Well-established programming and exploration opportunities have been modified, rapidly,
to offer high school upperclassmen and transfer prospects the ability to assess Ferris
State University through virtual exposure.
Dean of Enrollment Services Kristen Salomonson said that a team from her department
developed the Ferris Transfer Tool. The tool allows students who have attended other
colleges and universities to learn how they might accomplish their educational goals
and earn a degree from the university.
“The university is committed to giving students credit for the work they’ve done at
other institutions,” Salomonson said. “The Ferris Transfer Tool makes it simple. You
go to the site, enter your coursework and receive an estimate of transferable credits
immediately.”
Collaboration with the university’s Extended and International Operations unit, on
Wednesday, April 22, was an unqualified success, according to Assistant Director of
Recruitment Programs Jeffery Stewart.
“The Virtual Open House provided a tremendous opportunity for students to drop in
and learn about next steps in the process and explore Ferris further,” Stewart said.
“Students had the opportunity to speak with advising staff from our statewide sites,
financial aid and recruitment staff, while also having the ability for an admissions
decision on the spot.”
Extended and International Operation’s Eric Hazen was part of the Virtual Open House.
He said that 168 prospective students participated.
“Thirty-one staff members in total were available to assist students between 11 a.m.
and 1 p.m.” Hazen said.” Many of the staff members stayed well after the scheduled
time to continue assisting students, so we didn’t shut down until 1:50 p.m., nearly
an hour past our originally scheduled time. It was a real testament to how committed
our staff members are to helping students take their next step forward. It was extremely
exciting to see staff taking the challenge of unfamiliar technology and methods to
help us connect students with Ferris in this innovative way.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation of traditional events like
Dawg Days and the Admitted Student Open House, Director of Orientation Eric Simone
said their department has had to adjust in the short term.
“We have hosted a four-day Admitted Student Week Live series featuring Admissions,
Financial Aid, Student Life and Housing and Residence Life, and have prepared a five-day
series called ‘Explore Ferris Live,’ scheduled for the week of April 27, for students
to learn more about Ferris and each of our academic colleges,” Simone said. “We are
in the process of developing virtual events for our high school junior and transfer
populations as well. Recruiting officers and financial aid counselors are all available
for one-on-one virtual appointments.”
Simone said that the university’s determination to promote the health and safety of
the campus, for incoming students and their families by restricting or limiting access,
means that summer orientation will be offered virtually.
“Details are still being worked through, as we collaborate with Academic Affairs and
other departments on campus,” Simone said. “At this time, we have over 1,400 students
registered for orientation and counting. They are being encouraged to sign up for
an orientation date and continue to watch their email for pertinent updates.”
