School of Dentistry celebrates volunteers at annual Interviewer Appreciation Dinner
The UT San Antonio School of Dentistry recently hosted its annual Interviewer Appreciation Dinner, recognizing the dedication and hard work of the staff, faculty and dental students who helped organize, review and interview this year’s applicants for our Doctor of Dental Surgery class of 2030.
The event, organized by Kelly Lemke, MS, DDS, assistant dean of admissions, and the admissions team, celebrated the vital role interviewers play in shaping each incoming class and shared the school’s gratitude for the volunteers who make the admissions process possible.
Shaping the next DDS class
A committee of faculty members makes up the school’s Admissions Selections Subcommittee. This year, these members reviewed 1,496 applications to select the most qualified candidates for interviews.
While applications provide academic metrics and experiences, interviews allow the committee to see qualities that cannot be measured on paper. Interviewers help evaluate applicants’ interpersonal skills, judgment, maturity and qualities important for future dentists.
“Interviewing is critical to the process because it allows us to get to know the students beyond their application,” Lemke said. “You can see how they think on their feet, their self-awareness and their passion for dentistry, and imagine that person as part of the class.”
Interviews also provide applicants the opportunity to experience our School of Dentistry’s culture firsthand and determine whether the program is the right fit for them. Faculty and students who participate in interviews help create a welcoming environment, represent the school and often share their own experiences at the school with their interviewees.
Growing interest in dentistry
This year’s admissions cycle saw a significant increase in applications to the School of Dentistry, following a trend of rising applications over the past several years, with applications to the school increasing nearly 50% over the past three years.
From the 1,496-applicant pool, 318 were invited to interview, totaling 636 interviews, as each applicant met with multiple interviewers. The volunteers, including DS3 and DS4 students and faculty members, dedicated their time over 18 weeks to interview each of the selected candidates and identify the applicants who best fit the school's criteria for the next DDS freshman class.
During the event, Dr. Lemke recognized the members of the Admissions Selections Subcommittee:
- Bennett Tochukwu Amaechi, BDS, MSc, PhD
- Stanislaus Dyda, DDS
- Martha Evan Knepper, DDS
- Poornima Mensinkai, BDS, MS, PhD
- Kyumin Whang, BS, MS, PhD
She also thanked the admissions staff who coordinate the complex process of scheduling interviews and supporting applicants throughout the cycle, including Jennifer Sandlin, DJ Smith, Tina Morales and aura Lerma, describing them as the “heart of the admissions program.”
Recognizing outstanding volunteers
To recognize volunteers for their time and commitment, the admissions team presented branded duffel bags to 27 students who conducted five or more interviews and the 14 faculty who conducted ten or more interviews.
Several individuals were recognized as the top interviewers of the year. Among faculty, Jon Dossett, DMD, conducted 34 interviews, Marlene Sumner, DDS, conducted 27 and Traci Cowan, DDS, conducted 26.
Top student interviewers included DS3 James Gilman (12 interviews), DS3 Kris Wieland (10), DS3 Kyle Cote (10), DS3 Khoi Bui (9), DS3 Maddie McGuire (9) and DS3 Sam Martin (9).
A special recognition was also given to DS4 Patrick Patke, who frequently stepped in at the last minute to help give campus tours for visiting applicants.
With the number of applicants continuing to grow, Dr. Lemke emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong pool of interview volunteers. Interviews remain an important step in evaluating applicants and in ensuring that each class reflects the professionalism, compassion and commitment to patient care that define UT San Antonio School of Dentistry.
The School of Dentistry and Dr. Lemke thank all faculty, staff and students who invest their time and energy in the future of both the school and the dental profession by participating in the admissions process.