Lighting the Path: How Enrollment Services Advisors Guide Students to Their Destination

To sum up the role of Enrollment Services Advisors (ESAs) at UC Online, Katelyn Eisenmann, Assistant Director of Student Recruitment, puts it best: “An ESA is a flashlight on a student’s journey. They’re there to light the path and guide the way.”

From the day an online student begins their journey with the University of Cincinnati, an ESA is there to help. Let’s take a closer look at what ESAs do and their impact on the students they serve!

An ESA is the first point of contact for prospective online students and plays a vital role in the recruitment process. 

Once a student reaches out for more information about UC’s online programs, an ESA begins building a relationship with them. They aren’t just trying to get students enrolled. Their priority is taking the time to learn about the student’s background and goals. 

In many ways, an ESA is a jack-of-all-trades. They have answers for many of the most common student questions, including general education credits, transfer credits, financial aid, and specific academic programs. 

ESAs typically work within teams that focus on specific online programs. However, many prospective students begin talking to UC Online’s enrollment services team without knowing what program will fit them best. What can ESAs do for students who begin the application process undecided?

At UC Online, Senior ESAs work with undecided students to determine their individual needs throughout the recruitment process. Because Senior ESAs possess a deep knowledge of UC’s various online programs, they’re able to steer undecided students toward the perfect path.  

Devon Lakes, a Senior ESA, works closely with undecided students to meet their individual needs. In his role, he understands that no two undecided students are alike. 

Sometimes a student began college in the past and wants to finish their journey now. Other students—like military veterans or professionals seeking a career change—have prior college credit and work experience but are unsure how to translate that into a degree. A first-generation student might simply need help navigating their options. In any of these situations, Devon and his fellow Senior ESAs are well-equipped to talk through a student’s options. 

Recently, Devon guided his student Amy toward degree completion. After enrolling at UC in the 90s, Amy never finished her degree. She now works at the UC College of Medicine and wants to finish what she started. 

However, Amy wasn’t sure what degree was best for her, so she applied as an undecided student. Her priorities were maximizing her past college credit and finishing her degree as quickly as possible. Through Devon’s conversations with Amy, they determined that the online Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies was the best fit for her needs. 

Amy is now enrolled in the BPS program for Spring 2026! The program is a great fit for her, as it allows her to earn credit for her work experience and graduate faster. This is just one example of how ESAs shape the futures of UC’s online students.

UC Online’s recruiting team works one-on-one with students to identify programs that unlock real career potential, making sure their learning leads to meaningful outcomes.

ESAs are constantly looking at ways to enhance how they communicate with undecided students and provide resources important to their journey. It’s through their attentiveness, guidance, and support that our online students can get on track to achieving their goals.  

Online students can face many barriers when pursuing or continuing their education. When they don’t know where to start, ESAs are there to light the way.