The Power of Sports in Higher Ed: Boosting Enrollment and Engagement

Successful college athletic programs do much more than entertain—they drive significant increases in applications and enrollment, while elevating a school’s brand and community engagement. In this episode, the pivotal role athletics plays in higher education is addressed from recruitment to retention and beyond.Show Notes:Dr. Susan Kolb is Director of Athletics at Hood College, who boosted student athlete enrollment by 53% since 2018.Magnolia Powers is a recent Northwestern University graduate and member of the 2021 National Championship field hockey team, who was awarded the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.In this episode, we explore:Recruitment Success: Strategies that led to significant increases in student athlete enrollment.Brand Impact: How athletic achievements elevate a school’s brand and engage the community.Women in Sports: The challenges and opportunities facing female athletes today.Cultivating Community and Belonging: Balancing Academics and Athletics: Insights on maintaining academic excellence while pursuing athletic success.Fostering Belonging: How being part of a team can enhance students’ sense of belonging and community on campus.