More than 23 campus departments and organizations participated in this year’s event, promoting various student success, research and academic opportunities available to students.
The Center for Access and Success hosted its annual Success and Opportunities Expo on March 28. More than 23 campus departments and organizations participated in this year’s event, promoting various student success, research and academic opportunities available to students.
The expo’s collaborative spirit extended to the planning with Emma Calhoun, graduate apprentice for the Odyssey Program and students in the Masters of Higher Education program leading the organizing efforts. Calhoun says events like the expo are important because they create an opportunity for students to form connections:
“We are building opportunities for students who may be overlooked in other spaces on campus,” said Calhoun. “The goal is to make sure that students have as many opportunities to engage with these offices as much as possible throughout the year. This event is one of those ways.”
Students were able to choose from one of three pathways: Mentoring Constellations, Student Success, or Facilitating Integration and Reflections in the Elon Experiences (FIRE^2), each designed to direct students to the departments that are the best resources for what the student may need.
Departments featured included the Center for Financial Literacy, Student Care and Outreach, and the Student Professional Development Center, all of which aim to support students’ holistic well-being and provide them the tools needed to be successful and thrive on Elon campus.
Exercise science major Kaden Pallins ’28 felt an extra push to get involved after visiting the Expo.
“I had no idea there were so many different opportunities available. I saw people I know, like other first-years, who were already working at the table, so it’s like ‘okay I need to get on my stuff and get more involved,” said Pallins.
With the Center’s purpose of helping students from all background have access to the resources needed to succeed in higher education and life, 3+1 Business Dual Degree in Accounting student Noah Biggers ‘26 says the expo was informative and a good opportunity to become informed about student outreach and opportunities to become involved with the community.
“I feel like all of the skills that come from doing your experiential learning requirements,” said Biggers. “Whether it’s volunteering, studying abroad, or leadership, they all give you transferable skills that originate outside of the classroom, so they can’t be necessarily taught, but through these experiences they prepare you for life after graduation.”
Students who attended left with more knowledge of the resources geared for them. Cinema television arts student Lidia Birones ‘27 says,
“I’ve never had anybody (in my family) who has been in college, and sometimes you just go around school, you see people doing stuff, and you’re like, ‘what even is happening,’ and you don’t know how to become a part of that. Things like this tell you,” said Birones.