Video and article courtesy of Bobby Becker, Arts & Sciences sophomore.
Classes are in full swing, cooler air is becoming the norm and high school seniors are trying to find their perfect college, but not without the help of CU STARs.
Hundreds of prospective students have toured Creighton’s campus since the beginning of the school year, according to the Admissions Office. However, there are plenty of guided tours left to give and those tours are conducted by the CU STARs.
STAR stands for Student Tour and Admission Representatives, and there are about 185 STARs, according to Business junior Joey Kulczewski, the group’s president. From day to day throughout the year, CU STARs provide prospective students with a unique view at Creighton’s student life by touring the campus.
“Tours happen [regardless of] sun, rain, snow, sleet and storms,” Kulczewski said. “As long as a family is willing to go, then a tour will be given.
While the organization is volunteer-based, the satisfaction is extraordinary by giving a sense of appreciation towards the university, according to Business sophomore Grace Amodeo, a current CU STAR.
“Being a CU STAR is a privilege because we have the opportunity to show prospective students all that Creighton has to offer,” Amodeo said. “What we say, what we show and how we present ourselves can make or break a student’s decision to come here. That may seem like a lot of pressure, but we all have so much fun
doing it.”
The unique campus tours are also helpful for undecided students who are trying to find the right college for them. The tour guides are able to relate to what prospective students are going through as they make a major life decision, according to Alex Hirchert, a Business freshman.
Being a STAR is much more than wearing a flashy Creighton polo. Applicants for CU STARs are required to have been through at least a semester at Creighton so they are more familiar with the campus. Once the application process is complete, they are provided with basic facts about Omaha and answers to frequently asked questions. Finally, they must shadow a current STAR before conducting a tour alone, Kulczewski said.
“[These students] are not only STARs, but stars in the Creighton community as well,” Kulczewski said. “I wish more recognition could go to the massive amount of positivity they bring to this campus and future students.”