Would You Wear A Superman Costume on Campus?
A few times a week, Mark Wyzenbeek of Auburn, Washington, dresses up in a perfectly hand-crafted Superman costume and goes about his daily routine. He fills up his car with gas. He goes to the local bar. He buys milk. Mark follows a pretty normal routine, except he wears his Superman costume. In his words: […]
4 Techniques to Turn Your Next Event into an Endorphin Party of Happiness
Photo Credit: Premasagar Rose[/caption] A group of 15 adults awkwardly stood in a circle waiting for the instructor’s command to start. I nervously looked over at my mom as this was nothing I’d ever done before…especially with my mom. “Ready? Go!” The whole circle exploded into a rumble of laughter. We started off with a […]
Trader Joes Gave Me A Free Sample And A Life Lesson
Like a Pavlovian dog, any time I enter into Trader Joe’s, I make my way to the free sample counter to see what delicacy they are handing out to the masses. Today was no different, and the savory treat I devoured was a melted cheese pretzel. After washing the pretzel down with another sample of […]
Remember You Weren’t Always This Great
On my way to watch a softball game in Central Park, I rounded a corner, where I was greeted by a dad and his two teenage boys. Based on his equipment and form, it was clear the dad was a life-long runner. His boys…not so much. The mis-match in running experience reminded me of the […]
Using Micro-Actions to Create a Strong Campus Culture
I didn’t know anyone at the school, so I patiently waited in the lobby for the student life advisor to show up. When at first, I thought I was alone, the janitor turned the corner and saw me. He smiled and said, “Hi.” I smiled back. Then a group of two students walked past me […]
4 Ways Your Graduated Student Leaders Can Still Help Your Student Organization
It’s graduation season! How do I know? Because my entire social newsfeed is filled with pictures of the graduating student leaders we’ve connected with over the past four years. A challenge every student activities department faces this time of year is the reminder that their student leaders turn over every two to four years. All […]
Creating Moments of Kindness At New Student Orientation
Ryan Pugliese’s middle school experience was a collection of negative moments, leaving him ostracized with barely anyone he could call a friend. Being diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at age 2 didn’t help, as it made it difficult for him to establish relationships like people normally do. Needless to say, when he graduated from 8th grade, […]
The Value of Campus Traditions and Student Engagement
On a foggy Thursday morning, Ricky K. of Casswell Drive stumbles out his front door with a coffee in one hand and a tiki torch in the other. Slowly, Ricky shuffles his feet towards the curb, soaking in the morning dew. Once at the curb, Ricky takes a deep breath in, while lifting his tiki […]
Student Engagement Through A Communal Refrigerator
As more residence halls cater to the luxury demands of their students by offering private rooms, private bathrooms and private kitchens, the opportunities for informal moments of engagement and/or learning can decline. Research done by Donald Markwell, George Kuh and Vincent Tinto back up this claim by revealing that… “Opportunities for students to come together outside formal […]
Make a Campus Food Service Person Smile, Change the Whole Campus Culture
I occasionally glanced over to watch the school’s food service lady smile and laugh by herself, off to the side, throughout my Dance Floor Theory training at Queensborough Community College. Her smile and laugh both seemed so genuine. It almost felt like I was secretly looking into a moment she was having with her best […]