Office of Admission Alumni Volunteer Guide

2017-2018

Table of Contents

Office of Admission 3 Meet the Admission Staff 4 Admission Representatives 5 Alumni Volunteers 6 Alumni Volunteer Materials 8 General Tips for Volunteers 9 Guidelines for Specific Activities 11 Austin College At-a-Glance 13 The Admission Process 15 Key Contacts 16

2 Office of Admission

The Office of Admission is responsible for the recruitment efforts of Austin College. It is the main point of contact for any prospective student seeking information about or admission to the College. Prospective students include high school students in the United States and abroad as well as transfer students. The Office of Admission seeks to provide a personalized experience for prospective students and their families. To do so while reaching as many prospective students as possible, the Office utilizes alumni volunteers throughout the recruitment process. Volunteers can assist in the recruitment and admission process in a variety of ways, including representing Austin College at college fairs, contacting prospective students, adopting a local high school, and hosting or attending Austin College-sponsored events for prospective and admitted students. On behalf of Austin College, we thank you for assisting us with our recruitment programs. Through your volunteer efforts, we are able to broaden our reach and contact higher numbers of prospective students throughout the state and nation. Please use this manual as a resource and guide for current information about Austin College and the Admission process.

3 Meet the Admission Staff

Each student is assigned to an Admission representative based on the high school or college they currently attend. When speaking with prospective students and their families, encourage them to contact their representative with any questions they may have or to simply introduce themselves.

Office of Admission Contact Phone: 903.813.3000 Email: [email protected]

Nan Massingill Davis Vice President for Institutional Enrollment Baylee L. Kowert Executive Director of Institutional Enrollment Alan Ramirez Director of Admission Kristen Sunny Director of Alumni and Student Recruiters Ricky Alarcon Director of Transfer Admission & Special Partnerships Mary Ferguson Campus Visit Coordinator

4 Admission Representatives Ricky Alarcon Texas: YES Prep Public Schools, Uplift Charter Schools, Texas Academy of Math and Science, Texas Academy of Leadership in Humanities, and all transfer students Hank Ewert Texas: Austin and Central Texas, San Antonio Out of State: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming Crystal O. Garcia ’17 Texas: Dallas area private schools: Bishop Lynch High School, Bishop Dunne Catholic School, Dallas County including Richardson ISD, eastern Dallas cities (Forney, Garland, Mesquite, Rockwall, Sunnyvale, Wylie), southern Dallas cities (Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Ennis, Lancaster, Red Oak, Waxahachie), Irving, Grand Prairie, Corpus Christi, Rio Grande Valley Out of State: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Lousiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee Erin Hargrove Texas: Greater Houston area, Bryan/College Station, Beaumont Out of State: International students, and U.S. citizens living abroad Tyler Hicks ’15 Texas: Fort Worth, Denton, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Arlington, Mansfield, HEB, Wichita Falls, El Paso, East Texas Out of State: Oklahoma Cole McDonough Texas: Dallas area Private: John Paul II High School, Collin County (Allen, Lovejoy, Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, Plano, Prosper), West Texas, Panhandle Out of State: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia Alan Ramirez Texas: Highland Park High School and Dallas area private schools: Cistercian Preparatory School, Episcopal School of Dallas, Greenhill School, Hockaday School, Parish Episcopal School, Saint Marks School of Texas, Trinity Christian Academy, Ursuline Academy Jesuit College Preparatory School, Prestonwood Christian Academy, Shelton School, The Winston School, Yavneh Academy of Dallas Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee Kristen Sunny ‘11 Texas: Sherman, Denison 5 Alumni Volunteers Alumni Volunteer Opportunities Represent Austin College at a College Fair Refer a Prospective Student Recommend a Student for the Moseley Alumni Scholarship

Specific Responsibilities

 Keep alumni contact information current.

 Stay informed of Austin College’s admission process, recent events and activities on campus, and changes and additions made to Austin College’s academic programs.

 Utilize the Alumni Volunteer Guide to answer questions from prospective students.

 Participate in Austin College recruitment events and activities.

 Provide feedback to Office of Admission staff about recruitment events, activities, and materials.

 Refer prospective students to their assigned Admission Representative.

 Refer specific questions regarding the admission process to the Office of Admission.

