The theater school officially has an adviser after about three months without one.
Emily Wilkinson, who previously worked as an admissions counselor at OCU for five years, was named adviser for current and prospective students of the theater school.
She officially assumed her role March 20 after having trained since March 6.
Wilkinson graduated from Wanda L. Bass School of Music in 2012, having spent all four years working in admissions as a student. After she graduated, she immediately began working in admissions for the next five years until being chosen for the role of adviser.
“With the training that I had with my master’s program and things like that, it was a good transition—a good move,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson originally interviewed for a different position on campus, but she was not hired. She was, however, referred to theater school after the departure of former adviser Dalaina Ealy.
Ealy “left her post with immediate effect,” according to a Jan. 26 email theater students received from Dean Brian Parsons.
After Parsons approached Wilkinson and asked her to apply, she went through the interview process and was offered the adviser role. She accepted it the next day.
Some students said they hope Wilkinson can manage the post in a more efficient way than it was handled in the past.
“I’m hoping that Emily will be able to streamline everything, make it much more efficient,” said Dylan Mobley, acting senior.
Last year’s advisements were stressful, which wasn’t good for anyone, so hopefully Emily’s experience helps her better understand the School of Theater requirements, Mobley said.
Wilkinson’s responsibilities mostly consist of advising current and prospective students on scholarships, auditions and enrollment. She also plans to bring more organization to her role to make it easier and more structured for any adviser who may come after her, Wilkinson said.
“I think that there are things that we can streamline a little bit more. I’ve talked with the theater faculty and they agree, so hopefully we’ll be able to do that,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson’s current focus is to familiarize herself with the students and get to know them on a personal level. To her, the most important part of her job is ensuring that students feel comfortable and familiar with her so personal relationships can develop, she said.
“I’m mostly excited to develop that relationship again over four years, as opposed to just working with prospective students for a year and then never seeing them again,” Wilkinson said. “I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.”
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