Jacqueline Reyes recently began work as assistant director for admissions based in the New York City office.

Tell me something about your background in recruitment.
I have over 3 years of significant experience in recruitment. Some of my recruitment experiences have taken me as far as Southeast Asia. My previous position was at New York Institute of Technology, where I was responsible for the coordination and implementation of international and local recruitment. NYIT is a technology-oriented, private institution offering programs in professional fields, as well as in the arts and sciences.

What attracted you to this new challenge?
I felt it was a great opportunity for me to utilize my expertise in a different environment. I believe the University at Buffalo has the potential to do very well in the New York metro area. This, coupled with my knowledge of the area and a strong belief in the nurturing of students, made UB Admissions an opportunity I couldn't resist.

Where is the office located?
The office is located at 125 Park Ave. (15th floor), across the street from the newly renovated Grand Central Terminal. Our office will have a staff of three; an assistant director (me), a full-time counselor-Karen Staller, a 1997 UB graduate-and an administrative assistant, who is not yet in place. Our hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and our telephone number is 212-808-8116. The email address is or .

What services can students, parents and counselors expect from this office?
Karen and I will generally be available to attend day and evening college-information programs. And, in time, our alumni network will expand what we can do. In the office, we will host individuals and groups who are seeking information about UB undergraduate programs. We will also be happy to serve as an initial contact point for students interested in graduate programs and professional study (and will relay appropriate information to UB departments for their follow-up). We are able to connect with the UB Admissions data network, allowing us access to the most up-to-date student and applicant information. Applicants can call upon us for help about applications they already have filed.

What are your goals for the office?
Overall, our goal is to increase UB's undergraduate-applicant market share from this region. This population-dense region is critical to our enrollment in the years to come. Competing institutions recruit heavily and far more cost-effectively in the region due to their locations. UB needs to be highly visible in order to counteract the presence of the other university centers and private institutions in the region. Additional goals include establishing a presence for UB in the minds of the N.Y. metro-area counseling community and regular participation in counselor networks, committees, etc. to positively influence counselor recommendations regarding UB; establishing a network of alumni who can provide high-quality contacts with prospective students and parents via school visits, interviews and receptions; providing local, friendly, knowledgeable counseling services on demand for students and the parents in the region; serving as an administrative center for regional recruitment, receptions, open houses and transfer day events, and facilitating visits to UB by prospective students in the region.

As a newcomer to UB-and someone from the metro New York area-what are your impressions of the university?
My initial impression of UB was neither good nor bad. I simply did not know enough about the university in order to have an impression of it. However, after visiting the facilities and becoming more familiar with the many great opportunities UB has to offer, I must say I am very impressed and feel it's a place with a lot of potential for students from New York City.

From what you already know about UB, what do you think are our strengths in recruiting students from the metro New York region? Our weaknesses? How do you work to overcome these weaknesses?
UB's biggest strengths are its programs, faculty and staff, and up-to-date facilities. When we are out recruiting, students and parents want to know what kind of education they are going to receive. Who is going to be teaching their children? We can assure them that at UB, they will receive a top education taught by world-renowned faculty. The biggest weakness we currently are facing is the lack of knowledge about the university in the metro area and the stigma associated with "Buffalo." We are already attacking our first weakness by opening this office in Manhattan and making a presence in the metro area. The more people see us and hear the UB name, the more familiar they will become with the great opportunities available. Once they visit the campus, they will see what a wonderful place Western New York can be.

What can those of us on campus do to support your efforts in New York?
The most important thing is to keep us in mind. Make sure prospective students in this region are told about us if they contact you. Keep my office informed about your activities; send us literature about your programs and regular updates about significant changes and accomplishments among your students and staff. Come to see us in your travels to New York. Recommend alumni from this region who may be interested in working with high-school and college students, especially those alumni who may be able to host students in their business or homes. We will have an electronic library for students; send us videotapes, CD ROMs and ads about your units.