Trinity Baptist College has been blessed with a very successful recruiting season this school year. We have seen a 23% increase in new students who enrolled for the fall and have enjoyed a 14% increase in overall enrollment here at the college! We are grateful that God has entrusted us with impacting this next generation of Christ followers. It is a privilege to be a part of a talented team who is dedicated to making a difference in students’ lives and working to further God’s Kingdom. There are many factors that helped lead to this increase in students, but here are five improvements we’ve made in Enrollment Management that helped and that will continue to impact future growth.

1. We implemented a new streamlined Admission’s model. It is a three level recruiting funnel which includes a call center, Enrollment Representatives, and Enrollment Guides. Our separated call center, consisting of current students, works to qualify leads according to their legitimate interest in our programs. This allows our full-time Enrollment Reps to focus solely on those with the most potential to enroll. As they listen to the students’ goals and dreams, they gain rapport and gather necessary information in order to recommend to an Enrollment Guide those students whom they believe would be the best “fit’ for our school. The future student will keep their assigned Guide through to registration until they are eventually handed off to an Academic Advisor. This has helped us move more prospects through the admissions funnel and ensures we spend the most time with prospects with the most interest.

2. The LifeSong Recruiting Team now focuses on Youth Rallies in key geographic areas during the school year. This has increased our exposure to teens that can say “yes” to an education at Trinity and has allowed us to connect with a greater number of churches during the semester. LifeSong uses a host-church for the event and networks with a team of youth pastors in the area to facilitate advertising. The focus of the event is to reach local un-churched and under-churched teens, providing a tool to churches looking to grow their youth groups and reach their communities. Since the fall we have held 10 rallies, reaching 1500+ teens in this short amount of time while promoting the value of a Christian education at Trinity. If you would be interested in your church hosting one of these Rallies, please contact our Promotions Manager, Ben Hyrne, at 904-596-2338 or bhyrne@tbc.edu.

3. We revived our Student Life Conference. Our student conference has always been a very exciting and impacting event at TBC! It has also been a great opportunity for students to learn what Trinity has to offer them. This year, students and leaders in youth ministries across the country will come to experience this life-changing event designed specifically to impact their relationship with Christ. This year’s conference will take place March 29-30, 2012 and will feature speakers including: Brent Crowe, Cody Deese, Paul Woods, Ed Newton, and Roger Glidewell. Visit churchlifeconference.com/student for information on registering.

4. We strengthened our academic offerings. We increased the flexibility of our programs to allow students to have more elective options. This especially makes the transition for students transferring to Trinity much smoother. We also added internships for credit to be included in all of our programs which builds upon our “Learn and Serve” teaching philosophy. The most impacting change numerically however, has been from both our addition of online classes and our offering a plan for Degree Completion in Interdisciplinary Studies.

5. We increased our exposure to the local market by hosting Open Houses throughout the year. We use Web and Radio ads to invite interested students from the greater Jacksonville area to come visit the campus on an evening during the week. Enrollment Reps conduct interactive tours of the campus, showcasing our classrooms and facilities. The tours conclude with a small dinner reception with the staff and faculty of the school. Visitors also have the opportunity to meet with Enrollment Guides and our Financial Aid Administrator, Mark Elkins. This past year 8% of our new students were a direct result of these Open Houses.

Three ways you can be a part of this growth and help us as an Alumnus.
1. Recommend your school. Your influence has made an impact in our growth at the college! This past year, 52% of enrolled students were referred by friends and Alumni. We appreciate your support and value your participation in what God is doing at Trinity!

2. Donate to our General Scholarship fund. Every year there are students with God’s call upon their lives, who will be forced to sit out a semester or more due to financial difficulties. You can be a part of what God is doing in these students’ lives by making a tax-deductible donation today through our Website, or by contacting our Director of Development, Matthew Heavener at 904-596-2420 or MHeavener@tbc.edu. You can make a general donation, or designate an anonymous gift to a specific student.

3. Be proud of your Alma Mater. Together we are making an impact for the cause of Christ. These are exciting days at Trinity, and we are thrilled about the future of our college! Show your support by being involved in the Alumni Association and plan now to attend the President’s Reception for alumni at this years Graduation conference.