Weeks of Welcome encourage students to stay enrolled

Members of Utah State University’s student organizations are hopeful that the Weeks of Welcome will encourage more people to become involved in student programs, thus increasing retention rates.

“I think that just having these events that they can come to, where they can see other students and realize we’re not that different, is important,” said Monique Masina, a member of Aggie First Scholars, a scholarship program for first-generation students.

Masina said these university-sponsored events encourage first-generation students to become a part of the Aggie community by getting involved and participating in the festivities.

Taryn Rayburn, a first-generation college student, said getting involved enhances one’s college experience.

“I think involvement really does show you that college is meant for growth, not just learning facts or the skills that you need to just get a job,” Rayburn said.

Joe Busby, a first-generation college student and member of the A-Team, agreed with Rayburn.

“Before, I would go to school and I would come back. It was just something that I had to do, not something that I wanted to do,” he said. “But once I started getting involved with the activities here on campus, I got a deeper connection of why I did this. It started becoming something that I wanted to do. I wanted to be up here, I wanted to go to events.”

Busby added that events during the Weeks of Welcome gather large crowds that build a stronger sense of community among Aggies and motivate people to stay and graduate.

– hala.louviere@aggiemail.usu.edu

@halaback_girl