A U G U S TA U NIV E RS I T Y ENROLLMENT AND STUDENT AFFAIRS UPDATES
Volume 6 Spring 2016
AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY FOOD PANTRY NOW OPEN! Recent research shows that college students are increasingly at-risk for not knowing where their next meal will come from. According to the College and University Food Bank Alliance, 52% of students are living in poverty. Other national statistics for college students seem to corroborate this - last year more than 56,000 students identified themselves as homeless on their FAFSA and the 2015 NSSE survey found that 60% of students said that they worry “frequently� about having enough money to cover their regular expenses.
In order to address this on our campus, the Department of Enrollment and Student Affairs partnered with Inquiry 1000 students and the Golden Harvest Food Bank to design and implement an on-campus food pantry. Students were responsible with developing a mission, naming the food pantry, and have volunteered to assist with implementation and ongoing operations. Currently located in Bellevue Hall, there are plans to expand the pantry to the health sciences campus as well as some satellite offices across campus.
Locally, Columbia and Richmond counties alone had an estimated 60,000+ individuals experiencing food insecurity in 2013. While we do not have clear data on the exact number of college students affected locally, the available data does provide valuable insight as to the extent of the problem.
Since opening two weeks ago, we have received 134 pounds of food, have had five students visit, and have received $557 in donations. If you know of a student in need, please let them know about our Food Pantry! If you need any additional info or would like to become involved, please contact Gina Thurman here.
MESSAGE FROM THE VP
LEADERSHIP CAMP
Greetings Everyone,
Now in its third year at Augusta University, the Summer
Well it is that time of the year again where we begin to
LEADership Camp is a summer residential conference-
wind down the academic year. It has been another great
style program open to rising high school juniors and
year for our division, and we want to recognize our staff
seniors, and is sponsored by the Division of Enrollment
who have excelled so be sure to nominate a co-worker for
and Student Affairs.
the Employee Awards which are given out during our
Initiated in 2014, the inaugural class consisted of 16
year-end event in May. As we look to continue to
outstanding student leaders. In 2015 the cohort grew to
improve our division, I look forward to starting the
30, and we hope to recruit 36 talented high school
“Pizza with Poisel” meetings in April so I can get to
students in 2016! After receiving such outstanding
know more of you on an individual level. Finally, I want
feedback from camp alumni and staff, we have extended
to thank everyone for all of the work that was done to
the camp one additional day for 2016 and included
make the SACSCOC visit a success. It is because of your
breakout tracks for graduating seniors and males/females.
great work and commitment every day that made the visit
This extension to the program will allow program
go so well. Have a great remainder of the spring.
coordinators to focus on more population specific leadership issues.
Mark Allen Poisel, Ed.D. Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs
The experiential learning based camp focuses on emergent leader topics and activities such as teamwork,
EMPLOYEE AWARDS
collaboration, communication, and group dynamics. Events include lectures, keynote speakers, social activities,
The Professional Development work team will be seeking
and a full day at a ropes course. We have seen LEAD
nominations from staff for employee awards to be
Camp alumni matriculate as first year students to AU,
presented at our divisional meeting in May. Nomination
which points to the impact the program has on potential
forms will be sent out in the upcoming week.
incoming freshmen. Priority applications will open on April 1, 2016 and
2015 AWARD RECIPIENTS
remain open through May 27, 2016. Camp will be held from Sunday, July 17—Thursday, July 21, 2016. The cost
Christopher Hamm : NEW JAGUAR AWARD Nancy Karlberg: STUDENT IMPACT AWARD Leslie Dickerson: INNOVATION AWARD Gina Thurman : EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AWARD
to participate in the Summer LEADership Camp is $375. For additional info, please click here.
COMMENCEMENT For many of us May is a very busy month as we prepare for Commencement! This year, in order to accommodate the large crowds expected, we are changing things up by allocating six guest tickets per student. Tickets will be distributed the week of April 25th, and those guests who do not receive a ticket will be directed to the Bell Auditorium to view the ceremony on simulcast. Commencement will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the James Brown Arena.
