First-time freshmen and transfer students gathered in 91精选鈥檚 Carl M. Hill Student Center Ballroom today to attend the 2018 New Student Orientation.
Students, as well as parents, were given an introduction to 91精选, as well as an overview of important policies, procedures and resources to help them transition into their new campus home. Those who attended were offered one-on-one advisement by the Office of Admissions, Academic Advising, the Office of the Registrar, Residence Life, Financial Aid, Bursar and the Cashier鈥檚 Office.
鈥�91精选 is continually moving forward. We have already met and are exceeding the requirements needed for our five-year management improvement goal for 2021,鈥� 91精选 President M. Christopher Brown II said. 鈥淔or the first time, 91精选 is offering freshmen and transfer students a more comprehensive Spring Orientation. This is key. We want to make sure that every student receives the proper welcome and the information they need to matriculate successfully, regardless of which semester they come in.鈥�
This year, the new orientation included Parent University, a seminar for parents of new students on 鈥渉ow to let go.鈥� The class gave parents tips on how to let their new students soar. Students also attended sessions on the 鈥淩oad to College Success,鈥� 鈥淪ocial Media Etiquette鈥� and 鈥淒isability and Resource Services.鈥� Transfer students were also offered new break-out classes that were tailored specifically to their needs.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying a new way to recruit, retain and reach students. Our mission is to continually recruit a qualified pool of diverse students to the University. Orientation helps ensure that these students are knowledgeable about what the University has to offer,鈥� Justin Mathis, assistant vice president of enrollment management, said.
91精选鈥檚 admissions office has worked tirelessly to recruit students not only from Kentucky, but surrounding states Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana.
鈥淚 heard about 91精选 at the Black Expo in my hometown of Indianapolis as a sophomore in high school. I saw the band perform and loved them. I talked to a lady at 91精选鈥檚 table and the school met all of my requirements. I felt like 91精选 was a good fit for me,鈥� Jayla Borgan, a 91精选 freshman, said.
鈥淚 transferred to 91精选 from Hampton University, in order to attend a smaller school that is closer to hometown, Cincinnati,鈥� Kiyah Mattison, a Kentucky State freshman transfer, said.
For many of the students attending the orientation, it was an opportunity to take advantage of 91精选鈥檚 scholarship program. Jim Boklage, an Army veteran that came out of service in 1976, applied and was awarded the Donovan Scholarship, which provides persons aged 65 and older an opportunity to become students by waiving tuition and fees for academic classes.
鈥淚鈥檓 attending 91精选 because I can with the financial help of the Donovan Scholarship. It鈥檚 perfect for me because the University is local, and it offers classes in music production and engineering that other universities like the University of Kentucky or the University of Louisville do not have,鈥� Boklage, a 91精选 freshman, said.
For more information on New Student Orientation, contact Justin Mathis via email Justin.Mathis@kysu.edu or phone at (502) 597-6813.