumni

FoundationFoundation– Group of 20 individuals to tour ChinaGroup of 20 individuals to tour China– Reunion and Alumni Gathering to be Reunion and Alumni Gathering to be

held in Beijingheld in Beijing

ChallengesChallenges

Culture clashes between domestic and Culture clashes between domestic and international studentsinternational students

Culture clashes among and between Culture clashes among and between international studentsinternational students

Community and campus misperceptions Community and campus misperceptions about benefits about benefits – Tuition Waiver Tuition Waiver – Services provided Services provided – Preferential treatment of studentsPreferential treatment of students– Classroom management issues (cheating, Classroom management issues (cheating,

grading curve, etc)grading curve, etc)

Good ProblemsGood Problems

Fewer ND students to recruitFewer ND students to recruit– International students supplement lost International students supplement lost

revenuerevenue Increased interest in study abroad by Increased interest in study abroad by

US studentsUS students Real world global educationReal world global education Economic developmentEconomic development Promotes world peacePromotes world peace

Overview of International Student Overview of International Student RecruitmentRecruitment

Intensive ESL ProgramsIntensive ESL Programs Attending College FairsAttending College Fairs Advertising in magazines or newspapersAdvertising in magazines or newspapers Retaining AgentsRetaining Agents Developing Sister School RelationshipsDeveloping Sister School Relationships Armchair RecruitmentArmchair Recruitment

– WebWeb– Telephone CallsTelephone Calls

Dickinson State UniversityDickinson State University

Center for Multicultural AffairsCenter for Multicultural Affairs– Director of Multicultural AffairsDirector of Multicultural Affairs– Native American and Multicultural Student Native American and Multicultural Student

Support SpecialistSupport Specialist– Administrative SecretaryAdministrative Secretary

Travel Budget is $24,000 per annumTravel Budget is $24,000 per annum We do not have an intensive ESL programWe do not have an intensive ESL program We do not advertise in magazinesWe do not advertise in magazines We do not attend college fairsWe do not attend college fairs We have limited agency agreementsWe have limited agency agreements

Dickinson State UniversityDickinson State University

Sister School RelationshipsSister School Relationships– Dual Degree Joint ProgramDual Degree Joint Program– Disney International College ProgramDisney International College Program– International student and scholar exchange International student and scholar exchange

programprogram Global Awareness Tuition WaiverGlobal Awareness Tuition Waiver

– Reduces out of state tuition ($10,796) by 62% Reduces out of state tuition ($10,796) by 62% ($6,653)($6,653)

– Students only pay $4,143 or $2,071.50 per Students only pay $4,143 or $2,071.50 per semestersemester

ToolsTools

Questions to ask:Questions to ask:– How are my students finding us?How are my students finding us?– What are my best international markets? What are my best international markets?

Visa rejection rateVisa rejection rate English language requirementEnglish language requirement Financial viabilityFinancial viability

– What attracts international students to your What attracts international students to your school?school?

– Are you making the most of your strengths?Are you making the most of your strengths?– Is your portfolio diversified?Is your portfolio diversified?

ToolsTools

What are your short term goals?What are your short term goals? What are your mid term goals?What are your mid term goals? What are your long term goals?What are your long term goals? How do your communication How do your communication

strategies address these?strategies address these?– EmailsEmails– Telephone CallsTelephone Calls– PostcardsPostcards– Letters Letters

ToolsTools

Do you know how many inquiries you Do you know how many inquiries you receive from each country?receive from each country?

What do you do that is intentional? What What do you do that is intentional? What action do you want to see?action do you want to see?

Do you know your conversion rate?Do you know your conversion rate?– Inquiry to applicationInquiry to application– Application to acceptanceApplication to acceptance– Acceptance to I-20Acceptance to I-20– I-20 to SEVIS FeeI-20 to SEVIS Fee– SEVIS Fee to VisaSEVIS Fee to Visa– Visa to MatriculationVisa to Matriculation

ToolsTools

Focus on your strengths and Focus on your strengths and duplicate in other markets or duplicate in other markets or programsprograms– AthleticsAthletics– Dual Degree Programs/ Exchange Dual Degree Programs/ Exchange

programprogram– ReferralsReferrals

Are you maximizing the Free Stuff?Are you maximizing the Free Stuff?

NAFSA membership directoryNAFSA membership directory– http://www.nafsa.org/member_services.mshttp://www.nafsa.org/member_services.ms

Community collegesCommunity colleges– http://communitycollegesusa.net/http://communitycollegesusa.net/

TABS (The Association of Boarding TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools)Schools)– http://http://www.schools.com/directory/state.cfmwww.schools.com/directory/state.cfm

US EmbassyUS Embassy– http://educationusa.state.gov/centers/http://educationusa.state.gov/centers/

SEVISSEVIS Current StudentsCurrent Students

QuestionQuestionHow many of you have a How many of you have a

database of current students’ database of current students’ high schools and colleges?high schools and colleges?