6 Alumni Volunteers - College Fairs Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers - College Program Guidelines 1. The Admissions/Recruitment Office is responsible to see that ALL representatives from their institution a) receive a copy of these guidelines, b) are appropriately trained and c) are able to answer knowledgeably the specific questions asked by students and parents. The highest level of personal and professional conduct needs to be maintained. 2. Institutions are responsible for all the actions of the persons acting on their behalf. Alumni must be trained and MUST be identified as alumni on their name badge. 3. The following materials are NOT to be distributed at TACRAO sponsored programs: bumper stickers, buttons, pennants, posters, rulers, candy, t-shirts, or other gimmicks. Appropriate items include brochures describing an institution and its programs, catalogs, and other items containing factual information. Pens and pencils with your institution’s name are allowed. Demonstrations such as food preparation, drawing caricatures, hair cutting, or similar activities are not permitted. 4. Representatives are expected to remain at the Program until the time period expires or host indi- cates the program is over. 5. Displays must be confined to the tabletop provided. Audiovisual equipment is not allowed in browsing or common areas. Only those schools with individuals rooms can use this type of equipment. Call ahead of time if you want permission to use the host school’s equipment. Bill- boards or displays used in the browsing area are limited to 36 inches above the table. Do not, at any time, block the view of another representative. 6. Each institution must register for the college fair by designated deadlines and notify the host of any cancellations. Representatives must remain behind or beside the table during the shopping portions of the college programs. Aisles in front of the booth must be kept completely clear or promotional display materials. 7. Limit students, cadets, or other non-professionals to two in addition to the institution’s primary representative. 8. Institutions may solicit an invitation to a particular program. The host of the program does have the right of refusal. The following materials are NOT to be distributed at college fairs: bumper stickers, buttons, ] pennants, poster, rulers, candy , t-shirts, or other gimmicks. Demonstrations such as food preparation, drawing caricatures, hair cutting, or similar activities are not permitted.

7 Alumni Volunteer Materials In your volunteer packet, you may receive the following: 1. Inquiry Cards - By filling out this card, students are added to our mailing list and allows our office to conduct proper follow up. Any personal notes you would like to write on the cards about each student is appreciated. 2. Excellence Brochure - This should be handed out to everyone that comes to your table. This piece profiles Austin College and provides detailed facts and figures, including information on application deadlines and scholarships. 3. January Term Travel Brochure - This is a great handout for students interested in studying abroad or learning more about Janterm. This piece provides information on sample travel and on-campus courses, as well as information on Career Study Off Campus (CSOC) opportunities. 4. Austin College Difference Card - This piece is another great handout for anyone that visits your table. It provides statistics and information on Austin College academics, programs, and graduation rates. 5. Graduate Outcomes Card - This piece details many of the graduate and professional schools that Austin College graduates attend as well as where many former students have found full-time employment. 6. Career Services Brochure - This brochure highlights various opportunities that students have to prepare themselves for graduate school and careers after Austin College. It also highlights several examples of successful former students. 7. Colleges That Change Lives Table Tent - This small table tent highlights Austin College’s inclusion in Lauren Pope’s book, Colleges That Change Lives 8. Table Banner - Please place on your table at a college fair. 9. Austin College Pens 10.Blank Nametag - Please write your name and graduation year and wear during volunteer events. 11. Business Cards - You will be provided with business cards for the specific admission representative for the college fair

8 General Tips for Volunteers Do’s and Don’t’s Do...

 Dress professionally when representing Austin College. Business casual attire is appropriate

 Smile, be positive, enthusiastic, and professional

 Share Austin College stories to a prospective student that is based on your experience; however, separate your opinion from facts

 Share how Austin College prepared you for success in your career

 Highlight what you enjoyed about attending a liberal arts college

 Review the current Excellence Brochure and other materials to remain up-to-date on statistics and details about Austin College, procedures on how to apply, the scholarship and financial aid process, and a list of majors offered

 Review the “Austin-College-at-a-Glance” section of this guide for snapshots of Austin College’s campus, academics, and student body

 Refer specific questions to the student’s admission representative. Please refer to page 5 for a list of each admission representative’s territory Don’t...

