Interview with Vidur Kapur ’00 Woodstock Admissions Director

Interviewed by Katie Jo Walter

“What has your experience been like as an alum joining team Woodstock?

Overall it's been wonderful being back at Woodstock School in this capacity. I get to work with Mr Andrew Das, who was my dorm parent back when I was in Hostel, and I’ve had the opportunity to connect with several of my classmates and other alumni both on the hillside and around the world. It's also been very rewarding working with students and staff on various initiatives and enjoying amazing team outings as we reach out to various communities, both local and International.

“What do you love most about having your family here on the hillside?

My wife Lotte, my daughters Zara and Leah, and I are fortunate to be living in such a diverse multicultural community. We’ve made special friendships with so many incredible people on this hillside and couldn’t have asked for better, especially when it comes to our beautiful surroundings. My wife runs a few local businesses; we feel privileged to be able to give back to the wider Mussoorie community, especially by employing and training local staff from this area. Our girls have just come back from Activity Week and have been eagerly sharing about all the adventures they had, from swimming in a river and petting an elephant to bonfires and lots of song and dance. It made Lotte and me realize how blessed we are to have our girls experience this unique community and education. Personally I've enjoyed being on my motorcycle exploring this breathtaking mountainous region at every given opportunity and am so happy to have fellow alumni and colleagues share in this passion. I can't wait to continue introducing this lifestyle to my family and keep exploring all Mussoorie has to offer.

“What are some of your biggest accomplishments so far?

As we begin to normalise after the uncertainties Covid has brought upon us the past two and a half years, we’re seeing renewed demand from prospective students and parents around the world for a holistic educational experience at Woodstock School. I attribute this to many factors, but I would say our demonstrated commitment to all Woodstock stakeholders is what has put us in the favourable position we are currently enjoying. We have done this by

1. Quickly and thoughtfully pivoting to online environments during the pandemic to provide continuity in learning and sustain ties within the community. This has built trust with parents and positive word of mouth that has spread to prospective parents and students.

2. Taking a phased, team approach to outreach. Our office was joined by Dr Cook as well as members of the Communications and Advancement & Alumni offices, and we worked together on events not only for prospective students but also for current parents and alumni. This largely successful outreach, which began with neighbouring countries and less represented states in India, is now extending farther afield as travel restrictions are eased worldwide. I am a strong believer that our team approach to these events has been more impactful than any of our offices could have done on their own and should continue for increasingly impactful results and eventual return on initial investments.

3. Involving our current parents and alumni as valued members of our community who know us best. Alumni, current parents, and other supporters have been connecting us with recruitment platforms and institutions, introducing us to potential students and parents, and lending financial support to sustain scholarship opportunities. Because of this support we’re increasingly financially well-placed and operationally well-equipped to take our plans forward.

I want to thank all of those who’ve engaged with us and extended their trust to us as partners committed to the uniqueness of living and learning at Woodstock and what it can offer to all of our stakeholders. These people are the reason for the increase we are currently seeing in all our enrolment statistics, including diversity.

“What challenges are there?

We do face significant challenges, especially when keeping our longer-term objectives in mind. We need to be very intentional in how we manage student intake and in how we further focus our attention on meeting our diversity objectives. The Communications and Advancement & Alumni Offices are helping Admissions in the following areas vital to maintaining our positive momentum:

1. Communicating effectively across geographic markets.

2. Marketing and communications that extend our reach and virtually connect prospective students and parents with our campus and community.

3. Creating a strategy for expanding diversity via merit scholarships which are not need-based.

4. Supporting Scholars for Peace as a flagship programme emblematic of Woodstock's commitment to diversity, its history as a home for those fleeing conflict, and its aspirations as a centre for peacebuilding.

1. We’ve seen a year-on-year increase in applications, enrolled students, and nationalities and a reduction in student withdrawals.

2. Our grant budget utilization has seen a 19% (INR 2.22 crore) year-onyear increase, which demonstrates the strong intent to use these funds responsibly to increase student diversity, especially taking into account prospective students’ socioeconomic circumstances.

3. We have four Scholars for Peace students on campus this year in comparison to one last year, representing Nigeria, Kenya, and Syria. Following a visit from the Consul for the Ukrainian Embassy in India, we’re ready to add two Scholars for Peace from Ukraine next year and are seeking funding from our community to support more Ukrainian students next year.

4. We have five students from India and the U.S. being supported by Friends of Woodstock School’s named scholarships, plus approximately another 80 students receiving some form of financial aid.

5. A revised Financial Aid Policy has been approved that allows us more flexibility in meeting our diversity objectives.

1. Contribute to Woodstock School’s Scholars for Peace Endowment so we can host more high-need, high-performing students from conflict-affected regions. Currently we’re restricted to eight Scholars for Peace students in any one given academic year due mainly to funding constraints. The current SFP students are being supported by our tuition income; 13-14% of Woodstock's entire annual budget is going to support financial aid. If donors wanting to provide additional funding come forward, I can safely say we can add at least ten additional Scholars for Peace recipients within our current framework, which means Woodstock can take an even bigger role in ensuring that this amazing institution continues to be a place of refuge and growth for those who need it most, is culturally diverse, AND is fiscally healthy.

2. Help promote Woodstock admissions via the Alumni Ambassador programme. Thanks to the initiative of Jonake Bose ’81 in partnership with Ady Manral in the Advancement and Alumni Office, we have a group of alumni ambassadors from around the world forming with the intent to support Woodstock not only in Admissions but also in other efforts.

Lauri Coulter ’81 and Palden Tshering

’90 are taking leadership roles in this initiative, and the Admissions Office is ready to support them in the coming months with special information sessions and training. We welcome alumni and community volunteers, new or returning, to get involved. Anyone interested in taking part can reach out to Katie Jo (katiejowalter@ woodstock.ac.in) or Ady (adityamanral@ woodstock.ac.in).

3. Consider Woodstock as a potential option for your young family members. We work with individual alumni and friends to ensure issues such as credit transfers and more can be met. If you’re considering Woodstock for a member of your family or even if you just want them to enjoy a glimpse into the Woodstock experience, consider having them join our ten-day Summer School programme – you can even come and enjoy the hillside as well while they are here. Alumni families enjoy a 20% discount of summer school fees.

“Speaking of other scholarships, I understand it’s now easier than ever for alumni to avail of needbased scholarships in support of their children attending Woodstock. Can you share about that?

Absolutely! Alumni who need this support for their children’s educational needs can put their request forward to admissions@ woodstock.ac.in or vidurkapur@woodstock. ac.in, and we’ll do everything we can to offer the best possible financial support. The school’s financial aid policy recognises alumni as a separate category but is also clear in its requirement for demonstrated financial need. For those who may not need additional funding, it’s our hope you’ll appreciate that your payment of full fees can be seen as an investment in the education of students who most need financial support.