QuestionQuestionHow many of you use SEVIS to How many of you use SEVIS to track your students’ progress?track your students’ progress?

Do you email them their SEVIS Do you email them their SEVIS Number so that they can pay their Number so that they can pay their

SEVIS Fee immediately?SEVIS Fee immediately?

QuestionQuestionHow many of you use the NAFSA How many of you use the NAFSA Membership Directory to set up Membership Directory to set up

meetings when you travel?meetings when you travel?

QuestionQuestionDo you offer to send support Do you offer to send support letters to the Embassy prior letters to the Embassy prior

to students’ interviews?to students’ interviews?

Retention: How Do We Do It?Retention: How Do We Do It?

Takes a VillageTakes a Village Cross-collaboration with other Cross-collaboration with other

departments on campusdepartments on campus– Residential LifeResidential Life– Student SenateStudent Senate– Campus Activities BoardCampus Activities Board– Food ServicesFood Services– Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) – International Student OrientationInternational Student Orientation

Retention: How do we do it?Retention: How do we do it?

Residence LifeResidence Life– ““Home away from home”Home away from home”– Recruit international students to Recruit international students to

become Resident Advisorsbecome Resident Advisors– Assist with training Resident Advisors on Assist with training Resident Advisors on

issues of diversity and global awarenessissues of diversity and global awareness– Collaboration on Residence Life Collaboration on Residence Life

ProgramsPrograms– Attend Residence Life ProgramsAttend Residence Life Programs

Retention: How do we do it? Retention: How do we do it?

Student SenateStudent Senate– Create a student centered cultureCreate a student centered culture– Don’t ask for a separate programming Don’t ask for a separate programming

budget just for international students: help budget just for international students: help students understand the process of students understand the process of obtaining funding obtaining funding

– Encourage students to be part of student Encourage students to be part of student governmentgovernment

– Assist with campus dialogue on diversityAssist with campus dialogue on diversity Address the issues in a responsible mannerAddress the issues in a responsible manner Build campus unityBuild campus unity

Retention: How do we do it?Retention: How do we do it?

Campus Activities BoardCampus Activities Board– Encourage student leaders to view Encourage student leaders to view

programming from international and programming from international and multicultural students’ perspectivesmulticultural students’ perspectives

– Encourage international students to Encourage international students to be active in various clubs and be active in various clubs and organizations on campus; teach them organizations on campus; teach them how to form their own clubshow to form their own clubs Involved students connect with a campusInvolved students connect with a campus

– Weekend programming to help with Weekend programming to help with home sicknesshome sickness

Retention: How do we do it?Retention: How do we do it?

Food ServicesFood Services– Our student frustrations begin and Our student frustrations begin and

end in the cafeteriaend in the cafeteria– Provide a more diverse menu Provide a more diverse menu

Increase fruits, vegetablesIncrease fruits, vegetablesRice available at every mealRice available at every meal

– Help cater cultural eventsHelp cater cultural events

Retention: How do we do it?Retention: How do we do it?

Student Orientation and Registration Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR)(SOAR)– Parent Forum to discuss Globalization Initiative Parent Forum to discuss Globalization Initiative

What is true, what is false?What is true, what is false? What are the benefits?What are the benefits? How can they help?How can they help?

– Advise the students of our diversityAdvise the students of our diversity

Retention: How do we do it?Retention: How do we do it?

International Student OrientationInternational Student Orientation– Semester long, 1 credit courseSemester long, 1 credit course– Meets once a week for an hourMeets once a week for an hour– Reduces unnecessary office trafficReduces unnecessary office traffic– Enables detailed discussion of Enables detailed discussion of

– Roommate issuesRoommate issues– American customsAmerican customs– Differences in culturesDifferences in cultures– Academic policies and proceduresAcademic policies and procedures– F-1 and J-1 visa rulesF-1 and J-1 visa rules

Retention: How do we do it?Retention: How do we do it?

Friendship FamiliesFriendship Families– Support of the communitySupport of the community

Local churchesLocal churchesLocal organizationsLocal organizations

– Provide supportProvide supportProvide transportationProvide transportationProvide family structure in the absence of Provide family structure in the absence of

their actual familytheir actual family

Student Development Student Development ApproachApproach

All students need to be All students need to be coached and treated as coached and treated as

learners. learners.

Questions or Comments?Questions or Comments?