Affinity orientations build community

August 30, 2022 (Volume 46, Number 1)
Article by Michele Coffill

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Students who participated in the Laker Familia orientation August 21 are pictured. It was one of four Laker Connection orientation programs.

Photo Credit: University Communications

Ice breaker sessions, campus tours and meeting other students and faculty members were among the activities during Asian Student Orientation.

Photo Credit: University Communications

Welcome receptions were planned for students and their families.

Photo Credit: University Communications

Jacob Klanke, a senior majoring in anthropology, laughs during a reception for Native American students.

Photo Credit: University Communications

About 400 new students quickly found communities on campus by participating in Laker Connection orientation programs, which were held August 21-23.

New students who identify as Asian, Black, Native American or Latino/a attended sessions designed to help them navigate campus resources. Several events included all orientation groups. The orientations serve as the start of year-round student success programming. 

Glenn Valdez, professor of psychology, is the program lead for the Asian Student Achievement Program. He said the highlight of Asian Student Orientation was the welcome reception for students and their families that featured Asian foods from area restaurants.

"They also spent a lot of time with our wonderful student orientation leaders who led them in ice breaker activities, gave them campus tours and helped to connect them with some of the cultural organizations on campus, like Asian Student Union, Filipinx American Student Association and Vietnamese Cultural Association," Valdez said.

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