While students may only see schedules and registration deadlines, the process of enrolling at Jones College begins long before a new semester arrives.
Behind the scenes, Enrollment Services works year-round to support students from initial interest through their first day of class. The department includes recruitment, admissions, financial aid, student records and more, all working together to ensure students are prepared and supported throughout the enrollment process.
Amanda McLeod, vice president of Enrollment Services, stressed that planning for fall enrollment starts earlier than most may think.
“Planning for fall begins a full year ahead,” McLeod said. “We monitor admissions applications weekly starting a year in advance to ensure we are on track.”
Recruitment efforts begin in August when recruiters start actively connecting with students. By March, enrollment officially opens, marking the start of the busiest stretch leading into the fall semester. The recruitment team consists of two recruiters, Jalin Eldridge and Adison Mauldin, who work closely with students throughout the process.
Throughout the enrollment cycle, the team relies heavily on data to track progress. Key indicators include completed applications, scheduled enrollment appointments, FAFSA completion rates and the number of students registered for classes.
“We also monitor students who apply but do not enroll so that we can identify barriers and provide support,” McLeod said. “We usually receive around 10,000 applications a year. Last academic year, 2024-25, we received 10,265.”
Recruiters play a major role in the process. On a daily basis, they travel across Jones College’s eight-county district, visiting high schools, attending college fairs and hosting events.
The college serves 22 high schools across its district, which includes Clarke, Covington, Greene, Jones, Jasper, Wayne, Perry and Smith counties.
“Our recruiters are on the go daily,” McLeod said. “They connect with students, answer questions and guide them through the entire enrollment process.”
For recruiters, the work goes beyond simply sharing information.
“My absolute favorite part of my job is helping students see all the possibilities that are out there for them,” recruiter Jalin Eldridge said. “We offer so many different pathways at Jones, and making those known to students and watching them plug into those pathways is rewarding.”
A recruiter’s schedule often changes from day to day depending on the time of year.
“My days vary a lot,” Eldridge said. “When I am in the office during the spring, I am working with counselors to gather and deliver scholarship information for around 28 schools. When I am out of the office, I could be enrolling students, giving presentations, conducting mock interviews or attending awards days.”
Even on a typical day, recruiters are constantly balancing multiple responsibilities.
“I would say that our ‘normal’ days are busy most of the time,” Eldridge said. “We are used to the chaos and busyness in recruiting.”
Recruiters also face challenges when trying to connect with students.
“One major obstacle is engaging students who are used to everything being done digitally,” Eldridge said. “It can be difficult to keep their attention, even when we try different approaches.”
Despite these challenges, recruiters continue working to build relationships with students across the district.
“One thing students may not realize is how many students we work with each year,” Eldridge said. “We see over 500 students, so if we do not remember every detail, it is not a lack of care.”
Even though the front lines are the most visible, a lot of work happens behind the scenes. Multiple departments across campus work together to prepare for a new semester, including Enrollment Management, Instructional Affairs, Student Affairs, Marketing and Information Technology.
“There is a significant amount of coordination happening behind the scenes,” McLeod said. “Multiple departments work together to create a smooth experience for students.”
This coordination includes aligning course schedules, processing transcripts, reviewing financial aid, preparing communication plans and organizing new student orientation.
The busiest times of the year are during peak enrollment seasons, particularly July and August for the fall semester.
“This is a critical time as students finalize schedules, financial aid and payments,” McLeod said.
Despite the fast-paced environment, Enrollment Services continues to see strong growth. Jones College enrolled 5,057 students last fall, marking one of the highest enrollment totals in over a decade.
“We are currently seeing positive momentum and continued growth,” McLeod said. “Early indicators suggest that student interest remains strong.”
For incoming students, McLeod emphasized the importance of starting early and staying engaged throughout the process.
“Completing FAFSA, checking email regularly and responding to outreach can make the process much smoother,” McLeod said.
McLeod said Jones College stands out for its focus on personal connection and student support.
“Our team truly cares about students and wants to see them succeed,” McLeod said.
As enrollment continues to grow, the work behind the scenes remains just as important as what students see on the surface, ensuring every student has the support they need to confidently take their next step.
For more information about enrollment, campus visits and upcoming deadlines, visit https://www.jcjc.edu.
by Savanna Edwards
