It takes a dedicated team to welcome the many prospective students who visit the University of Nebraska–Lincoln each year. One key player in this effort is Lupe Perez, the assistant director of campus visits. Lupe works hard to ensure every student and family feels at home on campus. Whether he’s leading group tours or managing student guides, his mission is to create a warm, memorable introduction to the university.
What Does Your Role Involve?
Lupe oversees daily campus visits, including events like Husker Weekdays—half-day experiences that feature a welcome session, a 90-minute tour, and optional academic discussions. These visits cater to high school juniors and seniors, transfer students, and their families. He also manages group visits from across the country.
A big part of his job is to hire, train, and supervise around 60 student tour guides who come from diverse backgrounds. This variety enriches the experience for visitors.
Lupe’s role is part of a larger campus experience team. Together, they craft programming that helps prospective students and their families understand their potential place at Nebraska.
The Value of Conferences
Attending conferences across the U.S. has been eye-opening. These events allow Lupe and his team to connect with peers, share best practices, and bring fresh ideas back to their campus. Students gain confidence and skills that improve how they interact with visitors. Recently, they even presented their program at a national conference, showcasing Nebraska’s strengths.
Traveling to different places also introduces students to new cultures and perspectives, helping them grow both personally and professionally.
A Personal Connection to Higher Education
Lupe’s passion for higher education is deeply rooted in his own journey. His experiences as a student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney shaped his appreciation for supportive faculty and staff. As a recruiter, he sees the importance of helping others discover the value of college. Transitioning to Nebraska–Lincoln has deepened his commitment to guiding students on their educational paths.
What He Loves Most About His Job
Lupe enjoys working with student guides and witnessing their growth. Their energy and dedication bring a unique spirit to campus visits. It’s exciting for him to hear positive feedback from families after these experiences.
Creating Unique Visit Experiences
The motto of the tour guide program is “make it count.” They focus on personal connections while ensuring guides understand academic resources. This approach helps their guests feel welcomed.
Training also emphasizes the sharing of experiences among guides, allowing them to connect with diverse visitors. A student leadership team further supports the guides, ensuring every group feels valued.
What Makes Nebraska Feel Like Home
For Lupe, it’s the supportive people at Nebraska that make it feel like home. As a graduate student, he experienced strong mentorship from faculty, and he strives to offer that same guidance to current students. This nurturing environment fosters student engagement, and visitors often sense this support during campus visits.
Behind the Scenes of Campus Visits
Creating impactful campus visits is a team effort. Various departments collaborate to ensure every visitor has a meaningful experience. Lupe’s team takes feedback from families seriously, using it to improve their programs continuously.
Advice for Incoming Students
Lupe urges new students to embrace opportunities, explore their interests, and utilize available resources. It’s normal not to have everything figured out. Taking the time to find your true interests will help build confidence and lead to a brighter future.
In recent years, surveys indicate that campuses with strong student support networks see better retention rates. It’s clear that having a welcoming environment, like Nebraska’s, can make all the difference for incoming students.
For more insights on the impact of campus experiences, check out research from the National Association for College Admission Counseling here.
