Open House Attracts Incredible Crowd of Enthusiastic Future Pioneers

Utica Community
Utica Stories
Open House Attracts Incredible Crowd of Enthusiastic Future Pioneers

Prospective students gathered in the Concourse to talk with members of the Utica community at a November 2025 Open House event.

“It just feels like such a small, welcoming community here.”

Students and families in rows of chairs, are greeted by members of the Utica community at a November 2025 Open House event.

Early season snow didn’t slow traffic onto the campus, as a large crowd of prospective students and families, brimming with excitement, arrived on November 11 for Utica University’s annual Fall Open House. The event, the second of two Open House sessions, brought together high school and transfer students, all eager to explore campus, learn more about the University community, and gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Pioneer.

And, by day’s end, several couldn’t resist briefly stepping out of their campus tour group – with full encouragement from their guide – to take a plunge into the snow.

Throughout the day, guests filled campus buildings to attend interactive discussions on academic life, campus life, admissions, and financial aid; meet with faculty members; and engage with current students. The schedule also included a Majors Fair, Student Resource Fair, Residence Hall Showcase, and Application Completion Help Session.

Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Eric Sykes discussed what he believes sets Utica apart from other colleges and universities, sharing his excitement for the opportunities that await the students.

“As you may already learned, Utica University is a little different," Sykes said. "For one, we keep our tuition cost low – certainly compared to other private institutions – because affordability and value are primary concerns of ours. Our graduates graduate with lower debt, and on average our graduates, in terms of starting salary, earn about $10,000 more than (graduates of) other four-year private institutions.

Members of the Utica community chat with prospective students and their families at a November 2025 Open House event.

Utica’s low cost in comparison to its peers does not detract from the exceptional quality of the academic experience, Sykes added, specifically referencing Utica’s superlative faculty and state-of-the-art learning facilities supporting majors across the University, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, construction management, and the sciences.

“We are constantly investing in the facilities that support the academic experience,” he said. “Just last year, we opened up our crime scene investigation lab, which is a specific and dedicated space for students who are interested in criminal justice. It’s the kind of space you’re not going to see at other institutions. Later this year, we’re going to be opening a new cyber range, a simulation space for students in cybersecurity to learn how to combat and respond to cyber attacks. These types of spaces are all unique to this institution.

“We don’t want our graduates to go out (into the field) after they graduate and say, ‘I’ve never experienced this before,’” he continued. “Career-preparation is among our top considerations. We’re very intentional about giving students the ability to develop not only the knowledge, technological skills, and instrumentation skills, but those softer skills that employers look for in a successful employee. Whether it’s through clinical placements, the simulation labs, internships, or other field experiences, we are always finding ways to incorporate that into the career-centered environment here at Utica University.”

Sierra Van Schaick, a high school junior from Jamesville, NY, was attracted to Utica because of its animal behavior program as well the feel and intimacy of campus.

“I like the campus,” she said. “It just feels like such a small, welcoming community here.”

Members of Student Living get ready to greet students at a November 2025 Open House event.

For Sierra’s father, Bruce, the college search process has been exhaustive but gratifying.

“She was accepted here and several other places. We’ve done a stretch where we’ve looked at seven or eight schools in a nine-day period,” he said. “I’d like to help her decide which school she believes is the right fit for her. She likes that Utica is a smaller school, which I think fits her.”

Heather Paschal attended Open House with her son, Robert, a senior at Red Hook High School in Dutchess County, NY. She noted that Utica had an unmistakable feeling on being back in Red Hook.

“There are a lot of graduates from Red Hook High School who are here now,” she said. “I think I spotted two or three of them just walking in here this morning, so it feels a little bit like home.”

Prospective students chat with members of the Utica community at a November 2025 Open House event.

Robert, who is interested in construction management, said the idea of having familiar faces to help transition to college was among the reasons he is considering Utica.

“I heard the construction management program is good, and my friends who I know here have mentioned there are a lot of activities, including sports,” he said. “And I also like the snow.”

While Fall Open House is one of Utica’s largest campus visit experiences, attracting hundreds of guests, the University offers many additional opportunities throughout the year, both in-person and virtual, to attend an admissions event, tour campus, connect with an admissions counselor as well as staff from various offices, and meet current students and faculty.

For more information, visit utica.edu/visit.