Marketing, Recruitment & Admissions

SPS Admissions & Marketing

The Office of Admissions is composed of five functional areas— Marketing, Admissions Recruitment, Admissions Specialist, Admissions Operations, and International Partnerships—that work collaboratively across master’s, non-degree, and pre-college programs. Together, these teams attract, engage, and enroll prospective students, serving as the primary point of contact from initial interest and first inquiry through application review and commitment. Admissions Recruitment, Admissions Specialist, and Admissions Operations are structured with dedicated teams supporting the MS, Non-Degree, and Pre College populations.

Admissions partners closely with Academic Affairs, Student Financial Planning, International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO), and Advising to ensure a smooth transition from applicant to student, formally handing off newly committed students approximately one month prior to course registration. 

Additionally, Admissions oversees international partnerships, collaborating closely with the Director of Contracts to move Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) from negotiation to execution.

Marketing, Recruitment & Admissions

The Marketing team engages with prospective students worldwide, to raise awareness of SPS and its programs, and to encourage them to take their first steps toward starting and submitting an application.

Here's how we do that:

  • Develop and manage distinct Marketing plans for every master's program, Summer Session, Visiting Student Programs, Pre-College Programs, and the American Language Program.
  • Create campaigns that include email marketing, paid search, all ad types (including social media, print, radio, and transit), list rentals and buys, and direct buys with third parties (such as websites and newsletters).
  • Build analytical dashboards and reports to track campaign effectiveness and identify growth areas that help guide our strategy.
  • Partner with external agencies, vendors, and contractors to supplement our in-house efforts.
  • Collaborate with SPS leadership, program leadership, and the Admissions and Recruiting teams.

 

Primary Contact:

Debbie Lambert: Assistant Dean, Marketing and Continuing Education, [email protected]

Admissions Recruitment

The Admissions Recruitment team serves as the front line of engagement for prospective students, building relationships from initial inquiry through enrollment. Their work focuses on strategic outreach, education, and personalized guidance across all program populations.

  • Engage prospective students from first contact through commitment via one-on-one advising and ongoing digital communication
  • Plan and deliver both in-person and virtual recruitment programming, including information sessions, SPS Open House, Admitted Student Day, and CU Employee Information Sessions
  • Partner with academic programs to support events that function as recruitment opportunities
  • Recruit domestically and internationally through virtual outreach, travel, fairs, high school visits, university visits, industry events, and nurturing institutional partnerships.
  • Build relationships with school counselors to create pipelines of students from strategic schools, both domestically and internationally
  • Partner closely with SPS marketing, SPS Creative, SPS Media to created printed materials, on-demand videos, and marketing campaigns to disseminate information to prospective students

The primary goal of the Admissions team is to assess applications meticulously and enroll the most highly qualified students. The team manages the entire admissions process, ensuring that all necessary application materials are submitted in compliance with University standards. Through efficient processes and close collaboration with academic teams, the Admissions team supports the enrollment of a diverse and highly qualified student body.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Process applications, prescreen them against the admissions rubric for initial evaluation by the admissions committee, and ensure timely final decisions.
  • Collaborate with academic program teams to assist in their review of applications, maintaining strict adherence to University guidelines.
  • Ensure completion of all application materials and support the program review process in a timely manner.
  • Engage with prospective students through personalized guidance, conducting application reviews, and maintaining communication throughout the admissions process.
  • Address and troubleshoot potential system issues to ensure accuracy in admissions decision information across all platforms.

The primary goal of the Admissions Operations team is to manage everything application-related for the School of Professional Studies. This team owns the Slate Admissions system, builds applications, creates reports and queries, sends applicant-related emails, and trains all Slate users. This team also oversees the review of all applications for validity and compliance with University Minimum Guidelines. This team works with all other Admissions teams as well as market, advising, SPS Analytics, SPS Finance, and program teams.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Receive, validate, and process all admissions materials - test scores, transcripts, recommendations, etc.
  • Review all applications for validity and compliance.
  • Manage registration holds - transcripts, verification, compliance with Admit to ALP requirements, etc.
  • Partner with Advising to ensure smooth onboarding and registration for new students.
  • Own and provide training and support for the entire Slate admissions system.
  • Partner with SPS Finance on fellowship and deposit tracking and allocations.

International partnerships play a key role in supporting the University’s global recruitment and enrollment goals. These partnerships help expand the institution’s reach, strengthen relationships with international organizations, and create pathways for prospective students.

The Business Manager oversees the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) process for international partnerships. This includes coordinating with internal stakeholders and the Director of Contracts to guide partnership agreements through review, approval, and execution. 

The Admissions team works collaboratively throughout this process by identifying potential partners, supporting relationship development, and providing insight into recruitment needs and priorities. Together, these efforts help build sustainable partnerships that enhance global engagement and student recruitment outcomes.