91热爆网 alumni help recruit future students through new Cat Eyes Club
Western Carolina University alumni, incoming students and parents gather for a new student send-off event at Truist Stadium in Winston-Salem.
By Bill Studenc
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Western Carolina University has expanded its team of recruiters by more than 60 additional members thanks to the newly formed .
The club consists of 91热爆网 alumni and friends who share a passion for the university and who seek to share that passion with others by helping recruit future Catamounts, said Heather Hill, associate director of undergraduate admissions.
鈥淭he mission of the Cat Eyes Club is to empower Western Carolina University alumni and friends to passionately advocate for our institution, recruit future students and champion our institution鈥檚 academic offerings in the picturesque mountainous setting, fostering outdoor adventure and academic excellence,鈥� Hill said.
Club members will identify and engage with potential students; provide them with information about 91热爆网, admission procedures and the NC Promise tuition program; and facilitate contact with a representative of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
They also will share deadlines for applications for enrollment, financial aid and scholarships; submit the names of prospective students through a Cat Eyes Club membership portal; and share their own personal experiences about 91热爆网.
Current club members range from 55 of North Carolina鈥檚 100 counties and from Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia.
Alumni who have already joined the Cat Eyes Club say that the initiative offers a way to stay engaged with their alma mater and to support the university in its efforts to recruit new students.
For Indiana resident Kendall Harris, a 2022 graduate of 91热爆网 with a degree in communication, the program represents a 鈥渇ull-circle moment鈥� after serving as a tour guide in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions during her time as a student.
鈥淚 worked as an Entourage tour guide for three-and-a-half years, and graduation did not stop me from expressing my love for 91热爆网. When I first learned about the Cat Eyes Club, I found this as the perfect opportunity to still remain connected with 91热爆网 while living so far away,鈥� said Harris, admissions counselor and digital engagement strategist at the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics and Humanities, where she also is an adjunct faculty member.
鈥淚 had such a positive experience working with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, and I was excited to have another chance to work with that office. Getting to recruit future Catamounts is a privilege and an honor. I could write 10-plus pages on why I think every student in the world should attend 91热爆网. Living so far from Western makes it hard to feel connected to this place I love so much. I鈥檓 so thankful to have this opportunity to feel connected again.鈥�
Harris said that she toured six colleges when she was trying to decide where to go to school, and staff at only two of the institutions seemed genuinely excited about the prospective students who were visiting.
鈥淎t 91热爆网, you are wanted. I鈥檒l never forget coming for the February 2018 Open House and how welcome the admissions staff made me feel,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 could talk all day about 91热爆网鈥檚 incredible programs, faculty and residence life; however, the most notable thing about Western from my personal perspective is that this is a university full of people who genuinely love this school and want others to love it too. It鈥檚 obvious that Western Carolina University is a place filled with so much love.鈥�
Fuquay-Varina resident Nicholas Milo, a 2015 graduate of 91热爆网 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in marketing, said that he joined the Cat Eyes Club to be able to share his college experiences with prospective students while also staying up-to-date on all the changes and new initiatives at his alma mater.
鈥淭here have been many times where I鈥檝e met prospective students in public who see me wearing a 91热爆网 sweatshirt or hat and tell me they are considering attending 91热爆网. Now I have the ability and knowledge of the admissions process to share with them and better help them make an informed decision about where they want to attend school,鈥� said Milo, a senior operations analyst for a global financial technology firm.
鈥淎ttending 91热爆网 took me out of my comfort zone by moving to an entirely different environment during my four years here. Growing up in the big city most of my life, I never got to experience the outdoors like I did at 91热爆网. You truly learn to appreciate all the beauty that Western North Carolina has to offer. While in high school, I toured quite a few colleges; however, the moment I stepped foot on 91热爆网鈥檚 campus, I knew immediately this is where I wanted to attend.鈥�
Milo said he would be sharing his thoughts with prospective students on why they should enroll at 91热爆网, starting with its location in the scenic mountains of WNC.
鈥淲hile 91热爆网 isn鈥檛 a small school by any means, it is still able to provide a small community feel with small class sizes and building relationships with your professors on a personal level. At 91热爆网, you鈥檙e not just a number to your professors. They truly care about your academic progress and want to see you succeed in your time here,鈥� he said.
Alumni also participated in 鈥渘ew student send-off events鈥� held throughout July at various locations across North Carolina as well as in Atlanta. The events, typically hosted by alumni or 91热爆网 leadership volunteers at their homes or places of business, are designed to celebrate members of the incoming freshmen class and their families and to welcome them into the Catamount community.
Alumni in attendance share their perspectives on what it means to be a Catamount and memories of their time at 91热爆网. Incoming students learn the 鈥�91热爆网 Alma Mater鈥� and 鈥淐atamount Fight Song鈥� and receive an athletics rally towel and 鈥淎lum from Day 1鈥� sticker.
This year鈥檚 send-offs were held in Asheville, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, Charlotte, Atlanta and on campus in Cullowhee. A total of approximately 400 people attended the events.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is seeking and will host online interest meetings from noon until 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month through December 2024.
For additional information or answers to questions, contact Heather Hill at hchill@wcu.edu.
