KEARNEY – First impressions. The campus experience. Student success stories.
When it comes to hosting campus visits for prospective students, the University of Nebraska at Kearney Admissions Office maintains its focus on those three areas.
Dusty Newton, Director of Admissions
Sure, UNK campus tours are also about student recruitment and growing enrollment. They also are about sharing plenty of information with moms and dads.
But stripped down, UNK Admissions staff and student diplomats who lead tours have 2.5 hours to sell UNK and make a great first impression.
“We want our students giving tours to share their stories, talk about their successes here and what they like about UNK,” said Director of Admissions Dusty Newton. “High school students want to know everything about the campus experience, and there’s nobody better to share that information than our current students.”
Twenty-three student diplomats lead campus visits at UNK this spring, which are offered twice a day at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
In addition to walking tours of campus, prospective students meet with faculty in their intended majors or areas of academic interest. Financial aid appointments, meetings with coaches – even an opportunity to dine on campus – are among other offerings.
“So often, our campus visits are the first impressions people get of UNK,” Newton said. “We’re always excited to show off everything happening here and just let people see all that UNK has to offer.”
UNK News and Communications office recently spent a morning with UNK Admissions on a campus visit. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at one tour, through the lens of photographer Corbey R. Dorsey:
9:52 a.m. – Jael Roschewski, assistant director for Campus Visit Programs, welcomes high school students prior to their campus tours. Every tour begins with a short orientation and welcome from Admissions staff.9:58 a.m. – Shortly after arriving on campus, Nikolas Gligorevic of Seward looks over UNK’s Campus Guide and other information while waiting for an admissions presentation to begin.10: 04 a.m. – Roschewski visits with twin brothers Nikolas Gligorevic, right, Stefan Gligorevic and their mother, Suzanne, of Seward as they thumb through the UNK Campus Guide. The 36-page magazine highlights all aspects of campus life, including contact information, scholarship deadlines, programs of study, organizations and athletics programs, and enrollment information.10:05 a.m. – “We try to keep the number of groups touring campus to five students or less,” said Newton. “We work hard to accommodate prospective students if they have specific interests. It starts with academics, but also includes athletics and other campus organizations and activities they want to know about. We are always willing to set aside extra time so students are exposed to everything UNK offers.”10:06 a.m. – The UNK bell tower is always of interest to guests taking tours. Erected in 1986, it plays music daily at 8 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. Student tours include stops at the majority of UNK facilities, including the Nebraskan Student Union, Health and Sports Center, academic buildings and residence halls.10:11 a.m. – Prospective students walk toward Bruner Hall of Science. UNK campus visits typically last about 2.5 hours.10:19 a.m. – Walker Art Gallery, inside the Fine Arts Building, is one of the stops on campus tours taken by prospective students.10:21 a.m. – The Health and Sports Center is among athletics facilities showcased on student tours. Home to the UNK volleyball, wrestling, and men’s and women’s basketball teams, the 5,100-seat arena is one of the largest venues in the MIAA.10:25 a.m. – Brothers Nikolas Gligorevic, right, and Stefan Gligorevic from Seward High School exit the Health and Sports Center.10:32 a.m. – UNK has 23 student diplomats leading campus visits this spring. The university averages about 60 tours per month, beginning in January and running through the last day of classes in May.10:38 a.m. – UNK student diplomats McClain Narber of Aurora, left, and Frank Cuddy of Lincoln walk the Gligorevics through the entrance of Randall Mantor Hall.10:40 a.m. – The Gligorevic brothers are juniors at Seward High School. Many high school students begin touring college campuses well before their senior years.10: 42 a.m. – Frank Cuddy unlocks one of the UNK residence hall “Show Rooms.” Students get an up-close look at all aspects of campus life at UNK, including tours of rooms.10:47 a.m. – Suzanne Gligorevic and her sons discuss UNK on an elevator ride with student diplomat Frank Cuddy.10:57 a.m. – Suzanne Gligorevic takes a look at residence hall living with her sons Nikolas, left, and Stefan inside UNK’s Centennial Towers West.11:24 a.m. – Assistant Director of Health Science Elizabeth Stout, left, visits with Stefan Gligorevic and his mother, Suzanne, of Seward. Every prospective student who tours UNK meets one-on-one with a faculty member, typically in his area of academic interest.11:27 a.m. – “We are so fortunate that our faculty are willing to meet with prospective students. That one-on-one time is very important,” said Dusty Newton, director of admissions. “Our faculty do a tremendous job working with us.”11: 30 a.m. – UNK student diplomat Frank Cuddy of Lincoln writes thank you notes to those who took campus tours that day.
