Southern University and A&M College promote its message that students are leaders, scholars, and citizens who define the next great generation of global leaders. At some point, whether you are an incoming freshman, a first-time transfer student, or an international student at SU, you will engage with Admissions & Recruitment, as well as the University College’s First and Second Year Experience on our campus.
The First and Second Year Experience program at Southern University is designed to provide guidance and support to students. It offers advice and assistance from leaders who have shared experiences attending or working at an HBCU like Southern University. Unlike many other institutions, the University College offers programs such as the First and Second Year Experience, Jaguar Success Academy, and the Office of Student Advocacy.
On April 15, 2024, the Digest had the pleasure of chatting with Jourdan Hilaire, the Director of FYE, alongside his Coordinator of FYE, Ms. Iyanna Lewis. Also joining this discussion were Jazmon DeRousselle, Senior, Lead UC Ambassador, and Kristian Coleman, Sophomore, UC Ambassador.
The informative and exclusive sit-down allowed everyone to share a full breakdown and understanding of how University College Ambassadors spend their summer as extended leaders. Each ambassador is put to the test, navigating through inspiring Jags into Jaguar Nation and spending their summer as liaisons for the many various tasks for the summer and fall orientations.
Mr. Hilaire, advisor and director of the UC Ambassadors, highlighted the extensive criteria when choosing the 30 to 40 Ambassadors. He shared that his ideal candidates were individuals with prior campus leadership experience, personality, and the ability to handle the responsibility of servicing thousands of students as well as parents. “We’re about three to four months into preparing for this upcoming summer with New Student Orientation and the Jaguar Success Academy,” conveyed Hilaire.
Mr. Hilaire also mentioned the excitement about each upcoming session and the involvement of his returning ambassadors like Jazmon, who is finishing up her third year as a UC Ambassador, and Kristian, who turned his whole Southern University experience around with one year as an ambassador. Hilaire and his teams kick off their first session on Friday, May 31st for summer school and online students only! The following 8 sessions for the Fall semester, including 1 virtual-only session, will begin on Thursday, June 13th. To see the full orientation schedule, be sure to visit http://www.subr.edu/page/orientation or follow the program’s Instagram @fye_subr.
If you don’t know what the JSA program is, it’s a five-week summer bridge program (July 7th to August 9th) for 200 lucky incoming first-time freshmen who will experience the Bluff before the Fall semester begins in full effect. Ms. Lewis, the coordinator for FYE, sincerely shared the exciting upgrades to what the Jaguar Success Academy Program has in store. The students will take two classes over the summer, learn about programming, move into their assigned housing for the Fall a month early, consume three meals a day, and receive a tech incentive such as a laptop for free.
The UC Ambassadors will not only host the 1-day orientation sessions every other Thursday throughout the summer, but they will also serve as purpose-driven mentors to 5 to 6 students throughout the program and operate as residential assistants to their mentees.
“It’s easier for them to navigate while they’re here, being that it’s only just 200 of them. They get that extensive bonding experience that other students who attend orientation may not be privileged to,” Jazmon expressed.
Throughout the interview, it was mentioned how DeRousselle has made an impact utilizing her social media presence documenting her experience as an ambassador as well as reflecting on how they all are a family. From the early mornings to sometimes the late nights, the four individuals can agree that they all go through an emotional summer.
Mr. Hilaire shared he started in this role three years ago in January 2021 and has seen a transformative switch to how students would lead interactive breakout sessions where students can truly connect and handle business. He even expressed that the parents play a huge role in this process, as they have the opportunity to ask questions and have 1-on-1s with the various departments on campus in Parent Only Sessions.
Kristian stated, “Once I got involved, it opened up opportunities for other things that kept me focused. My advice to students is to GET ACTIVE! Get involved because you never know who can look out for you.”
Be sure to follow both @southernu_osm & @fye_subr for updates on the UC Ambassadors and how the Office of Student Media captures the orientation journey!
Categories:
University College Ambassadors Program
April 24, 2024
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