Staff Profile: Dale Cohen

Talent Scout

Many adults go back to college. Not many adults go back to high school. Dale Cohen enjoys going back to high school - as much as 30 times a year - in his role as Recruitment and Outreach Specialist.

I've been a high school "regular," recruiting students in the district and surrounding area, since 1985. I may no longer be a teenager, but I constantly have to think like one. Traditional-age students usually don't ask a lot of questions, so I have to anticipate what questions they may have or not feel comfortable asking. I'll do whatever I can to put their mind at ease.

I remember what it was like when I was a student. I felt like I had to grasp a lot on my own. No one pointed me in the right direction when I was trying to get in college. That's what keeps me motivated in my position. In a given week, I'll talk to more than 100 students through e-mails, phone calls, or face-to-face meetings. If I don't know something, I'll find someone who does.

While it's hard to track recruitment success, it's nice when I receive something tangible like a thank-you letter from a parent or student. That's what helps make my job rewarding - knowing I was able to provide direction and assistance.

I used to work in sales as an account representative for a newspaper, and I also served as a news director and disc jockey for a country radio station. However, I always had a passion for higher education and wanting to make a difference in people's lives. I definitely found my calling at Oakton.

Dale Cohen
Recruitment and Outreach Specialist