A ‘Great Start’ for commuter students

By Eliza Ball07-29-2024

Fifteen years ago, Stephanie Fleitas began her journey with Great Start as a shy, first-year commuterstudentassignedtotheblueteam.

Now, as the associate director for the Department of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement at the University of Miami, Fleitas looks back on her first Great Start experience fondly, still remembering her staff members as well as the program's core, fun aspects.

For the past 35 years, the Great Start program has offered commuter student participants the opportunity to connect with fellow commuters, learn about clubs and student resources, and navigate the campus.

This year is the first time that Great Start is required for all commuter students.

The program, entirely student-planned, features various activities and information sessions and is structured as a competition, with each year having a different theme. This year's theme, "Find your Magic," includes games such as an escape room, the "most creative U," and the hallmark of the weekend, the dodgeball game. Information sessions feature subjects on professional development, first-year bucket list, athletic involvement, Greek life as a commuter student, and more.

Great Start aims to provide commuter students with a sense of confidence on campus, as well as familiarize them with campus resources.

"Commuter students often face challenges in finding their place on campus between classes and may not feel the need to stay and engage in clubs and organizations," student program coordinator Albertie Regalado explained. "Great Start addresses this directly by highlighting exciting involvement opportunities that can ignite students' passions and by showcasing the tight-knit nature of our community."

In addition to the activities and information sessions that Great Start provides, participants receive a tour of campus from a student staff member's perspective, highlighting the spaces that commuter students tend to use between classes. Great Start also hosts an involvement fair, featuring 25 to 30 clubs and organizations that the incoming commuter students can join.

While reflecting on her Great Start experience, student program coordinator Hanna Ebrahimi further emphasized the value of confidence for commuter students.

"Coming in, I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to get as involved as someone who lived on campus or have that full college experience. We erase that narrative for them," she said. "They've already joined clubs based on our involvement fair, they've spoken with student leaders, they've spoken with our staff members that have similar majors to them, so they know what classes to take and what resources to use to excel."

This year Great Start is hosting four weekends, with the last one occurring Aug. 3-4. The program is free to commuter students and is expected to reach approximately 300 participants this summer. Participants can register via their Applicant Portal.