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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 03/20/2006

Admissions Professionals from Top Colleges and Universities Author Courses for Center for Enrollment LeadershipSM

Training and Professional Development Provided for College Admissions Counselors

Lee’s Summit, MO, March 21, 2006 –The Center for Enrollment LeadershipSM (CEL), a pioneer in the creation and provision of online courses for training new admissions counselors, announced members of its Enrollment Leadership Council™, a group of carefully selected senior admissions professional recruited to develop the core content of the Admissions Counselor Basic Training coursework.

“We are thrilled that professionals from many of the top colleges and universities have agreed to become members of the Council,” said Jay Munce, President of CEL. “They have developed a set a curriculum that provides new admissions counselors the foundation they will need to be an effective member of their admissions teams for years to come.”

“We went directly to frontline professionals who know and understand the environment. The end result is a set of best practices curriculum that now gives new counselors the foundation they’ll need to be an effective member of their admissions team,” said Jay Munce, President of CEL.

Specialists in instructional design and adult learning then skillfully mapped the Enrollment Leadership Council content for use in an online learning environment.

“We are thrilled to have so many authors with such great experience to help build our curriculum,” said Munce.

Author Maryelizabeth Amico	Title Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Admissions	College/University The College of Saint Rose
Mary Beth Carey	Dean of Admissions and Financial Services	Drew University
Chris Domes	Vice President for Enrollment Management	Marymount University
Sean Kaylor	Vice President of Admissions and Enrollment Planning	Marist College
Steve Kerge	Associate Dean of Admissions and Operations	New York Institute of Technology
Jay Leiendecker	Vice President Enrollment Services Associate	Dean College
Christopher Lydon	Vice President for Admission and Enrollment Planning	Providence College
Jim Mackin	Director of Admissions	Moravian College
Bob McLendon	Vice President for Administration and Marketing	Mars Hill College
Peter Miller	Vice President for Admission Services	American International University
Dr. Andrew Roth	President	Notre Dame College
Joe Russo	Director of Student Financial Strategies	University of Notre Dame
Dan Saracino	Assistant Provost for Enrollment	University of Notre Dame
Lew Stival	Dean of College Counseling	Blair Academy
Beverly Henry Wheeler	Regional Representative from Dallas	University of Tulsa
Rick Zeiser	Dean of Admissions	University of Hartford

Admissions counselors will benefit from the use of CEL’s Admissions Counselor Basic Training (ACBT) program; an internet-based curriculum designed to provide training and professional development for both entry-level admissions personnel and others involved in the student recruitment process. ACBT can be tailored by individual admissions offices to help target their specific needs.

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The Center for Enrollment Leadership (CEL) has, for the past two years, been developing online coursework for admissions professionals. Admissions Counselor Basic Training (ACBT) is a dynamic on-line training program for admissions counselors and support staff developed by the Center for Enrollment Leadership. CEL is an affiliate company of NRCCUA, the leading organization connecting young people and their families with colleges and universities around the country. More information is available at www.enrollmentleadership.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2/08/2006

COLLEGE WEB SITE GETS HIGH RANKING

The Lenoir-Rhyne Web site was ranked in the top 100 of almost 3,000 higher education Web sites evaluated by the National Research Center for College and University Admissions. The sites were evaluated by high school students making a college choice. Important criteria included the prominence of an admissions link, admissions page appeal, online access to application materials, ability to pay fees online, helpful links to college entrance sites, ease of navigation and the ability to contact the admissions office.

Lenoir-Rhyne was ranked 92 on the list. Other North Carolina institutions to make the top 100 were Wake Forest University, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Charlotte and Mars Hill.

L-R webmaster Gary Broyhill
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12/29/2005

Achieving Diversity on Campus: A Better Approach
By Don Munce

The recent passing of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks reminds Americans of the long struggle we have undertaken to achieve true equity in our country — how far we have come and how far we have to go. Rosa Parks’ decision to stay seated paved the way for others to stand up for their rights. In that mold, we can view our commitment to creating truly multicultural college and university campuses as an investment in future diverse communities. Student bodies that are inclusive and represent the spectrum of cultures in this country greatly enhance the experiences and the potential of our young people.

The landmark Grutter v. Bollinger Supreme Court decision in 2003 affirming the value of racial diversity in university admissions opened the doors of opportunity to many students who might otherwise have been left out. But celebrating that decision is not the same as putting it into action. Current outreach and recruitment efforts often fail to identify and recruit the very students for whom the decision was meant to benefit.

The challenge is to raise awareness of the current practices that result in the under-representation of certain groups of students, and to provide colleges and universities with tools to bring greater diversity to their admissions systems.

The process of developing a campus’s student body begins long before admissions applications are submitted. Enrollment officers begin building their classes two to three years in advance. The decisions they make about the various admissions criteria are critical. They open doors to some young people, and close them for others; often those who already have too few viable options.

Research indicates that colleges and universities under-select students from groups that are already underrepresented on campus and tend to over-select from groups that are already represented in disproportionate numbers.

The net result is that these recruitment efforts — while most often well-intentioned — are actually squeezing out some of the students who could most benefit from balanced diversity outreach.

Colleges and universities tend to focus on students with stellar high school GPAs. To a certain extent, this is a reasonable approach, since high school GPA is among the most reliable predictors of college performance. But by focusing admissions efforts on GPA, to the detriment of other considerations, diversity suffers and capable students are overlooked, undersolicited and underrepresented.

