Welcome to Strategic Enrollment Management at Sonoma State University
At SSU, we understand that Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) can look different depending on the institution, its goals, and the environment in which it operates. Just as our recruitment and retention strategies are tailored to meet the needs of individual students, our SEM approach is designed specifically for SSU’s unique context and future vision.
SSU Strategic Enrollment Plan
SEM Plan Update 2025-26 and 2027-28 (Updated March 2025)
Strategic Enrollment Plan Updates
In its simplest form, SEM is a coordinated set of strategies aimed at achieving our institutional enrollment goals. But at SSU, SEM is evolving. The post-pandemic landscape has brought changes to student expectations, competition, technology, and the university itself. To meet this new environment head-on, we’re building forward-thinking strategies that reflect where SSU is headed—not where we've been.
To the right, you’ll find the current 2025-26 to 2026-27 SEM Plan along with a few enrollment updates and the activities of our recruitment team. For previous plans and documents that laid the foundation for our current work, reference the Archived Documents link.
While many of the resources linked at the bottom of this page highlight new student recruitment efforts, we’re also actively focused on retention. Our colleagues in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs are leading important initiatives to support continuing students, and our academic units are deeply engaged in academic master planning. You can learn more about that work on our academic master planning site.
We invite you to explore our goals, strategies, and progress. If you have questions, suggestions, or ideas—or just want to talk enrollment—please don’t hesitate to connect with us.
For questions, please contact Paul Edwards, Interim Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management at [email protected]
Departments
Admissions
The Admissions Office is focused on the application process. It helps students apply, receive their applications, and issues the all-important letter of admission.
Recruitment & Outreach Team
The Outreach Office is our first step in attracting students to SSU. The staff shows prospective students what it is like to be a Sonoma State student. Among its activities, Outreach conducts campus tours and visits high schools.
Campus Tours
We make a concerted effort to get prospective students and their families to take our campus tours. Our surveys reveal that experiencing our beautiful campus is key to students deciding to attend Sonoma State.
Guaranteed Admissions Program
Our barrier-breaking initiative ensures all high school and community college students have a clear pathway and equal access to higher education opportunities.
Sonoma State Institutional Effectiveness
The Office of Institutional Effectiveness provides institutional data that helps decision-makers act on behalf of students and the community to foster student success and academic excellence.
Registrar's Office
After students have been admitted and begin their journey at SSU, the Registrar's Office guides them through registration, applying for graduation, getting transcripts, and a host of other services.