Anna Maria College Enrolls Largest Class Ever

John W. Dysart
President
The Dysart Group, Inc.

Dr. Jack Calareso has never been afraid of a challenge. He has a record of literally transforming colleges and universities by growing enrollment, expanding academic and co-curricular offerings, growing physical plants and improving academic quality.

I had provided enrollment management consultation services to Dr. Calareso at his two previous schools were he was able to reposition and succesfully market them for new economic realities and changing demographics. I looked forward to a collaboration to take another college to the next level.

As the new President at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts, Jack was tasked with making significant changes at yet another institution.

Anna Maria College has always been a successful institution located in a somewhat rural area just twenty miles outside of Worcestor and about an hour’s drive from Boston.

We began by conducting an enrollment audit to reconsider every aspect of the recruitment and financial aid opreations. This audit considered the new long-term strategic plan drafted by the leadership team of the College in consultation with the Board of Trustees. Many changers were implemented and enhancements to curricular and co-curricular offerings were made.

The recruitment and financial aid plans were altered and athletic programs were introduced. Staff development and training resulted in greater accountability and production. Paula Green was tapped to provide leadership for the model. Several expensive publications in the recruitment process were replaced with communication mechanisms relying on the latest technologies. While wholesale change is never easy, administrators and staff readily accepted the new tactics and the results were impressive.

• The number of freshman applications for admission more than doubled compared to the previous year. Quite an accomplishment during a period of near historic economic downturns. Freshman applications increased 102%.
• Transfer applications increased 178%. While the “experts” predicted a return to low-priced public colleges and universities, AMC experienced historic increases in demand.
• New transfer student deposits increased by 68% compared to last year.
• Freshman deposits grew 61% compared to the same time last year.
• Residence Halls were filled to capacity and the College was forced to initiate a waitlist for the first time in its history.
• The growth in applications enabled the institution to be more selective. Anna Maria College increased the number of students denied admission by 141%.

While growth in this cycle has been encouraging, Dr. Calareso is already discussing goals for next year to increase full-time, undergraduate enrollment even more.