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Enhance your communication and engagement with your association's student members (and future professional members) with these four secrets. 

• School is a student's first priority. Students will always put their education first. But no need to worry, that's what students should be doing. Therefore, it is the role of the association to be the go-to resource in furthering a student's education and understanding the profession.

• Using technology on a daily basis does not make students tech savvy. Students use Twitter and Facebook on a daily basis; however, a Twitter-addict may not understand, for instance, how to use a fillable PDF document for an awards application. In developing member benefits or making processes more efficient, it is important to recognize the possible technological boundaries of your student members.

• Students are younger than you. Although it may seem logical, it is important to recognize that the typical student member is younger than most of your staff members. In creating marketing materials or designing programming, it is important to make sure you are communicating with students at their level.

• Associations should be the professional link outside the student bubble. Member faculty are a great resource in demonstrating to students the bond between their profession and the association. If shown the association's impact in professional lives, students will continue their membership as they enter the "real world."

Student members present a unique membership group, and with these four secrets, your association will enhance its student membership experience.

Lilliane Smothers is assistant for student relations at American Dental Hygienists' Association in Chicago.