Admissions Expands International Reach with African Recruitment Tour

The College is aiming to increase enrollment of students from across the globe over the next five years.

Washington College recently concluded a successful recruitment tour of Africa, aimed at attracting talented students from the continent to its undergraduate programs. Vice President for Enrollment Management Johnnie Johnson joined a National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) delegation of admissions leaders from top U.S. colleges and universities on a trip to South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Kenya. 

“This trip represents a significant step in our commitment to internationalizing our student body,” said Johnson. “We believe that students from around the world bring diverse perspectives and experiences that enrich our campus community.” 

The tour, now in its second year, is a collaborative effort that Johnson and several African American deans, directors and vice presidents of institutions, all members of the NACAC, initiated back back in 2022. Born out of a recognition that while many U.S. colleges were actively recruiting in regions like Southeast Asia and China, Africa was often overlooked. Johnson noted that the group thought it would be particularly powerful for the students they were going to recruit to see a cohort of African American men, all representing top U.S. schools, inviting them to attend their institutions to further their education.   

The schools represented on this year’s tour included Washington College, the University of Denver, Cornell University, the University of Connecticut, the College of the Holy Cross, the University of California at Berkeley, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Last year, Johnson's efforts helped to recruit five students from Africa to Washington College. He is hopeful this year’s trip will help bring even more students to campus. 

"Our goal is to increase the number of international students to 100 within the next few years," said Johnson, noting that these enrollees are all full-time, degree-seeking students, not undergraduates embarking on a study abroad experience in the U.S.  

This year’s tour, which took place over the summer, involved a variety of activities, including admissions fairs, counselor programs, and individual meetings with students and their families. Johnson emphasized the importance of providing students with information about the college application process, financial aid options, and life on a U.S. campus. 

The delegation visited both private and public schools, reaching a diverse range of students.  

One particularly memorable experience occurred on day two at a school in Ghana. "We were late due to heavy traffic," Johnson recounted. "When we finally entered the auditorium, there were over 900 students waiting for us. They erupted into cheers, and the energy was incredible. That set the tone for our trip." 

The group was so energized from that experience, they found themselves adding new schools to the itinerary along the way. Although the group had planned to visit Tanzania, a canceled flight forced them to change their plans. With extra time on their hands, they contacted a nearby school in Kenya and offered to visit. Despite the short notice, all of the senior students met with Johnson and the delegation in a matter of hours.  

"That principal was so proud that we had come to their school to meet their students," said Johnson. "We had some truly unforgettable experiences during this trip. The enthusiasm and eagerness of the students we met was inspiring." 

Plans are in the works for another recruitment trip in the summer of 2025.  

Washington College is committed to expanding its international recruitment efforts and building strong relationships with educational institutions and communities across the globe. To find out more about our options for international students, head to the Admissions Department’s website.