COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Two Smith County natives will help lead Tennessee Tech University’s annual Student Orientation Advisement and Registration (SOAR) sessions this summer as part of the new class of student orientation assistants.
Kensea Skelton, a senior elementary education major from Carthage, and Lexie Western, a junior exercise science major from Brush Creek, are among the 17 student leaders, known as “SOAs,” who will guide incoming freshmen through the two-day SOAR sessions, which are underway now and continuing through July 30.
During SOAR, admitted freshmen can learn about student life on campus, finalize information for their academic major, set a class schedule for the fall semester and forge connections with new classmates.
“SOAs truly make Tennessee Tech’s SOAR program what it is. Not only does their role include being a welcoming and friendly face for our new students and parents, but they also help facilitate the orientation experience,” said Courtney Brehm, director of New Student & Family Programs at Tech. “It’s an important, competitive student leadership position on campus and we are proud to have Kensea and Lexie as part of this year’s group.”
Skelton said that, as an SOA, she enjoys, “the opportunity to meet people from all over the state of Tennessee and the United States and share my excitement and love for Tech with them.”
Western added that she appreciates “knowing that our team has a long-lasting impact on the students coming to Tennessee Tech in the fall.”
Recalling her own journey to campus, Skelton said “Once I visited and met the faculty and staff within the College of Education, I immediately knew I was home.”
“The kindness and immediate love and support I received blew me away, and I am extremely honored to be a Golden Eagle!” Skelton added.
Likewise, Western said she was persuaded by Tech’s deep sense of community, both on and off campus.
“Everyone who comes to Tech will find the community to be one of the best parts about being a student,” Western explained.
As incoming students and their parents make plans to attend SOAR this summer, Skelton and Western encourage incoming students to have fun and be open to new opportunities.
“There are a lot of opportunities before and during the semester to try new things and meet new people both in your major and not in your major,” said Western.
“I think students attending SOAR should come ready to have fun and take in lots of information about the benefits and resources available to them!” added Skelton.
Following their anticipated graduations, Western plans to continue her education in athletic training with hopes of eventually working for the NFL, while Skelton aims to pursue a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction before becoming an elementary school teacher in Putnam or Smith County.
A limited number of spaces are still available at remaining SOAR sessions this summer. Incoming Tech freshmen can register for SOAR at www.tntech.edu/soar.
Tennessee Tech is ranked as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & Report. The university offers more than 200 programs of study and Tech graduates leave with the least debt of all public universities in the state. In fact, based on total cost and alumni earnings, Tech provides students with the highest return on investment for any public university in Tennessee, according to PayScale.
