5 High-Impact Tips to Expand Your College Outreach Program and Reach More Students

Summary

This article highlights five proven strategies for connecting more effectively with high schools, students, and communities: mentorship, automation, inclusivity, data-driven outreach, and community expansion. Discover how DialMyCalls simplifies messaging and boosts engagement.

College outreach has changed, and it’s changed fast. A few flyers in a high school hallway or a one‑off visit just won’t cut it anymore. Today’s students, especially those from underrepresented or rural backgrounds, need more than just information. What they’re really looking for is a connection from someone who understands their journey.

Take iMentor as an example. Their near-peer mentoring model helped 74% of participating students get accepted into college. It was effective because the outreach was personal, consistent, and built around real relationships.

To create that kind of impact, colleges need a smarter strategy that includes inclusivity, data, and automation. This could be done in the form of mentoring programs or community events, but the most important part is the follow-up campaign with clear and timely communication.

Tools like DialMyCalls simplify mass messaging, keep students engaged, and help your outreach team stay on top of every step without getting buried in spreadsheets or forgotten emails.

In this article, we’ll walk you through five proven outreach strategies that help colleges build stronger connections, boost engagement, and make a real difference.

1. Use Near-Peer Mentorship to Close Opportunity Gaps

One of the most powerful ways to connect with prospective students is by introducing them to someone just a few steps ahead of them. The efficacy of near-peer mentorship is clear. When high schoolers meet college students who share similar backgrounds, challenges, or interests, the idea of higher education becomes less intimidating and far more achievable.

Programs like iMentor have shown that when students hear real stories from mentors who once walked in their shoes, they start to believe in their own potential. They ask more questions and they imagine themselves on campus, which makes them more likely to apply and enroll.

To build a strong near-peer program, start by recruiting current students who reflect the diversity of your applicant pool. These ambassadors can visit high schools, join virtual sessions, and even connect one-on-one through messaging tools. Platforms like DialMyCalls make it easy to automate reminders, schedule group check-ins, and keep communication consistent.

To take it a step further, use targeted digital strategies to reach students where they already are. Rental listing platforms, for example, are a creative way to promote community college programs or local events to students and families exploring housing options. Pair this with targeted ads based on geography, interest, or demographic factors to boost visibility among underrepresented or underserved groups.

As you scale your mentorship and outreach efforts, digital tools can help you automate the screening process for volunteer mentors, track engagement, and maintain clear communication. Be sure to stay compliant with regulations, such as the Fair Housing Act, if your outreach involves housing support, student accommodations, or financial aid tied to living arrangements.

When your outreach strategy combines authentic peer support, smart digital tools, and thoughtful compliance, you build trust and open doors that may have otherwise stayed closed.

2. Prioritize Underserved and Rural Communities in Your Outreach

Many students from rural or underserved communities don’t have easy access to college fairs, one-on-one support, or even a clear picture of what higher education can look like for them. That in no way means they’re not interested, but rather it means we need to show up differently.

Instead of waiting for students to come to you, take your outreach to them. Visit small-town schools, host events in community centers or libraries, and offer virtual options that work around their schedules. Programs that make themselves known and build relationships over time tend to see stronger engagement.

Research from NACAC shows that outreach efforts in rural areas are more successful when they’re personalized and community-based. A tool like DialMyCalls can make this whole process easier. You can use automated voice messages or texts to reach families with limited internet access, send reminders about local info sessions, or share words of encouragement as deadlines approach.

The goal is to build trust and open doors for students who may not even realize how many opportunities are available to them.

3. Partner With Counselors and Use Data to Guide Your Outreach

High school counselors are some of your strongest allies when it comes to identifying and supporting potential students. They already have relationships with students, understand their goals, and know which ones might benefit most from your programs.

Make it easy for counselors to work with you. Check in regularly, not just during application season. Share flyers, session recordings, and toolkits they can pass along. Ask them what support they need and how your team can help.

At the same time, don’t underestimate the power of your own data. Use your student information system or CRM to spot trends. Which schools generate the most interest? Where are applications dropping off? What messages actually lead to action?

Once you know what’s working, tools like DialMyCalls help you act on it. You can send personalized messages to the right students at the right time, without overwhelming your team.

Data-backed communication makes every interaction more effective, and shows students they’re more than just a number.

4. Host Inclusive Events That Actually Drive Results

Campus tours and open houses are great, but only if students feel welcome and seen. That’s why truly effective events are designed with inclusion in mind and backed by clear goals.

To make your own events more inclusive, consider the basics. Is there transportation? Are materials available in multiple languages? Will parents feel just as welcome as students? And afterward, are you tracking who followed through with applications or questions?

DialMyCalls can help here as well. Use it to manage RSVPs, send out reminders before the event, and follow up afterward to keep the connection going. Even a quick thank-you message can make students feel remembered and motivated.

The best events don’t just bring students to campus but make them feel like they already belong there.

5. Go Beyond High Schools to Reach the Wider Community

Future students aren’t just sitting in high school classrooms. They’re working full-time jobs. They’re raising families. They’re learning English or studying for their GED.

If you want your outreach program to have a real impact, think bigger. Partner with adult learning centers, job training programs, local nonprofits, and libraries. Offer info nights that speak directly to adult learners and their realities, pinpointing flexibility, affordability, career growth, and support.

Consistency is key here. These students often need extra reassurance, especially if past experiences with education weren’t positive. A friendly voice message, a clear reminder about application support, or even a story from a fellow adult learner can make a big difference.

DialMyCalls can help you stay in touch with these audiences without adding more to your team’s workload. It could be quick reminders or an invitation to a workshop, but consistent outreach builds confidence and trust over time.

Reaching out to the broader community won’t dilute your message. Do it with intention, and it’ll expand your mission and your impact.

Final Thoughts

The most effective college outreach programs are built on thoughtful strategy, inclusive practices, and strong community relationships. Modern outreach, whether rural student meet ups, teaming up with counselors, or expanding in to adult education spaces, needs to be intentional and people-centered regardless of the setting.

The best part is that you don’t have to do it all manually. Tools like DialMyCalls help you stay connected, consistent, and timely. With a mass texting app and proactive notifications, you can keep students, volunteers, and community partners in the loop without stretching your team thin.

Every message you send is a chance to build trust, boost engagement, and increase access to higher education.

Ready to Take Your Outreach Further?

Discover how DialMyCalls can streamline your communication and enhance the impact of your programs.

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