Regional Representatives:
How do you get them
& what do they do?
Moderator: Kathy McSherry, Eastern Illinois University, CARR Chairperson
Presenters: Megan O’Rourke, Butler University, CARR 2nd Luncheon Chair
Christine Grotzke, Michigan Technological University, CARR Treasurer
Kelli Allen, Iowa State University, CARR Secretary
Traci Flowers-Davis, Hawai’i Pacific University, CARR Technology & Publications Chair
Courtney Wallace, Missouri University of Science &Technology, CARR Membership Chair
Jennifer Buxton, University of Missouri, CARR Professional Development & Outreach Chair
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Myths About Regional Reps
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They watch Oprah all day…
They are never available
They are ONLY road warriors
They never have to work weekends
They are disconnected from campus and what goes
on
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Definition of a Regional Rep
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Work from home (home office)
Admissions is the primary profession
Live in the area of primary recruitment
Individual or Institution a member of State/Regional
ACAC and/or NACAC
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Responsibilities of Regional Reps
• Full Time versus Part Time
– 88.7%* of CARR Members are full-time
– 11.3%* of CARR Members are part-time ( 6-8
months or 9-11 months)
• Varied in territories
– From ¼ of the Chicagoland area to the whole
Midwest
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Responsibilities of Regional Reps
• High School Visits
– Our members report a range from 1-20 visits per
academic year to over 200 with the most common
being :
81-100 - 21.4%*
101-150 – 26.8%*
151-200 – 21.4%*
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Responsibilities of Regional Reps
• College Night Programs
– Our members report attending between 1-20 to
over 200 per academic year with the most
common being:
21 – 40 37.5%*
41-60 39.3%*
61-80 14.3%*
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Responsibilities of Regional Reps
• Other Duties
-Receptions (68.5%*)
-Classroom Presentations
(57.4%*)
-Alumni (55.6%*)
-Counselor Tours and visits
(46.3%*)
-Read applications (44.6%*)
-Bus/Van trips to campus
(42.6%*)
-Group Visits (37%*)
-Interviews (35.2%*)
-Parent Networking
(18.5%*)
- Publications (11.1%*)
- Transfer Coordinator
(5.6%*)
-Summer Programs, Phone
calls, and MUCH MORE!
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Proposing a Regional Rep
Estimate of Budget Requirements for Regional Rep:
$40,000
$12,400
$ 5,500
$11,000
$ 9,000
$ 4,000
$ 1,500
$ 3,000
$ 1,100
$ 3,000
$10,000
$ 700
$ 1,800
$ 480
Salary (Remember the cost of living in urban areas is much higher than others. )
Benefits (31% of salary)
Anticipated Comp Time Pay Out (May not apply based on your institution.)
Car Rental & Insurance
4-5 weeks travel in fall AND spring (gas, hotels, etc.)
Office set-up: computer, chair, file cabinet, copier, fax, scanner, etc.
Marketing/Advertising of new position
New events in region
Cell phone & annual service
Additional search name purchases
Additional printing and postage
Internet/Fax annual services
Storage Unit
Parking/I-Pass (Could be significantly higher in city of Chicago. It’s normal to
expect $100-$250/month depending on location. )
$ 1,000
Copy Service and Miscellaneous (GPS, AAA membership, etc)
$104, 480 ESTIMATED TOTAL
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Power of Proximity
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Increase student and community contacts
Build Familiarity with Region
Increase Travel
Results
– Increase diversity
– Commitment to far away constituents
– Added Visibility
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Realistic Expectations
• Delegate Results
– Trust Instincts
– Create opportunities within region
– Foster creativity & enthusiasm
• Community Involvement (Stay Active)
– Regional Organization (like CARR)
– State/Regional ACAC
– NACAC
• The Three Year Plan
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Realistic Expectations
( 3 years to success)
• Year One
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–
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• Year Three
Office Set up
Learn territory
Connect with counselors
Visit, visit, visit! Exposure!
Slight increase in apps and
enrollment
• Year Two
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Refine Travel
Focus on Spring Yield Events
Year End Report
Increase applications 20-50%
– Streamline travel
– Host counselor events, info
sessions
– Partner with HS counselors
– Year End Reports with trends
– New Projects
• Alumni Admissions
• Online Newsletters
• Live Chat
– Budget
– Maintain applications, work
on increasing yield
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Example of New Territory
1997-2010 – Regional introduced in 2000
120
100
80
60
midwest
40
20
0
97
99
'01
'03
'05
'07
'09
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Communication & Accountability
• Communicate regularly with a direct supervisor (47.3%*
report to the Director)
• Designate a “go-to” person on campus
• Participate in regular meetings (84.8%* do so via
Conference Call) & staff retreats (82.1%* participate)
• Find a regular reporting and evaluation structure that
mirrors on-campus staff
• A regional rep is just that…regional! Goals and tasks
should reflect that.
– 48.2%* every other month or less
– 78.6%* once a month or less
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Characteristics of a Good Reg. Rep.
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Self-motivated
Independent-learner
Good communicator
Organization, Organization, Organization
Strong support system in & out of admissions
– 93%* of membership members of IACAC
– 59.6%* are members of NACAC
– 50.9%* are member of an IACAC or NACAC committee
• Knowledge of the admission process
– 56.1%* have been an area rep less than 4 years
– 70%* have been in admissions 5 years or more
– 61.4%* are NOT an alumnus of the school they represent
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Ups & Downs of Being a Reg. Rep.
Pros
Cons
• Autonomy
• Doing something different
every few months
• The students!
• Using creativity in
recruitment plans and goals
for the year
• Flexibility!
• Perception that regional reps
don’t do anything
• Loneliness/Feeling forgotten
by campus
• Lack of communication from
campus
• Amount of travel can be
tedious
• Lack of understanding of what
a regional is and what that
position needs
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Words of Wisdom
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org
Questions?
*All percentages given in this presentation were taken
from the CARR 2010-2011 survey. 62 members
participated. Leave your business card with us to be
sent the complete survey results via email.
Chicago Area Regional Representatives
Carrnet.org