Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono Recruiting and Retaining Professional Cohort Students: A Case Study of DePaul University’s Work with the Chicago Police Department Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono School for New Learning DePaul University

History/Context DePaul and School for New Learning (SNL) Corporate Employer Outreach (CEO) Importance of onsite cohorts Partnering with Chicago-based businesses Delivering customized education onsite Awarding Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) for Police Academy Training Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Program Success Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Recruitment/Lead Generation Why it Works… Maximize Established Benefits Tuition reimbursement (2 courses per term) Advancement (highest rank available without BA/BS is Sergeant) Customized institutional features Deferred billing Class meetings one day/week (same each term) Mirrored class schedule, hybrid format Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Inter-departmental Collaboration CEO staff interface with Police/FOP SNL advisor interfaces with students Enrollment Management point person SNL Onsite Partnership Director (faculty relations, etc.) All parties engage in bi-weekly check-in calls Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Recruitment Strategies Events: Information sessions, Roll Calls, Information tables Publications: Flyers, Magazine ads, Alumni magazine, postcard drops Personal: Admission and advisor contact Referrals: Word of mouth from current cohort students Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Retention Why it Works… Maximize benefits “Closed cohort” model Tuition deferment Customized features to ease processes Pre-designed curriculum Mirrored schedule Advisor guides and directs enrollment Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Curriculum Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Inter-departmental Collaboration Dedicated Academic Advisor Degree completion; University services Dedicated Faculty Advisor Academic goals, additional prior learning Dedicated Student Accounts and Financial Aid reps Deferred billing assistance Partnership Director Faculty liaison, CEO interaction as needed Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Dynamic Retention Strategies Student Orientation Expectations, DePaul processes, introduce faculty Faculty Orientation Expectations, student dynamics, Police Academy facility, coordination with paired instructor Academic Advisor Support Degree progress, registration, substitutions Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Program Success Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Lessons Learned Resource intensive recruitment process Widespread “corporate” pool 3 watches; 25 districts; probationary periods Curriculum adjustments Summer job responsibilities Event response World Series, high profile trials, city activities On-ground/Hybrid/Online courses Varied approach, faculty awareness of population Celebrate milestones Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University

Closing/Q&A Questions? Contact information: Scott Gabbert: sgabbert@depaul.edu Shirley Bono: sbono@depaul.edu Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University