Before serving as an online admissions representative for the College of Online Education, Lyndsy Tainsh worked in several different higher education roles and had one very short-lived stint at a pension company.

A graduate of Rhode Island College (RIC), Lyndsy has experience working in admissions at RIC and at the University of Rhode Island. Before coming to JWU, she worked as an administrative assistant in the office of the Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the Community College of Rhode Island.

For the past three years, Lyndsy has been a mainstay on the JWU Online team guiding students through the admissions process and training new team members on how to best-serve their students.

Here favorite part of her job, she says, is helping students find the program that is right for them.

For people who don’t know, can you describe what your job includes?

I just had a slight job description and title change, actually. In addition to being an online admissions representative (OAR), I am now also serving as the team’s training specialist. I work with doctoral students throughout the admissions process and assist with enrollment into the programs. I also am helping develop training manuals for new online OARs and will be working with Dave Cartwright and Anice O’Connor to create academic program guides for the OARs. These program guides will provide additional information that is specific to each program that the OAR can share with prospective students.

What should prospective students know about you?

I know what it’s like to be an online student! I am currently pursuing my online graduate degree, and I completely understand trying to balance, schoolwork, family, a home, and other hobbies all at once. But I love online classes. For me, the flexibility is key. I can work on assignments during lunch or whenever I have a few extra minutes in my schedule. I have learned that I work best when I plan ahead and schedule short schoolwork sessions throughout my week.

What’s your favorite part about being an OAR?

I really enjoy working with students, understanding their goals and assisting with enrollment in the program that best fits their goals. I like speaking with new students to find out what has them interested and making sure they feel confident that they are choosing the right program for them.

What is something that has surprised you about online learning in your time at the College of Online Education?

In the past three years I have been at COE, I am always surprised at the ways online learning is evolving. This past year, we offered 20 new academic programs to online students. By offering such a wide variety of courses, it allows JWU to keep growing and expanding to reach new students.

What would someone be surprised to know about you?

I just finished my 200-hour yoga teacher-training program and I’m going to start teaching in August! I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years now so I’m really excited to teach and create my own sequences.

Do you have questions about taking classes online? For more information on how JWU Online can help you reach your career goals, contact us at 855-JWU-1881 or email onlineadmissions@jwu.edu.