By Jake Thomas
At 9 a.m., Sept. 22, Cameron admissions partnered with GPACAC to host a college fair in the McCasland ballroom of the MCC. The event brought representatives from universities, colleges, military organizations and other educational facilities together for students exploring their options after high school.
The fair was organized through the Great Plains Association for College Admission Counseling, or GPACAC, an organization that coordinates college fairs throughout Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. GPACAC is one of 23 state and regional affiliates of the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Kay Means, assistant director of admissions at Cameron, organized the Lawton-area fair. She said the event gives students an opportunity to speak directly with representatives from schools they may not otherwise visit.
“The point or the motivation behind a college fair is to expose students to opportunities for their educational goals,” Means said.
Representatives from nearly 40 organizations attended the Cameron fair, with universities and colleges offering students information about programs, admissions and potential career paths. Military organizations, including the National Guard and Air Force, also participated.
The fair was one of several events Cameron admissions staff attend throughout the year. Means said Cameron expects to participate in at least 35 GPACAC-sponsored college fairs, in addition to individual college and career fairs organized by high schools.
Cameron admissions counselors also travel to schools across the state, including areas around Oklahoma City and Tulsa, to meet with students and high school counselors.
The university’s admissions team consists of three admissions counselors who serve as recruiters. Their responsibilities include attending college fairs, visiting high schools and maintaining relationships with counselors.
Means said those relationships are important because high school counselors often serve as a primary resource for students navigating the college application process.
Beyond attending fairs, Cameron brings prospective students to campus through events known as “Old Kim Days.” High schools can bring groups of students to Cameron for campus tours, presentations and visits with academic departments.
Means said the campus visits are an important part of Cameron’s recruitment efforts because students can get a better understanding of the university by seeing it firsthand.
“We feel like one of our best recruiting tools is to get kids on campus,” Means said.
During Old Kim Days, students can indicate which areas of study interest them, allowing Cameron staff to arrange visits with departments such as biology, journalism and media, sports and exercise science, and more. The visits are generally aimed at juniors and seniors, although younger students can participate as well. Means said Cameron currently has about a dozen such visits scheduled.
For students attending college fairs, Means said the goal is not necessarily to convince them to attend one particular university. Instead, the events allow students to compare their options and find programs that fit their individual goals.
“There’s really enough students for all of us,” Means said. “And we know that there’s a unique college fit for every student.”
The variety of schools represented at the fair also gives students options beyond immediately attending a four-year university. Some students may choose to begin at a two-year college before transferring to a four-year institution, while others may be looking for graduate programs.
Means said Cameron’s admissions staff continues working with students and schools throughout the academic year to help answer questions about admissions, financial aid and available programs.
For students attending the fair, the event offered a chance to begin those conversations without having to travel to each institution individually.