A Q and A with Ryan Hays, Manager for Undergraduate and Health Admissions

What can you tell us about your role at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies?

As the Manager for Undergraduate & Health Admissions, I lead a team of passionate and energetic admission advisers who recruit for Northwestern’s part-time bachelor’s degree and post-baccalaureate certificate programs. Our areas of focus run the gamut of 12 undergraduate majors and more than 30 certificate programs in such areas as pre-medicine, accounting, human resources, and marketing. Together we strive to help individuals find the program that best suits their academic and professional goals.

How did you get involved in higher education?

My passion for working with students actually started while I was an undergrad at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro.  If there was a committee or student leadership council to be on, I was there getting my hands dirty – literally. Having a green thumb and passion for gardening, I co-founded a campus student garden organization that planted perennial gardens around campus dorms. I found a lot of joy in working collectively with my peers and mentoring those that had never gardened before. It became so successful that we had local gardening companies sending trucks full of plants. During my junior year, I was honored to be selected by my faculty and peers to mentor the next freshmen cohort and the subsequent one after that in successfully onboarding to college life. Thus began my passion for working a decade-long career that impacts and changes lives. In fact, my professional motto is “changing lives.”

What do you think is most important for prospective students to know when applying to SPS?

Many individuals are not aware of the school’s long history since its founding in 1933. As one of twelve schools that make up Northwestern, SPS has been serving the needs of non-traditional students for over 80 years. In fact, non-traditional is fast becoming the new traditional within higher education. Most universities today are finally recognizing the ever growing needs of students seeking part-time educational opportunities while balancing full-time job and familial commitments. SPS has a decades-long head start. The school has been at the forefront of providing education that is flexible and in line with Northwestern’s academic excellence.

What concerns do students often have during the application and admissions process?

Often the very reason why students seek out our programs is also their greatest concern in applying. Students can fear the “purple” and think their chances of being admitted are slim. However, the honest truth is that their greatest competitor to be admitted is themselves. At SPS, we do not compare applicant to applicant. We look to admit students that have a firm grasp of their educational and professional goals and have an academic record that demonstrates their ability to meet rigors of a Northwestern education. My hope is that if a potential student is concerned about applying, they know that our admissions office is always open to providing one-on-one guidance.

Why do you think students should choose Northwestern?

Receiving a Northwestern credential, whether a degree or certificate, and listing it on your resume or graduate application carries significant weight within the marketplace. Companies and other institutions know the caliber of our alumni. Known for our academic rigor, Northwestern’s reputation is not just recognized regionally and nationally, but internationally as well. In fact, our SPS alums are part of an ever growing global network of 200,000+ alumni.

What do you find students like about SPS?

I often hear our students and alumni say how much they enjoyed the networking community within their classrooms. Taking the same courses within a period of months to a few years, our students develop strong professional relationships with their peers and leverage this network upon graduation to advance their career interests.

What are your favorite spots around campus?

I have two spots on Northwestern’s Chicago campus. When I take lunches in the fall and winter, I prefer the second floor lounge within Schaffner Library in Wiedboldt Hall. I also enjoy hanging out by Lake Michigan in the spring and summer. Not many people realize there are two tunnels near Northwestern’s Chicago campus that allow accessibility to walk under Lake Shore Drive. You can pop out right at the lake!