Tennessee Tech returning to class Thursday with more than 60 events scheduled, designed to build immediate connections for students.
Director of Leadership and Student Engagement Matt Nisbet said the “Week of Welcome” schedule began with freshman move-in days. Nisbet said the university intentionally designs these activities to ensure students feel a sense of belonging.
“We’ve seen that if students don’t get that connection right away,” Nisbet said, “It can become very difficult throughout the rest of the semester and leading into the rest of the academic year, so we make it a focus here.”
Nisbet said the programming includes a Mix and Mingle event where students interact with campus organizations to find groups they may want to join. Nisbet said the university also offers a Choose Your Tech Adventure series that provides options for students to engage with both the campus and the broader Cookeville community.
“I think it’s critical to kind of find that group whether it is within a student organization or even higher up,” Nisbet said. “There are other positions you tend to see students that build upon maybe joining a student organization early, take other leadership opportunities.”
Nisbet said students who start in basic organizations often progress into leadership roles such as President’s Ambassadors, Trailblazers, or Student Orientation Assistants. Nisbet said this generation of students has shown a high level of interest in physical events despite growing up with heavy online social interaction.
“I’m actually seeing a more positive turnout with this generation,” Nisbet said. “I think they’re ready and they’re willing to come out to these events, get involved, meet new friends, and take on new leadership opportunities.”
Nisbet said the university provides a specific process for students to create their own organizations if they cannot find a group that matches their specific interests. Nisbet said this allows students to have a more personal experience by building something from the ground up with an advisor and enough members.
“We do have that come up quite a bit where students want that personal experience, but it may not always have that option on campus, but we do give them the opportunity to maybe create something on their own and build it from the ground up,” Nisbet said.
Nisbet said students who feel they have not found their social circle in the first few weeks should remain patient as organizations host recruitment and philanthropic events throughout the entire year. Nisbet said a student services fair will also take place next week in Centennial Plaza to help students connect with core departments and resources.
“I encourage them to get out and just see what’s on campus, walk around,” Nisbet said. “You’re bound to find something going on. An organization’s going to be hosting an event, a department maybe hosting an event. There’s always something these first few weeks to be involved with and go out and check out.”
Nisbet said the Week of Welcome concludes this Saturday with the College Town Kickoff.
“It’s a great partnership that we have with the city of Cookeville and we just look forward to bringing together the students and the community and really showing off everything that Cookeville has to offer and Tennessee Tech as well,” Nisbet said.
