The fall 2017 semester began with the arrival of the largest incoming class in Springfield College history. This speaks loudly about the value of a Springfield College degree in a region replete with numerous competing higher education organizations.

“It’s a very competitive market,” explained Stuart Jones, vice president for enrollment management. “There are 536 colleges and universities in New England and New York.” 

Most of Springfield College’s students come from these seven states, causing competition for a dwindling share of college-bound students.

To help ensure the long-term stability of the College, a group of alumni have partnered with Springfield College to pilot a model aimed at increasing student enrollment in out-of-region markets by leveraging key relationships with alumni and like-minded organizations. 

Hatching a Plan

Rip Van Camp ’54 has been interested in recruitment since he first became a Trustee in 1968. In 1998, he spearheaded a board-led campaign that raised more than $1 million to attract students from outside the Northeast. 

Retired from the Board, Van Camp keeps in touch with Jones regarding expansion strategies, and began exploring creative ways to engage prospective students. 

A recent alumni survey revealed that alumni are eager to volunteer for new opportunities that promote their alma mater, and Van Camp began to connect the dots in North Carolina, a “growth” state where the high school population could increase by as much as 10 percent.

Van Camp, from Lopez Island, Wash., has contacts in North Carolina, where he previously lived. Those connections include the YMCA of Northwestern North Carolina (Y of NWNC), where he served on its board and is a donor; and the Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, where his son, an attorney, runs a successful youth football program. 

“We piloted a wellness program with the high school football team at Pinecrest in 2016,” Van Camp said. “This pilot introduced an entire school to Springfield College, and we had three students who enrolled.”

Finding Help

Among the growing number of North Carolina alumni are Jon Reidy ’16 and Samantha Heery ’15. Reidy and Heery have been passionate about increasing awareness of Springfield College since they moved to Winston-Salem in 2016. 

   “I had a great college experience and it’s part of our obligation as alumni to share that, to go into our community and serve others. Part of that is creating more people who can go out and serve their communities. I think that falls right in line with our mission,” said Reidy.

   After Van Camp’s introductions, Reidy began meeting with Y of NWNC staff to identify prospective students who demonstrate qualities indicating a good fit for Springfield College, qualities like the ability to leave home, interest in a specific major, and co-curricular engagement, such as the YMCA Club. For the Y of NWNC, it’s an opportunity to educate potential future leaders in the Y movement, an educational hallmark of Springfield College for more than 130 years. 

Reidy and Heery also visit local schools and are planning grassroots alumni events to connect with other alumni who share their passion for Springfield College and the goal of expanding the College’s brand. 

Extra Motivation

Scholarship support plays a critical role in an out-of-region student’s decision to attend Springfield College, and here Van Camp has been instrumental as well, helping to create a fund to assist North Carolina students, matching alumni gifts up to $20,000, and endowing a scholarship designated for North Carolina students to attend Springfield College. 

The YMCA matching scholarship program at Springfield College also provides incentive for a prospective student. The College will match up to $5,000 in scholarship support provided by a YMCA to help support a student. 

“My concern is always the long term. By leveraging key assets … we can create a sustainable model,” said Van Camp. “If we are successful in North Carolina, which I would call a beta site, this can be replicated in other places.” 

Even Noah Delisle ’20 and Jacob Dye ’20, recipients of the North Carolina scholarship who are currently enrolled at Springfield College, promote the College every time they return home to Southern Pines.

Van Camp hopes to recruit five students from North Carolina for the fall 2018 semester and build a sustainable base of scholarship support. Anyone interested in helping with the North Carolina initiative are encouraged to contact the Office of Development at (413) 748-3124