Lansing-Student Connectivity: Including the Inquisitive (pt 1 of 2)

People ask me how to attract student talent. Here’s how.

PART 1: Including the Inquisitive

Economic developers and community leaders have asked me and Spotlight Michigan essentially: “How do we reach MSU students?” often meaning “How do we project the message of Lansing to 35,000 undergrads?” True, most of campus doesn’t know what Lansing has to offer and there is some validity to this point (check out part 2 “Messaging to the Majority” tomorrow). Before we start projecting a message to the masses, Lansing must include the inquisitive.

The claim that students are not interested in Lansing is simply not true. Bright students have reached out to the community in meaningful ways. TEDx participants, student entrepreneurs, Gumballers, volunteers, community advocates… the list goes on and on. These groups of students have already expressed interests beyond the bounds of campus. I’ll admit it, reaching off campus to a wider community is a scary thing for a student. If these students are are ambitious and curious enough to reach out, Lansing has an opportunity to take their hand, plug them into relevant social and business networks, and support them through the remainder of their college career.

I’m not proposing an elaborate, formalized, or involved strategy but a simple acknowledgment of “Hey, thanks for checking us out. We want you here. Here are the resources to get you connected. Lansing is awesome.” I have been lucky to meet friendly, talented, and connected people in the Greater Lansing community. This connection came through hard work on my part but also the opportunity to have some of these initial connections formed for me through my work at Spotlight Michigan. For many students, they don’t have this opportunity, but they’re still inquisitive.

The curious and ambitious are the talent we want to retain.

Let’s invite them to discover our community in meaningful ways through authentic connections and acknowledgment of their ambition by providing places on non-profit boards, volunteer opportunities, social events, and good old fashioned inclusion. Start with the inquisitive few.

PART 2: Messaging to the Majority
Read Part 2 of the Lansing-Student Connectivity series, “Messaging to the Majority,” on 6/21/2010. This post will offer concrete ways Lansing can reach students.