The Bradley STAR’s are home to hundreds of student workers across campus with one combined goal of promoting the University to the best of their abilities. These students come from several different backgrounds, various majors, and are in different years at school.
Ben Herring, a Junior Biomedical Science major from Medinah, IL, has been thrown into the world of college admissions since he came to Bradley as a Freshman. It is rare for there to be Freshman STAR’s, but Herring is a valuable exception and has enjoyed his experience thus far.
“I really liked it here on campus, it was a great way to meet people, and I got a lot of connections and resources through getting an on-campus job. It has definitely given me a lot of experience because I have been able to build up my responsibilities in the job until now being a Junior,” said Herring.
Speaking of his responsibilities, Herring has also served as a mentor towards the younger STAR’s around him. Mark Arroyo, a fellow Biomedical Science major from Minooka, IL, is one of the many beneficiaries of Herring’s experience and help.
“Ben was the one who gave me my tour when I visited Bradley, and he was the first person I shadowed on a tour. He truly helped me adjust to the job,” said Arroyo.
As Herring has been able to work his way through and excel at what he does, he hopes to use that to get himself a potential internship with Bradley Admissions for his Senior year.
However, one thing that he (or no one for that matter) could have fathomed in his STAR’s experience was the (shocker) COVID-19 pandemic. With that, their ability to perform their jobs to their full potential is not as easy given the restrictions and precautions used daily.
“First thing we usually do on a tour is shake their hand right away to form that connection, but because of COVID, we, unfortunately, cannot do that. So it feels like there is a big disconnect between you, the student, and the family throughout the visit,” said Herring.
While STAR’s, such as Herring, have still been able to give tours to prospective students, the campus’s feel has not been the same as it was pre-COVID. A feeling of emptiness is unquestionably prevalent and makes their job much tougher to conduct.
“I will say, it has been harder to give a tour. We usually like to talk about how the Quad is a great place to hang out, and I will gesture to it, and there is never anyone there anymore because of COVID, and it makes us feel like a hollow University,” said Herring.
Not having the appeal Bradley typically has during the pandemic is not only challenging for STAR’s, but anyone involved with the community on campus. Even though things have not been the same, one cannot help but imagine what life will be like when the world returns to what it once was.
“I am so excited to get back out and meet a family. I cannot wait for that first handshake without a mask on and introduce myself,” said Herring.
We, as a society, still have work to do regarding the pandemic. However, there seems to finally be light at the end of the tunnel. So, Herring and the rest of the STAR’s are ready to get back to normality and promote Bradley without anything holding them back.