Welcome to Webinar Wednesdays
Our Webinar Wednesday sessions are your insider look at the college admission process. These webinars are presented by admission experts from Franklin & Marshall College and our esteemed colleagues at other select institutions. We invite you to join us as we dive deep into everything from the beginnings of the college search, to the ins and outs of financial aid, to the college essay, and everything in between. No matter where you are in your search, never fear; we're here to help.
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Starting Points: The College Search Process and Types of Institutions
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
8:00am Eastern Time, and
7:00pm Eastern TimeThe college search is a long road, but we’re here to help with our first webinar of the fall, your roadmap to the journey ahead. Join our experts as we share the ins and outs of finding the perfect college. From building a list of schools, to staying organized, to identifying your resources as you get ready to apply, and everything in between. During the session we will take a deeper dive into the benefits, values and differences between large public research institutions and small private liberal arts and sciences colleges. What are their strengths? What is different about applying to various types of institutions? And how do you determine where you belong?
Join us on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 to get started.
Registration has closed.
Session Presenters:
- Lukman Arsalan, Dean of Admission, Franklin & Marshall College
- Jess Strong, International Recruitment Coordinator, University of Illionis at Urbana-Champaign
- Erin Bernard, Associate Director of First-Year Admissions, University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Access: First-Generation & Underrepresented Students
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
8:00am Eastern Time, and
7:00pm Eastern TimeFor students who identify as the first in their family to go to college, here is your opportunity to learn more about the college process. Join us as we take a deep dive and discuss the college search from top to bottom; the college visit, what questions to ask college representatives, financial aid, “sticker price” vs. the actual cost, the way colleges view co-curricular activities and internships, the admission review process, non-cognitive skills vs. cognitive skills, and much, much more.
Join us on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 to learn more.
Register for 8:00am Eastern Time
Register for 7:00pm Eastern TimeSession Presenters:
- Kaitlin Oliver, Sr. Assistant Director of Admission & Coordinator of Multicultural Recruiting, Franklin & Marshall College
- Christopher Muñoz-Calene, Assistant Director of Admissions for Access and Inclusion, Clark University
- Luis Portillo, Assistant Director of Admission, University of Delaware
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A Round Table with Deans and Directors of Admission
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
8:00am Eastern Time, and
7:00pm Eastern TimeIf you are a parent or a counselor -- or even a highly engaged student! -- this roundtable discussion is your opportunity for an insider look at college admissions. Join the Deans of Admission from Franklin & Marshall College, Mount Holyoke College, and Case Western Reserve University as they share insights into the world of selective college admissions. The webinar will include conversation on trends in the field of higher education, the nuances of the application process, important resources for families and counselors, and a question and answer period.
Join us on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 to dive deeper.
Register for 8:00am Eastern Time
Register for 7:00pm Eastern TimeSession Presenters:
- Lukman Arsalan, Dean of Admission, Franklin & Marshall College
- Leykia Nulan, Dean of Admission, Mount Holyoke College
- Kelly Ball, Director of Recruitment and Strategic Initiatives, Case Western Reserve University
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Beyond Academics: The College Essay, Interviews, Portfolios, Communications, and More!
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
8:00am Eastern Time, and
7:00pm EasternWhen we review an application for admission, we are doing far more than just a review of your academics. Join us to learn more about how colleges weigh other parts of your application, from the college essay, to admission interviews, and beyond. During the webinar we will take a look at examples of especially poignant and unique essays - real glimpses of writing that shares the charisma of the applicant behind the writing - and will discuss how to craft a strong personal narrative. We will also go over tips for conducting the best evaluative college interview possible: from how to best prepare for any question you might be asked to how to follow up.
Join us on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 to start the conversation.
Register for 8:00am Eastern Time
Register for 7:00pm Eastern TimeSession Presenters:
- Emily Herbert, Sr. Assistant Director of Admission & Coordinator of Transfer Admission, Franklin & Marshall College
- Joseph Martinez, Senior Assistant Director for International Admission, Fordham University
- Erin Bernard, Associate Direcor of First-Year Admissions, University of Massachusetts Amherst
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Financial Aid
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
8:00am Eastern Time, and
7:00pm Eastern TimeThe college search can be daunting on its own. Trying to navigate financial aid on top of completing a college application can make it even moreso. The good news: it doesn’t have to be. In this seminar we will discuss all things financial aid, focusing on topics such as the FAFSA, CSS Profile, the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized loans, the net price calculator, and other important elements families need to know and be aware of as they navigate applying to college.
Join us on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 to find out more.
