diff --git a/ordr2/resources/admin.py b/ordr2/resources/admin.py
index 044d90f..a41b850 100644
--- a/ordr2/resources/admin.py
+++ b/ordr2/resources/admin.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 from pyramid.security import Allow, Authenticated, Deny, Everyone
 
 from .base import BaseResource, PaginationResourceMixin
-from ordr2.models import User
+from ordr2.models import User, Role
 
 
 
@@ -24,10 +24,14 @@ class UserList(BaseResource, PaginationResourceMixin):
     def prepare_filtered_query(self, dbsession, filter_params):
         ''' setup the base filtered query '''
         query = dbsession.query(self.sql_model_class)
-        role = filter_params.get('role', None)
-        if role is not None:
+        role_name = filter_params.get('role', None)
+        try:
+            role_name = role_name.lower()
+            role = Role(role_name)
             query = query.filter_by(role=role)
-        self.filters['role'] = role
+        except (AttributeError, ValueError):
+            role_name = None
+        self.filters['role'] = role_name
         return query
 
 
diff --git a/ordr2/views/admin.py b/ordr2/views/admin.py
index 93b4a04..dd26e31 100644
--- a/ordr2/views/admin.py
+++ b/ordr2/views/admin.py
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@ def admin_section(context, request):
             '''Please <a href="{}">take a look at them</a> and confirm or
                reject the registration by setting the role accordingly. This
                message will disappear when all new registrations have been
-               processed.'''.format(request.resource_url(context, 'users'))
+               processed.'''.format(
+                request.resource_url(context, 'users', query={'role': 'new'})
+                )
             )
     return {}
 
@@ -39,5 +41,5 @@ def admin_section(context, request):
 def user_list(context, request):
     ''' display the user list '''
     users = context.items()
-    roles = [(role.name, role.value.capitalize()) for role in Role]
+    roles = [(role.value.lower(), role.value.capitalize()) for role in Role]
     return {'users':users, 'roles':roles}