 Speak negatively about another college or university. Instead, talk about Austin College’s strengths

 Share inappropriate stories about your time at Austin College

 Guarantee admission or make a statement of admissibility to a prospective student. Be an advocate of our admission decision and do not blame an admission decision on an uncaring, insensitive committee

 Answer questions that you do not know the answer to. Don’t be afraid of referring students to their specific admission representative

9 General Tips for Volunteers Interacting with Prospective Students and Their Families When visiting with prospective students and their families, it is important to remember that this may be the first time they are learning about Austin College or interacting with a representative of the College. It may be the first impression they get of academics and life at Austin College, so it is important to provide as accurate of information as possible. We want prospective students and their families to be able to make an informed decision about applying to or attending Austin College. Keep in mind that the Office of Admission is looking for students that will be comfortable with yet challenged by the academic rigor of our school and we understand that Austin College may not be the right fit for every student. You may always direct prospective students and their families to our website, www.austincollege.edu, to learn more about the opportunities that we can offer. In addition, please encourage students and families to visit our campus on a Preview Day or for an individual visit. We offer information sessions and campus tours twice daily. Questions You Can Ask Prospective Students Some prospective students may be hesitant to ask questions or start a conversation with you. To help initiate conversation, consider asking these questions:

 “What can I help you learn more about?”

 “What can I tell you about Austin College today?”

 “Have you ever visited our campus?”

 “What are you interested in studying in college?”

10 Guidelines for Specific Activities College Fairs Preparing for a College Fair

 Familiarize yourself with the material that has been mailed to you  Review the Alumni Volunteer Guide and the “Austin-College-at-a-Glance”  Take the Alumni Volunteer Guide with you as a reference during the College Fair  Make sure you have the location and directions for the college fair, as well as any parking information provided  Remember to dress professionally in business casual attire. You may want to wear comfortable shoes since you will likely be standing during the college fair Arrival and Set-Up

 Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start time of the college fair and check in with the program organizers  Locate the assigned table for Austin College  Set up your table with the materials provided before students and families arrive During a College Fair

 Remain behind the Austin College table. Do not stand in front of the table or in the aisles  Offer to answer questions for prospective students and their families. Remember that many students are just beginning their college search and will have few or no questions at this point. Typically, juniors and seniors will be in attendance  Encourage students to complete an Inquiry Card to get on our mailing list; however, they may also mail it in later or complete it online. Spot check the Inquiry Cards for readability of vital contact information. Do NOT allow students to fill out inquiry cards at other tables  Encourage students to call their specific admission representative of the Office of Admission at 1.800.KANGAROO (526.4276) with specific questions that you cannot answer. Provide them with a business card for their admission representative After a College Fair

 Complete the online evaluation form for the college fair program(s) you attended. The form may be found at: www.austincollege.edu/college-fair-evaluation/  Return the completed inquiry cards, remaining brochures, and table banner in the pre-paid envelope the day after the event  Please reach out to Kristen Sunny ([email protected]) with any comments or feedback

11 Guidelines for Specific Activities Refer a Prospective Student If you know of a prospective student that would be a great fit for Austin College, please refer them to the Office of Admission. Our office will send them information on the admission process and detailed information and brochures about Austin College. They will also be entered into our internal system so that an admission representative will connect with them directly. Referred students will also receive additional information, including a student newsletter and handwritten notes, and individualized attention during the admission process. To refer a student, please email Kristen Sunny at [email protected].

Recommend a Prospective Student for the Moseley Alumni Scholarship The John D. Moseley Alumni Scholarship is awarded each year to outstanding freshmen applicants through a highly competitive selection process. The Moseley Alumni Scholarship is renewable annually as long as the recipient remains a full-time student in good academic standing. Each student receives between $500-$1,000 annually. The Scholarship Committee will consider candidates based on the following:

 Evidence of academic achievement  Evidence of significant involvement in extra-curricular activities  Alum recommendation Applicants must submit their scholarship application by February 1, 2018. Each applicant must be recommended by an alum by the deadline date. To recommend a prospective student for the Moseley Alumni Scholarship, please complete the scholarship form and submit a letter of recommendation that illustrates the candidate’s merits, including:  Evidence of personal character and special talents  Community activities and service to others  Evidence of academic achievement and intellectual curiosity  Description of relationship with candidate, including degree of familiarity  Personal impressions of the candidate that indicate they would be successful at Austin College  General supporting comments You may access the scholarship application at: https://www.austincollege.edu/wp- content/uploads/2010/03/Moseley-ALUMNI-Scholarship-Application-14-15.pdf Please mail application and recommendation to: John D. Moseley Scholarship Committee Austin College Office of Admission 900 N. Grand Ave. Suite 6N Sherman, Texas 75090 12 Austin College At-a-Glance (2017-2018)

