Finding the Good in Others- How I Found My Place
“Have you thought about applying to be an orientation leader?” was the unexpected question I received in an elevator from my RA. I quickly shook my head and shrugged it off. I was a timid first year in college and didn’t see how I could be an orientation leader. The RA, Oshane (pictured below), explained that […]
How to Make the Least Engaged Student a Hero
Crossing your lovely campus, you run into a student so introverted that your extrovert mind says “Why does he even come to our club meetings when he seems so…uninterested…” But you push this [biased] thought aside, put on your best smile and say “Hey, Dan! What’s up?” After a brief mumbled response from him, you mention […]
Put a Little Love in Your…Student Centers
You walk into your student center on your way to the cafeteria, and you see a student running across the lobby and jumping into the arms of another student, amidst exclamations of joy. The biggest smiles you have ever seen seem permanently stuck to their faces as they squeeze their eyes tight, and their arms […]
How One College Uses Poetry and a Tree to Build Community
The legend of the Poetry Tree at Randolph College dates back to the 1960’s, its protagonist an English professor named Margaret Raynal. Every Spring, Margaret would write out the poem, ‘Loveliest of Trees’ by A.E. Housman, and hang it on a cherry blossom tree near the front of the school as an homage to both the […]
“We Care” – The Tell Me About Your Day Bracelets
At MIT, the community on campus has grieved four students lost to suicide in the past year. In the days after these tragedies, freshman Isabel “Izzy” Lloyd saw a rise in social media posts from her peers telling their networks that anyone can come talk to them if they feel depressed or need help. She […]
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 […]
Epic Dance Floor Theory Video at Baldwin Wallace
We love it when we form a really great relationship with a school. Baldwin Wallace University is one of those schools; we have done Dance Floor Theory there several years in a row now. Each time is a blast. Kathy Petras, the Assistant Director of Student Life at BW put together this great video below of […]
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 […]
5 Tips for #FreeHugs Day
The big day is almost upon us! That’s right, November 7th is almost here and all those pledged hugs will be made reality. To get you in the spirit, we wanted to share some really good tips with you on how to make the most of #FreeHugs Day. Location, Location, Location! Think student center or […]
Student Leader Spotlight – Conner James Park (Penn State)
School and year: Penn State University, ’16 Major: Civil Engineering Leadership position: President of the Student Government Association How do you define leadership? Leadership, to me, is being someone that people can go to in a time of need. Being someone that everyone will look up to and strive to be like. Leadership is responsibility, courage, trust, […]