These include male students, students from lower-income households and those from every racial demographic except Asians and Whites. Research shows that the average high school female is more likely to receive information from colleges and universities than her male counterpart, despite the well-documented campus gender imbalance favoring females. A White high school student is more than twice as likely to receive information from postsecondary institutions than a Black or Latino student.

Data also show that colleges are still more likely to send information to White and Asian students than to Black and Hispanic ones, even when all the students have similar family incomes and academic standings. On almost every comparison scale, those populations with the lowest enrollment figures are the ones least likely to receive information about postsecondary education: Students with lower GPAs, males, non-Asian minorities and individuals from households with annual incomes of less than $50,000.

Are schools intentionally seeking more female students and fewer minorities? Clearly they are not. Rather, colleges and universities may not be taking into account the relationship between different demographic variables and how these affect their recruitment results. The good news is that even modest adjustments in these criteria can expand the pool of potential students. For instance, revising the GPA cutoff from A- to B+ doubles the percentage of African-Americans selected. Research shows that other, similar correlations exist. These factors can and should be used to bring admissions outreach to far more potential students — good students who can succeed in college and who want a chance at getting ahead.

There are answers to the challenge of diversity in admissions. But sometimes those answers require trade-offs. Sometimes they require difficult and sophisticated data analysis. They also at times conflict with other realities, such as a limited number of slots available for a large number of potential applicants, funding cutbacks that eliminate remedial programs, the pressure to maintain high rankings among competing institutions and others. However, it is clear that universities and colleges can maximize search options and meet their institutional goals by abandoning one-dimensional approaches and honing recruitment strategies to make the promise of achieving diversity a reality.

© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12/15/2005

TRANSYLVANIA'S WEB SITE FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS RATED NO. 1
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/local/13410814.htm

By Art Jester
HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT
December 15, 2005

Transylvania University's Web site for prospective students has been ranked No. 1 in the country by a national education research organization.

Transylvania was top-ranked in the seventh annual Enrollment Power Index, an analysis by the National Research Center for College and University Admissions.

The admissions Web sites of more than 3,000 colleges and universities were evaluated.

Overall, the institutions were judged on their Web site's ability to take prospective students and help them become applicants.

The survey sent e-mails to more than 100,000 college-bound high school students, asking them to rate their top two admissions Web sites.

"Today, prospective college students are more focused on digital information than ever before," said Sarah Emmons, Transylvania's director of public relations. "In all likelihood, not a single student will apply to Transylvania next year without first perusing our Web site and the Web sites of competing institutions."

"It's important for prospective students to be able to find the answers to their questions in a matter of minutes. If they can't find what they're looking for, they move on."

Sarah Coen, Transylvania's director of admissions, said: "Students really like how easy our Web site is to navigate and how quickly they can find what they're looking for."

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On the Web

To see Transylvania's top-ranked Web site, go to www.transy.edu and click on "For Prospective Students."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12/14/2005

The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA®) Expands Executive Management Team

Industry Veteran Joins NRCCUA to Support Company Growth Though Development of Strategic Alliances

Lee’s Summit, Mo., December 9, 2005 - The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA®), the leading organization connecting young people and their families with colleges and universities around the country, announced the expansion of the company's executive team with the appointment of Ed Doody.

As Executive Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Doody will be responsible for developing relationships with organizations that are interested in helping students learn about opportunities in higher education and careers.

Mr. Doody, most recently of the QuanStar Group, brings over 30 years of growth leadership and management to NRCCUA.

Prior to QuanStar, Doody served as Executive Vice President of Conference & Exhibition Management for The Expo Group, an organizer of U.S. based interactive educational conferences. Serving as Senior Vice President of PGI, a full service event and communications agency, Doody developed a highly effective team of employees and independent contractors working together to manage events worldwide. Doody and his staff were responsible for 13 successful acquisitions in 3 years. Previously, Doody worked for Robert Bosch GmbH, the $55 billion automotive component manufacturer., where he gained international management exposure while based at Bosch's corporate headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.

"This appointment supports NRCCUA’s commitment to helping create a brighter future for America’s youth," stated Don Munce, President of NRCCUA. "We are very fortunate to have Ed on our Team."

Ed Doody earned a Baccalaureate degree in Mathematics from St. Mary's University, and participated in the University of Chicago's MBA Program.

Headquartered in the metropolitan Kansas City area, NRCCUA can be reached at 800-862-7759 or http://www.nrccua.org.

About NRCCUA

NRCCUA has been building educational bridges between college-bound high school students, high school counselors and college admissions officers for more than 34 years. Through our annual surveys, we gather information on student attitudes and educational plans from nearly 5.5 million students in over 20,000 public and private high schools nationally. The survey is voluntary and students participate at no cost. This valuable research is published and distributed to more than 1,000 member colleges and universities so they can better identify high school students who meet their institutions’ admission profiles. In addition to hearing from colleges and universities, students may also hear from non-profit and for-profit organizations offering educational opportunities such as college admissions services, financial aid, career information, extracurricular enrichment and recognition programs. Visit NRCCUA online at http://www.nrccua.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 11-28-2005

NAIA Unveils 2006 National Convention Sponsors

OLATHE, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is pleased to announce the 2006 NAIA National Convention Sponsors. The 2006 NAIA National Convention will be held April 6-10, 2006 at the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, California.

