Outreach
Targeted Outreach to High Schools
The Outreach Office is dedicated to building partnerships with historically underserved communities and the high schools that serve them. Our goal is to encourage and attract graduating seniors to attend De Anza College upon completion of high school. Services include college presentations, campus tours, invitations to high school student empowerment conferences, a high school partner conference and breakfast, high school application events, and Enrollment Day.
College Presentations
- Increase awareness of De Anza College's offerings and encourage applications from graduating seniors.
- Tailored Messaging: Customize presentations for each high school based on student demographics, academic interests, and community needs.
- Consider possibly multilingual presentations: Offer presentations in multiple languages to accommodate diverse student populations.
- Student Panelists: Include current De Anza students, especially alumni from those high schools, to share relatable experiences.
- Data-Driven Approach: Use enrollment and application statistics to target underrepresented high schools more effectively.
Campus Tours: Familiarize students with the campus environment, facilities, and resources to foster a sense of belonging.
- Thematic Tours: Offer specialized tours (e.g., STEM-focused, arts and humanities, student services). Working closely with other departments
- Interactive Elements: Include hands-on activities such as visiting labs or engaging with student clubs.
- Virtual Tour Options: Create virtual tours for schools unable to travel to the campus. Something to explore with Communications team
- Incentives for Attendance: Provide swag to feel connected to the college
Empowerment Conferences: HS conference recruiting event - Inspire students through motivational programming and promote pathways to De Anza College.
- Interactive Workshops: Include sessions on overcoming challenges, goal setting, higher ed plans, social and cultural barriers, and financial aid planning.
- Keynote Speakers: Feature successful alumni or motivational figures from the community.
- Follow-Up Engagement: Registration form to share personalized next steps after the event.
- Feedback Loop: Use surveys to refine future events and utilize for programs to recruit students.
High School Partner Conference/Breakfast: Strengthen relationships with high school counselors and administrators to create seamless pipelines to De Anza College
- Include sessions on supporting first-generation students or navigating financial aid.
- Resource Sharing: Provide updated materials on programs, admissions timelines, and key events.
- Use feedback to address gaps and refine strategies for reaching students.
Application Events and Enrollment Days: Simplify the application and enrollment process to boost matriculation rates.
- Enrollment Services: Offer application assistance, financial aid help, and academic counseling in one event.
- Dedicated Workshops: Provide focused sessions for students needing extra guidance, such as ESL learners or first-generation applicants.
- Family Involvement: Include resources and sessions for parents to address concerns and build support. Parent session during enrollment day.
Orientation sessions
- State required resources and information for all incoming students.
- Personalized Resources: Provide checklists and guides tailored to students’ goals (e.g., transfer, career training).
- Peer Mentoring: Connect students with current students who can guide them through their transition.
Lead: Stacey Carrasco, Outreach Office
Plan Lead: Stacey Carrasco
Plan Timeline
Winter 2024
Invite high school students to our enrollment day and the outreach office to learn more about De Anza College.
Invitation to do early registration and orientation to high schools to historically underserved communities.
Invitation to our high school empowerment conferences for Black, Latinx, Filipinx, Pacific Islander, and Southeast Asian communities
Our student success specialist(s) works with high schools from disproportionately impacted communities to do college workshops, tabling, and other support services for our local high schools.
Work with admissions and records to open Fall/Summer early to assist in early matriculation.
Conduct application workshops onsite at our local high school partners (48 high schools) with a priority of working with historically underrepresented communities. Additionally sending counselors and staff that can culturally connect with the community.
Spring 2024
Invitation to do early registration and orientation to high schools to historically underserved communities.
Invitation to our high school empowerment conferences for Black, Latinx, Filipinx, Pacific Islander, and Southeast Asian communities
Our student success specialist(s) works with high schools from disproportionately impacted communities to do college workshops, tabling, and other support services for our local high schools.
Work with admissions and records to open Fall/Summer early to assist in early matriculation.
Conduct application workshops onsite at our local high school partners (48 high schools) with a priority of working with historically underrepresented communities. Additionally sending counselors and staff that can culturally connect with the community.
Fall 2024
During the high school partner conference/breakfast session (Nov. 1, 2024), we will discuss the latest updates regarding our campus programs and initiatives. High School counselors will have the opportunity to learn about new degree/cert offerings, resources, and support services available to students. Additionally, we discuss our partnership opportunities with the high school in recruiting students to De Anza College. The connection and collaboration are invaluable to us in helping students transition smoothly into higher education. We believe that by working together, we can make a significant impact on guiding students towards their academic and career goals. Including gifts and swag can enhance the experience and leave a positive impression on high school counselors.
Enrollment Day last Saturday of April.
Conduct application workshops onsite at our local high school partners (48 high schools) with a priority of working with historically underrepresented communities. Additionally sending counselors and staff that can culturally connect with the community.
Winter 2025
Invite high school students to our annual empowerment conference. This year a 1 day conference to learn more about De Anza College. Target recruitment efforts to graduating seniors as capacity is limited.
Our student success specialist(s) will be working to inform high school counselors of our conference event while also providing college workshops, tabling college nights, and other support services for local high schools. Our efforts will be focused on working with high schools from disproportionately impacted communities.
