Arielle Villanueva
Client Strategist
AKA “Valuable Villanueva“
As a Client Strategist, Arielle focuses on improving student engagement throughout the admissions journey to help her partner institutions reach their enrollment goals. Arielle strongly believes in the power of relationships and works to gain a deep understanding of her clients’ strengths and challenges before crafting strategies that align short- and long-term goals.
Upon graduating from Old Dominion University with a B.S. in Psychology, Arielle went to work full time in their Admissions Office. While there, she continued her education, earning an M.Ed. in Higher Education & Student Affairs, before moving on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to joining Spark451, Arielle guided hundreds of college students through the college admissions process as a College Planning Consultant.
What do you love most about working in higher education and why?
The field provides an opportunity to contribute to an environment of growth and discovery. Specifically, admissions work is about creating a welcoming first impression, which sets the tone for a student’s entire college experience.
How did you choose your profession/why?
After working as a Student Ambassador (Tour Guide) in college, I was hooked on higher education.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given and why?
You don’t know until you ask. By asking, you open the door to possibility and remind yourself that uncertainty isn’t something to be scared of.
When you aren’t busy being a Sparkler, what is something that you like to do and why?
Move my body: I do lifting, yoga, walking, and Pilates, because life is kinetic.