Panel: Attracting, Retaining and Placing IS Students in an Economic Downturn

Many information systems (IS) programs have been touting the positive economic outlook and opportunities for IS graduates as a strategy for increasing enrollment. Today, the unemployment rate is the highest its been in 25 years with the unemployment rate for college graduates the highest since the U.S. government started keeping records (Yang 2009). The purpose of this panel is to discuss strategies for attracting, retaining and placing IS majors in an economic downturn. Since business support is critical to these endeavors, we will also share strategies for engaging the business community. Panelists include 5 people who have successfully lead their departments’ initiatives in these areas: Hope Koch, Mark A. Fuller, Craig van Slyke, Richard Watson and Rick L. Wilson