Affinity orientations build community

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

group of students in white tshirts in front of table with Laker Familia draping

students sitting in chairs in a circle inside a room

six people posing in a line inside the Fieldhouse

student seated at table laughing at person standing to his left

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

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.