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UPDATES FROM ORIENTATION
Augusta University students at SROW In order to provide the best orientation experience possible for the students of Augusta University, we must develop the best Orientation Leaders possible! Students selected for our Orientation team go through rigorous training to develop the skills necessary to excel in their jobs. Augusta University took 24 amazing Orientation Leaders as well as five staff members and a student assistant to SROW (the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop), a large orientation, transition, and retention conference. While at SROW, the Augusta University team competed in tshirt and banner competitions as well as the “Song, Skit, Dance and Step� competition. In addition, two team members also competed in a case study competition. Five Lead Orientation Leaders also presented two educational sessions during the conference. Our team developed new skills, learned new techniques for leadership development and brought back ideas to put into action in our own New Student Orientation.
In the coming weeks New Student Orientation information will be sent through email to all Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs members, please be on the lookout as we call upon you to assist in acclimating our new students this coming summer and fall!
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ORIENTATION LEADERS Krystal Alexis* Sopuluchi Okoye Ana Anderson Serena Pankhania Summer Asbury Gregory Partridge Tyler Beatty Raysean Ricks* Jake Bentley Deonte Rivers Kishan Bhagwandas Shannon Sombar* Samantha Clay LeDarius Scott Tamara Drumgoole Luke Street* Tanner Gay Omone Tokurah Carrington Hammons* Jasmine Turman Ebony Hixson Sarah Jessica Williams Trevon Lamar* * Lead Orientation Leader Remy Lucas
HOMECOMING 2016
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Homecoming took place during the week of February 8
The week of April 24-29,2016 will feature a variety of events leading to the Inauguration Celebration and Investiture of Dr. Keel. Some key events are highlighted below and the full calendar of events is available here.
-13, 2016 and was a fantastic success! The students enjoyed a day of karaoke on Monday in where they exhibited their exceptional singing abilities. Tuesday featured “Wear Blue, Get Food” in which students were
A Toast to Augusta University April 24, 2016 Investiture Ceremony April 27, 2016 Replanting of the Arsenal Oak April 29, 2016
treated to free food and interactive games for wearing school colors. On Wednesday night, students laughed
and made memories at the Variety Show featuring lip
WHAT IS AN INVESTITURE?
syncing, dancing, and dramatic performances. On Thursday we introduced a new event, “Go Downtown”,
An investiture is an academic ceremony in which a new leader is “vested” with the official powers of office. Held during a president’s first year in office, an investiture provides an opportunity to welcome a new chapter in a university’s history and celebrate as a community.
which gave students the opportunity to participate in activities and win prizes while enjoying Augusta’s downtown district. Thursday also included our Save Augustus Race, in which students were given missions to complete around Augusta. On Friday, we participated in spirited games and a pep rally at Christenberry Fieldhouse with an introduction to our 2016 Homecoming candidates. On the final day of
STUDENT EMPLOYEES
Homecoming Week, we brought students together for a pre-game tailgating experience where students
We currently have 120 students working in support of the various Student Service functions. These students serve a vital role in operating facilities, conducting programs, and providing peer leadership.
enjoyed free food and live entertainment in preparation for the day’s games. During halftime of the Men’s basketball game Kara
We would like to congratulate our Student Assistants within Student Services for their excellent academic performance! Of the 120 students, 25% had a GPA of 3.5 or higher at the end of Fall Semester 2015! Our top academic performers are listed below and will receive a printed certificate to honor this accomplishment!
Walker was crowned 2016 Homecoming Queen and Sunny Devarapalli was crowned 2016 Homecoming King. The Men’s and Women’s basketball teams both claimed a victory over USC Aiken with the men’s score of 82-66 and the women’s score of 67-64. It was a fantastic way to end an amazing Homecoming week.
Keep up the fantastic work! Divya Chawla: ACADEMIC SUCCESS COACHING Sanah Aslam: PEER MENTOR Jessie Yuan: RESIDENT ASSISTANT Harnish Trivedi: IM SUPERVISOR Ahmad Daoudi: REFEREE Corrie Phelps: STUDENT MANAGER Brandon Essick: MAXWELL PAT Gareth Smith: WELLNESS AMBASSADOR
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