L to R: Counselor Carrie Pratt, Erik Jaukkuri, Marci Wood, Matt Connolly, Gabbi Hall and Counselor Mike Stefanowitz.
Four Saint Michael's students, Eric Jaukkuri of Quincy, Mass., Marci Wood of Chateauguy, NY, Matt Connolly of Westford, MA, and Gabbi Hall of Incline Village, NV, gave a presentation at the Northeast Association of College Admission Counselors, (NEACAC ) on September 16th at Brown University in Providence, RI.
The four SMC students presented a program titled "Covering All the Angles: How Student Ambassadors, Admissions, and Alumni Relations Work Together to Connect with Future and Past St. Mike's Students" at the Admission Forum attended by 84 admission counselors and student ambassador leaders from other colleges.
"It was a great professional development opportunity," said Michael Stefanowitz, assistant director of admission, who accompanied the student presenters. "They were different from other schools since they presented the SMC Founders Society which does admission work, as well as work with marketing and alumni relations," he said.
In addition to being tour guides, the SMC Founders Society students focus on using social media in marketing, on internet chat groups with future students and their parents, on networking with alumni at various events on campus, like career days, and more.
"Presenting at the conference made me realize what a unique program the Founders Society is," said student presenter, Gabbi Hall, a senior, journalism, media studies and digital arts major, and an SMC blogger. "I was just so flattered when people came up to me afterwards to say they enjoyed our session, and to ask questions," she said.
"We were just so proud of these students because of the way they represented Saint Michael's and the Founders Society," said Michael Stefanowicz. He and Carrie Pratt, assistant director of admission, also attended the conference.
The students attended two additional workshops on admission ambassador topics such as Recruiting/Training/Motivating Students, Decision Making, or Leadership Skills, and heard a keynote speech on social media.