Classes at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are not the only thing that has shifted online. Enrollment Management comprised of admissions, financial aid services, and the registrar, along with a staff of more than 150 employees and student workers mobilized in a matter of days to work remotely, all while continuing to provide support and services for prospective and current students.
“It has been a tremendous effort and we are all proud of what we have accomplished in just a few days,” said Roxie Shabazz, UH Mānoa assistant vice chancellor for enrollment management. “The impact of COVID-19 is driving us to think creatively, productively and efficiently. Our operations in admissions, financial aid and the registrar’s office have changed, but not stopped as weʻve gone virtual! As we face these uncertain times, we will continue to support our students in new and different ways.”
To continue engaging with prospective and admitted students, admissions is leaning on its social media presence to connect with students through live sessions on both Instagram and Facebook. Live sessions will be offered daily and weekly, hosted by both current students and an admissions counselor. Parents of newly admitted students can also connect via the UHMazing Ohana Facebook page. In addition, Admissions has put together a series of admitted student presentations that will be offered online to newly admitted students and their families.
“Although our doors are temporarily closed, we are still here to support our students and the campus,” said Ryan Yamaguchi, UH Mānoa associate director of admissions. “We’ve had processes in place that allowed our teams to go virtual which have not impacted the students and parents we serve. Programs such as document imaging, and our CRM (customer relationship management) platform, aided in our abilities to work remotely and not stop our operations.”
The admissions office has received a total of 20,591 applications to date for the fall 2020 semester, and within the past week since going remote, they received an additional 241 applications and have admitted more than 500 new prospective students.
Two key deadlines have also been extended:
- Fall 2020 Intent to enroll and tuition deposit deadline—June 1, 2020
- Fall 2020 Freshman and transfer application deadline—August 1, 2020
“Since we’ve gone remote, we have definitely seen an increase in communication,” said Abigail Huliganga Hurgo, UH Mānoa associate director of admissions – recruitment. “In a 24-hour period, we average over 2,000 emails. We are emailing students and parents, prospective and admitted. We have a team in place, both student workers and staff, that are able to work remotely and still provide the level of service and support that our prospective students need. Our goal is to still admit and enroll the fall 2020 class!”
Other support services online
Financial aid services continue to process aid for the current semester, summer 2020 and for the upcoming fall 2020 semester. Notifications of aid offers and any requests are being sent electronically. Staff are available during normal business hours to receive questions via email and virtual appointments are available upon request.
The registrar’s office is offering virtual support to students while it continues to maintain students’ academic records and provide services in registration, enrollment and degree verification, academic transcripts, and veterans’ education benefits. Official transcripts and diploma requests are still being received and will be mailed via postal delivery.
