SSS TRIO TRIBUNE A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR. Dear SSS scholars,

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1 Student Support Services September 2017 SSS TRIO TRIBUNE A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear SSS scholars, Welcome back if you are a continuing student and welcome to Viterbo University if you are brand new to our community. This program called TRIO or Student Support services is not so much a structured program as it is outreach and support for your academic success. The ARC professional staff serve as your advisors and hope to foster and build relationships with you. When we reach out to meet with you, will you be so kind as to schedule a brief meeting with us? I want to share an exciting initiative this year. We hosted early orientation for new SSS. About 40 SSS freshmen were invited to move in a day early and participate in many activities. Our hope was to encourage feeling comfortable on campus and to encourage the start of forming friendships and relationships. It was a day and a half filled with activities, and 3 peer coaches were instrumental throughout the day and a half. One highlight was lunch with first generation faculty. We are planning to offer something for our new transfer SSS. Look out for information on that. Fun pictures are in this issue from orientation, the pizza dinner on the first Sunday of school for new SSS students, and those awesome peer to peer panels. Have an awesome start of the semester. INSIDE THIS ISSUE SSS Pre-Orientation Peer-to-Peer Panels... 4 SSS Welcome Dinner... 5 New Staff... 6 Jane Eddy 1

2 SSS Pre-Orientation By: Kelsi Rufenacht The freshman students of the Student Support Services Program got a first-hand look at Viterbo s core value of hospitality at the first annual SSS Pre-Orientation. In this two-day event, students were able to get settled into their dorm room a day early and were also able to take part in various activities, including a scavenger hunt, campfire, game night, luncheon with Viterbo staff who were also firstgeneration students, and a walk downtown. Along with various ARC staff members, Kelsi Rufenacht, Lexi Vertein and Katlyn Grondin were three of this year s peer coaches who helped to lead this event. 2

3 SSS Pre-Orientation (continued) The scavenger hunt, which took students on a trip around the different buildings on campus, was by far a favorite among the students. Using a mobile app on their phones, small groups went off in search of locations such as the Mathy Center, Study Abroad office, Career Services, and the St. Rose Convent. As an added challenge, students were competing for the best selfie at each of these various locations. This was a great way for them to find their way around campus and to help them feel more comfortable with their new home. Students and the peer coaches also had the opportunity to build a small campfire in the Marian Courtyard, make s mores, and play games such as ladder ball and volleyball as a way to unwind after a long day. It also gave the students time to interact with one another and begin forming friendships. During this time, the students were also able to ask the coaches any questions that they had about certain classes, professors, dorm life, and study habits. 3

4 PEER-TO-PEER PANELS Again this September, Student Support Services offered Peer-to-Peer panels where incoming freshmen could hear how their upperclassmen colleagues dealt with transition issues and concerns when they were first year students. Panelists shared their stories of how they overcame homesickness, adjusted to independent living, and joined the community at Viterbo. Panelists and moderators this year were Alexandra Bell, Elizabeth Boardman, Danielle Ducklow, Caitlin Fallon, Jeneva Ford, Amanda Hemmersbach, Lydia Mackie, Samantha Merkel, Steven Sam, and Susan Taddy. Pictured are panelists Steven Sam, Elizabeth Boardman, Danielle Ducklow, and moderator Lydia Mackie. 4

5 SSS WELCOME DINNER On Sunday, August 27, new SSS students gathered for a welcome dinner. This was an opportunity for students to meet each other, meet their peer coaches and SSS staff, and to enjoy some pizza. 5

6 Polly Scott Polly Scott is a second-year student in the Master s in Mental Health Counseling Program and does Practicum work in the ARC and Career Services. She also works in the library, helping students with research and ordering materials for the library. She hopes to do clinical mental health counseling after completing her counseling degree. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, biking, and kayaking with her family. Malena Lupient Malena Lupient is a Career Specialist in Career Services and also a student. She has an MBA from Viterbo and has worked in several business roles. She will be graduating with an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling this fall. Malena enjoys spending time with her husband and chasing her 10 month old baby around the house, along with traveling and spending time outdoors. 66