Office of Admissions Recruiting and Diversity 

• In the fall 2004 freshmen class we have two young men from Sudan.  They are both graduates of Sioux Falls high schools.  Due to concerns of the admission committee regarding their academic preparedness, we invited community members who were working with Sudanese students, including one of the applicants, to campus to share their insights.  We determined both students had potential for success.  The College made a financial commitment to assist both with the cost of attendance.  In addition, Adam Heinitz, Associate Director of Admission, submitted a successful grant proposal to secure funds to assist with academic support.  We are grateful for the ways both students are enriching our community.
• Joni Freidel, Director of Transfer Admission, attended a conference at the University of South Dakota on the recruitment and retention of Native American students on January 24, 2005.  The conference provided valuable information on how we might improve our efforts to recruit Native American students.
• Joni Freidel, Director of Transfer Admission, also attended the WIT TRIO college fair in Sioux City on January 26.  The admission staff participates in the following South Dakota college fairs, which are located in areas with significant Native American populations: Sisseton, Eagle Butte, and Mobridge.  Native American students are also in attendance at the fairs we attend in Rapid City and Gregory.
• In 2004, Jenny White, Assistant Director of Admission, relocated to the Twin Cities in part to improve our opportunities to recruit students from diverse backgrounds.  Jenny is on the Diversity, Equity, and Access Committee of MACAC.  A goal in serving this committee was not only to assist in serving students of color and under-represented students in the Twin Cities area, but also to glean ideas for how Augustana might better serve students of color and under-represented students in Sioux Falls and greater South Dakota.
• Jenny participated in the Admission Possible College Fair at Minnehaha Academy on September 26, 2004.  The fair was attended by over 300 juniors and seniors from under-represented high schools in the Twin Cities.
• Adam Heinitz, Associate Director of Admission, and Nancy Davidson, Dean of Admission, attended a session at the national conference of the National Association of College Admission Counseling titled Working with Immigrant Students.  Our goal was to learn how to better serve immigrant students in our region.
• The College offers a Circle of Courage Scholarship for students who are members of a minority ethnic group.  The amounts range from $1,000-$5,000 per year.
• On March 11, 2005 the College will participate in a Women in Science Career Day by hosting an exhibitor’s booth.  The day has been designed for 8^th grade girls from Axtell Middle School in Sioux Falls.  Thirty-two percent of the students enrolled at Axtell are non-white.  Over fifty percent are on free or reduced lunch programs.  We are participating in this event because it is important to encourage these young women to consider the potential for their future and the role Augustana might play.