1. 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

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. Closing/Q&A
Questions? Contact information: Scott Gabbert: Shirley Bono:
Scott Gabbert and Shirley Bono, School for New Learning, DePaul University