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Community College of Rhode Island
Sleepless in CCRI's Enrollment Services
Enrollment Marathon in Warwick brings new students to CCRI
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| Potential students listen intently while Rob Giovino conducts an information session during the 60-hour Enrollment Services Marathon. |
It was a radical, but innovative idea, born of a staff asking themselves what they could do to boost enrollment, while showing the community at large their commitment to students. For 60 consecutive hours in early January, 20 CCRI Enrollment Services staffers in Warwick manned their department around the clock, helping 96 new students apply, others start the process, and even more simply register for classes at their convenience.
The event drew television and newspaper coverage, but more importantly, it drew students like a woman from Foster, R.I., who heard about the event on the radio four times that day. The single mother of two and factory worker drove to CCRI in the middle of the night and enrolled in the administrative assistant program. Notes Rob Giovino, financial aid/admissions officer, "She told me, ‘I’ve wanted to do this my whole life, and the marathon got me here.’ It was the unusual circumstances that got her to take a step that will change her life." Giovino was in large part responsible for these unusual circumstances, having suggested the idea for the marathon in a staff brainstorming session a couple of weeks before.
Manning the helm for the entire time were Giovino and Assistant Dean of Enrollment Services John Panzica, who managed to sleep a total of five & eight hours, respectively, Panzica huddling up on chairs in the waiting area, and Giovino camped out in a sleeping bag in his office. Also on hand were Michael Poindexter, vice president of student affairs, who stayed for most of the marathon, and 20 staff who volunteered more than 100 hours above their regular shifts. Giovino had to be pressured to sleep by his colleagues, who dubbed him "marathon man" for his energy and commitment. Other departments also pitched in, including Pat White from business affairs.
Each member of the group is quick to point out that the experience benefited staff as well; each of them drew satisfaction from knowing their efforts were making a dramatic difference for so many students. Enrollment services staff member Janet Vigorito, for example, enjoyed having more focused time with students who came in off-hours. Senior Admissions Officer Mike Hynes pointed out, "It is a different experience to help someone register at 1 a.m. The students who came in weren’t goofing around; they were serious about enrolling and anxious to have their classes set for the semester. The reaction I often heard was ‘Wow, you really are open.’ "
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| CCRI staff from Enrollment Services and other related departments who volunteered their time to staff the Enrollment Marathon were (back row, left-right): Pat White, Cathy Tessier, Michael Poindexter, John Panzica, Mike Hynes, Jessica White. Middle row (left-right): Janet Vigorito, Pat O’Brien, Christine Jenkins, Rob Giovino, Rena Salvas. Seated (left-right): Ruby Morris-Jones, Pat Moore, Terri Kless, Adrienne Taylor. Not pictured: Gail Erinakes, Karlene Kreuter. Special thanks to Dean Becky Yount for providing T-shirts for the volunteers. |
Both Panzica and Giovino say the marathon went by quickly and, miraculously, with minimal coffee consumption, and noted that there was steady business up to midnight each evening. In addition, the marathon also boosted traffic during normal business hours. The $20 application fee was waived throughout the event.
For many students, noted Panzica, everything could be done in one visit, without waiting. In total, 41 one-hour information sessions were conducted. Sixteen of those were between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. In addition to the 96 new applicants, the registration counter was busy after hours from 7 a.m. until midnight each night, with some night owls taking advantage of the opportunity to enroll at later hours like 3 a.m.
Summing up, Panzica was most proud of the participation of staff. "To have such a significant number pitch in and give of their own free time demonstrates how much the staff cares about CCRI students." What was the reaction of others? "Some said we were innovative. Others said we were crazy," noted Panzica, with a smile.
Vice President of Student Affairs Michael Poindexter also clocked a lot of hours, personally meeting and greeting students. "I’d like to commend the staff, particularly Rob Giovino," commented Poindexter. "Events like this one set a trend for strategies that are new and creative—providing what our students would want, rather than operating within the norm. We’re listening to students’ voices." Poindexter recalls one student couldn’t stop talking about her excitement over the unconventional hours. "She had been waiting to enroll for a long time and our being open allowed her to do it."
Goody bags, pizza, sandwiches, soda, candy, coffee and team t-shirts were provided by leadership, other departments, and spouses and friends. Poindexter concludes, "It was a great team building exercise and a great example for others that they can have a good idea that becomes reality."
"Often the students we interview are at a crossroads in their lives," adds Giovino. "The Enrollment Marathon spurred them to act. For many it was a defining, transformational moment, a chance for them to say ‘no excuses, I’m going to do it.’ Helping people start on a path that will change their lives is what we do every day."