Location Sherman, Texas - just north of Dallas in a metroplex of over 125,000 people

Campus Over 70 acres on a beautifully landscaped, tree-lined campus, with an additional 30 acres on Lake Texoma for recreational use. Over 350 acres for environmental research

Students 1,286 undergraduate students; 49% male, 51% female; from 37 states and 2 countries; 54% of students are of ethnic minority

Faculty About 100 faculty members; 93% hold a P.h.D. in their field; student/faculty ratio is 12:1

Average Class 15; no Teaching Assistants, no auditorium-style classes; classes are discussion-oriented and reading/writing intensive

Degrees Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts in Teaching

Majors More than 50 majors/minors plus an option to design your own major; students declare disciplines at the end of their sophomore year (required to either double major or major with a minor)

Study Abroad 2/3rds of students study abroad, either for a full semester or year or during a Janterm abroad. Students have studied on 6 continents and in over 100 countries Independent Study Opportunities for students to design a course with a faculty member

Internship Available through academic departments and Career Services; 75% of students complete an internship before graduation

Research Available through the CREATE program; over 40% of students conduct research

Austin College At-a-Glance (2017-2018)

Mentors Each freshman student is assigned a faculty mentor for all four years. This mentor assists with finding appropriate courses, determining a major, staying on track to graduate, and navigating academic and student life

Outcomes 96% of the graduating class of 2017 graduated in 4 years or less; 97% graduate school acceptance rate; 86% of job- seeking graduates are employed within one year of graduation; 90% medical school acceptance rate

Living Community-oriented campus; 80% of students live on campus; students get to live on campus for 3 years; 4 on-campus residence halls; 4 apartment-style housing units

Athletics NCAA Division III; Southern Collegiate Athletics Conference (SCAC); no athletic scholarships; 16 intercollegiate sports for men and women Men: Football, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Swimming & Diving, Cross Country, Distance Track, and Baseball Women: Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Swimming & Diving, Cross Country, Distance Track, and Softball

Campus Activities 70+ clubs and organizations on campus; students can create their own organization to explore their passions; club and organizational events are free to all students; Campus Activities Board (CAB) creates and hosts student weekly student activities

14 The Admission Process Application Deadlines Early Decision (binding): November 1, 2017 Early Action I: December 1, 2017 Early Action II: February 1, 2018 Regular Decision: March 1, 2018 Please apply online at: www.austincollege/edu/apply

Admission Materials We accept either the Common Application or Apply Texas Essay High School Transcript Official Test Scores (SAT or ACT) Test-Optional: Instead of submitting official test scores, students can submit an expository writing sample with teacher grade and comments Two Letters of Recommendation - from a teacher and a counselor Interview: not required, but recommended, especially for test-option applicants

Scholarships Scholarship priority deadline is February 1, 2018. No separate application is needed for merit -based, academic scholarships 75% of students receive a merit-based scholarship from Austin College In 2017, merit-based scholarships ranged from $18,000-$27,000 Institutional scholarships require separate applications and are due on February 1, 2018: Music, Art, Theatre, Moseley Alumni , Moseley Presbyterian, and ACCESS (STEM) scholarships

Financial Aid 90% of Austin College students receive financial assistance. Apply online using the free Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA application opens on October 1, 2017 for current seniors

Campus Visit Call 1.800.KANGAROO (800.526.4276) or 903.813.3000 to schedule a personalized visit, which includes a campus tour and information session. Also available upon request are class visits, faculty/coach appointments, and overnight visits for seniors only.

