How a rural recruiter pitches Pitt across Pennsylvania

Daryl Burleigh didn't grow up on a farm, but he did spend a lot of time on one. The only child of factory workers from rural Wayne County, Pennsylvania, Burleigh often wandered over to his uncle's dairy farm to hang out with his cousins and help with chores.

So when Pitt had a need for someone to traverse the commonwealth's farthest reaches and advise prospective students, Burleigh seemed like the right recruiter for the job.

He had the rural cred.

Recruiting students from rural areas is an all-consuming kind of career. Burleigh is on the road four days per week for high school visits and college fairs. He also fields a constant barrage of phone calls and emails from students and their families.

"I fell in love with admissions because it gives me the ability to get out and meet and talk with people," he says. "It's my favorite part of the job."

Recruiting isn't selling

The students Burleigh meets in his travels are typically already interested in the University if they show up at his table. And even if someone unfamiliar with the school drops by, Burleigh's job is less about convincing the student to consider Pitt and more about providing a quality introduction.

"Some people have a misconception that admissions counselors are trying to convince everybody to go to their school. What I tell students is, 'I am your go-to person for all things Pitt, and I'm here to help you determine if Pitt is the best fit for you.'"

Every journey is unique

Whether it's in casual conversation or admissions data, there is a tendency to lump all rural students together, but they're actually quite different, Burleigh cautions. Some, like him, are first-generation college students who attended kindergarten through 12th grade in one building with an overworked staff. Others have college-educated parents and a dedicated counselor to help them find their way. What tends to unite them are the tight-knit communities they hail from and the potential shock of a rural-to-urban move.

"I always recommend that students visiting the Pittsburgh campus from eastern Pennsylvania spend the night and explore the city a little. A lot of them think Pittsburgh is basically like Philly but on the other side of the state. But no, it's a much different city."

Pitt is a fairy tale

Burleigh likens Pitt to Goldilocks - just right.

It's a renowned research university, but it's also home to Division I sports teams and more than 800 student organizations. It's a big school but has a small student-to-faculty ratio. It's in the city, but you can always spot nature in the distance. The contrasts can be comforting for students who are looking for something new but also missing their roots. Plus, the University of Pittsburgh Partners for Rural Student Success Impact and Mobility Project - known as PRSSIM - ensures that students receive the support they need to overcome any obstacles they face on their way to graduation.

"Pitt's first-year retention rate is well above the national average," Burleigh says. "So even if students don't have that feeling initially, I think if they stick around and get comfortable, they'll feel at home. We have a lot of supports here to help them."