RECORDED Welcoming Jewish Students to Campus: What Admission Officers Need to Know

This webinar has ended. Please register to access the recording via NACAC Learn.

Description:

Jewish students and their families often have unique questions and considerations when exploring college options, from campus Jewish life and religious accommodations to safety and cultural inclusion. This interactive session equips college admissions officers and other recruitment personnel, such as tour guides and interviewers, with the knowledge and skills to effectively support Jewish students in their college search process. Participants will learn how to address key questions about religious observance, antisemitism concerns, Jewish student organizations, kosher dining, and more. We will also explore best practices for training newer admissions staff to ensure that prospective students feel welcomed and informed. This webinar is designed to offer tools that admissions staff members might implement in support of a more inclusive and knowledgeable admissions process—one that empowers Jewish students and their families to make confident, well-informed college decisions.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the unique considerations and questions that Jewish students and their families often have during the college search process
• Recognize the importance that Jewish families place on learning details about campus Jewish life, religious accommodations, safety, and cultural inclusion
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively address key concerns and answer questions regarding:
  • Available Jewish student organizations and activities
  • Religious observance and relevant accommodations
  • Concerns about antisemitism, demonstrations and campus safety
  • Relevant academic, residential, dining, and campus resources
• Enhance skills to effectively support Jewish students and their families during campus tours, interviews, and other recruitment activities
• Practice empathetic and informed responses to common questions and concerns
• Develop strategies to present information about Jewish life on campus in a clear and accessible manner
• Implement best practices for training new admissions/recruitment staff on supporting Jewish students
• Articulate the importance of providing comprehensive information to empower Jewish students and their families in making confident, well-informed college decisions

Presenters:

• Jonathan Aleshire - Director of Admission, Brandeis University
• Grace Chapin James - Assistant Vice Provost and Director of Admissions, Washington University in St. Louis
• Nick Orban - Program Director of Strategic Initiatives, University of Maryland College Park
• Sherri Geller - Co-Director of College Counseling, Gann Academy
• Jacqueline Rockman - Director of College Counseling, Donna Klein Jewish Academy