Hi Everyone! My name is Kevin Phillips and I am the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of New Haven. After working at two other universities, I came to UNH in 1999 and became the director in June 2007. I would like all of you to know that I have absolutely loved every single minute that I have worked because UNH is really a special place.
Our incoming class for this fall was the largest ever and our campus has never been more active. I actually came in this morning at 7:00 a.m. and there were many students already working out in our recreation center. I was noticing this as I was shoveling two double chocolate donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts into my mouth and practically guzzling down a large coffee. The thought that I too should use the rec center crossed my mind while enjoying this extremely healthy breakfast.
Several members of the UNH community have been begging and pleading with me to play basketball with them at lunchtime. Since I did play four years of college basketball and at one time was actually not too bad of a hoops player, you would think that I would make the time. However, we are already working hard at recruiting our class for Fall 2009 and there are more visitors then ever before. “Students first” has always been my policy so I guess the basketball will have to wait a while.
In addition to being the Director of Admissions, I also teach two sections of our Freshman Experience course. This is a class that is designed to help our freshmen make the transition to college. Believe it or not, they really do need this class! One of my male students already encountered a laundry issue. Apparently washing his red shorts that he used while working out in the rec center and throwing it in the wash with his white T-shirts is not a good idea!!
I’ve also been told that my classes have become rather popular on campus not necessarily for my teaching ability but for some of my giveaways. As an example, I always give an Informational Awareness Quiz on the first day of the semester to test my students’ knowledge in various areas (it’s actually very tough). The intent is to show them that they do not know everything and that, in college, they should keep an open mind and learn new things.
I also was supposed to let them know that the student who answered the most questions correctly would win a prize and if anyone happened to get all 40 right, they would win $50. Apparently, I really said that the student who answered the most correct would win the $50 in each of my classes, so I had to fork over $100 of my own money – not good for me but great for the two students who won!!
Anyhow, UNH is a great place with limitless opportunities! Please visit with us and I know you will see how great this place is too! Thanks for checking out my Blog and please check back as often as you like!