Register for 8:00am Eastern Time
Register for 7:00pm Eastern TimeSession Presenters:
- Carly Rose Hernandez, Associate Director of International Admission, Franklin & Marshall College
- Robin Gorini, Asssistant Director of Financial Aid, Franklin & Marshall College
- Sarah Schmidt, Associate Director for International Admissions, Macalaster College
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Selective College Admission: Case Studies
Wednesday, November 11, 2020
8:00am Eastern Time, and
7:00pm Eastern TimeCollege isn’t one size fits all, and neither is the application process. Join us in this seminar as we discuss some of the specifics behind applying to selective colleges and universities - institutions that admit fewer than 40% of their applicant pool. This will be a highly interactive session, with participants taking part in a mock admission committee to learn the ins and outs of an evaluation process. Part of this discussion will also cover how to proceed from a waitlist decision - something most students who apply to a batch of selective or highly selective institutions will face in at least one case.
Join us on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 to become an expert.
Register for 8:00am Eastern Time
Register for 7:00pm Eastern TimeSession Presenters:
- Hillen Grason Jr., Associate Director of Operations and Communications, Franklin & Marshall College
- Adam Kauffman, Assistant Director of Admission, University of Pittsburgh
Meet the Presenters
You likely have questions about the college search. Luckily, we're here to help.
Throughout the year F&M's admission team is excited to partner with our esteemed colleagues from other premiere colleges across the nation. Our presenters are experts in their fields, and we encourage you to spend some time getting to know us. We can assure you we are very excited to learn more about you!
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Lukman Arsalan - Franklin & Marshall College
Dean of Admission
Hailing originally from Amman, Jordan, Lukman earned his B.A. from the University of Jordan and his Masters from the University of Little Rock. Lukman's career in higher education has taken him from the University of Delaware as Study Abroad Coordinator and Assistant Director of International Recruitment; to Albion College as Associate Director of International Recruitment; to Trinity College, where he served as Senior Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Success, and later as Director of Global Engagement. Lukman joined Franklin & Marshall College in the summer of 2020 as the inaugural Dean of Admission. He believes deeply in the College's outlook of "Together, we create the way forward."
Hillen Grason Jr. - Franklin & Marshall College
Associate Director of Operations and Communications
A Maryland native, Hillen graduated from Penn State in 2010. Hillen’s career in higher education began when he joined Albright College in 2014, where he spent his first two years as both a member of the Office of Admission and an Assistant Men’s Basketball coach. In 2016 he pivoted to working full-time in admission as Albright’s Assistant Director of Admission & Coordinator of New Student Outreach. Hillen joined Franklin & Marshall College in 2019, where he is now the Office of Admission’s Associate Director of Operations and Communications. As a first generation and Pell-eligible college student, Hillen is passionate about helping prospective students and their families to navigate their respective college searches. Growing up in the diverse suburbs between Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC played a major role in shaping Hillen’s philosophy on the value of immersing oneself in a community like F&M’s.
Emily Herbert - Franklin & Marshall College
Senior Assistant Director of Admission, and Coordinator of Transfer Admission
Emily is a proud 2010 graduate from Franklin & Marshall College, where she majored in Psychology while minoring in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and conducting research in F&M’s Child Development lab. While Emily’s career in admission began as a Tour Guide at F&M, her path has taken her far and wide. After graduation Emily joined the Admissions Office at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she worked for five years. While at UMass Amherst Emily earned her M.Ed. and Ed.S. in School Counseling with a focus on grades 9-12. As part of her Master's, Emily worked in a high school counseling department in Texas for a year. Emily rejoined the F&M Office of Admission in 2016, where she now oversees such areas as transfer admission as the Coordinator of Transfer Admission. Emily is thrilled to continue working at her alma mater, and to support new generations of Diplomats in discovering their new college home.
Carly Rose Hernandez - Franklin & Marshall College
Associate Director of International Admission
A native of snowy New Hampshire, Carly is a 2007 graduate from Franklin & Marshall College, where she earned a B.A. in Creative Writing and was awarded the Barbara Nelson Prize for Distinction in Writing. Carly’s career in higher education has seen her earning her M.Ed. while researching urban school districts in Lancaster City, and later joining the F&M Office of Admission in 2011. Shortly after joining the Office of Admission Carly took on international recruitment and application reading, later becoming the Associate Director of International Admission. Carly’s work in international admission sees her visiting about 100 countries a year as she advocates for the value of the liberal arts around the globe.
Kaitlin Oliver - Franklin & Marshall College
Senior Assistant Director of Admission & Coordinator of Multicultural Recruiting
Kaitlin is a 2016 graduate from Franklin & Marshall College, where she majored in the Scientific & Philosophical Studies of the Mind while minoring in Religious Studies. As a student, Kaitlin was heavily involved in campus leadership with organizations such as SISTERS, Diversity Council, Squash ACES, and Greek Life. She worked in the Office of Admission as a student worker, which helped her find her interest and passion in Admission work. Alongside her other responsibilities, Kaitlin now serves as the Office’s Coordinator of Multicultural Recruiting. Kaitlin loves working at her alma mater; a place that has given her so many opportunities and provided her with a great support system, while allowing her to support the next generations of Diplomats.
