Impact and Engagement

As the University works to implement processes to limit the spread of COVID-19, involvement opportunities look a little different for Fall 2020. Student services offices, programs and student groups are organizing virtual events and opportunities so that students can stay socially distant but still engaged!

Engagement is important right now because it promotes...

  • Positive mental health
  • Increased sense of belonging during this time of some isolation
  • Many programs can meet you where you are
students participating in clubs, greek life, and the leadership minor

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Student Clubs and Organizations

Students often referenced their participation in student organizations and student government has a strong influence on their awareness of social justice issues and engagement in social change. For instance, here are some representative responses from students: 

“...engage[ing] with community leaders and stakeholders in actual policy work on local, state, and national levels through roles in MSA…” “...improving my leadership skills in order to improve my community…” “...It allowed me to grow as an individual and

Students also noted their participation in student organizations has a strong influence on their leadership development:

“The leadership skills I learned from the opportunities I had to serve on boards was incredible. I truly feel like I have such a diverse experience set to go off of.” “Being a part of a student organization, where I found community, developed my leadersh

 Students also suggested their participation in student organizations is important in their career development:

“Being a part of student organizations. They have allowed me to network with my peers, make friendships, and get an internship for the summer!”“... going to workshops that talk about the issues that occur within the community as well [as] workshops that t

Students also described how their participation in student organizations has a strong influence on their appreciation of differences:

“Learning to recognize the value of equality, diversity, and inclusion. This was through the University YMCA student organization and it helped define my career path.” “...I got the opportunity to learn about people, which to me is most important, in a se

 Students also described how student organizations helped them with their sense of belonging and in developing important friendships:

“Joining student groups. I feel more connected to the students on campus and feel a greater sense of community.” “...Student organizations are my primary motivator, form the core of my social life, and address the issues where classes fail.” “Joining a st

Students also described how student organizations helped them to expand their academic outcomes or to integrate their co-curricular and curricular experiences:

“... It [starting a club on campus] has encouraged me to reach out to a variety of faculty both inside and outside of my department, as well as other student groups on campus, augmenting my academic field of study with campus engagement.” “...network and

 Students also often reference the influence of student organizations on their overall self-awareness and personal development:

“Learning how to find my place in large organizations, both as a student and as a member of student organizations...I now feel much more comfortable in knowing who I am as a person compared to how I felt coming into my undergraduate.” “I have met many gre

 Students also often reference the influence of student organizations on their tolerance of ambiguity:

“This is where I felt I was able to grow the most as an individual and develop my skills. I was able to also show off my personality and mold myself into the person I wanted to be through these experiences. The ambiguity involved in throwing events and ru

Fraternities and Sororities

When asked about their most significant learning experiences on campus, students often referenced their participation in fraternities and sororities as having a strong influence on their sense of belonging, feeling valued as individuals, and overall satisfaction: 

“... I took the first course of the Leadership Minor, and it was by far the best class I took at the University. It opens your mind up to lead better by understanding the community you lead and how each person's experiences impact their current lives."“I

Students also noted their participation in fraternities and sororities had a positive impact on their awareness of social justice issues and engagement in social change: 

“The Leadership Minor has taught me a lot about power and privilege and how to interact with groups efficiently and effectively.” “I cannot express how much that has meant for my future, not just a degree. I have gained interpersonal skills that are unmat

 Students often referenced their participation in fraternities and sororities as having a strong influence on their self-awareness, personal growth, and development:

“ Joining a sorority prepared me to be the president of my student group, get my current internship and now get the job of my dreams after graduation. This type of personal growth was something I couldn't have learned in the classroom!” “...As a freshman

Students also noted their participation in fraternities and sororities had a strong influence on their leadership development:

“Being in a leadership position in my sorority. It required a lot of communication and planning skills and helped me grow.” “While I learned a significant amount of material in my classes, my biggest growth at this University was through the Greek Life sy

 Students also noted their participation in fraternities and sororities opened up additional opportunities, including career development:

“Greek Life has been the most meaningful experience for me for my entire college journey academically, professionally and personally. I have made connections that will last a lifetime. These connections have helped me get jobs, decrease my stress level, f

 Students also described how their participation in fraternities and sororities has a strong influence on their appreciation of differences:

“Being in a fraternity is the most meaningful experience I have had on this campus. It has taught me how to get along with people from various backgrounds and who have contrasting opinions. In addition, how to come to resolutions as a team and confront on

Leadership Minor and Leadership Enrichment Programs

When asked about their most significant learning experiences on campus, students often referenced their participation in the Leadership Minor and Leadership Enrichment Programs as having a strong influence on their sense of belonging, building communities, feeling valued as individuals, and overall satisfaction:

“... I took the first course of the Leadership Minor, and it was by far the best class I took at the University. It opens your mind up to lead better by understanding the community you lead and how each person's experiences impact their current lives"

Students also noted that the Leadership Minor and Leadership Enrichment Programs impacted their appreciation of differences and greater issues related to social justice:

“The Leadership Minor has taught me a lot about power and privilege and how to interact with groups efficiently and effectively.” “I cannot express how much that has meant for my future, not just a degree. I have gained interpersonal skills that are unmat

 

Students also noted that the Leadership Minor and Leadership Enrichment Programs were meaningful experiences that contributed to their self-awareness and personal development:

“My leadership class really taught me a lot about myself and others. I think this class was my most meaningful learning experience.” “The leadership minor has given me tools to be successful academically but is the only class I have taken at the U that g

Students also noted that their participation in the Leadership Minor and Leadership Enrichment Programs contributed to their career development:

“I think the Leadership Minor courses have had the most impact on my growth and development as a person. They provided a practical education that seemed more real than any other courses I had taken in college.”

Additional data about employment with OSA:

“Working at the Center for Outdoor Adventure at the Rec Center has facilitated many of the best memories I have...As a trip leader, I've been able to develop communication and leadership skills...”
variety of quotes about impact and engagement

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