Georgia Southern hosts STEAM Basecamp to help incoming students succeed
Georgia Southern University hosted 123 incoming freshmen on the Statesboro Campus for STEAM Basecamp ahead of the official start of classes. Basecamp focuses on students pursuing majors in the College of Arts and Humanities, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, or College of Science and Mathematics. The weeklong event, offered at no cost to students, prepared students for life at the University by giving them a head start on topics they will encounter in the classroom and allowed them to meet faculty and peers. Outside of academics, the program allows freshmen to experience everything the campus has to offer from flight shows at the Center for Wildlife Education to star shows at the planetarium.
“Some of the students are first-generation, so they do not know what college is like,” said Lindsay Jouben, Ph.D., professor of political science and international studies and an instructor in the program. “This gives them that first hint of what college is going to actually be like.”
More than 30 faculty, staff and administrators from the four colleges and the Division of Enrollment, Marketing and Student Success participated in Basecamp to teach classes and allow students to establish points of contact for growth opportunities throughout their time at Georgia Southern. Laying the groundwork for student success is at the heart of the program.
McKenna Craig, a freshman student from Pennsylvania, chose to attend Georgia Southern because she could pursue a unique biology major with a concentration in ecology and evolution. She said STEAM Basecamp was a great way to get acquainted with campus for an out-of-state student.
“It’s been a very good experience because it gives you an introduction to your core classes like math and English,” said Craig. “It’s also a stress reliever because you don’t have to worry too much about your first class. You can get used to being in a dorm and knowing where all of your buildings are.”
One of the key ways STEAM Basecamp introduces first-year students to college life is by including peer mentors who can share their experiences on campus. These peers give the firsthand knowledge that only another student can provide.
“One session was all about scheduling and making sure you have everything set up on your Google calendar, which has been a lifeline for me,” said peer leader Emma Lutz.
Basecamp also helps establish social circles where incoming students can connect with others who have similar academic interests.
“We get them locked in with some friends so they have cohorts and people in their major who have the same goals,” said peer leader Morgan Whitley.
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