Waitlists to Wins: How UNO's Enrollment Days Revolutionized Spring Registration

More UNO students are staying on track toward their academic goals thanks to the success of the university’s first-ever Enrollment Days campaign.

Launched on Oct. 7, 2024, and lead by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success (IESS) and the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications (MarComm), the initiative helped students secure their Spring 2025 courses early, ensuring access to high-demand classes and easing their path to timely graduation.

💡 Why it matters: Encouraging early enrollment allowed students to maximize their course choices and stay aligned with degree plans, reducing stress and boosting confidence heading into the Spring 2025 semester.

🔑 Key takeaways:

• Early enrollment surge: More students enrolled in Spring 2025 courses before open registration than ever before, giving them prime access to their top-choice classes. Translation: less stress, better schedules.

• Expanded class caps: Some courses expanded their maximum enrollment limits, opening more seats—especially for underclassmen—and easing the headache of waitlists.

• Quick closures: Popular classes hit capacity faster than usual, giving departments a head start on adding sections. The result? Instructors had more prep time, and students got a smoother start to the semester.

🎤 What they’re saying:

• Sammi Kaiser, Ph.D., Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success: “This campaign succeeded because of the incredible efforts of all UNO advisors, who worked tirelessly to support students throughout the enrollment process. From resolving registration roadblocks to helping students plan their academic schedules, advisors played a critical role in ensuring that every student felt confident and prepared.”

• Phil He, Ph.D., Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: “Enrollment Days gave students the tools they need to achieve their academic and career aspirations on time and with confidence. By encouraging early registration, we ensured students had access to the courses they needed to stay on track for graduation. This proactive approach not only supports student success but also prepares a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of Nebraska’s growing economy.”

• Sasha Thurin, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications: “The success of the Enrollment Days campaign reflects the collective commitment of the UNO community to putting students first. It’s a testament to the collaboration and hard work of faculty, staff, and advisors who went above and beyond to make this initiative impactful.”

⚡️ What’s next: UNO plans to expand the Enrollment Days initiative for future semesters, using the insights gained from this campaign to refine and enhance the registration process.