Challenge
Lawrence Technological University wanted a way to make admitted students feel welcomed and valued while engaging families in a fun, memorable, and inclusive way. The university explicitly asks applicants for information about their pets in their applications, and families respond positively when the university acknowledges their furry (or feathered!) family members. Recognizing that pets are an important part of many students’ lives (and that families strongly influence college decisions), LTU sought a creative and unexpected way to extend that engagement beyond the student, making the admissions experience more personal, playful, and family-focused.pet-inclusive admissions
Solution
LTU partnered with Magellan Promotions to find the perfect merch item that could delight all types of pets (not just cats and dogs). After a collaborative call exploring options, the team landed on a logo’d tennis ball that was versatile enough for a wide range of animals, even a pet snake. LTU then sent a playful, pet-directed email to admitted students’ email addresses, inviting students to pick up their pet’s gift the next time they visited campus. This approach not only celebrated students’ pets but also encouraged attendance at admitted student days and other campus events, reinforcing a sense of community and inclusivity.
Outcome
The response from families was overwhelmingly positive. Aubriex Cason, Associate Director of Admissions, shared:
“I’ve heard from families that they love that we include communication with their pets and ask for that information on our application. They like that we include the whole family, even furry or feathered members.”
The tennis balls have since been picked up by admitted students with a wide variety of pets, including dogs, cats, hamsters, frogs, snakes, and even a chicken, underscoring how this simple, thoughtful item truly worked for all kinds of families. By creatively incorporating pets into the admissions experience, LTU created a distinctive and memorable touchpoint across multiple stages of the student journey: from initial application and family engagement to admitted-student communications and in-person events. This unusual and highly engaging approach helps LTU stand out during the yield stage, forging a strong connection with both students and their families. It also reflects the university’s welcoming culture and aligns with other successful initiatives highlighted in Magellan’s blog post, Pawsitive Recruitment: How Pets Can Boost College Enrollment, showing how pet-focused campaigns can create delight and connection at each step of the enrollment process.pet-inclusive admissions