The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) has committed to presenting sponsorship for the 2006 Convention. NRCCUA’s identity will be highlighted throughout the convention and expressed through name association; special promotions; signage; announcement at the NAIA Opening Luncheon; and will be complimentary convention exhibitors. NRCCUA is a leading non-profit educational research organization based in Lee’s Summit, Mo.

“NRCCUA values the NAIA and its membership and is proud to sponsor the Annual NAIA National Convention” says Larry Erenberger, Vice President, National Projects. “The NAIA Convention allows us access to important decision makers on campus and we have always had success at the NAIA Convention.”

NRCCUA is instrumental in aiding NAIA member institutions with their enrollment services. NRCCUA gathers information from nearly 5.5 million high school students through more than 45,000 teachers and guidance counselors in more than 94% of the country’s public and private secondary schools to link with nearly 1,800 member colleges and universities.

Other companies that have committed to sponsoring events at the NAIA National Convention include: FTS Fleet, the Official Fleet Provider of the NAIA, sponsor of the Athletics Directors Association Business Meeting; Wilson Sporting Goods, the Official Softball of the NAIA, sponsor of the Fellowship Breakfast and the Women in the NAIA Social; Mutual of Omaha, the Official Catastrophic Athletics Injury Insurance Carrier of the NAIA, sponsor of the Awards Banquet; and American Home Mortgage, the Preferred Mortgage Lender of the NAIA, sponsor of the Presidents Forum. All sponsors will receive benefits including Web site exposure, logos printed on convention materials, signage at each respective event, complimentary exhibit booth space and other promotional items throughout the convention.

Each year, the NAIA National Convention serves as the nearly 300 member college and university-sports organization’s most important gathering, and is an opportunity for all NAIA members, councils and committees to discuss new legislation, plan for the future and honor those who have excelled throughout the previous year. Attendees will include Presidents, Athletics Directors, Faculty Athletics Representatives, Registrars, Conference Commissioners and Campus Character Representatives of the NAIA. For more information on the NAIA National Convention, visit http://naia.collegesports.com/member-services/about/convention.htm.

-NAIA-

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 09-20-2005

STUDY RATES COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ADMISSION WEBSITES

THE BEST SITES AT HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE AND SECURING STUDENTS

(Lee’s Summit, MO) – The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA®), the leading organization connecting young people and their families with colleges and universities around the country, today released its annual rankings of the admissions websites of more than 3,000 postsecondary institutions. The 7th annual Enrollment Power Index™ (EPI), a research-based analysis, rates how well the functionality and design of college and university websites provide information to potential students to take them from prospect to applicant.

This year, Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky has the highest-rated admissions website. Of the 3,039 postsecondary institutions whose sites were graded, less than a quarter earned A or B grades. The top 10 rated schools in alphabetical order were:

Capital University
Georgia Southwestern State University
Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne
James Madison University
Le Tourneau University
Lewis University
Salem College
Transylvania University
Trinity Christian College
University of New Orleans

“Prospective college students are very Internet-savvy, and they have come to expect the admissions sections of university websites to provide critical information to help them make decisions,” said Don Munce, President of NRCCUA. “If the sites don’t provide what they need, with the ease of navigation they expect, they’ll go elsewhere. A quality website can now be the difference between a lost prospect and a new student.”

Only 130 institutions received an A, 573 a B, 1363 a C, 620 a D, and 354 an F. No sites scored in the 90s on the 100-point scale, only a few scored in the 80s, and more than half earned scores in the 60s or 70s. Scores for the top 10 schools ranged from 88 to 86.

The highest rated school in the North region was Westminster Choir College of Rider, Capital University in the Midwest, Transylvania University in the South, and Le Tourneau University was the highest rated in the West. Lewis University was the top rated Catholic institution. (A full breakdown of the top ten institutions in these and other categories is available following this release.)

“While institutions now know their websites serve critical admissions functions, most don’t meet the full array of standards of what prospective students need,” said Munce. “Even the best sites fall short from meeting students’ requirements.”

EPI measures the ability of a college or university admissions website to take students from a prospect to applicant. It provides a detailed analysis of trends and clear indicators of what institutions can do to improve the effectiveness of their sites.

To identify the site features that have the most significant impact of potential students perception of the site, an email survey was sent to more than 100,000 college-bound high school students asking them to rate two admissions websites Next, over 3,000 sites were evaluated to identify functional features present on each site. Statistical tests were then used to identify the functional features that were important to students and their relative importance.

The study examined 28 different criteria that are divided into five main categories.

Prominence of an admissions office link on the institution’s home page (10.35 possible points).
Admissions web page design and ease of navigation (28.01 possible points).
Online access to admissions materials (14.4 possible points).
Additional admissions information (36.39 possible points).
Ability to contact the admissions office (10.85 possible points).

Trends on Features

Since the technology for admissions websites is constantly advancing and changing, so are the expectations of potential students on the type of information available to them. The EPI survey takes this into account as the research criteria are updated on a yearly basis to reflect changes in technology and the student’s expectations. Certain features, such as the ability to make online payments, have become standard but not universal and now carry less weight in the rating system.

This year’s research revealed two items that have become more critical to admissions websites and are expected by potential students who use the sites.

Better navigational elements including a search function and a site map for the admissions section.
Admissions visit functions such as links to visitor information and a function to schedule visits through the website.

“From our in-depth and comprehensive research, there are indicators of what elements will become more important and that potential students will come to expect all sites to have in the near future,” said Ron Morris, NRCCUA director of admissions marketing research. “The next wave of innovation includes the availability for instant messaging with admissions counselors,

virtual tours that allow 360 degree interactive points of view on campus, and live web cams showing popular on-campus student hangouts.”

