LSUS 'welcoming students home' during first week of classes

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LSUS 'welcoming students home' during first week of classes

SHREVEPORT - Many college students remember the first time they stepped on campus and the first college class they attended.

LSUS wants to transform those first moments into lasting memories through its Week of Welcome, a full week of engaging activities designed to foster student relationships during the first week of face-to-face classes this fall.

Highlighted by Wednesday's Week of Welcome Fair and Friday's First-Year Convocation, the slate of events this coming week aims to connect new and returning students to each other and to different campus departments.

"There's always talk about Student Life just being about student activities, but this is also a chance to help students find their niche by getting them connected to other departments and offices on campus," said Emmanuel Sims, who assumed the Director of Student Life position at LSUS in July. "This is the time for students to really find where they belong.

"With the theme 'Welcome Home,' we want our students to feel like they are at home here at LSUS. When you make them feel at home, there is more pride and more desire to be engaged. We want Week of Welcome to serve as a launching pad for their entire college career."

The schedule kicks off Monday with a Happy to be Home event featuring Happy Belly's Italian Ice and back-to-school supply packs. Students can voice their opinions to Sims, a Shreveport native who has served in related roles at Langston University (Okla.), Jarvis Christian College, Tyler Junior College and Centenary College.

The 11 a.m. event in the University Center pairs with the traditional painting of the UC windows.

More art is on the docket Tuesday as students can participate in a giant paint by number canvas (12:30-2:30 in the UC) and receive their free Week of Welcome T-Shirt (faculty and staff can acquire a shirt for $10).

For the Week of Welcome Fair, student organizations and academic departments will line the UC Mall while students bounce between booths featuring a variety of games and inflatables. The first 200 students can help themselves to a loaded French fry bar (courtesy of The Port) or at The Hot Dawg Hut for free.

Put on your running shoes for the Color Run & Glow Party on Thursday evening at 7 p.m.

Friday's activities simmer down with First-Year Convocation (11 a.m.) as students reflect on the first week of classes and prepare themselves for the academic journey ahead with insight from faculty members. Stick around to be part of the photo for the Class of 2028 banner.

For students living at Pilots Pointe Apartments, the festivities continue with a pool party (2-6 p.m.) where residents can meet the Student Life Team and hang out with members of Greek organizations.

"One of our goals is to make students at Pilots Pointe feel like they are a bigger part of this campus, and we want to do intentional program over there so they aren't always having to come to us to be involved," Sims said. "We also want to put more of an emphasis on afternoon and evening programming."

Virtual students can also get involved through apps like LSUS's Anchored In and Goosechase. Students can find a virtual scavenger hunt on Goosechase during Week of Welcome and be eligible for LSUS swag.

"There are specific promo items for students who aren't able to be here in person," Sims said. "We want all of our students to be involved, even if they aren't physically on this campus."