Voice of Reassurance Offered in Admissions Process

Liaisons blend expertise, empathy to help prospective online students

Applying for admission to college isn’t something you do every day. It can symbolize a fresh start, a new journey and the chance to fulfill a long-held dream.

A step-by-step guide published on the Global Campus website at the University of Arkansas assists applicants with the process. The webpage offers four tabs containing detailed sections, plus an FAQ page. Links to other helpful guides, services and offices, along with live email addresses, are embedded throughout. The second tab features a brief explanation of each line in the application, including the estimated time of completion.

The information is all there, but prospective students in online degree programs don’t have to sort through it alone. Staff members in the Online Student Liaison Office are available Monday through Saturday to answer questions and offer personalized support.

“I wanted this job so I could help people,” said Stephanie Reid, an online student liaison. "We get a lot of first-gen students, like me, as well as non-traditional applicants,” Reid said. “It can be an intimidating experience for those who have never attended a higher education institution or are just going back to school after years of being in the workforce. Honestly, it can be overwhelming. But that's where, we as liaisons, step in and step up! We offer a safe landing spot. People can give us a call, text, or email and we’re very happy to help them.”

Reid and three other liaisons work for the Global Campus, a unit that supports U of A academic colleges and schools in developing and delivering online degree programs, courses and workforce training. Global Campus provides instructional design services, learning technology support, media production services and assistance with financial administration, recruitment and marketing.

The university offers more than 100 online programs that include degrees, licensure and certificates.

Voice on the Line

Some applicants appreciate virtual handholding; others don’t. Tailored approaches by the liaisons help applicants feel comfortable and confident. She can hear frustration or hesitation in a caller’s voice sometimes, Reid said.

“Working with various people trying to apply is really interesting,” Reid said. “Personally, it’s important for me to understand where each student is coming from. That way I can approach each individual in a unique way. Some applicants need a strong support system to get through the application process while others want to understand how a program may have a positive impact on their careers and overall well-being.”

Whatever the approach, liaisons strive to show prospective students they have a real, caring person on the other end of the line or screen.

"As liaisons we hear the needs of students,” Reid said. “We do our very best to inform, encourage, and find the answers they need!"

Your Liaison to Success

Online student liaisons help applicants to University of Arkansas online programs at all levels – academic degrees, licensures and certificates.

They guide prospective students through enrollment and support current students as they navigate online learning. Help is available by phone, email and text. Chatting with Razorbot is also an option. If liaisons don’t have the answer, they find someone who does and connect them with the student.

Reid, a former high school teacher, relates to applicants in multiple ways because of her history. A first-generation college student from south Arkansas, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Career and Technical Education with a concentration in Family and Consumer Science from the U of A. She became a liaison in 2024, continuing her passion for helping others. She is also starting graduate school this fall, pursuing a Master of Science in Human and Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Human Development and Family Sciences.

“I always loved education,” she said. “I grew up wanting to be a teacher.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about the application process are among the most common that liaisons field, Reid said.

Many prospective students want to know about program-specific requirements, Reid said. Others, especially those with prior college experience, ask what credits will transfer to the U of A.

A link to the transfer planning guide appears in the first section under the first tab of the application guide. It shows college credits previously accepted by the U of A from other institutions.

One misconception Reid often hears is that students expect to receive a degree audit immediately. That comes later in the application process, she said.

Test Scores, Transcripts

She also discusses whether applicants need to submit standardized or placement test scores.

The average age of an online student is 31 for undergraduates and 35 for graduate students, according to the Global Campus annual report. That means Reid often helps older applicants track down transcripts and test scores.

Personal Statements, Recommendations

Some graduate programs require personal statements and recommendations, and the liaisons can walk applicants through those, too.

“Usually, the program faculty just want to see that you can write a coherent paper and talk about the program of interest,” Reid said. “It’s up to us as liaisons to have that information. They want a writing sample that reflects your experience and background.”

Final Word of Advice

Patience is key, Reid said.

“Some people try to rush the process,” she said. “You will be waiting for responses; it’s a waiting game. The primary thing is to keep an eye on your new student portal. Admissions staff will add items they need.”