“The EPI research reveals what students expect college and university admissions websites to offer”, said Munce. “Hopefully it will help institutions design sites to help meet potential students’ expectations and fulfill their information needs.”

For more information on the EPI study, please visit www.NRCCUA.org.

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NEWS RELEASE - 08/9/2005

THE E-SAVVY CLASS OF 2006:
NEW SURVEY REVEALS THE FRONTIER OF COLLEGE RECRUITING IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE

Is Instant Messaging the Key to Reaching Prospective Students?

Despite Overwhelming Willingness to Communicate with Campus Personnel via IM, Most Had Not.

IOWA CITY, Iowa, Aug. 9, 2005 – Noel-Levitz, the leading higher education consulting firm in North America, James Tower, a recruiting communications firm, and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA), a non-profit education research organization, today announced the results of a new report that reveals insight into interacting with college-bound students in the E-age. “Navigating Toward Enrollment,” a 2005 survey of 1,000 high school juniors, exposes new ways for colleges and universities to effectively communicate with prospective students using the technology they prefer.

“The use of the Web as the primary tool for prospective students to search colleges is perhaps the most significant change in our business in recent history,” said Richard Eastop, vice president for enrollment services emeritus, The University of Toledo. “Therefore, having this data provides us with clear answers to the questions we need and have been asking for years about student’s preferences for Web site content and functionality. This study also shows us the online services we need to add in order to be competitive.”

Eighty percent of students surveyed are online once per week or more, and roughly half (49 percent) say they are online everyday. Students primarily are using the Web for research: 91 percent report using the Web to research school assignments and 74 percent report researching colleges and universities.

Nearly three quarters (72 percent) of students surveyed say they had used college Web sites. Among them, 72 percent had submitted an inquiry form and half had completed an online survey on a college Web site. However, when asked what activities they would like to do on a college Web site, the results centered on cost and financial aid, with 90 percent wanting to use a financial aid estimator and 88 percent wanting to use a tuition calculator. This focus on financial information was consistent when students were asked to rate the value of information on college Web sites on a scale of one (not at all valuable) to five (extremely valuable). According to the responses, the most valuable information is on scholarships (4.63), followed by tuition and fees (4.61), academic programs and majors (4.53) and financial aid (4.48).

The survey results show that schools should focus their Web efforts on providing comprehensive content in an easy-to-find and visually pleasing manner. Sixty-one percent agree that college sites should not be flashy, but should have a lot of great content, as opposed to using technology and animation. Seventy-three percent of respondents agree that it is important to find what they are looking for within a few clicks from the home page.

Consistent with the type of information they are interested in obtaining, students are more interested in communicating with admissions counselors (53 percent) and financial aid counselors (53 percent) than with faculty (40 percent) or current students (46 percent). Forty percent of students say that the time to interact with campus personnel is before applying.

The survey reveals an openness from students to hear directly from school administrators. Despite 81 percent of respondents reporting that they use personal instant messaging, only 6 percent of students say that they have exchanged an instant message with a college administrator, suggesting that colleges are overlooking a popular communication tool. Seventy-three percent of students say they would be receptive to receiving an instant message from a college.

In addition, students are open to hearing from colleges and universities via telephone. Seventy percent of respondents say they would be willing to receive a call from a college at home. However, it is important to note that high school students are relying more on personal cell phones: 67 percent of respondents report owning a cell phone. Fifty-eight person of cell-phone-owning respondents would be open to receiving a call from a school administrator on their cell phones, while 56 percent would be receptive to receiving a text message.

The findings were announced at Noel-Levitz’s National Conference on Student Recruitment, Marketing and Retention, being held last week in Washington, D.C. For a copy of the report, visit www.noellevitz.com.

About Noel-Levitz
Noel-Levitz is a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in higher education student recruitment, financial aid, student retention, market research, publications and Web development. Since 1973, Noel-Levitz has partnered with more than 1,700 colleges and universities throughout North America. Noel-Levitz has offices in Denver, Iowa City and Guelph, Ontario, and is a division of SLM Corporation, commonly known as Sallie Mae. For more information, please visit: http://www.noellevitz.com.

About James Tower
James Tower provides an unparalleled range of recruitment communications services to enrollment professionals at colleges and universities across the country. These services reach prospective students in a personalized and meaningful way, creating a strong sense of human connection. Among the services are AdmissionsGenieÒ Web sites, targeted e-mail campaigns, DVDs, virtual tours, and publications. James Tower is a technology and communication solutions company located in North Mankato, Minn.

About NRCCUA
NRCCUA has been building educational bridges between college-bound high school students, high school counselors and college admissions officers for more than 33 years. Through our annual surveys, we gather information on student attitudes and educational plans from more than 5.5 million students in over 20,000 public and private high schools nationally. The survey is voluntary and students participate at no cost. This valuable research is published and distributed to more than 1,000 member colleges and universities so they can better identify high school students who meet their institutions’ admission profiles. In addition to hearing from colleges and universities, students may also hear from non-profit and for-profit organizations offering educational opportunities such as college admissions services, financial aid, career information, extracurricular enrichment and recognition programs.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 08/9/2005

Hobsons and the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) to help institutions maximize ROI from student data purchases
Companies partner to build NRCCUA Plug-In for EMT Connect to help colleges and universities identify, target and market to prospective students more effectively.

