Decker takes role as admission director

By Samantha Helmold

As the 2014 year begins, former admission counselor, Jennifer Decker, steps into her new role as the admission director at Hood College.

After making her way to Hood College in early 2010, and after spending almost four years as an admission counselor, Jennifer Decker applied to be the admissions director.

“The transition was an easy one, as both the campus and surrounding communities are welcoming, friendly and full of opportunities. I took full advantage of those opportunities, too, and earned a master of arts in human sciences and a certificate in thanatology from Hood in May 2014,” said Decker.

She explained how working in a college for an extended period of time not only can be rewarding, but it has many perks as well.

“I’ve been working in college admissions for eight years, at Hood and my previous institution, and my favorite part has always been Admitted Students’ Day.  It’s a great experience seeing all of the students you’ve been working with throughout the year making their final decision on where they are going to college,” said Decker.

Deckers’s most rewarding moment, however, was seeing the students she’s worked with on campus after they’ve been there for a few weeks, and seeing how well they are doing.

After being admissions director for such a short period of time, she explains that there are also some challenges that come with the job.

“The biggest challenge is the same one we take on each year, along with every other college and university, and that is to recruit an incoming class that is academically prepared, and will strengthen our campus through extracurricular, service, and leadership activities,” said Decker, “We have new recruitment initiatives in place, as well as a larger counseling staff, all of which will help us succeed.”

Decker explains that overall, being the admissions director has been a great experience. “I’m fortunate to work with a great group of people who are very supportive and knowledgeable. We also have new admission counselors on staff, which brings new energy and skill sets to our office.”

Finally, Decker explains that, “I’ve been working at Hood College since January 2010 and in those few years I’ve seen a lot of growth.  Every year I look forward to the new changes and developments on campus, and the ability to share those with prospective students.  Whether that be a new academic program, athletic team, or sharing the recent experiences students have had in internships or while studying abroad.”

 

Photo courtesy of Hood College.