Welcome back, MHCC

By Courtney Hamer

Talkative leaders and curious students wandered the Mt. Hood Community College campus Tuesday for orientation.

Students and staff members volunteered to give tours and were dressed in red FYE (first-year experience) t-shirts. Faculty and student leaders paced around the campus setting up information tables, and directing the new students to check-in around 8 a.m.

The students were welcomed with a ceremony and shortly after were entertained by Comedy Sportz in the gymnasium.

Some students arrived not knowing what to expect, but after having the tours and talking with staff, they were a lot more comfortable with the campus and felt like they belonged.

Incoming freshman Cassie Hodges said, “Having a tour has helped me get a better feeling of where things are on campus, and has made me excited to try out new student programs. Plus, there is a Pac man arcade game.”

Hodges said she was nervous before she attended the orientation, but now she says that she feels very comfortable with the students and staff. She said, “The people in the tutorial center were really nice.”

The faculty and staff prepared 50 breakout sessions starting at 11 a.m. where the students could explore careers, learn about Mt. Hood campus and connect with valuable services designed to support students’ success.

Not only were the students welcomed at orientation, but family members were also invited to learn a little about their student’s college life as well.

While the students were having their detailed tours of the campus led by student and staff leaders, family members and significant others met in the Town and Gown Room. They had a discussion on how to learn to support their student as they begin their college life.

At the academic and student services fair, a little over 50 tables were available in the main courtyard to assist students on information about programs and clubs. Students and staff hosted the tables while answering any questions the students had.

Open houses and orientation sessions were also available for the new students.

Persistence Coordinator Nancy Fisser was one of the staff members who coordinated orientation. She said, “I want them to understand that they belong.” She said it was “cool” because students and staff were working together in guiding the new students to success.

Robert Silverman, MHCC president, said students were having a great time. They were very talkative and had big smiles on their faces. Silverman said, “Students seem really excited to be here.”

The Vista Dining Center staff took all morning setting up rows of food for the lunch – free to the students and staff at orientation. The lunch gave students a chance to relax and mingle with friends and college faculty. There were plenty of bins filled with water and soda. Warm tortillas, chicken, rice, and many salsas were served.

As students were eating lunch in the main courtyard, there was a touch of jazz music in the background, presented by band members from Mt. Hood.

After lunch, students were given evaluations to fill out on how the day went for them. The last event of the day was breakdown, where students assisted with cleanup at the close of orientation day.