August 9, 2005—Hobsons and NRCCUA today announced that it will partner to develop an add-on component to the Hobsons EMT Connect contact management and communication system for admissions that will be specifically designed to manage the NRCCUA data used by more than 1,000 institutions for their annual student recruitment campaigns.

The NRCCUA Plug-In for EMT Connect will eliminate the time usually required to interpret and configure a student database to accept the NRCCUA data in its original format, and allow admissions offices to immediately import and begin using the data to push out targeted, personalized e-marketing to prospective students.

Data on more than five million prospective students is available to institutions annually via NRCCUA’s Talent Identification Program® and My College Options™ services.

“By allowing the users of our data to act quickly, the NRCCUA Plug-In will provide them with an edge that is becoming increasingly important in today’s competitive admissions marketplace,” says Larry Erenberger, Vice President – National Projects (NRCCUA). “With this tool, institutions can spend less time importing the NRCCUA data and more time using it to help convert students from prospects to enrolled students using EMT Connect’s e-communication abilities.”

The development of this tool has made Hobsons EMT a leader in developing solutions to help institutions maximize return on investment of their student data purchases. With the announcement of the NRCCUA Plug-In, combined with the development of the ACT Plug-In for EMT Connect announced in spring of 2004, Hobsons now provides data management tools specifically configured to accept and manage data from two of the nation’s top three providers of student inquiry information.

“We are pleased to be working with NRCCUA because of the power it brings to the admissions office,” said Paul Freedman, Hobsons EMT Managing Director. “With more than five million students surveyed by NRCCUA each year and hundreds of data points on each being delivered to more than 1,000 institutions nationwide, we are excited to provide enrollment managers with such a powerful tool to segment, manipulate, and use this robust NRCCUA data to its fullest potential.”

For more information on the NRCCUA Plug-In for EMT Connect, contact Wayne Davis, Hobsons EMT Business Development Manager at (800) 927-8439 or visit www.emt.hobsons.com.

About Hobsons

With nearly three million copies of more than 200 publications distributed annually, Hobsons is the single largest provider of education and recruitment information worldwide. With 30 years of publishing experience, the London-based company has become a global presence.

Hobsons EMT, a division of Hobsons, produces totally customizable Web-based software packages designed to improve the efficiency of the modern college admissions office. Offerings include EMT Connect, EMT Apply, EMT Survey, EMT Impress, EMT Engage, and EMT Answer. All of these modules work together or independently to help schools effectively handle Web and e-mail inquiries. For more information, logon to www.emt.hobsons.com.

About NRCCUA
NRCCUA has been building educational bridges between college-bound high school students, high school counselors and college admissions officers for more than 33 years. Through our annual surveys, we gather information on student attitudes and educational plans from more than 5.5 million students in over 20,000 public and private high schools nationally. The survey is voluntary and students participate at no cost. This valuable research is published and distributed to more than 1,000 member colleges and universities so they can better identify high school students who meet their institutions’ admission profiles. In addition to hearing from colleges and universities, students may also hear from non-profit and for-profit organizations offering educational opportunities such as college admissions services, financial aid, career information, extracurricular enrichment and recognition programs.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 06/29/2005

Congratulations to Stephanie Rogers of Plainfield, NJ!!

She was the winner of the Mickey Mouse cookie jar at the Orlando ASCA convention! Thanks to everyone who participated. If you will be attending NACAC, be sure to stop by the NRCCUA booth (#301) and say hi to us!

The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) is a non-profit educational research organization based in Lee’s Summit, Mo. For over 30 years, NRCCUA has conducted the largest nationwide survey of high school students, which serves as a communications link between college-bound high school students and public and private colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.nrccua.org

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 05/31/2005

Tappen Two Kansas City area high school students were among five awarded Champions of Character scholarships for 2005 by the NAIA and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA).

Melissa Gardner from Lee's Summit North and Katie Dugan from Oak Park will each receive $1,000 toward their education. Gardner will attend Park University and Dugan is going to Avila.

The NAIA started its Champions of Character program a few years ago to promote good sportsmanship.

“We believe this is a great way to show incoming students to NAIA member institutions that we value them for the character they have already modeled,” said Rob Miller, NAIA director of Champions of Character.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 05/24/2005

NRCCUA and NAIA Announce First Champions of Character Scholarship Winners

Tappen

(Olathe, KS)—The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (cs (NAIA) and the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA) are pleased to announce five Champions of Character scholarship winners for 2005.

This is the first year that NRCCUA has partnered with the NAIA to provide Champions of Character scholarships to graduating high school seniors who will be attending NAIA institutions this fall. Award winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship toward their education.

Scholarship winners were selected based upon how well they model the NAIA’s Champions of Character five core values in competition and in their daily lives. These core values are respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

Listed below are this year’s NAIA-NRCCUA Champions of Character Scholarship Winners:

Lauren Akkerman from Ashland, Ohio. Lauren is a graduate of Ashland High School and will attend Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio.
Aric Cherry from Meriden, Kan. Aric is a graduate of Jefferson West High School and will attend Southwestern College in Winfield, KS.
Katie Dugan from Kansas City, Mo. Katie is a graduate of Oak Park High School and will attend Avila University in Kansas City.
Melissa Gardner from Lee’s Summit, Mo. Melissa is a graduate of Lee’s Summit North High School and will attend Park University in Parkville, Mo.
Jenna Plewes from Zeeland, Mich. Jenna is a graduate of Zeeland East High School and will attend Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"We believe this is a great way to show incoming students to NAIA member institutions that we value them for the character they have already modeled,” said Rob Miller, NAIA Director of Champions of Character Initiatives and the chair of the selection committee. “It’s also a credit to our members that they are recruiting students that set such high standards."

