Spelman College Campus (Source: Spelman College: Admission – Visit Us)
Summary
Spelman College invites students to gain experience in a community where one is supported by a body of sororities. Students are received not just based on their academic credentials but also their many roles and engagement in public work and how that can further develop at Spelman. Upon admission, it considers a student’s outlook and what they can contribute to making an influence in the social world. The college provides support during the college year and experiences to leave one prepared to take the next step after graduation. It uses pathos in rhetorical style and kairos for the rhetorical strategies to encourage students’ interest and admission.
Analysis
Some of the ways Spelman College attracts its prospective students are by using visualization, the different tags and labels on their page, and by providing news updates associated with the school. As one enters the school website, they are greeted with a virtual billboard that stands out on the home page. In this billboard, there are different events, dates, and things to take note of (SC Home). This shows examples of kairos. Kairos is associated with timeliness with which the billboard is allied to. While the board switches from frame to frame every few seconds, it can be stopped so that the information can be read at one’s own pace. Under “News and Events” one can go back to look for more information if they missed the billboard. One of the frames is titled, “Angelino Viceisza – Economics Faculty Highlight,” in which the subtext read, “Change Maker: Spelman College associate professor of economics Angelino Viceisza, Ph.D., has been named the new president of the National Economic Association for the 2023-24 term (SC Home).” To bring out this information and present it shows the college intent of their target students. As the semester is about to come to an end and summer is approaching, many students are college searching. Here, the college is aiming to appeal to economics students, which the college offers as one of its majors (SC Academics). They do this by highlighting the words, “Economics Faculty Highlight (SC Home).” If students browsed the page and were able to happen to see the billboard, they would at least know Spelman offered an economics major. The college’s objective is to get their attention, which the method would provide by giving students further motive for research on the site.
Furthermore, the college displayed a picture of professor Viceisza. In the picture, he is smiling, giving off a welcoming atmosphere (SC Home). Professor Vicesiza is also seen wearing a suit, showing professionalism (SC Home). Body language and outfit choices can give much information about a person and the work environment. It can be assumed that the faculties and staff are welcoming and professional, looking at professor Vicesiza alone. To give rise to the assumption, as one browses through the other frames of the billboard, they would come across other staff or faculty who also share the same characteristics (SC Home). In the frame titled, “Food Justice Summit” the staffs include the ‘moderator,’ Rose Scott Wabe, and the ‘featured health specialists;’ Tamara Melton Ms, RDN, Tambra Raye, Stevenson, and Rosalind Gregory – Bass, M.D (SC Home). These features appeal to emotions. If one were to go to the college, knowing it’s set in a rigorous environment, they’d be relaxed knowing that they are greeted with hospitality.
The frame introduces food with healthcare. Just like with how the college was advertising its programs for economics, similarity this frame is also displaying the same concept, but with the programs associated with healthcare. The date of the event, description and biographies are listed on the page (SC Academic). Under the description, the moderator along with the featured health specialist are listed, each with their little short biography. The similarity they share is that they have credentials in information about health. This event is a great way to set up students in a place where they can explore their interests as they interact with the faculties. Another example of this with the same program is displayed in the event titled “Healthcare Careers Start Here (SC Home).” This backs up kairos in that it creates a sense of action, the urge to act. This is evident in that they displayed two upcoming events with closing dates. Under “read more” and in the “about us” section, the college demonstrates what the healthcare program can offer you as a member (SC Academics). Above the details, the college shows those two upcoming events. This creates an opportunity for students to take advantage of as they get to have the chance to meet and associate with professionals and be able to participate and indulge in different activities.
These programs are inviting and sociable, backing up the idea of pathos. Using this method, the author’s goal is in advertising their school. Another way they did this was by showing care for their school members. On their website, at the tab “About Us” and under the Wellness center, a part of the description states, “We are taking proactive measures to support the health and welfare of our students, faculty, staff, and the entire Spelman community (SC About Us).” This quote shows where the college lays its concern. While the quote is also addressing precautions toward the pandemic, it still shows how the college is making sure the steps are taken to prioritize the well-being of the members. Under the description are different activities such as meditation, swimming, or training that can also help aid in wellness. Also, on the home page, there is a slide that addresses a survey related to sexual misconduct. A bolded sentence states, “your voice matters, share your experience to help create change! (SC Home).” Just like with the previous source, likewise, while the quote is addressing the context of the survey, it can be applied to any situation. Emotion is involved in this by knowing that one is in a safe and dependable environment at Spelman.
Response
I had considered going to Spelman because of the programs they provide. After acquiring a bit more information, I would still consider going to the school. It has many advantages and it portrays a welcoming environment. Some of the values that I see associated with the school from the values inventory are peace, personal growth, and family. I believe these values would be coordinated with Spelman. I learned how the college is a community where you would rely on one another, even after college. You’d build friendship, mentorship, and guidance where eventually you’d form connections. Because of this close-knitted environment, it would be considered family. You have close friends, teachers, and acquaintances that walk along your journey at the school. The school is also peaceful in that it is a community of support. You wouldn’t have to worry much about a hostile environment and even though there may be conflicts, you have people to go to and rely on. Going to Spelman would give rise to personal growth. Although you have accommodation with peers and the community, Spelman can provide an atmosphere where you can have a chance to personally grow. Whether the growth is in academics, skills, or brain power, Spelman itself is set in a rigorous environment where one can challenge themselves.
Work Cited
Spelman College, https://www.spelman.edu/.