Robin Gorini - Franklin & Marshall College
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Ms. Robin Gorini is the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Originally from Massachusetts, Robin began her financial aid experience as a Director of an Educational Opportunity Center, a federally funded TRIO program, providing career, educational, and financial aid counseling to adults interested in pursuing a postsecondary education. Throughout her financial aid career, Robin has assisted nontraditional as well as traditional students and their parents, guiding them through the maze of the financial aid process.
Ms. Gorini holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts - Lowell, and an M.Ed. from Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Christopher Muñoz-Calene - Clark University
Assistant Director of Admissions for Access and Inclusion
Christopher Muñoz-Calene (he/him/his) is the Assistant Director of Admissions for Access and Inclusion at Clark University. His interest in the topic of access and inclusion stems from his own experience navigating the college search in the United States, study abroad, and graduate studies in Europe as a Mexican-American. At Clark, Christopher is the facilitator for FOCUS, the University’s affinity space for man-identified students of color.
Joseph Martinez - Fordham University
Senior Assistant Director for International Admission
Joseph Martínez is the Senior Assistant Director for International Admission at Fordham University. He is beginning his eighth year in undergraduate admission, with experiences at highly selective and selective institutions in the United States.
Sarah Schmidt - Macalaster College
Associate Director for International Admissions
Ms. Sarah Schmidt is the Associate Director for International Admissions at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Over her fourteen-year career, she has overseen numerous aspects of the admission and financial aid process for both domestic and international students. Before joining Macalester in 2017, Sarah spent six years as Associate Director of Admission at Vassar College (NY), where she first gained experience in international admissions. Prior to her role at Vassar, Sarah worked in the Financial Aid Office at NYU as part of her graduate program. It was during this time that she developed a particular interest in helping students and families navigate the financial aid process.
Ms. Schmidt holds a B.A. from Hamilton College (NY), and an M.A. from New York University.
Leykia Nulan - Mount Holyoke College
Dean of Admission
Leykia Nulan was named Dean of Admission at Mount Holyoke College and began her post on October 1, 2019. She's hit the ground running and is looking forward to having a full cycle at the College underway in a few months.
Prior to joining the Mount Holyoke community, Nulan served as director of freshman admissions and assistant provost for diversity and enrollment at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. While there, she developed enrollment targets for over 100 majors in 10 schools and colleges at the university and facilitated a three percent increase in underrepresented students in one admission cycle.
Nulan previously worked at Amherst College as associate dean of admission and coordinator of diversity outreach and as associate director of student activities. She began her career in admission at Wheaton College as an assistant director and multicultural admission counselor. She has a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, where she was a Posse Scholar, and a master’s degree in higher education policy from the University of Pennsylvania.
Luis Portillo - University of Delaware
Assistant Director of AdmissionAs a first generation college going student himself, college access and education of the process is extremely important to Luis. One of his life mottos is "be who you needed when you were younger." Access is extremely important, and the first step to equity, retention, and graduation.Jess Strong - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
International Recruitment Coordinator
Jess Strong has been working in international education for over 6 years. Before working at Illinois, Jess worked at a private liberal arts and sciences college. She has her Bachelor’s degree from Butler University and her Master’s Degree in Higher Education Leadership from Western Illinois University. Jess is passionate about helping global students find their perfect fit.
Erin Bernard - University of Massachussets, Amherst
Associate Director of First-Year Admissions
Erin Bernard currently serves as the Associate Director of First-Year Admissions at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her higher ed journey started with her undergraduate experience attending Trinity College in Hartford, CT and continued at Springfield College in Springfield, MA where Erin obtained a Masters Degree in Counseling. She has worked in admissions at Springfield College, Elms College and eventually landed at Umass Amherst where she has been a part of their admissions office for the past 9 years. Erin has worn many hats at Umass Amherst including traveling, reading and managing their Visitor’s Center and tour program. Her current role in the office includes overseeing the application process and enrollment goals. Through all of her different roles Erin has always made a point to continue to seek out opportunities to connect with students and families and find ways to help them navigate the application process at such an exciting and transformative time in their lives.
Adam Kauffman - University of Pittsburgh
Assistant Director of AdmissionAdam is a Pitt graduate and currently pursuing his Masters in Higher Education Management. He has worked at Pitt for five years, primarily working with students in Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Adam is passionate about higher education and helping students find their best academic fit.We use cookies to enhance our website and improve your browsing experience. To accept cookies click the "I Understand" button, or view our privacy page for more information.
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