COOKEVILLE, TN – A Carthage native will help lead the Student Orientation Advisement and Registration at Tennessee Tech University this summer as part of the new class of student orientation assistants.
Kensea Skelton, a junior elementary education major, is one of 16 SOAs who will guide students at the two-day SOAR sessions beginning May 25 and running through August 1.
SOAR, created by the Office of New Student and Family Programs, welcomes recent high school graduates who are joining in the fall. SOAs will help newly admitted students become acclimated to the university during the SOAR sessions.
“I always feel so honored and blessed that I get to work with such an amazing group of students each year,” said Courtney Brehm, New Student and Family Programs director. “They are so genuine in wanting to help new students find their place on campus and see them be successful.”
SOAs help new students attain personal, social and academic adjustment to Tech. They assist new students in their connection to the campus community by sharing Tech traditions, introducing new students to other students and answering questions about college life.
Skelton said she wanted to be a SOA because of her SOA and her incredible experience during her own SOAR session.
“Everyone on campus really made me feel at home and a part of Tech’s community so quickly. I knew I wanted to do the same for future students,” Skelton said. “This will be my second summer as an SOA, and the people I have met and the memories I have been highlights of my time here so far at Tech.”
She said her favorite part about her own SOAR experience was how kind, welcoming, and excited the faculty were.
“Everyone in the college of education quickly learned my name, and they were all so helpful and eager to see me on campus again,” Skelton said. “They really showed how much they cared about me and my success here, and I knew I had chosen the perfect college.”
Skelton said she chose to come to Tech because it was always where she wanted to go.
“The moment I came to the Spring Showcase and visited the college of education, I knew Tech was going to be my home,” Skelton said. “I have never met one unfriendly person here, and I have made so many friends with peers, faculty, professors, and my fellow SOAs. I love everything about Tennessee Tech, and I am beyond thankful for everything it has given me this far.”
Skelton said one of her favorite things about Tech is how student-oriented it is. The professors care for you and want to see you succeed, according to Skelton. She said the classmates you meet are always kind and supportive.
“Our administrators are constantly working to make Tech the best it can be for us, and I appreciate and love how much everyone at Tech truly cares for you,” Skelton said.
After Skelton graduates from Tech with her Master’s in curriculum and instruction, she plans on teaching in Cookeville. She has had several opportunities to work with the Putnam County school system, and they have welcomed her with “open arms,” according to Skelton. She said she would love to become a part of this community to support younger generations as this community has supported her during her time at Tech.
“I also would like to teach in my hometown of Carthage just because of the closeness of my community there,” Skelton said. “I would love to teach in Smith County schools to educate the future leaders of our county and continue to show my Smith County pride each and every day.”
Aside from learning effective communication and interpersonal skills, SOAs have opportunities for developing or enhancing professional relationships with Tech administration, faculty, staff and new students.
“I think the biggest compliment to this program is when someone says they want to be an SOA because of the positive impact their SOA had on them throughout their transition to campus, both during and after orientation,” Brehm said.
For more information about SOAs visit https://www.tntech.edu/nsfp/soa/index.php.
For more information about SOAR including session dates and registration visit https://www.tntech.edu/nsfp/soar/index.php.
Tennessee Tech News Release by Irene Sullivan
