Happy fall from Pocatello! We have been busy over the last several weeks welcoming new and returning students to campus. Shaking up campus tradition, we took this year’s class photo in the shape of the new University Spirit mark. We have held numerous programs and activities to engage your students outside of the classroom, and recently ISU welcomed over 200 family members to Bengal Family Weekend. We had an incredible time meeting the champions of our students and sharing our campus culture with you. Please know we appreciate the support you provide to your student and to ISU!
At ISU, we are excited about the new school year, but we are particularly pleased to share our new
ROAR
. What is that? Our ROAR is the essence of why we do what we do. It is the passion we have for our work. At its heart, our ROAR is the motivation that drives us to help students succeed.
Now that students are settling into their daily schedules, we have the perfect opportunity to challenge them by asking: “Why do you ROAR?” Why is your student at ISU? What is their dream? What do they hope to gain from their time here? Where have they been, and where do they want to go? How will they get there, and, most importantly, why do they want to get to there?
This is an exhilarating time of year for students. New and returning students are looking for ways to connect to their classes and one another. They are seeking leadership positions and involvement in academic organizations or groups with similar social interests. Many students are looking for on-and off-campus work, while others are looking for ways to volunteer in the community. I encourage students to be involved with one another and their campus community. Research shows that students who are engaged with their campus perform better academically, persevere, and complete their educational goals in a timely manner.
One thing that can be overlooked during this busy time of year is the “why” behind engagement. I just listed several reasons why I think it’s important for your student to be engaged, but it is even more important for them to understand what drives them to actively participate. How can this participation translate into experiences that will help them succeed as students, graduates, employees, and supervisors? Now is the perfect time to ask students how their participation will help them achieve their goals. Asking students what they want to do, how they will do it, and how it will help them achieve success encourages them to focus on what they will accomplish in their time at Idaho State. I encourage you to join us by asking your student similar questions. It is a great way to prepare them for their college career and beyond.
Roars truly,
Lyn Redington
Vice President for Student Affairs