“This scholarship honor is both a tribute and a reward to the seniors for how they have lived their lives and the character values they possess,” said Larry Erenberger, NRCCUA Vice President for National Projects. “NRCCUA is proud to support young people with the core values of a Champion of Character.”

For more information regarding the scholarship and the NAIA’s Champions of Character initiative, please visit the NAIA website at www.naia.org. For more information on the NRCCUA, visit their website at www.nrccua.org.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 04/12/2005

NRCCUA Sponsored National High School Chess Champion

(Lee’s Summit, MO)— Thomas G. Gossell, of Lee’s Summit, MO, recently tied for first place in the 2005 National High School Chess Championship held in Nashville, TN. Thomas, a junior in high school, was one of nine co-champions. He was sponsored by the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA).

The tournament was the world’s largest scholastic chess tournament in history, and more than 5,200 students from 48 states participated this past weekend at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

The nine 2005 national high school co-champions and their homes states are listed below:

	BANAWA, Jouaquin CA
	BERCYS, Salvijus NY
	CHENG, Xiao GA
	GOLDSTEIN, Brian FL
	GOSSELL, Thomas G MO
	KAHN, Aaron E MI
	KLEGON, Matthew L MA
	YANG, Ruixin VA

The tournament was organized by the United States Chess Federation (USCF). For additional details about the tournament or the USCF, visit www.uschess.org.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 06/11/2004

06/11/2004 Student Search and Diversity: Who's Chosen and Who's Left Behind (June 2004)
Read details.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 05/11/2004

05/11/2004 College dreams often wind up close to home, St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Fla.: May 9, 2004. pg. 1.A
Read details.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 09/15/2003

LAUNCH OF ONLINE STUDENT NEWSLETTER ASSISTS NEARLY 1 MILLION STUDENTS IN MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HIGHER ED

(Lee’s Summit, MO)—The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) launches an exciting new venture September 16, to assist college-bound students in making informed decisions about attending a college or university. The YourFuture® interactive, online student newsletter serves as a guide for three-quarters of a million high school students seeking post-secondary educational opportunities and information.

The NRCCUA mission since 1972, has been to make the important process of selecting a college education or career path easier for students. "YourFuture® is offered at no-charge to students who have completed NRCCUA’s Post-Secondary Planning Survey® and indicated a desire for further communication about schools, financial aid planning, enrichment opportunities, curriculum materials and academic assistance," said Don Munce, President, NRCCUA. "YourFuture® is the only newsletter of its kind with this scope and reach."

Richard Whiteside is YourFuture®’s contributing author. Whiteside is Vice President for Enrollment Management and Institutional Research at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He has been in higher education administration for over 32 years and is considered a leading expert in enrollment management, the strategic application of student financial assistance and higher-education marketing. He holds two graduate degrees from The Johns Hopkins University.

Colleges and universities are also able to gain recognition as an advocate for good decision-making at a critical time in a student’s life by being a part of this informational piece through hyperlink and banner sponsorships. Sponsorships are available in Eastern, Central and Western Regions, each section comprised of 250,000 students with active email addresses.

For additional information about the YourFuture® online student newsletter, visit www.nrccua.org or call 1-800-862-7759.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 08/05/2003

NAIA Unveils 2004 Convention Theme, Presenting Sponsors

OLATHE, Kan. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is pleased to announce the theme and presenting sponsors for its 2004 NAIA National Convention.

As the annual event theme, "Building for the Future" is incorporated into each of the seminar topics Drug Testing, Title IX Compliance, Enrollment and Sponsorships, the association breaks from its traditional convention format to place greater emphasis on professional growth seminars for attendees.

Lee’s Summit-based National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA), and insurance company Mutual of Omaha, recently committed to presenting sponsorship for the convention next March—each organization’s identity highlighted throughout the convention and expressed through name association; special promotions; signage and announcement at the prestigious yearly Awards Luncheon; and as complementary convention exhibitors. NRCCUA is a leading non-profit educational research organization and corporate sponsor of the NAIA. Mutual of Omaha is the Official Catastrophic Athletics Injury Insurance Carrier of the NAIA.

"NRCCUA is excited to offer its support and to share decades of recruitment education with the NAIA, its college and university presidents, athletic directors and coaches during the upcoming NAIA National Convention," said Don Munce, NRCCUA President. "It’s a fantastic way for us to assist the entire association in ‘Building for the Future,’ while showing continued encouragement of the NAIA’s unique initiatives and mission."

The NAIA National Convention will take place March 26-29, 2004, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. The Westin Crown Center is located within Hallmark’s Crown Center, an 85-acre complex of shops, restaurants and theatres. The award-winning hotel is just minutes from the Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City.

Each year, the NAIA National Convention serves as the 307-member college-sports organization’s most important gathering, and is an opportunity for all NAIA councils and committees to discuss new legislation, honor those who have excelled throughout the previous year and plan for the future. Attendees primarily include Presidents, Athletics Directors, Faculty Athletics Representatives, Registrars and Campus Character Representatives of the NAIA.

New legislation matters for discussion at the 63rd Annual NAIA National Convention include: Competitive Experience Amendment, 24-Week Practice/Competition Season Amendment, and the Contest Limitations Amendment. A chat room and message board will be posted closer to the convention so that readers may post their viewpoints.

