Spotlight: Rob Villa, WVC Customer Service Specialist in Admissions

Rob Villa is one of the three staff members that greet and help new students when they arrive on campus. Now, a lot of that greeting takes place online, and things haven’t slowed down for Rob and his teammates.

 “We take care of processing admissions and applications, credit evaluations, transfers from high schools and colleges and more,” he said. “But it is all a manual process right now, rather than fac-to-face.”

Rob attended WVC from 2013 to 2016, and he remembers what it’s like to be a new student.

“In the beginning, you’re not really sure of what you’re doing – it is one of the struggles that a lot of students face. As you go through it, you experience new things and learn from different professors and classes. Your knowledge just expands,” Rob said. “Helping students choose their next classes in order to get into the program they want and seeing them graduate is very rewarding.”

He said his favorite class, Public Speaking with Dr. Karen Alman, increased his self-confidence and helped prepare him for his job now.

“I was really, really shy and I felt kind of dumb when I went up and spoke in front of people. I didn’t feel confident at all,” he said. “In that class I learned some key pointers, like how to go up in front and present and how to talk in front of people. It was really an eye opener. After taking that class, I was able to talk in front of a group and help other students when I was involved in CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program). Now I’m able to help students find other resources.”

Over his three years at WVC, Rob said he has learned more and more about how to help students.

“I’ve picked up what questions to ask, how to communicate and how to resolve a situation,” he said. “I’ve learned to not be too hard on myself. No one was born knowing everything. It is always good to ask questions. Don’t worry about looking dumb and don’t worry that maybe they think you aren’t listening. Just ask, and do that until you get it.”

Rob said he wants to help students have the same experience he had at WVC.

“WVC has some of the best opportunities – from the advisors, instructors, tutors, programs, clubs, and custodians,” he said. “As a student and as a staff member, I have interacted with a lot of the people here and they all have helped me get out of my comfort zone and grow into a better person.”