Spring 2025
The Outreach Office will continue to focus on hosting the High School Empowerment Conference as a key strategy to connect with students. These events serve as an opportunity to introduce students to De Anza College, highlight the resources available through the Outreach Office, and promote upcoming Open House.
We will also extend invitations to historically underserved high schools for early registration and orientation, providing students with direct access to college support and an introduction to our campus community.
Our Student Success Specialists will continue engaging in outreach efforts at local high schools while actively promoting Enrollment Day and supporting the development of an orientation schedule that guides students through their first steps at De Anza.
Fall 2025
Summer Planning and Strategy Development
During the summer, the Outreach Office will focus on developing a comprehensive project plan for the 2025–2026 academic year. This includes:
- Strategizing and coordinating outreach efforts for high school events.
- Creating an annual action plan for collaboration with local high schools, aimed at strengthening relationships and increasing our consistent presence on their campuses.
- Identifying opportunities to align outreach activities with campus-wide equity and enrollment initiatives.
Fall 2025 Outreach Initiatives and Engagement
- High School Engagement:
We will proactively schedule one-on-one meetings with local high school partners, including counselors, teachers, and administrators, to foster deeper collaboration and ensure they are informed and involved in our upcoming events and student support services.
- New Communication Tool – The De Anza Insider:
We are launching a monthly newsletter, The De Anza Insider, designed specifically for high school counselors. This newsletter will provide up-to-date information on De Anza College programs, important deadlines, event invitations, student success stories, and new initiatives. This tool will enhance transparency, communication, and coordination with our high school partners.
- New Student Next Steps canvas shell #39153:
We’ve developed a dedicated Canvas shell that serves as a virtual onboarding hub for new students. This resource will function as a "Getting Started at De Anza" manual and include key steps for enrollment, Promise Program information, support service contacts, and tips for a successful transition to college. This tool aims to increase student self-sufficiency and engagement from the moment they apply.
Our Student Success Specialists will:
- Serve as liaisons to local high schools, particularly those serving disproportionately impacted communities.
- Lead college workshops, host tabling sessions, and offer individualized support to promote application completion and college readiness.
- Maintain and routinely update our high school contact list to ensure we are reaching key stakeholders with the most current email addresses and contact information for timely and effective communication.
Winter 2026
The Outreach Office will continue to actively invite high school students to participate in key college readiness events, including Open House and on-campus visits to the Outreach Office, where students can learn more about the programs, services, and opportunities available at De Anza College.
We will prioritize outreach to historically underserved high schools by extending invitations for early registration and orientation opportunities, supporting a smoother transition into college for students from disproportionately impacted communities.
2026 Postponed - In alignment with our commitment to equity and inclusion, we begin to plan to host High School Empowerment Conferences specifically designed for Black, Latinx, Filipinx, Pacific Islander, and Southeast Asian students, providing culturally affirming programming and engagement with De Anza’s learning communities and support services.
At this time, the Outreach Office is experiencing staffing challenges due to a vacant Student Success Specialist position.
Spring 2026
The Outreach Office will continue to actively invite high school students to participate in key college readiness events, including Open House and on-campus visits to the Outreach Office, where students can learn more about the programs, services, and opportunities available at De Anza College.
We will prioritize outreach to historically underserved high schools by extending invitations for early registration and orientation opportunities, supporting a smoother transition into college for students from disproportionately impacted communities.
Our Student Success Specialists will:
- Serve as liaisons to local high schools, particularly those serving disproportionately impacted communities.
- Lead college workshops, host tabling sessions, and offer individualized support to promote application completion and college readiness.
- Maintain and routinely update our high school contact list to ensure we are reaching key stakeholders with the most current email addresses and contact information for timely and effective communication.
During the summer, the Outreach Office will focus on developing a comprehensive project plan for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Fall 2026
Summer Planning and Strategy Development
During the summer, the Outreach Office will focus on strategic enrollment plan. This includes:
- Coordinating outreach efforts and planning to attend high school.
- Creating an action plan for collaboration with local high schools, aimed at strengthening relationships and increasing our consistent presence on their campuses.
- Identifying opportunities to align outreach activities with campus-wide equity and enrollment initiatives.
Fall 2026 Outreach Initiatives and Engagement contingent on further staff support from a student specialist.
- High School Engagement:
We will proactively schedule one-on-one meetings with local high school partners, including counselors, teachers, and administrators, to foster deeper collaboration and ensure they are informed and involved in our upcoming events and student support services.
- The De Anza Insider:
A monthly newsletter, The De Anza Insider, designed specifically for high school counselors. This newsletter will provide up-to-date information on De Anza College programs, important deadlines, event invitations, student success stories, and new initiatives. This tool will enhance transparency, communication, and coordination with our high school partners.
- Next Steps canvas shell #39153:
We’ve developed a dedicated Canvas shell that serves as a virtual onboarding hub for new students. This resource will function as a "Getting Started at De Anza" manual and include key steps for enrollment, Promise Program information, support service contacts, and tips for a successful transition to college. This tool aims to increase student self-sufficiency and engagement from the moment they apply.
Our Student Success Specialists will:
- Serve as liaisons to local high schools, particularly those serving disproportionately impacted communities.
- Lead college workshops, host tabling sessions, and offer individualized support to promote application completion and college readiness.
- Maintain and routinely update our high school contact list to ensure we are reaching key stakeholders with the most current email addresses and contact information for timely and effective communication.