Laws of Attraction: Using Experiential Learning for Domestic Recruitment

Why does domestic recruitment matter as international enrollment shifts and competition for students grows? I speak with business professors Barb Ringelson and Ben Oliver about taking experiential learning into high schools through Praxar simulation sessions. Students meet faculty, work in teams, and get a taste of the learning they could experience in college. During 75-minute visits, professors introduce their programs, run simulations, and award prizes to top teams. They also use case studies and build relationships with high-school teachers, whose support helps secure visits.

Ben shares that students have named these sessions as a factor in choosing college. The visits can also ease first-year nerves and foster engaged classrooms. We discuss collaborations between business and programs such as culinary arts, showing students how business skills apply in careers. Barb and Ben encourage instructors to connect with high schools, step outside their comfort zones, and try hands-on teaching in a low-stakes setting. Their approach makes learning visible, supports recruitment, and helps students discover programs that fit their interests.