5 Ways This CAEL Course Helps You Recruit Adult Learners
Now Enrolling: The Data-Driven Approach to Recruiting Adult Learners
Whether you build strategy, recruit students, manage outreach, or execute campaigns—it’s likely that there are things you want to approach differently in your next enrollment cycle.
That’s why we’ve partnered with CAEL and Credly to deliver a six-week, asynchronous online course for anyone responsible for driving adult learner enrollment. With decades of combined experience in survey research, database marketing, enrollment management, and media placement, the course, led by instructional designer and educator Sarah Besseling, delivers:
Real-time best practices drawn from active outreach campaigns across the country
High-level industry insights and dynamic data that contextualize current advertising and enrollment trends
Practical applications you can use immediately at your institution
But, don’t just listen to our POV. Here’s what Christina at Clinton Community College has to say about it:
“Taking [this course] was an eye-opening and empowering experience for me. I gained a deeper understanding of the unique strengths and challenges adult learners bring to education, along with practical tools I can use right away. Learning how to market effectively to adult learners was especially valuable, because it showed me how to reach and support this important population in meaningful ways. I also found the focus on reading and interpreting data to improve research incredibly useful, as it gave me skills I can apply across projects and decision-making.”
5 Ways This Course Helps You + Your Team
If you’re ready to close the gap on your enrollment outcomes, this course delivers proven data, strategy, and practice. Completing the course means you:
1. Learn from the Largest, Proven Adult Learner Data Set
This course draws on research from 300,000+ adult learner survey responses collected over four years. By the end of the course, you’ll have an unparalleled understanding of which adults actually intend to enroll, what motivates them, and the barriers they face. This data is available exclusively through CollegeAPP’s proprietary data analysis and person-level predictive models. Course participants will leverage it to ensure they have a comprehensive view of adult learners in their addressable market—instead of the typically available static data and lead lists.
2. Practice Best-in-Class Recruitment Strategies
You’ll move beyond theory and into evidence-based marketing practices, designed to deliver outcomes for today’s learners in today’s environment. The course will include training on:
Person-level predictive modeling
Pros & cons for audience building, data proxies, and lookalike audiences
Database and probability marketing
Smart, cost-effective media placement and agency management
Targeted outreach strategies aligned with predicted learner intent
3. Stay Ahead of Advertising Trends
Advertising platforms and media consumption habits are rapidly evolving—and higher ed marketing leaders need to maintain fluency for the different audiences they serve. LinkedIn’s retirement of lookalike audiences is just one example. What worked yesterday may not even exist tomorrow.
The “alternatives” that platforms propose—predictive audiences, audience expansion, demographic targeting—still leave you at the mercy of opaque algorithms, limited data pools, and increasingly bot-saturated environments. And, to be more direct: platform-native ad managers are built to increase (your) media spend.
Instead of chasing impressions and clicks, you’ll learn how to focus on real people who are actively considering college. That shift isn’t just smarter for your budget—it’s more equitable, more sustainable, and more likely to drive enrollments that matter.
4. Tap into Industry Expertise & Innovation
This course is taught by data science practitioners and higher education leaders who’ve been in your shoes. You’ll also connect with digital marketing and fellow enrollment pros who regularly—and successfully—engage and enroll adult learners. You’ll work with peers to learn what’s working, ensuring you’ll be able to apply best practices immediately.
5. Earn an Enrollment Management Credential, Issued by CAEL & Credly
Upon successful course completion, you’ll receive a digital badge from Credly, which can be added to your LinkedIn profile and CV. Continued learning and professional development takes commitment, and this particular course helps you—and your institution. It validates your expertise in applied enrollment strategy, predictive analytics, and adult learner recruitment.
Next steps to Enroll:
Request a manager justification letter and (limited availability) course discount code for CollegeAPP clients. Complete the form below if interested. Otherwise, proceed to registration!
