Navigating this transition smoothly and feeling a sense of belonging from day one can significantly impact their entire college experience. At the heart of this endeavor, this summer was OUE’s FASET Committee and all OUE employees working tirelessly to ensure our new students are warmly welcomed into a supportive community. This summer, OUE participated in 18 FASET orientation sessions. Across all 18 sessions, OUE staff were present at 18 welcome sessions, 20 education sessions, 10 resource fairs, campus partner panels, and more.

The committee's efforts went beyond simply participating in orientation events; they developed a communication plan that resonated around OUE’s central message:

1. Encouraging student participation in active and experiential learning opportunities,
2. Fully utilizing Tech’s academic success resources, and,
3. Getting involved in student life (having fun!).

This message not only served as a unifying force but as a guiding beacon that not only informs but also unites, creating a stronger, more connected community. Given the massive amounts of information consumed by students at FASET, the repeated exposure to a central message created a mental anchor that students can hold onto throughout their academic journey.

In addition to rallying around a central message, the committee developed the Connect2Tech Challenge program, which provided an intentional “checklist” of sincere acts of welcome. It covered a spectrum of actions that span beyond the confines of mere formality. It encourages personal interactions, actively involving each person in the process of creating an inclusive atmosphere. Greeting newcomers by name, inviting students to campus events, providing crucial information about academic resources, and thanking colleagues for the effort they make in building relationships with students are just a few examples of OUE’s Connect2Tech Challenge. But it didn’t stop there; it also emphasized the significance of listening, understanding, and embracing connection.

During our inaugural year of the Connect2Tech Challenge, 11 OUE staff completed 5 or more items. That means that nearly 100 acts of sincere welcome were offered to new students & their families—with the most commonly completed being numbers 1, 6, and 8.

• 1: Ask one student their name, how their day is going and give them a warm OUE greeting; stop to really listen; ask a follow-up question (if appropriate); show genuine interest in getting to know them
• 6: Successfully get a student to sign up for one of your department social media accounts and @gtoue
• 8: Help a lost student/parent/guest find their way or answer a question for them (Bonus if you can plug OUE in your answer!)

In a world where connections are increasingly digital, our efforts remind us that the simple act of welcoming can still be a powerful catalyst for growth and change. Uniting around common themes, messages, and tools provides a compass that guides everyone toward creating a welcoming community that enriches and uplifts every student's experience. The beauty of our initial efforts to create an immediate and greater sense of belonging lies in its potential to create a ripple effect by enhancing student success rates, fostering stronger relationships, and enriching the campus's overall environment.