At 12 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, the admissions team will hold its “Becoming an Admissions Counselor” event in the formal lounge for interested students. 

Jolene Macaluso ’21, Southeast admissions counselor, said the purpose of the event is to explain why the job of an admissions counselor is important, provide details on travel requirements and other responsibilities, and tell students what it’s like to live in Hillsdale after graduation. 

“Think of the event like a one-sided blind date,” Macaluso said. “Before we know anything about you as an attendee or potential applicant, we want to be upfront with you about who we are, what we do, and why. Our hope is to give you enough information to help you determine whether this is a role you wish to pursue.”

Another Hillsdale graduate and new member of the admissions team, Brennan Nokelby ’22, attended the event himself as a student last year and will be returning as a counselor. 

According to Nokelby, he chose to become an admissions counselor because he saw an opportunity to support a mission he believed in and work with others who wanted to do the same.

“I fell in love with liberal education, the mission of the college, and the people who make both a reality,” Nokelby said.

Macaluso and Nokelby recommend students come prepared with lots of questions and hope that attendees will evaluate whether the admissions team might be a good fit for them. 

“It may be cheesy, but it’s the people that make this role enjoyable,” Macaluso said. “Not only is our team exceptional and a blast to work alongside, but I have the privilege of still being surrounded by the goodness of Hillsdale and people who push me to be, and recruit, the best that I can.”