Program Administration
Outreach and Recruitment
Related Content on this Site
As MAFLT Program Director, I use a wide range of strategies and materials to promote the visibility and reputation of the program, to encourage language teachers to apply, and to connect with others in our field who may be interested in events and resources.
In that process, I have developed skills using a variety of apps and platforms as well as defining content:
- Web design – HTML and CSS, well-versed in site creation and maintenance using WordPress and Google Sites
- Email campaigns – primarily in Campaign Monitor as well as mail merges
- Microsoft Forms and Power Automate to manage form responses
- Social media – maintaining accounts and generating appropriate content including tags and images for the “cultures” of different platforms
- Graphic design for logos, promotional materials, and other images for web pages, blogs, and social media
The sections below discuss various aspects of our overall recruitment and outreach activities and strategies.
Communication with prospective students via email, phone, and Zoom
General communication can be taken for granted, but responding to individual messages appropriately and in a timely manner is key (though not easy to maintain)!
Online presence for MAFLT Program
An overall recruitment strategy should include careful attention to the way the program appears when prospective students and others search for it, including search engine optimization as well as the design, content, and accessibility of the public-facing materials. I led the re-design of the MAFLT site in cooperation with CAL Marketing and Communications in 2020 and have made most of the ongoing updates to content and structure since that time.
MAFLT public website – https://maflt.cal.msu.edu
Initial design in February 2020 and ongoing updates, including Admissions Guide, contact and lead capture strategies, and Program News blog content
Social Media for MAFLT Program
Lead Capture and Email Campaigns
I manage the following methods of initiating and maintaining communication with prospective students and others interested in MAFLT activities. Currently our mailing lists have over 600 subscribers, not including current students and alumni. The MSU Online platform went live about two years ago and has its own forms that connect with recently-added Slate Marketing tools. My role has been to define the content of the MSU Online pages and coordinate with that team and the Slate team as those tools and recommended use continue to evolve.
- MAFLT Website – Initial Contact and Subscription Forms using Campaign Monitor
- Contact Us: https://maflt.cal.msu.edu/contact/
- Outreach List > Subscribe (Campaign Monitor): https://maflt.cal.msu.edu/subscribe/
- Prospectives List > Subscribe (Campaign Monitor):
https://confirmsubscription.com/h/j/F3408B860FC4D792
- MSU Online Site with forms that feed into Slate Marketing
- Master of Arts: https://online.msu.edu/programs/foreign-lang-teach
- Graduate Certificate: https://online.msu.edu/programs/foreign-lang-teach-cert
Advertisements
Language Magazine
https://www.languagemagazine.com
FLTMAG
Ads designed by Amanda Lanier
Other examples:
Promotional Materials page
Designing and Updating Brochures, Flyers, and Signs
Print materials including brochures and flyers are my designs, beginning with College of Arts and letters recommended templates.
For the full brochure, flyers, and other materials, see:
Current MAFLT Brochure
Exhibiting at national, regional, and state conferences
Examples:
- ACTFL 2024 | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (upcoming) – November 2024 in Philadelphia, PA
- IALLT 2023 | International Association for Language Learning and Technology – June 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana
- MIWLA 2023 | Michigan World Language Association – October 2023 in Lansing, Michigan
- ACTFL 2023 | American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages – November 2023 in Chicago, Illinois
Hosting and sponsoring virtual events for MAFLT Community and wider audiences
MAFLT Meetups
Series of virtual events hosted by MAFLT faculty. Spring 2023 events had the theme, “Let the PLAY Go On” and focused on creativity and socio-emotional support for teachers. Featured guests included ACTFL 2022 teacher of the year Heather Sweetser and MSU professor of Theatre Deric McNish.
https://maflt.cal.msu.edu/pd-posts/2023/virtual-meetups-spring2023/
FLEx Foreign Language Excellence Exchange
MAFLT Program’s virtual conference – twice per year, in April and November, since I began organizing in Spring 2020. Featured guests have included Meg Montee, director of the federal Assessment and Evaluation Language Resource Center (AELRC) and Grant Castner, community manager for Extempore App.
MIWLA Summer Book Club
Collaboration with MIWLA at the request of 2022-23 president Susan Hojnecki to host two virtual sessions and a hybrid session at the state association conference in October 2023
Attending professional events for recruitment, networking, and outreach purposes
Examples:
- JNCL-NCLIS Language Advocacy Days 2023 | Joint National Committee for
Languages and National Council for Languages and International Studies - CSCTFL 2023 | Central States Conference on Teaching Foreign Languages – March
2023 in Columbus, Ohio - CBHLS 2023 | Community-Based Heritage Language Schools – October 2023 – Virtual
attendee - FOHLC Europe 2023 | Forum of Heritage Language Coalitions in Europe – October
2023 – Virtual attendee
