Colleges of agriculture emphasize student recruitment, yet faculty involvement in recruitment efforts is often limited or informal. This project examined whether transparent sharing of student recruitment data could increase faculty engagement and buy in. The guiding research question was: Does exposure to data on why students choose to enroll increase faculty engagement in recruitment related activities?

The project used data from a First Year Experience (FYE) survey administered to incoming students in a College of Agriculture. The survey focused on factors influencing enrollment decisions, including academic programs, interactions with faculty, institutional reputation, scholarships, advising, family influence, and experiential learning opportunities. These results were presented in a faculty workshop that emphasized survey construction, response patterns, and interpretation rather than relying solely on summarized conclusions.

During the workshop, faculty participants examined the data, discussed how student-reported decision factors compared with their own assumptions, and reflected on how their roles as instructors and advisors might influence recruitment. Faculty engagement was assessed using pre and post workshop surveys, supplemented by observation of workshop discussion and tracking of subsequent participation in recruitment activities. Results showed a statistically significant increase in faculty buy-in toward recruitment efforts following the workshop.

The workshop also led to action beyond the session itself. Increased faculty engagement contributed to formal, faculty-led recruitment initiatives, including revised outreach strategies, course-based recruitment touchpoints, and collaborative projects aligned with identified student decision factors. Overall, these findings suggest that faculty engagement in recruitment is strengthened when faculty are invited to engage directly with student choice data. Treating recruitment data as a shared analytical resource can build faculty ownership and translate insights into coordinated recruitment efforts.