Cultivating Wisdom, Courage, and Compassion: The Journey Begins for the Class of 2028

September 05, 2024

• Campus News

"Four years from now, what kind of person do you want to be?" asked Soka Student Union president Julia Miyagawa Braga '25, addressing the newly arrived Class of 2028. On August 6, over 120 first-year students from 21 different countries gathered in the Soka Performing Arts Center as part of their first week of orientation. Miyagawa Braga's question pointed to exactly what makes a liberal arts education at SUA so unique; here, students are challenged to grow not only academically, but as global citizens who strive to positively contribute to the world around them.

As the official start of students' education at SUA, orientation programming goes beyond sharing practical information students will need to navigate their college experience, like how to sign up for classes or access campus resources. Organized by the Office of Student Affairs, orientation also aims to help students feel a genuine sense of belonging, show them that their needs matter to the campus community, and set them up to thrive academically and personally over the next four years.

"I realized that I am part of SUA now," said Shintaro Okada '28, a first-year student from Kanagawa, Japan, after participating in Welcome Week activities. "I am really excited to start the academic year soon."

Student Affairs has intentionally designed every part of orientation to provide support for first-years like Okada as they transition into college life. With this goal guiding planning, SUA's orientation is distinct from other universities in several key ways. Below are some highlights of what makes orientation at SUA special.

A Focus on SUA's Mission and Values

In contrast to other universities, SUA's mission-to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living a contributive life-plays a central role in student orientation.

During his welcome address to the Class of 2028, SUA President Ed Feasel described a time as an undergraduate when he was not sure what to study or what career to pursue. Then he came across a postcard from Soka University in Japan with a quote from Daisaku Ikeda, founder of both Soka universities.

"For what purpose should one cultivate wisdom?" the postcard read. "May you always ask yourself this question!"

For President Feasel, the idea that his educational journey should be guided by a sense of purpose was the paradigm shift that helped him find his path. During his address, he encouraged first-year students to begin developing a vision for a contributive life, as this would shape their time at SUA and their lives beyond college.

During Welcome Week, students also learn about SUA's founding values in a special lecture delivered by Jason Goulah, distinguished visiting professor of Ikeda Studies. This year, Goulah flew in from Chicago, where he directs a doctoral program in education at DePaul University, to teach first-years about the philosophical underpinnings of Ikeda's global citizenship education. This humanistic approach to education promotes pacifism, tolerance, service to others, and responsible stewardship of the environment. After the lecture, students split into small groups where they heard from alumni about how their time at SUA influenced their careers and lives.

Conversations about SUA's founding values of wisdom, courage, and compassion permeate nearly every part of orientation, including the simple act of making new friends. On the first morning of orientation, Dean of Students Hyon Moon stressed that making friends from different backgrounds is a crucial part of global citizenship.

"When you become friends with someone who's different from you, you need courage," Moon said. "You end up celebrating those differences. You learn to develop and expand your compassion. And the world becomes closer to you."

An Extended Orientation Timeline

One of the most significant differences from other colleges is that new students arrive on campus a full month before the start of the fall semester. Although Welcome Week is the most intensive period of information sessions and workshops, orientation programming continues over the following three weeks while students also take Core I, a seminar-style course that introduces them to foundational texts and enduring questions in the liberal arts. Core I works toward preparing students for the academically rigorous, discussion-based classes they will take throughout their time at SUA. In addition to these academic benefits, the extended orientation timeline allows students more time to adapt to college life and bond with classmates before the rest of the student body arrives for the fall semester.

Opportunities to Interact with Faculty

Also unique to SUA are the ways incoming first-year students can meet faculty as part of orientation. At the Academic Opening Session during Welcome Week, for example, first-years can participate in small group Q&A sessions with the directors of different academic concentrations. Additionally, the month of orientation concludes with a dinner for first-years and faculty, where students and professors are able to get to know each other. A favorite event among both faculty and students, this dinner is often formative to students' experiences at SUA, helping them identify academic areas of interest they may not have previously considered.

Fostering Leadership Among Peers

Throughout the orientation process, first-year students often break into small groups for discussions or activities facilitated by student orientation leaders (SOLs). SOLs are returning SUA students who have been training since the spring to help their peers adapt to campus life. They guide newcomers through the orientation process and act as a resource throughout the year.

"When I arrived at Soka last year," said SOL Carlos Hoffmann '27, "I had a fantastic experience because I could see how the SOLs wanted me to succeed in college."

This inspired Hoffmann to apply to become a SOL. He emphasized how SOLs' first-hand experience as SUA students is invaluable to helping first-years get their bearings.

"One of the most beautiful things about having upper-level students welcome first-year students is that we are all students and understand each other well," Hoffmann said.

Celebrating Diversity

A fundamental part of orientation is encouraging students to learn from each other, especially because every class contains a wide breadth of nationalities, cultural backgrounds, and life experiences.

"I have never been part of such a diverse community before, with people from all around the world," said Mili Fukada '28, who is from Kauai, Hawaii. "It is truly amazing how SUA has brought all of us together to grow and learn."

This spirit of mutual learning played a key role throughout the I AM: WE ARE diversity workshop series, which was planned and facilitated by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Office of Student Activities. Over four sessions, students examined topics like race, gender, and sexuality, discussing how their identities and personal experiences shape each other. They also learned strategies for recognizing and mitigating implicit bias; participated in honest conversations and self-reflection activities; and collaborated on video or visual arts projects that demonstrated their learning.

Support for International Students

Another notable feature of orientation at SUA is how Student Affairs strives to address the needs of international students, who make up 50% of the total student population. During Welcome Week, the Office of International Student Services hosts an F-1 visa workshop. International students also attend a special financial aid session adapted to their unique challenges. In addition, the diverse perspectives and experiences of international students influence how Student Affairs explains and contextualizes information for all incoming students, including topics like the university code of conduct and Title IX.

Centering Student Voices

Every year since SUA's founding, a few incoming students give speeches for their classmates before the president delivers welcome remarks. These students share what brought them to SUA and what they hope to achieve as global citizens working toward peace.

The Class of 2028 heard from Mikiko Fujino '28 from Osaka, Japan, who plans to be a diplomat; Nala Thomas '28 from Glendale, California, who opened her speech with a poem about her multifaceted identity; and Puja Kahtri '28 from Dhading, Nepal, who described how she developed a passion for serving others despite her difficult life circumstances.

"I aspire to illuminate the world with kindness and humanity," Kahtri said, "understanding that even the softest voice can reshape someone's perspective of life."

The many loud, encouraging cheers from students in the audience drove home how this tradition of first-year student speeches fosters unity among the class and excitement for the years ahead.

The Start of an Educational Journey

Orientation is, of course, only the first glimpse of the learning and community-building that students will experience throughout their time at SUA. As the fall semester begins, the Class of 2028 is ready to dive into college life.

"I am looking forward to being a part of the track and field team, developing my critical thinking skills, and creating lifelong friendships," Fukada said of her expectations for the next four years.

Athletics, academics, and friendship are also top-of-mind for Keegan Nichols '28, who is from Johnstown, Colorado.

"I'm looking forward to the swim season," Nichols said, "as well as…the opportunities to not only further my education, but to meet more and more people from around the globe."

The rest of the SUA community is also eager to get to know the Class of 2028 and see the future achievements of this newest generation of global citizens.

"You radiate possibility, hope," Goulah told first-year students at the conclusion of his orientation lecture. "Everything is possible before you."