Student Support: Interview with an Admissions Manager

By Brandon Swenson December 14, 2019

Finding the right program at the right school doesn’t have to be difficult. Grantham University offers a 100% online education for students who already have a lot on their plates—from work and family commitments to military service and more.

At Grantham, we understand how valuable an education can be to your future. We also believe that an education should fit into your busy schedule. You deserve to enjoy life while working toward the degree that will help you enhance it.

Jed Kent, admissions manager, shares how Grantham’s admissions department works with students to set them up for success both during school and after graduation.

Question: What is your role at Grantham and what is most rewarding about your job?

Jed Kent: I'm an admissions manager. I’ve worked at Grantham University a little over six years, and I started as an admissions representative. After becoming a team lead, I became a manager and that’s been my role for four years now.

As an admissions manager, the best part is helping students. You know, I get to really help them change their lives and get that education. Even though I don’t deal directly with students every day anymore, I still get to accomplish the same thing through helping my admissions reps be successful. I still get to hear their stories and see their students succeed and be part of this team that’s supporting students in beginning their education. If you ask anyone in admissions, the reason why we do it all boils down to getting to help people.

Q: What type of student is a good fit for Grantham?

Kent: Grantham is great for nontraditional students. We don't get a lot of students right out of high school, and many of our students didn’t particularly like school or maybe have avoided school. But now they've reached a point in their life where they can really see the benefit of school to help them reach a goal—and they’re looking for a program that will fit in while they're still supporting a family or working or managing other responsibilities.

A lot of our students have reached a point either where they can’t progress any further in their career or they're trying to start a new career; school is what can help them get over that hump and advance in their career or begin a new chapter. And because our programs are 100 percent online, that is another huge benefit we can give to our students who have other responsibilities or a complicated schedule.

Plus, so many students expect that now (especially our younger students) because online education has become so ubiquitous. Our programs offer that convenience and that flexibility.

We also, of course, work a lot with military students and their families, and we are really honored to support students who have served. That includes students who are active duty, who are part of the National Guard, who are in the reserves and even students who are deployed overseas.

Q: What are the most common questions that your team gets asked?

Kent: The most common questions are related to how long it takes to be successful and what the courses look like. Cost is almost always a big factor for our students, too. The length of the programs is always important for students who have families and work to consider; they have full lives outside of going to school, but they want to make their education a priority and need to be able to fit those things together.

That’s why we teach our admissions reps to help students discern if it’s going to be a good fit for them right up front. We want students to succeed once they’ve enrolled! We want those prospective students to get a degree that's going to help them. We don't want to just put someone in a program because it sounds good.

Q: If you could communicate one thing to prospective students at Grantham, what would it be?

Kent: I would say to take advantage of all the resources that we have for students. Stay in contact as much as you can, because we have so much more—definitely more so than my experiences with ground campuses—to offer in the way of support. We will reach out to you and share lots of things to make you feel comfortable because we know you don't have that campus or place to go to. And we do a really good job with that, of creating a support system that’s all online, so use those resources that are available to you. They will help you be successful, not just with your coursework but also as you transition from military to civilian life and while you prepare for the job search!

And don't give up because the best part of all is graduation. The best part of our team’s year is getting to see all those students who make it to graduation. Keep reminding yourself why you started the journey in the first place and don't give up.

Q: Which programs are most popular right now, based on the inquiries your team receives?

Kent: Our College of Nursing & Allied Health has recently rolled out a couple of new certificate programs that are attracting students who want to quickly develop their résumé and build credentials while they're still getting an education. One of those new programs is a Medical Administrative Assistant certificate, which can allow a student to complete that relatively quickly to get their certification, but then they can transition directly into an associate of applied science degree program in Medical Coding and Billing. That helps them work toward their long-term degree goal while also helping them prepare for a job in the short-term. That has definitely been popular recently.

Q: If you were recommending Grantham to someone who’s not sure about attending a nontraditional university, what would you tell them about the school?

Kent: I would tell them that they're going to get a relevant degree program that can be completed while they're working full time or while they're caring for their family—and at a much more reasonable cost than a lot of places. Grantham University offers the ability to work and have a family but also go to school and move forward with your career.

Grantham is eager to support students who are seeking a change through education. With over 50 accredited online programs, we can help you achieve your professional goals. Contact Grantham University today to get more information and to get started on the admissions process.