Academic Program Marketing

Current Projects (2023-24)

Marketing Resources

Proposals

Applicants for 2023-24 funds received the decision on their proposal in Spring 2023 and should refer to the information above on how to implement their project(s).

Availability of funds for projects in future years is not guaranteed: if funding is available in the future, an announcement about the application process will be sent to the faculty listserv, likely in the winter term. In the meantime, if you are planning for future years, you can:

Creating a Successful Proposal

Identify your target audience

The first step in strategic marketing for your program is to identify your ideal student. Without that knowledge, marketing will be less effective because the right students will not be targeted.

“In working with UCS and Admissions, we know that engineering students are typically ages 20-23, male, and were involved in math or computer science in high school and community college. To reach an underserved group of potential students, the engineering program intends to target 17-19 year-old women who were involved in science, business and similar topics in high school and are looking for an opportunity to make their mark in STEM fields.”

Offer continued contact

It is just as important to offer continued contact with a potential student as it is to get their initial interest.

“After a potential student makes first contact with our academic program to seek admissions information, we will follow up weekly using a communications calendar that offers additional opportunities to engage personally with the student.”

Identify a program champion

Having an enthusiastic, engaged program champion—a faculty member, APA, or program coordinator—improves the odds of getting funded.

“Inquiries will be fielded and responded to within 24 hours by Jim Doe. He will also gather student contact information to be added to Slate in conjunction with Admissions. He will send out requested information and set up faculty meet-and-greets with prospective students to take place every Friday in spring term. He will receive a course release in spring term to allow time for this effort.”

Include an itemized budget

  • In your proposal, include both the total amount requested and an itemized budget.
  • You are not required to use the template for your itemized budget (although you can!). However, if you do not use the template, we recommend that you provide the budget information in a similar format. E.g. if you wish to describe the budgeted items in a narrative format, also include a list or table of the items and their costs.
  • For costs that are estimates, describe what the estimate is based on.
  • If your proposal includes multiple projects, include a subtotal for each project so that if one is not funded, the other projects could still be funded.

Attach feasible numbers to specific strategies

“The event we are proposing will have the capacity to bring 100 students to campus, which we anticipate yielding 30 admissions applications and 10 enrolled students”

Return on investment (ROI) can be difficult to quantify, but mechanisms exist to put a number on the recruitment concept. Explain specifically how you will measure ROI.

“After we bring students to campus for Criminal Justice Exploration Day, we will continue to contact participants and track which of them enroll in WOU after graduating high school or transfer to WOU after community college. We will do this though personal contact, Admissions information and other tools as spearheaded by APA Janet Doe.”

Plan for long-term success

Proposals that include mechanisms for long-term success are more likely to be funded. E.g., plans to retain enrolled students as well as recruiting new ones, or a postcard that can be used over several years.

Marketing Resources & Information

To social media, or not to social media, that is the question.

Find the answer

Social media guidelines

Get the most out of your social media account and activities.

Learn how

You don't have to do this alone!

MarCom is available to help with:

  • Creating your proposal
  • Implementing your plan
  • Graphics and logos
  • Website design
  • Social media
  • Marketing questions
Work request