As more convention topics are confirmed, expect periodic updates to the NAIA Web site, www.naia.org, also offering scheduling and contact information for the National Convention.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 07/23/2003

ECONOMY HAS BIGGER IMPACT ON MINORITY STUDENTS’ COLLEGE CHOICES
Study Reveals Economy’s Impact on Higher Education

(Lee’s Summit, MO)— African-American and Latino high school students’ college choice is more influenced than that of white students by the present state of the U.S. economy, according to a recent survey released today by the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) and Maguire Associates.

A group of 1,832 junior and senior high school students was asked: "How will the current state of the economy influence your college choice?"

African-American and Latino students were nearly 50 percent more likely than their white counterparts to say that the current state of the economy would have an impact on their choice of which college to attend. The following are the breakdowns of the students who said the economy would have at least a “moderate” affect on their decision:

68% of African-American students
67% of Latino/Hispanic students
46% of Caucasian/white students
54% of all students polled

"Financing higher education for students is a challenge many families face, especially those in disadvantaged minority populations," said Don Munce, President of NRCCUA, which conducts a survey of millions of high school students annually helping to link these students with colleges and universities. "This study shows that most minority students realize that some options for their higher education are related to the economy’s impact on family financing, while over half the Caucasian students don’t."

"This also raises questions about whether minority students will be looking more at public versus private colleges and universities due to cost and whether for some, they may be forgoing college altogether due to financial factors," said Munce.

"Our research has frequently indicated that underserved minority populations tend to be quite pragmatic about their college decisions, more critically determining the value of their higher educational options," said Paul Gearan, Director of Research for Maguire Associates, a higher-education research and consulting firm.

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NRCCUA
The NRCCUA Post-Secondary Planning Survey® is administered by secondary school educators and voluntarily completed by high schools students. By indicating their educational preferences and interests, colleges and universities are able to provide students with information that matches their unique needs. Because the service is free-of-charge to high school students – unlike other sources – it is especially valuable to minority and first-generation college students interested in higher education.

Maguire Associates
Founded in 1983, Maguire Associates of Bedford, Mass., has worked with over 350 educational institutions worldwide. The firm has established itself as a leader in enrollment management, strategic pricing and financial aid, institutional marketing, image and communications, and strategic planning. For more information, visit www.maguireassoc.com.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 05/06/2003

NEW REPORT FINDS PROGRESS IN REDUCING NURSING SHORTAGE
Issued During National Nurses Week, Report Finds Enrollment Rates Up at Nursing Schools Nationwide

According to a new progress report -- Healing the Crisis in Nursing -- issued by Johnson & Johnson, 84 percent of nursing schools have experienced an increase in applications and enrollments. Issued in conjunction with the first anniversary of The Campaign for Nursing's Future, Johnson & Johnson's multi-year campaign to attract more people to the nursing profession in hospitals and extended care facilities, the new report finds a major shift in public attitudes about the nursing profession

The report contains new survey findings showing that 55 percent of teens aged 16 to 18 have personally considered a career in nursing or know someone who has and another 67 percent of teens would view very positively the news that a family member or friend was considering a career in nursing. Three-quarters (75 percent) of adults share this view. The survey was commissioned by Johnson & Johnson and conducted by Harris Interactive in October 2002.

"A year ago, the nursing profession was off the radar screen of young adults and second-career seekers," said James T. Lenehan, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Johnson & Johnson. "Now I am pleased to note we are making progress in addressing one of the most serious problems affecting the health care sector."A year ago, the nursing profession was off the radar screen of young adults and second-career seekers," said James T. Lenehan, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Johnson & Johnson. "Now I am pleased to note we are making progress in addressing one of the most serious problems affecting the health care sector."

Johnson & Johnson's new report comes at a time when other indicators also show that the tide is changing for the nursing profession. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, baccalaureate nursing school enrollments increased by more than 8 percent between 2001 and 2002. At the same time, the latest Post-Secondary Planning Survey published by the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) finds that high school sophomores and juniors rank nursing as one of their top career choices. Johnson & Johnson's new report comes at a time when other indicators also show that the tide is changing for the nursing profession. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, baccalaureate nursing school enrollments increased by more than 8 percent between 2001 and 2002. At the same time, the latest Post-Secondary Planning Survey published by the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) finds that high school sophomores and juniors rank nursing as one of their top career choices.

Out of 68 potential options, nursing scored number four within the top five career choices, just behind a career in medicine, law or music, according to the NRCCUA survey. In contrast, the 4 million students surveyed put a career in business in ninth place and gave lukewarm ratings to the following professions: engineering (ranked 23), broadcasting (28), journalism (34), advertising (49), and politics/government (50).

"After years of bad news about the prospects for the nursing profession, the tide is beginning to change across the country," said Peter Buerhaus, PhD, RN, FAAN, Senior Associate Dean for Research at Vanderbilt University's School of Nursing. "The recent rise in nursing school enrollment is encouraging and marks a turning point in the nursing shortage and is something to celebrate."

