The Jackson State University Welcome Center will host a training event called “L.I.G.H.T.S. Workshop” to help colleges and universities enhance visitor services programs. It will be at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at the JSU Student Center, Ballroom A.
Gwen Caples, JSU Welcome Center director and workshop co-chair, said, “We are excited about partnering with Mississippi State University to host the L.I.G.H.T.S. Workshop. Currently, we have 13 universities from throughout the state that are participating to exchange knowledge about our information and visitor services programs. The workshop will enhance our customer relations and provide new strategies for improving the visitor experience for prospective students, alumni and friends.”
Leaders from institutions throughout the state aim to shine a positive light on the welcome center experience by networking with their counterparts, offering ideas to bolster campus image and increase interest from guests exploring their programs. During L.I.G.H.T.S. – an acronym for Learning Information (while) Gaining Helpful Training on (visitor) Services – students will share their experiences as tour guides and provide innovative ideas on how to make campus visits informative and memorable. In addition, there will be pointers on how to engage cities and towns to roll out the red carpet for guests.
Floyd Williams Jr., director of Trade Shows and National Accounts of the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau; Laura Stansell, associate director of admissions at the University of Tennessee; and Malcolm D. White, director of Visit Mississippi of the Mississippi Development Authority will serve as presenters.
Besides JSU and MSU, other participating institutions will include Alcorn State University, Belhaven University, Holmes Community College, Mississippi Valley State University, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Rust College, the University of Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi, Tougaloo College and Tulane University School of Continuing Students – Madison Campus.