On Nov. 6, Wright State University held a campus-wide celebration. Hosted by Academic Engagement, the event focused on first year and first-generation students.
Raiders First Campus-Wide Celebration
Between the dates of Nov. 3 and Nov. 7, WSU’s Academic Engagement office hosted a week of events dedicated to students who are in their first year, or who are first-generation college students. Among these events was the Raiders First Campus-Wide Celebration, where students experienced live music, cupcakes and free WSU merchandise.
Over the course of the week, Academic Engagement hosted an event with each of the undergraduate colleges. Overall, they have interacted with 300 different people as of the campus celebration on Nov. 6.
Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Engagement, Catherine Hernandez Hogan, shed some light on the event and what the organization does for students.
“Our Academic Engagement unit started in August. So, it's very, very new," Hernandez Hogan said.
Academic Engagement, which is located in the Student Success Center room 101, strives to be a support system for first year and first-generation students. They meet with students one on one three times during the semester: once in the beginning, once in the middle and once at the end. Hernandez Hogan brought up that of the students that opted for these meetings, 64% utilized them.
Hernandez Hogan talked about other resources available to students; one of these being the Peer Navigator Program.
"In my office we have a peer program, so we match them with an upper classman who has been highly successful and that peer meets with them on a regular basis," Hernandez Hogan said. “This is just a love letter to our first year first gen students to just keep going and that we're here for them."
The goal of these events is to connect students with available resources, and to show them there are people here to help.
Teigan Journell is a first-year student who attended the event.
“It’s very good to connect with people. Just getting to talk with people, it’s motivating to get out of my room and meet some other people, get more connected with the campus," Journell said. "The most difficult part of coming into collage has been connecting with people with WSU being a commuter school."
Savannah Baughman is also a first-year student, who noted that it has been difficult to come out of her shell and talk to people.
“I feel really well supported honestly. There [have] been a lot of opportunities for me to connect with other students and opportunities to connect with staff. And just people who have a lot more experience. It's always worth it to go to events to introduce yourself," Baughman said.
While brand new, Academic Engagement has helped to connect many students with the resources they need.
