Properly welcoming prospective students and their families to the Merrimack College community requires the dedication of much of that community. More than 125 employees and student ambassadors work together every fall to ensure open house, the College’s marquee admission event, puts Merrimack’s best foot forward.
“We really try to roll out the red carpet for these students and their families,” explained Gianna Voccola, senior associate vice president for enrollment management. “When we start planning our open houses, we really consider and incorporate what we hear from students and families about their expectations and how we can offer a high level of customer service on a large scale.”
That planning and customer service, coupled with Merrimack College’s growing brand and transformative student experience, has made open house a must-attend event for future Warriors.
The Saturday, Dec. 7 event, the final one of the season, is expected to be the largest in the College’s history. More than 700 students registered, representing a 160 percent increase from the previous year. As a result, two welcome events will take place simultaneously that day, in the Rogers Center for the Arts and Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher, to accommodate the large crowds.
“There is no possible way we could pull this off without the partnership of so many groups and departments across the campus,” said Voccola. “From faculty to the facilities team to Sodexo to the Merrimack College Police Department, they are all helping to make our vision for the day a reality.”
Merrimack College hosts three open houses during the fall semester. The event program features a welcome from staff leadership, academic information sessions, campus tours, opportunities to speak with representatives from various campus offices and departments, and the chance to learn more about student groups and learning cohorts.
“Families always want to spend more time on our campus,” Voccola said. “We have tried to create a program that gives them options and flexibility during their time here.”
A recent addition to the open house program is students can now receive their admission decision while on campus. Voccola said across the three open houses this fall, more than 500 prospective students will receive their decision in person.
“That has been so special because we get to celebrate with them and their families,” she said. “It also helps to set the tone for them not only to have a great experience on our campus but also for their college decision process.”
