Staying in Touch with Prospective Students during Pandemic

WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., April 20, 2020 — Staying in touch is a lot harder during social distancing. West Liberty University’s Enrollment Services Center though was able to adapt quickly to the unprecedented changes brought by the pandemic.

“Most admission counselors work remotely during much of the semester anyway due to road trips and duties that are not always in person. I have been very pleased with the work of our admissions team during this time of social distancing,” said Vice President Scott Cook, who leads the offices of Enrollment Services and acts as WLU’s Registrar.

Enrollment Services includes the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Residence Life and the Registrar. All employees are meeting regularly via Zoom and Google Hangouts during the pandemic.

WLU has seven admissions counselors and other support staff that daily address the needs of prospective students looking for the right college or degree program.

Since WLU always has rolling admissions and is constantly processing admissions, it is a bit easier for students applying as a new student. Plus, application is free, so students can start the process by applying now.

“I think it helps that WLU has no admissions deadlines, even for scholarships. As admissions counselors, our big task early on was when we canceled accepted student days. But this was handled as we sent out packets of information to all our students and added content to the admissions webpage that explained things to visitors,” said Aaron Kuhn, an admissions counselor who has been with WLU for about two years.

Also an alumnus, Kuhn’s territory includes all of Southern Ohio.

“Now we’re in the process of making sure students know that we’re up and running. All enrollment services offices are open via phone or virtually. We are trying to make sure all students, whether accepted or exploring, know that we’re here everyday and all phone calls are answered even now during the pandemic,” he said.

WLU’s campus has been closed to the public for weeks now, and most employees work from home. Students are successfully studying online and the May 9 commencement ceremony is now a virtual ceremony.

Even though higher education is facing unprecedented changes due to social distancing, WLU Enrollment Services remains focused on incoming students. Its team has text options for inquiring students and it recently opened a U-Chat service that is live on the website.

Chat counselors include contacts for undergraduate and graduate degree students and international student inquiries. The Enrollment Services phone lines and chat options remain open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily during the pandemic.

West Liberty University still plans on hosting summer freshman orientations and transfer registrations once the pandemic restrictions are lifted, according to its admissions team.

Meanwhile, prospective students and families can reach the admissions office by phone at 304.336.8076, or via email at admissions@westliberty.edu. Or simply call or text: 304.398.6769

Prospective students also can follow everything WLU-related on social media at @DiscoverWestLib on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, plus @WestLibertyU on YouTube and Snapchat.