As admission professionals we’re always aware of “the numbers” as represented by the various stages of the admission funnel.  We also seek accurate benchmarks for comparison purposes so that we have a proper context for our yield rates, cost to recruit a student, staff size and productivity and other key components of the student recruitment process.

Over the past few years NACCAP’s board has sought ways to bring increasing professional service to its members.  As part of that search, we’ve recently hired an enrollment research partner, Performa Higher Education, to assist the membership.  For those of you who are not familiar with Performa Higher Education, here is a link to their website:  www.performahe.com.

We’ve chosen this company initially for a one year partnership with the possibility of a longer-term relationship.  Our choice stems from our belief that Performa Higher Education’s team offers us the experience necessary to make this partnership work well, in part because three of their team members are former NACCAP board members.  David Mee served two different terms on NACCAP’s board while serving at Houghton and Milligan.  Jennifer (Swanborough) Hricik served a term while working at George Fox University.  Tim Fuller served as NACCAP’s vice president and president while working at Houghton.  In other words, there is a great deal of mutual knowledge and respect between our organizations.

Here is an outline of the key components of our partnership:

·         What will Performa Higher Education do for us? 

o        Take over the administration of our application surveys

o        Conduct an annual cost to recruit/admission funnel study (similar to the study Tim Fuller conducted under CCCU auspices for 14 years)

o        Present research findings at our annual conference

o        As a pilot project, conduct surveys related to selected fall 2008 NACCAP college fairs

o        Conduct other studies on our behalf – initial plans for fall 2008 include surveys directed at our GAP (graduate and adult programs) and Christian high school guidance counselors

o        Assist us with the focus of our annual CTI research project

·         When will this start?

o        During September 2008 PHE staff will collect fall 2007 and fall 2008 budget survey/funnel data

·         How will NACCAP direct this effort?

o        We’ve established a Research Advisory Committee made up of the following NACCAP board members:

§         Jay Fedje, VP for Governance

§         Howard Wilson

§         Steve Mortland

§         Dan Crabtree

§         Chant Thompson, Executive Director

o        Performa Higher Education will host this group for a planning session in January of 2009.  The Research Advisory Committee will make regular reports to the full Board

·         How will data be collected?

o        PHE will use the on-line capability of NACCAP’s website to collect and maintain data

We believe that this partnership is a worthwhile investment as it will move us forward as a professional organization, providing timely and critical data for our membership.  Thanks in advance for your active participation in the enrollment surveys, budget/funnel study and other partnership efforts.

Sincerely,

Chant Thompson

Executive Director

NACCAP