Universities across the U.S. work hard through the year to recruit high school seniors — the University of Idaho is no different.
UI’s open-house recruiting event, Envision Idaho, takes place Saturday.
“Our goal is ultimately to showcase what it’s like to live and learn in the University of Idaho community,” said Cezar Mesquita, director of admissions.
Mesquita said his role in Envision Idaho is to help staff orchestrate the events.
The day begins with a welcome speech, which leads into informational sessions. A significant portion of the event will center on what Mesquita called “experiential learning,” where students can get a look at campus life behind the scenes or get hands-on experience in a department that interests them. The 14 different programs include tours of the colleges of education, business, engineering, music and more, Mesquita said.
Prospective Vandals can also meet with a panel of current students to ask questions, and Mesquita said visitors can take a look inside residence halls and Greek houses too.
“There’s a little bit of everything in a day that we want to showcase to students and their families and have them say, ‘Wow, this is really what it’s like to be a Vandal. I can really see myself being part of this family,’” Mesquita said. “For them to take away asking the essential questions, ‘Can I see myself becoming part of this community? Can I see myself feeling supported and thriving here?’”
Angela Helmke, associate director for the Office of Admissions, said Envision Idaho is a great way to see more than what could be seen on individual campus visits.
“We want them to see things they’d see at other tours on campus — a little bit of our residence halls and Greek chapters, living options — but then one step further where they get to eat on campus, check out our academic departments,” Helmke said. “Our campus is a big seller.”
Mesquita said people who visit the campus are twice as likely to enroll as those who do not visit. He said Envision Idaho is important, along with other programs, to reach UI President Chuck Staben’s goal of increasing enrollment by 50 percent by 2025. Mesquita said one of his department’s goals is to reach out to those who may not have the most access to college tours.
“We say, ‘Gosh, Is there any way for us to identify resources or opportunities to invite students who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to visit the University of Idaho?’” Mesquita said. “We want to reach out to students out of state who perhaps may not have the opportunity to come for an individual visit, but they see a group experience and say, ‘Wow, that is perhaps a great way for me to experience UI, but more in a subdued kind of way so that I’m not so under the microscope like in an individual visit.’”
Mesquita said current students can have a large impact on a visitor’s experience. He said it is important for people within the UI community to extend a warm welcome Saturday.
“If you see a visiting family, do take the opportunity to showcase that spirit and the warmth of the Vandal family and say, ‘Hi,’ and just have an opportunity to exchange a few words with them,” Mesquita said. “Because they ultimately want to find out what’s it like to be a Vandal, what is it like to be in the classroom, what is it like learn from your professors, to experience life in the residence halls or Greek row.”
Jack Olson
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