Best Practices for Recruiting Students into Nontraditional STEM and CTE Programs and Pathways

Recruiting nontraditional students into STEM and CTE programs and pathways can be a significant challenge. Understanding the root causes is crucial to sustainable change; however, recruitment remains one of the biggest hurdles to participation. In this workshop, we review the best practices for recruitment, and participants explore strategies that will work best for their population. 

Best Practices 

1. Review your recruiting communications to ensure they reflect diversity.
2. Personal and direct invitations are most effective.
3. Recruit in groups.
4. Use relatable role models.
5. Create exploration experiences for targeted students 
6. Provide repeated exposure
7. Reduce stereotype threat