By Rachel Konieczny
Assistant News Editor
I recognize the great things that are happening already at St. Bonaventure University, so I don’t want to come in and change everything; I want to build on the quality and the success that’s already happening.”
This is how Bernard Valento described his expectation of his start at the enrollment office. St. Bonaventure announced Valento as the new vice president for enrollment on March 16. He will begin his term of service on May 18.
The Minnesota native currently serves as vice president for enrollment management at West Virginia Wesleyan University in Buckhannon, West Virginia, where he oversees undergraduate and graduate admissions, financial aid, retention, academic records and shares responsibility for marketing.
Valento believes the entire Bonaventure community is responsible for enrolling prospective students.
“I’ve always believed that students are a university’s greatest assets, so it’s really important to utilize them in the recruitment process,” Valento said. “They serve as ambassadors. They promote the university in friends and families. They serve on campus as tour guides and hosts and during breaks and visits, and [as] part of student panels.”
He said he hopes to work with students to accomplish enrollment goals wherever possible.
“The students are living the experience—they have a great impact with prospective students and their families,” Valento said.
In addition to students, Valento plans to work with faculty to better understand academic programs that will translate to more successful enrollment efforts. He said he praises the school counselors in the Western New York area who have a significant influence in students’ college choices.
“One of my big priorities will be reaching out and nurturing relationships with school counselors and I think that could have a big impact,” Valento said. “Part of my process will be exploring new markets through student search, alumni involvement, and possibly travel. I hope to build upon St. Bonaventure’s national reputation.”
Valento said he looks forward to hearing from the Bonaventure community on what is happening on campus.
“As a vice president for enrollment, it will be critical that I’m an effective listener [that] I take the time to listen and find out what’s already happening in the St. Bonaventure community, looking at potential opportunities,” Valento said. “The best ideas for enrollment success often come from within a college community.”
Valento also plans to expand the search for prospective students to international markets.
To accomplish his goal of increasing enrollment numbers after a steady enrollment is attained, Valento said he intends to highlight the unique aspects of Bonaventure.
“I know some look at it as a disadvantage—that [the] campus is located in more of a rural area—but I look at it as an advantage,” Valento said. “Students are coming, they’re part of a community, they can be focused on why they’re there and they can grow and develop as a student and as a person.”
Prior to West Virginia Wesleyan, Valento served in admissions roles at the State University of New York College at Brockport for nearly 15 years.
During his tenure, the college experienced 15 consecutive years of enrollment success by exceeding quantity and quantity goals, increasing undergraduate enrollment by 549 students overall.
He also served in admissions at Rochester Institute of Technology and Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania.
After his previous enrollment success, Valento said recruiting can be greatly simplified.
“It’s always been my philosophy that every single person that works on the campus, everyone that’s part of the college community—it’s things as simple as a smile, a hello when students are visiting campus, to reaching out to prospective students to supporting current students—even the smallest thing can impact enrollment.”
koniecrc14@sbu.edu
