About the Episode
About the Episode:
This episode is the second of two where I’m joined by a rising star in Higher Ed. From a very young age Bertita Barrientos enjoyed helping others and being a leader. We talk about her path to the United States, how opportunities in college influenced her leadership style, how she ended up in college admissions, and the role that mentors have played in her growth. We also discuss the concept of work-life balance, and Bertita offers advice on recruiting Hispanic/Latinx students and families.
Key Takeaways
- Leadership Through Service: Leadership doesn’t have to be loud; servant leadership, focused on empowering others, can drive impactful change.
- Cultural Understanding in Admissions: Recruiting Hispanic and Latinx students requires cultural awareness, including engaging families, addressing the value of higher education, and offering resources in Spanish.
- Confidence from Community: A simple compliment or word of encouragement can profoundly boost confidence and inspire action in students and professionals alike.
- Adaptability as a Career Skill: Challenges like COVID-19 demonstrate the importance of embracing change and exploring alternative career paths in higher ed.
- Intentional Work-Life Balance: Balance doesn’t have to mean equal time for work and life but being intentional about priorities during different seasons of the year.
Episode Summary
From El Salvador to the U.S.: Embracing New Challenges
Bertita Barrientos grew up in El Salvador, where her family instilled in her a strong work ethic and the value of education. Her journey to the U.S. began with a trial visit to Conway, Arkansas, where she found comfort in the close-knit community and nature-filled landscape. Transitioning to the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) as an international student presented challenges, from navigating cultural differences to overcoming language barriers. However, strong friendships and supportive mentors helped her find her footing.
Leadership Development Through Campus Involvement
While at UCA, Bertita held leadership roles as a Resident Assistant, a member of the President’s Leadership Fellows, and in the Student Activities Board. These experiences not only honed her communication and organizational skills but also helped her build confidence. For Bertita, leadership is about serving others and creating opportunities, a philosophy she continues to carry into her work in admissions.
Pivoting to Higher Ed and Admissions
Although she initially pursued a degree in business, Bertita’s on-campus leadership roles inspired her to explore a career in higher education. During the pandemic, she transitioned into admissions at UCA and quickly discovered a passion for working with students and families. Later, an unexpected opportunity at Butler University allowed her to expand her impact while embracing new challenges in recruiting students from Texas.
Supporting Hispanic and Latinx Students
Bertita emphasizes the importance of family and community in recruiting Hispanic and Latinx students. Institutions must engage entire families, communicate the value of higher education, and provide multilingual resources to build trust. Highlighting outcomes like job placement and long-term success is also crucial for addressing cultural priorities.
Balancing Work, Leadership, and Life
As a wife, mother, and professional, Bertita underscores the importance of being intentional about work-life balance. She acknowledges that balance looks different throughout the year and stresses the value of a supportive network—both at work and at home—to avoid burnout and maintain focus on what matters most.
How Higher Ed Can Better Support Hispanic and Latinx Students
- Engage Families as Key Decision-Makers
- Recognize that students often rely on the opinions of their families to make college decisions. Build trust by engaging parents, grandparents, and other influential family members in the admissions process.
- Provide Multilingual Resources
- Offering information in Spanish is critical for breaking down language barriers and ensuring families fully understand the value and opportunities of higher education.
- Focus on Long-Term Outcomes
- Hispanic and Latinx families often prioritize the future impact of education. Emphasize job placement rates, internships, and success stories to demonstrate the return on investment.
- Cultural Competency in Recruitment
- Celebrate the community-oriented nature of Hispanic and Latinx culture and find ways to integrate that into campus life and communication strategies.
About the Show: Jeremy Tiers, a well-known speaker in college admission, enrollment marketing, and leadership circles is your host for Mission Admissions. Join him every other week as he sits down with industry leaders and difference makers from both inside and outside of Higher Ed. You'll walk away with advice, tips and strategies you can apply in your day-to-day life.
Connect With Our Host:
Jeremy Tiers
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytiers/
https://twitter.com/CoachTiers
About The Enrollify Podcast Network: Mission Admissions is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Some of our favorites include Generation AI and The Application with Allison Turcio.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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