Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the CTAC And Enrollment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
University pushes CTAC launch and marketing effort as enrollment lags
Summary
Missouri Western plans staff hires to operate the CTAC, continues fundraising with several recent pledges, and has contracted a marketing firm to boost enrollment after orientation and registration figures trailed last year.
Missouri Western State University told the Board of Governors it is preparing to take over operations of the Convergent Technology Center (CTAC) in July, will add two physical‑plant staff roles to support the facility, and is pursuing additional private fundraising to support operations and programming as enrollment lags.
Daniel Holt said the university expects to assume CTAC operations around July 22 and plans two hires—an assistant and a director—to run scheduling, operations, equipment readiness and coordination with academic and community partners. "We're really focusing these two positions," Holt said, adding that physical plant staff already familiar with the building will help speed startup.
Mark Archambault, representing the Missouri Western State University Foundation, said fundraising momentum for CTAC has produced nearly 20 local industry partners and several recent commitments, including gifts in the tens of thousands and near‑final paperwork for a $100,000 commitment; a prospective donor is discussing a $250,000 gift. Archambault also described a Foundation effort to raise $250,000 over 10 years for branding opportunities at a Children's Discovery Center.
Enrollment and marketing leaders said they are working to improve yield from admitted students. Doctor Putt (Enrollment Management) said 450 students had enrolled for fall at the time of the report and that orientation and outreach efforts remain a priority. Tamela Wagner (Marketing & Communications) described a brand and market analysis with an outside agency (referred to in the meeting as Udall) that completed internal and external scans and focus groups; the firm will return recommendations in July to inform targeted recruitment messaging.
Board members raised questions about prior marketing engagements and stressed the need to balance volume with student success in recruitment. Administrators said the RFP selected a regional provider with a smaller client set and plans to use the university’s recruitment staff as the final enrollment touchpoint to improve yield and retention.
