Niagara College’s Student Recruitment team has a way of thinking outside of the box to connect with prospective students. On February 1, the team pulled off its third consecutive Offer Blitz, surprising 85 NC applicants from across Ontario with special gift boxes delivered right to their doorsteps.
You've got mail ✉️📦! Keep an eye out this morning as a special NC offer box may show up on your doorstep.
If you're one of the lucky recipients, be sure to enter our grand prize contest. Contest details will be found on your box! #myNCstory #DreamBIG pic.twitter.com/H1ezWRn4Pr
— Niagara College (@niagaracollege) February 1, 2021
The campaign, which typically involves college staff canvassing the homes of select applicants, was reinvented during COVID-19 to adhere to public health guidelines.
Acceptance letters, NC swag, and for 33 students, their $1,000 Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) scholarship offers, were boxed up and mailed to applicants from areas including Niagara, Hamilton, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Central Ontario, Haldimand/Norfolk, Oxford/Elgin, London, Brantford and Southwestern Ontario.
“Over the last two years, the Offer Blitz was designed to have recruitment and other support staff from Niagara College and SAC personally deliver offer packages, along with congratulatory gifts and offers of SHSM scholarships, to the homes of selected applicants,” said Phil Hayes, associate director of Student Recruitment. “In lieu of the pandemic, the program was redesigned to maintain the objective of leveraging social media engagement and to also manage both the safety of our staff and applicants.”
In previous years, NC has documented its Offer Blitz adventures through its social media channels, sharing stories, photos and videos that capture the excitement of students and their families. This year, with staff unable to hand-deliver offers, the applicants who received surprise boxes were encouraged to share their “unboxing” experiences on their own social platforms.
The lucky recipients were also invited to an exclusive Zoom reception later in the day for a chance to win a grand prize and as an opportunity to virtually connect with college staff.
The reception, which was attended by 32 applicants, included inspiring messages from NC president Sean Kennedy, who described aspects of the NC DNA, and NCSAC president Tom Price, who highlighted how NCSAC supports student success both inside and outside of the classroom. Applicants were also able to attend breakout sessions with recruitment staff to find out about next steps before embarking on their NC journeys.
“During these times of working remotely, shifting processes and just plain more challenges, I am so proud of the innovative creativity from our Marketing and Recruitment team members as well as the collaboration with Admissions, NCSAC and the President’s Office to execute such an authentic engagement opportunity,” said Hayes.
NC’s Student Recruitment team continues to adapt its methods during COVID-19 to show prospective students what makes the College so unique. Virtual College Exploration Sessions and a variety of webinars and online events, including NC’s Virtual Open House, are available for students interested in learning more.
