Adelphi University has been awarded a 2019 American Association of University Administrators Exemplary Models Award for personalizing the enrollment process. The award will be presented at the AAUA leadership seminar on June 7 in Detroit.
Each year, the AAUA Exemplary Models Awards recognize outstanding examples of college and university leadership that demonstrate creative solutions to common problems in higher education. Adelphi was recognized for its unique method of personalizing enrollment and dedication to making prospective students feel welcome.
Adelphi’s campaign, Personalizing the Enrollment Process, was created to address the changing demographics, declining counts of high school graduates, and increased competition across the higher education enrollment landscape.
These efforts include the university’s ongoing person-to-person approach to education, small classes of 21 or fewer, and a strong commitment to diversity, particularly involving first-generation college students, veterans, LGBTQ students, and students with autism spectrum disorder — all in a highly individualized and personalized manner.
In the first year of the initiative, Adelphi received 13,006 applications for the class of 2022, an increase of 9.7 percent over the previous year, and the entering first-year class of 1,245 was the largest in university history. It was also the second-most diverse class ever, with 46.3 percent identifying as nonwhite.
“Winning this award is a testament to the university-wide efforts and commitment to truly personalizing the student journey,” said Stephanie Espina, Adelphi director of freshman admissions. “We know firsthand that our students receive personalized care and attention throughout their entire Adelphi experience and we’re so grateful for everyone in the university community, including current students and faculty who have contributed to and supported this initiative.”
Last year, the National Research Center for College and University Admissions also recognized Adelphi for its personalized enrollment campaign with an Eduventures 2018 Innovation Award.
