Recruiting and Retaining Professional Cohort Students: A Case Study of DePaul University's Work with the Chicago Police

1. Recruiting and Retaining Professional Cohort Students: A Case Study of DePaul University’s Work with the Chicago Police Department Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono School for New Learning DePaul University

2. History/Context • DePaul and School for New Learning (SNL) • Corporate Employer Outreach (CEO) • Importance of onsite cohorts • Partnering with Chicago-based businesses • Delivering customized education onsite • Awarding Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)for Police Academy Training Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

3. Program Success Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

4. Recruitment/Lead GenerationWhy it Works… • Maximize Established Benefits • Tuition reimbursement (2 courses per term) • Advancement (highest rank available without BA/BS is Sergeant) • Customized institutional features • Deferred billing • Class meetings one day/week (same each term) • Mirrored class schedule, hybrid format Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

5. Inter-departmental Collaboration • CEO staff interface with Police/FOP • SNL advisor interfaces with students • Enrollment Management point person • SNL Onsite Partnership Director (faculty relations, etc.) All parties engage in bi-weekly check-in calls Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

6. Recruitment Strategies • Events: Information sessions, Roll Calls, Information tables • Publications: Flyers, Magazine ads, Alumni magazine, postcard drops • Personal: Admission and advisor contact • Referrals: Word of mouth from current cohort students Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

7. RetentionWhy it Works… • Maximize benefits • “Closed cohort” model • Tuition deferment • Customized features to ease processes • Pre-designed curriculum • Mirrored schedule • Advisor guides and directs enrollment Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

8. Curriculum Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

9. Inter-departmental Collaboration • Dedicated Academic Advisor • Degree completion; University services • Dedicated Faculty Advisor • Academic goals, additional prior learning • Dedicated Student Accounts and Financial Aid reps • Deferred billing assistance • Partnership Director • Faculty liaison, CEO interaction as needed Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

10. Dynamic Retention Strategies • Student Orientation • Expectations, DePaul processes, introduce faculty • Faculty Orientation • Expectations, student dynamics, Police Academy facility, coordination with paired instructor • Academic Advisor Support • Degree progress, registration, substitutions Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

11. Program Success Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

12. Lessons Learned • Resource intensive recruitment process • Widespread “corporate” pool • 3 watches; 25 districts; probationary periods • Curriculum adjustments • Summer job responsibilities • Event response • World Series, high profile trials, city activities • On-ground/Hybrid/Online courses • Varied approach, faculty awareness of population • Celebrate milestones Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

13. Closing/Q&A Questions? Contact information: Scott Gabbert: sgabbert@depaul.edu Shirley Bono: sbono@depaul.edu Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University