The Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS) leads re-enrollment efforts across campus through:
- Collaborative data sharing that ties together student performance, account, and activity data to enable strategic outreach by campus partners.
- Technology-enabled outreach campaigns that encourage students in the enrollment process, capture student intent, and provide self-service options.
- Direct outreach from student and professional staff within the Student Success Center.
Faculty and staff can request support in their re-enrollment efforts through the Student Success Center.
High-Impact Practices for Instructors to Encourage Re-enrollment
The Academic Services and Advising Leadership Council (ASALC) includes assistant deans and directors who oversee advising, recruitment and retention, and student success across UWM’s schools, colleges, and advising units. Students consistently share that feeling seen, supported, and valued strongly influences their ability to pursue their educational goals at UWM. To strengthen care and connection, ASALC offers the following recommendations for faculty, instructors, and staff who want to encourage re-enrollment.
Make an Announcement in Class or in Canvas
Recommended language: Enrollment for [Term Year] began on [Date], and open enrollment begins on [Date]. If you haven’t already, please make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss your spring classes. You can find your advisor listed in PAWS or in the Navigate360 app.
- For undergraduates: If you have questions about enrollment holds, please contact the Student Success Center.
- For graduate students: If you have questions about enrollment holds, please contact the Graduate School at 414-229-6569 or gradschool@uwm.edu.
Provide Students with Meaningful Feedback
Offer clear, timely feedback to help students understand how they are performing and what steps they can take to finish the term strong.
After the term concludes, consider sending brief, personalized notes to students who demonstrated improvement, resilience, or excellence. These messages can reinforce students’ sense of belonging and support their commitment to academic progress.
Encourage Students to Address Financial Barriers
Remind students to apply for grants and scholarships and to connect with Student Financial Services if they have outstanding balances. Early action can prevent financial holds that delay re-enrollment and disrupt academic momentum.
Share Course Information Transparently
Ensure that detailed course descriptions and syllabi are available on departmental websites. Transparent course information helps students preview expectations, plan their academic pathway, and make informed enrollment decisions. For Example: Undergraduate Course Syllabi – Sociology.
Graduate Faculty Advisors: Follow Up with Graduate Representatives
Graduate faculty advisors should work with their program’s graduate representative to identify students who have not yet enrolled for the next academic term and proactively reach out to them.
Utilize Curricular Design that Supports Advanced Planning
Promote curricular structures with clear sequencing of courses. Transparent sequences help students, advisors, and administrators understand pathways to degree completion and anticipate future course needs.