In the latest episode of In Your Element, Charity Schneeberger and Gretchen LeVan dive into the dynamic intersection of athletics and admissions at the University of Valley Forge. Through their roles as Director of Admissions and Director of Athletics, respectively, they shed light on how a culture of teamwork, effective communication, and technological advancements can bridge the gap between two critical departments. The episode kicks off with an honest exploration of the challenges and triumphs in fostering a robust partnership between athletics, admissions, and all departments. The duo underscores the importance of leveraging tools like Element451 to streamline collaboration and enhance efficiency. From discussing the nuances of recruiting platforms to the strategic use of Bolt profiles, Charity and Gretchen share insights into making the recruitment process smoother for coaches and more aligned with institutional objectives.
In the latest episode of In Your Element, Charity Schneeberger and Gretchen LeVan dive into the dynamic intersection of athletics and admissions at the University of Valley Forge. Through their roles as Director of Admissions and Director of Athletics, respectively, they shed light on how a culture of teamwork, effective communication, and technological advancements can bridge the gap between two critical departments.
The episode kicks off with an honest exploration of the challenges and triumphs in fostering a robust partnership between athletics, admissions, and all departments. The duo underscores the importance of leveraging tools like Element451 to streamline collaboration and enhance efficiency. From discussing the nuances of recruiting platforms to the strategic use of Bolt profiles, Charity and Gretchen share insights into making the recruitment process smoother for coaches and more aligned with institutional objectives.
Key Takeaways:
Guest Names:
Charity Schneeberger, Director of Admissions, University of Valley Forge
Gretchen LeVan, Director of Athletics, University of Valley Forge
Guest Bios:
Charity Schneeberger is in her fourth year as Director of Admissions at the University of Valley Forge. During her time in Admissions, enrollment at UVF has grown or held steady each year. In the last year, she has overseen expansion of travel and implementation of a new CRM (Element451). Prior to working in Admissions, Charity’s background was in Institutional Effectiveness. Her experience with accreditation, assessment, and strategic planning gives her a unique perspective in Enrollment Management. Charity earned her Bachelor of Arts in Church Ministries (2017) and Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (2019), both from the University of Valley Forge. Prior to coming to UVF to finish her degree in 2014, she served as Worship Pastor and Creative Director at a large church in Pennsylvania, and helped to open a local coffee shop as Assistant Manager.
Gretchen LeVan is entering her sixth year as the Director of Athletics at the University of Valley Forge, and eleventh year as Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Prior to becoming the helm of the department, LeVan served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for five years. During her time at UVF, LeVan re-branded the department with creating a new mission statement, vision statement, and pillars of stability, as well as developing the Patriot Way, a student-athlete handbook. She piloted the Patriots in becoming a core member of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) and established UVF’s athletic recruitment strategy, the Patriot All-Academic Team, and the addition of Men’s Volleyball as a varsity sport. LeVan also developed the creation of two club sports, JV Men’s Basketball and Track & Field. Under her leadership, the importance of the full student-athlete experience has increased. In Fall 2018, the athletic department notched a 3.24 GPA, the highest in department history. LeVan graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. LeVan continued her education at Bloomsburg University, graduating with a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Before her venture to Steel City, LeVan attended the University of Valley Forge (2003-2005), where she received an Associates of Art in Bible. During her time at UVF, LeVan was a two-year starter on the Women’s Soccer team, receiving the Most Valuable Player award both seasons. LeVan holds the most career goals scored in Patriot history with 24 goals. In addition to soccer, LeVan was a member of the Women’s Basketball team, where she led the team in both assists and steals. As a Patriot, LeVan tabbed a spot on the NCCAA All-Conference and All-Region team. LeVan was also awarded Co-Most Valuable Player, as well as being the recipient of the prestigious O.L. Harrup Award in her final year.