15 Key Contacts

Austin College 900 N. Grand Ave. Sherman, TX 75090

Office of Admission Suite 6N 903.813.3000 or 800.526.4276 Office of Financial Aid Suite 61562 903.813.2900 Office of Academic Affairs Suite 6D 903.813.2226 Office of Student Life Suite 6J 903.813.2306 Office of Athletics Suite 6A 903.813.2499 Office of the Registrar Suite 6R 903.813.2371

16 Key Contacts - Academic Departments Art & Art History History Chair: Dr. Jeff Fontana Chair: Dr. Hunt Tooley (Fall 2017) 903.813.2066 903.813.2292 [email protected] [email protected] Chair: Dr. Light Cummins (Spring 2018) Biology 903.813.2359 Chair: Dr. Wayne Meyer [email protected] 903.813.2254 [email protected] Mathematics & Computer Chemistry Science Chair: Dr. Bradley Smucker (Fall 2017) Chair: Dr. J’Lee Bumpus 903.813.2217 903.813.2317 [email protected] [email protected] Chair: Dr. Andrew Carr (Spring 2018) 903.813.2362 Music [email protected] Chair: Daniel Dominick 903.813.2461 Classical & Modern [email protected] Languages Philosophy Chair: Dr. Julie Hempel Chair: Dr. Mark Hebert 903.813.2495 903.813.2242 [email protected] [email protected] Communication, Media Physics Chair: Dr. David Baker Studies, & Theatre 903.813.2244 Chair: Dr. Brett Boessen [email protected] 903.813.2828 [email protected] Political Science Chair Dr. Nathan Bigelow Economics & Business 903.813.2589 Administration [email protected] Chair: Dr. Kevin Simmons Psychology 903.813.2341 Chair: Dr. Renee Countryman [email protected] 903.813.2568 Education [email protected] Chair: Dr. Julia Shahid Religious Studies 903.813.2457 Chair: Dr. Ivette Vargas-O’Bryan [email protected] 903.813.2479 English [email protected] Chair: Dr. Greg Kinzer Sociology & Anthropology 903.813.2578 Chair: Dr. Bart Dredge [email protected] 903.813.2358 Exercise & Sport Science [email protected] Chair: David Norman 903.813.2401 [email protected]

17 Key Contacts - Academic Programs American Studies Latin American & Iberian Director: Dr. Greg Kinzer 903.813.2578 Studies [email protected] Chair: Dr. Terry Hoops 903.813.2219 Cognitive Science [email protected] Director: Dr. Hank Gorman 903.813.2481 Model UN [email protected] Director: Dr. Audrey Flemming 903.813.2267 Communication/Inquiry [email protected] Director: Dr. Mark Hebert 903.813.2242 Neuroscience [email protected] Co-Director: Dr. Renee Countryman 903.813.2568 East Asian Studies [email protected] Director: Dr. Scott Langton Co-Director: Dr. Kelly Reed 903.813.2569 903.813.2064 [email protected] [email protected] Film Studies Nonprofit Organizations & Director: Dr. Brett Boessen 903.813.2828 Public Service [email protected] Director: Dr. Nathan Bigelow 903.813.2589 Environmental Studies [email protected] Chair: Dr. Keith Kisselle 903.813.2425 Public Health [email protected] Co-Director: Dr. George Diggs 903.813.2246 Gender Studies [email protected] Director: Dr. Randi Tanglen Co-Director: Dr. Saritha Bangara 903.813.3130 903.813.2067 [email protected] [email protected] Global Science, Technology, Western Intellectual Tradition Director: Dr. Max Grober & Society 903.813.2361 Co-Director: Dr. Don Salisbury [email protected] 903.813.2480 [email protected] Co-Director: Dr. Daniel Nuckols 903.813.2529 [email protected] Honors Program Director: Dr. Wolfgang Lueckel 903.813.2998 [email protected]

Key Contacts - Academic Centers

Center for Environmental Johnson Center for Faculty Studies Development & Excellence Director: Dr. Peter Schulze in Teaching 903.813.2284 Director: Dr. Randi Tanglen [email protected] 903.813.3130 Center for Southwestern & [email protected] Mexican Studies Posey Leadership Institute Director: Dr. Julie Hempel Director: Dr. Martinella Dryburgh 903.813.2495 903.813.2015 [email protected] [email protected] Center for Research, Experiential, Artistic & Transformative Education (CREATE) Director: Dr. Lance Barton 903.813.2206 [email protected]

Key Contacts - Pre-Professional Programs Pre-Engineering & Physics Pre-Law Advisor: Dr. Andra Petrean Advisor: Dr. Frank Rohmer 903.813.2355 903.813.2493 [email protected] [email protected] Pre-Health Pre-Ministry Director: Dr. Kelly Reed Director: Dr. John Williams 903.813.2064 903.813.2220 [email protected] [email protected]