Engagement on campus has been proven to be beneficial for college students.
Sinclair Community College has several opportunities for students to get involved, whether it’s clubs, events or civic engagement occasions.
“It helps with retention,” Karen Williams, specialist in the Student Leadership Development office said. “If you keep [students] involved, they want to continue to be here, [and] work hard on doing schoolwork.”
Throughout the academic year, Sinclair offers several event opportunities for students to partake in. Some upcoming events include the Leadership Institution event and breast cancer awareness month activities.
“It’s ideal to have students involved around campus, all together,” Graduate Assistant Dominique Starr said. “Not just here, but just have them engaged in activities, whether it’s academics or related to being tied to the campus. The stronger a student feels tied to a university or college, the more likely they are to stay there because they feel welcome. They feel it’s more of a family environment, they’re more comfortable.” Later in the year, the Student Leadership Development office could host a talent showcase, lunch hour activities, game day and zumba.
“Activities to bring students back down to our area, out here,” Starr said. “Give students a place to go.”
Each day, the basement level in Building 8 offers opportunities for students to play Ping-Pong and other games.
“Sometimes you need a break from your everyday schoolwork and you might just want to release and play some games,” Williams said.
She said the area may be a good area to network and learn outside of the classroom.
“I know we have international presentations and it’s also a learning opportunity in this area and that keeps [students] engaged,” Williams said. “We have quite a few international students here, so it gives them the opportunity to learn about their culture.”
If students would rather participate in a club, Sinclair has several to offer. To get involved with a club, students should visit the SLD office in Building 8, Room 025. There, the office staff can direct students to the respective club advisor. When the student receives the club advisor’s contact information, they can ask how they can join or find out any other desired information.
“Learning does not just take place in the classroom,” Student Government Association Advisor Tom Roberts said. “There’s a lot of learning that takes place in a social environment, such as a club. And then the leadership opportunities we offer students.”
If Sinclair doesn’t offer a club that a student may have a specific interest in, they have the power to start their own. To do so, the student needs to find a faculty member to take on the role as the advisor and 10 registered students who have interest in being members.
To encourage more student involvement, the office will release a survey on Oct. 3 to find out what students may be interested in.
“Part of what we have to do with student engagement is just that — engage the students into different activities that will challenge their civic responsibility, as well as their social skills. And so that’s what student engagement is all about,” Roberts said.