Showcasing Brock to prospective students at Ontario Universities’ Fair

Faculty and staff filled a bus bound for Toronto and the Ontario University Fair Friday morning. Brock University will be showcasing its programs, services and campus life to high school students during the three-day event.

Brock University is reaching out to tens of thousands of high school students this weekend during the Ontario Universities’ Fair in Toronto.

A contingent of over 300 faculty, staff and students headed to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Friday morning for the three-day fair aimed at Grade 11 and 12 high school students.

“It’s an opportunity for us to shine and be top of mind,” said Melissa Beamer, Manager of Recruitment Services. “We will be showcasing what makes Brock, Brock.”

Third-year concurrent education students Naomi Dinniwell and Teghan Hinksman are attending the fair to let students know how much they love Brock and why.

“We are Brock ambassadors so our job is to promote Brock and convince students that Brock is where’s it’s at,” Dinniwell said.

Hinksman added: “It’s not just a job, we believe it!”

She added she loves the community feel on campus, and the staff is amazing.

“The professors are very student-oriented. They really care about their students,” Hinksman said.

Beamer said recruiters are trying to get potential students to visit Brock – which almost always seals the deal. Once people see the campus and experience the community first-hand, it’s an easy sell.

Faculty and staff get ready to board the Badger bus bound for the Ontario Universities’ Fair.

Beamer said 130,000 students and parents are expected to attend the fair over the weekend, most of which are from the Greater Toronto Area.

“It’s critical for us to reach students in the GTA,” she said. “It’s the only area with a growing demographic in terms of a prospective student population.”

According to the Council of Ontario Universities, a demographic shift has meant a smaller university-age population that is expected to continue until 2021. The shift is related to population patterns resulting from the baby boom.

Ethna Bernat, Associate Director of Concurrent Education at Brock, has been going to the universities’ fair for at least six years.

Ethna Bernat, Associate Director of Concurrent Education at Brock University.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s a good way to meet a lot of incoming students,” she said. “It’s a great way to promote Brock.”

At the fair, Brock has a 45×45 booth with two walls of interactive media including the launch of the new Grape Stomp game. Presentations will also be offered hourly on a number of topics.

“No two universities in Ontario are alike, and the Ontario Universities’ Fair can help high school students find the right fit for them,” Dave Wallace, Executive Director of the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre, said in a news release.

“There are thousands of academic programs to choose from at Ontario universities and at the fair prospective students can hear all about them directly from faculty, staff, alumni and current students. We encourage everyone to come and explore a world of options.”

Beamer said the fair is the kickoff of the annual recruitment season. The deadline for high school students to apply for university is January.