Johnson & Johnson launched The Campaign for Nursing's Future in February 2002 after conferring with experts in the nursing community and reviewing research on the nursing shortage, which experts project could reach 400,000 nurses by 2020. The Company has already invested more than $25 million in this initiative, which includes:

Providing free recruitment brochures, posters and videos to hospitals, high schools, nursing schools, and nursing organizations;
A retention effort providing continuing education for nurses in the areas of leadership and management skills and mentorship programs for nurses;
Raising funds for student scholarships, faculty fellowships, and nursing school grants;
Regional "celebration of nursing" events to raise money for the local nursing community;
A Web site (www.discovernursing.com) about the benefits of a nursing career featuring searchable links to hundreds of nursing scholarships, and more than 1,000 accredited nursing educational programs; and
A national advertising campaign that celebrates nursing professionals and their contributions to health care.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 03/03/2003

NRCCUA, NAIA CONTINUE PROGRAM TO HELP COLLEGES RECRUIT STUDENT-ATHLETES, PROMOTE CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER

(Lee’s Summit, Mo.)—The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) continues its successful partnership with the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) since creating the NAIA Enrollment Advantage™ program last year. The program, which is the first of its kind for the NAIA, assists NAIA coaches and administrators in driving athletic enrollment and recruitment at their respective institutions.

"With the highly competitive nature of recruiting top student-athletes on the collegiate level, this is a program that will impact our members tremendously," said Steve Baker, NAIA CEO. "Many of our institutions have utilized NRCCUA’s programs for their general student population for a number of years. The fact that a program has been developed to identify student-athletes directly for NAIA institutions is a great benefit to our member colleges and universities."

NRCCUA President Don Munce adds, "For over 30 years NRCCUA has been working with admissions offices to identify high school students who fit the distinct academic and social environments of our member institutions.

"Well over half of the NAIA’s affiliated colleges and universities have joint membership with NRCCUA. We are excited about the opportunity to continue upon this association by assisting NAIA schools specifically with the recruitment of qualified student-athletes, and additionally, by helping to promote its Champions of Character initiative."

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 04/24/2003

NRCCUA, CMFK! LOOK INTO THE FUTURE AT CRYSTAL BALL (EVENT)

(Lee’s Summit, Mo.)—As the nation’s leading service connecting young people with higher- education opportunities, the National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) is now a proud sponsor of the College Mentors for Kids! Inc. (CMFK!) Crystal Ball gala. CMFK is an innovative, Indiana-based mentoring program designed to provide young children with opportunities for successful and viable futures.

"Sharing a mission and vision of the future with CFMK! through different ways and means, is a delight," said Don Munce, president of NRCCUA. "NRCCUA and CMFK! each work to increase students’ awareness and interest in higher education, and, in the long-run, hope to increase the percentage of children who become responsible and productive adults."

NRCCUA enrollment consultant Sharon Heatwole will attend the event with eight higher-education guests from the Indianapolis surrounding area. The second annual formal Crystal Ball fund-raising event will be held Saturday, March 29, 2003, at the Indiana State Museum, in Indianapolis, Ind., from 6 to 10 p.m.

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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 01/15/2003

LAUNCH OF ONLINE STUDENT NEWSLETTER ASSISTS STUDENTS IN MAKING TOUGH COLLEGE DECISIONS

(Lee’s Summit, Mo.)—The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) launched an exciting new venture this month to assist college-bound students in making informed decisions about attending a college or university. The YourFuture® interactive, online, student newsletter serves as a guide for three-quarters of million high school juniors and seniors seeking post-secondary educational opportunities and information.

YourFuture® is offered at no-charge to students who have completed NRCCUA’s Post-Secondary Planning Survey® and indicated a desire for further communication about schools, financial aid planning, enrichment opportunities, curriculum materials and academic assistance. Since 1972, our mission has been to make the important process of selecting a college education or career path easier for students.

Each student receiving the newsletter also has the opportunity to take part in an Instant Poll, through which, they are able to express their feelings about topics related to the college-search process and current events and identify instantly with their peers about the same issue.

Colleges and universities are also able to gain recognition as an advocate for good decision-making at a critical time in a student’s life by being a part of this informational piece.
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NRCCUA NEWS RELEASE - 11/15/2002

NRCCUA JOINS FREEDOM’S ANSWER TO ENGAGE NATION'S YOUTH IN ELECTORAL PROCESS; EFFORT SURPASSES EXPECTATION

(Lee's Summit, MO)-The National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA) became a part of history this month when it joined forces with Freedom's Answer - a non-partisan, non-profit voter turnout campaign led by our nation's youth - to help the organization meet an ambitious goal: to produce the largest voter turnout ever in a non-presidential election.

The lofty aspiration was met - and then some - by students who led the endeavor; 1.3 million receiving a message from Zach Clayton, a Raleigh, North Carolina high school student and chair of the National Association of Student Councils, challenging his of-age peers in every high school in America to vote and others to take part in obtaining voting pledges from parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors, and by enlisting principals and social studies teachers who signed up their respective schools for the cause. Delivery of this special, widespread email message was made possible by NRCCUA.

"We are extremely pleased to help facilitate history-in-the-making, and to help Freedom's Answer deliver such an important message," said Don Munce, President, NRCCUA. "Not only does the endeavor teach students a powerful lesson about the rights and responsibilities of America's freedoms, but complements our mission at NRCCUA to assist students in positive decision-making about their futures."

The alliance is in part responsible for an increase of 3.3 million voters in the U.S. over 1998 elections.

According to the Freedom's Answer Web site, "by engaging the nation's youth in the electoral process, Freedom's Answer is helping to turn today's students into tomorrow's voters," and "the vitality of our democracy requires an active electorate and who better to teach this lesson than our nation's future, the youth."

For more information about America's Freedom and ongoing campaigns, visit www.freedomsanswer.com.

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