During our holiday Free on Friday webcast last week — “Admissions’ Wish List for Santa” — admissions professionals were asked to submit their “wishes” for the industry. Many of our colleagues submitted a letter to Santa (TargetX’s very own Trent Gilbert) and the content did not disappoint. From the basic needs of an admissions office to campus-wide strategic planning, here are just a few requests we wanted to share.

Office and campus essentials included items like iPads for admissions staff (and a strategy for their use), and an additional staff member on the “social media” team. Taryn from Lynn University had a larger request, “A new student center that highlights campus life.” But she wasn’t the only one; many admissions officers wrote for new welcome and student centers that represent their institution authentically and showcase campus life effectively.

Chunky the Elf (played by Jeff Kallay) addressed the media’s attention on higher education, “The press is beating us [admissions] up about the costs of college and we’re not fighting back.” His wish for admissions? That the industry would be more proactive about this negative attention and do more to communicate the value of higher ed.

Campus wide “wishes” included incorporating the whole institution in the recruitment process, better strategic communication planning, additional support throughout campus for recruitment marketing efforts, and of course — “additional budget dollars,” said Jodi of Alfred University. All things that can help engage prospective students and re-establish the value and worth of higher education.

We’re thankful to all our participants of the last Free on Friday for 2011. There’s much more to see from this fun, festive and informative 30-minute webcast.

Watch the full video of “Admissions’ Wishlist for Santa.”

Read more about our authors.  Annemarie Nagle is the Senior Marketing Executive for TargetX. Annemarie knew she had a passion for admissions and recruiting as a student tour guide. Since then, she has worked in higher education as an admission counselor and a dual role recruiting students and managing marketing communications.