Interested high school students visit the campus

Hundreds of prospective students filled Prairie View A&M University's campus for the first Campus Preview Day, Sept. 29. Pantherland Day and Campus Preview Day are similar but very much different.
 'The difference is high school and transfer students experience a more intimate, fine tuned approach to the university. Pantherland Day is more so for everyone," said student recruiter Melvin Wilson.
This is the first of three Campus Preview Days hosted by the office of recruitment. PV recruiters wish to use the days to increase university awareness and overall student population.
According to the university's master plan, the goal for campus growth, as identified by the Texas Closing the Gaps initiative and PVAMU leadership, is to grow to 12,000 students. The master plan also addresses the need for new academic facilities, improved parking, and extended housing to accommodate the population increase. Construction for upperclassman housing, on campus retail center, and a state of the art recreational center will open in spring 2015. Senior communications specialist Jane Peevy gave students a warm welcome at the opening ceremony. Prospective students then continued the day with campus tours, which allowed them get a glimpse of what a first class education at PVAMU looks like. "Our campus sells itself, a lot of students may be undecided, but they fall in love with our campus," said Wilson.
Campus appearances and academic achievements influence the decision of prospective students weighing their options between colleges. Prospective students entered the various college and schools and received information about the programs and degree options available.
Contributions from Greek, student, and academic organizations were made to help show the culture of the campus. At the end of the day prospective students were given a chance to see how PVAMU's tradition can be their opportunity.
The office of recruitment hopes to bring in larger crowds for future dates. Yet Prairie View will continue to market the university on billboards throughout the state and recruiting events at high schools and community colleges.
With more events like Campus Preview Day, the university hopes to achieve its goal of 12,000 students.