Preview
Mizzou: great strategy for recruiting students
Jena Thompson, posted Oct. 6, 2006
About
285 prospective students were encouraged to “follow
the black and gold road” on Monday, Oct. 2. They explored
CAFNR as a part of the annual Preview Mizzou, which gives
high school students the opportunity to learn more about Mizzou
and CAFNR.
CeCe Leslie, coordinator of student recruitment for CAFNR,
believes events such as this are the best strategy to recruit
students. “Preview Mizzou is a good event because it
gets them (prospective students) on campus. They get to see
firsthand what the college is all about.”
Andrew Kueker, a senior from Sweet Springs, Mo., was one of
the students learning about the college. “I wanted to
come to Preview Mizzou to see what MU has to offer.”
The event, planned by both CAFNR Student Council and CAFNR
Ambassadors, was under total direction of current students,
which allowed participants to really see what college will
be like. “We have about 50 volunteers out today that
gave up their time to help these students,” Meagan Perry,
Preview Mizzou co-director.
“Once students visit the campus they see if they could
feel comfortable here,” Perry said. “By just walking
around and seeing all the students wearing their MU sweatshirts,
you can really get the vibe of campus.”
By talking with current students, the prospective students
learn a lot about what the upcoming years might bring. “Talking
with a student earlier, I learned that it’s not going
to be easy going through college,” Kueker said.
Participants were given a glimpse of what CAFNR provides,
including study abroad and career opportunities. Academic
major sessions were held with professors and faculty members
to help the students learn more about their interests.
“The academic sessions are fun and interactive ways
to explore the different major areas in CAFNR,” Leslie
said.
The day was also filled with a campus tour, learning about
the different CAFNR organizations through the Preview Mizzou
fair, lunch in a dining hall and, not to forget, Buck’s
ice cream.
The main thing Leslie said she wanted to drive home to the
students was the concern faculty and staff have for students
at CAFNR. “A caring attitude is the main thing we try
to express to prospective students.”
