Post-COVID-19: Part 6 - What Will College Admissions Look Like? With Anna Miner

It has been a whirlwind these past few months. With nothing set in stone and the future unclear, it's important to try and grasp what little we know right now. In hopes of doing just that, we have been talking to higher-ed officials about their insights into how the global pandemic has affected colleges and universities, and how it will continue to impact the higher-ed industry. This week, we had the privilege of speaking with Anna Miner, the Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid at Colby Sawyer College. Our CEO, Reetu Gupta, conducted the video interview virtually with Ms. Miner to follow self-isolation policies. 

Watch the entire video with Ms. Miner to hear her interesting perspectives on how COVID-19 has impacted and will continue to leave its mark on universities nationwide. Ms. Miner began by pointing out the silver lining in this cloud of change by revealing how the shift to an online space has allowed for widespread accessibility. Virtually meeting with students has opened up tens of thousands of more doors to connections with people across the country. This being said, the digital environment has also opened up a lot more opportunities for students to pursue at a wide array of colleges and universities. As a result, colleges are working extra hard to distinguish themselves and establish their institution as a unique option for students.

Ms. Miner also shared with us the fascinating ways in which Colby Sawyer College is remaining connected with its community. The college conducted a live series in which coaches, athletic directors, recent graduates, current students, and parents were able to speak on a certain topic and talk with students attending the series. This was an amazing way to keep students engaged virtually and connect with many people simultaneously. 

The ever-constant change has also brought the current admissions process into question. With standardized testing a diminishing factor in student profiles, colleges need to determine what they are going to look at in lieu of SAT/ACT scores. Ms. Miner mentioned the importance of the service offered by Cirkled In: an online portfolio for students to upload their accomplishments and goals for colleges and universities to refer to. She emphasized the need to not be historically reliant and instead move forward in gaining a closer look at students holistically. 

Ms. Miner also shared another interesting detail in revealing that Colby Sawyer College will be holding an in-person fall semester. Located in New Hampshire, the community was able to tamp down on the number of COVID-19 cases and deemed it safe to have students in-person for a shortened fall semester. Ms. Miner emphasized that the staff teams are considering every possibility to ensure a safe return for students and that all policies are being reviewed and subject to change based on health concerns. While it is a "watch and wait" situation, Ms. Miner expressed her excitement in seeing students return to an in-person education.

Finally, Ms. Miner touched on the financial impact of the pandemic and disclosed that the financial aid staff is responding to each student case-by-case. In doing so, they are ensuring all students can afford their education at Colby Sawyer College. Her closing thoughts were to be patient with the change and try our best to constantly adapt and evolve, even if we are in the dark. 

Watch more below and on our Youtube page.

Bio:

Anna Miner’s experience has spanned over two decades in private secondary, undergraduate and graduate universities as well as privately and publicly held companies. In addition to over five years at Colby-Sawyer College, she has worked for Marist College, Simmons College and Stonehill College.  She has extensive corporate college relations and recruitment experience working for companies including Dell EMC and Shawmut Design and Construction. Miner obtained her M.Ed. in administration of higher education from Suffolk University and a B.A. in psychology from Stonehill College. 

Post-COVID-19: Part 5 - What Will College Admissions Look Like? With Bryan Ryberg

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Post-COVID-19: Part 3 - What Will College Admissions Look Like? With Patty Lemon

Post COVID-19: Part 2 - What will College Admissions Look Like? With Jonathan Lindsay.

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