Nationwide Recruiting Effort Pays Off

by Kyle Spencer, Public Relations Writer – October 17, 2016

Admission department's national recruitment strategy brings students from across the country.

Students from all across the United States are flocking to a small town in the Miami Valley for their college experience. According to Cedarville University’s fall 2016 university census, students from every state in the country are enrolled at the academically rigorous institution.

“Most private colleges are quite regional with up to 80 percent of their students coming from surrounding counties around their campus,” said Janice Supplee, Ph.D., vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Cedarville University. “But for Cedarville University, 65 percent of our student body is comprised of students from out-of-state. We’re more of a national Christian college than a regional institution.”
Cedarville’s recruitment strategy has consistently been to recruit the best students from the United States—not just Ohio students. Cedarville intentionally seeks students who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, which means the recruiting effort often begins at Christian high schools and churches.  With a string of 10 consecutive record enrollments, the strategy is working.

Organic recruitment tactics also benefit Cedarville’s recruitment efforts. The Wall Street Journal recently ranked Cedarville fourth nationally (among all public and private universities) in student engagement, and word of mouth plays a large role in growing students' interest as current students tell stories of their positive experiences.

“We are blessed with students who really enjoy their educational experience,” added Supplee.  “This translates into a large national and international network of alumni and students who enthusiastically promote Cedarville University.”

Xavier Halder, a sophomore special education major from Bangladesh, was introduced to Cedarville University through an alumna teaching at his school.

“My teacher described how she not only got a quality education at Cedarville University,” said Halder, “but also how Cedarville’s community and values encouraged her faith.”

A strong commitment to faith is a defining characteristic of Cedarville University faculty, staff, and students.  

“Cedarville's commitment to biblical authority, along with the disciple-making community of faculty and staff makes it a unique university which is attractive to students from across the nation,” said Jon Wood, Ph.D., vice president for student life and Christian ministries

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.