���ϲ�����’s Rugby Club Sports team takes on the Seapoint Rugby Club in a match in Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Wendy Cornell)

Most often recognized by athletes running ball in hand, wearing no pads or helmets and close-contact nature, the sport of Rugby has witnessed increasing global popularity throughout the past decades.

The Rugby Club Sports team huddles up during a match in Killiney, County Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Wendy Cornell)

“I enjoy the sense of community and belonging. I also appreciate the opportunity to play competitive sports in college,” says Mark Nash ’23 G’24, ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports team member. “This is not something that my friends at other schools have the opportunity to do, besides the ones playing NCAA sports.”

Unique to the ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports team is their strong Leinster Rugby partnership. As an international leader in the club sport, Leinster Rugby boasts countless competition successes as one of the top teams in European rugby. The Leinster partnership offers ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports athletes access to exclusive coaching, skill development and competitions.

“We are in collaboration with the most successful youth and player development program in the world. How special is that?” says Bob Wilson, ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports team coach, faculty advisor, previous player and avid supporter since 1970. “We have a professional coach from that environment working with us on a full-time basis, bringing techniques and culture, which have supported successful performance at the highest levels. The collaboration has, in a few short months, already created interest and engagement in the growing U.S. and global rugby communities, leading to increased student applications and summer camp participation. This further places the Leinster brand and ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports at the forefront as rugby in the U.S. grows rapidly, and globally, we prepare for the U.S.A Men’s World Cup Competition in 2031 and the women’s in 2033.”

The Rugby Club Sports team gathers at Leinster Rugby’s facility on the University College Dublin campus. (Photo by Wendy Cornell)

A highlight of the 2023-24 ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports season was the team’s trip to Ireland to further collaborate with their Leinster Rugby partner. Over the Spring Break trip, members of the ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports team attended sessions conducted by Leinster coaches, participated in rigorous training schedules, and attended international competitions while also exploring Ireland’s rich culture and landscapes.�� In addition to Ireland, past team trips have included Argentina, England, Portugal, Scotland and Spain.

“The trip to Ireland supports ���ϲ�����’s goal to provide an international experience for all students. Dublin illustrates the joy and values of international collaboration,” says Wilson. “The ���ϲ����� Rugby Club Sports team has enhanced the student life for over 50 years through a challenging athletic experience as part of an enthusiastic, supportive group, creating strong, lifelong bonds.”

Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 events will be available on the . Students interested in joining are invited to learn more on the or by visiting .

���ϲ�����’s Rugby Club Sports team poses for a group photo at Leinster Rugby’s facility. (Photo by Wendy Cornell)

The innovative work of implementing and assessing the Barnes Center at The Arch Integrated Health and Wellness Model has earned the team, , School of Education associate professor and Barnes Center Interdisciplinary Health and Wellness Research Consortium faculty affiliate, and campus partners their latest peer-reviewed publication, “,” in the Journal of College Student Mental Health (formerly the Journal of College Student Psychotherapy).

Helping to lead the health and wellness research team and this publication is , Barnes Center at The Arch associate director of health and wellness research, who answers a few questions about the publication.

Pet therapy at the Barnes Center at The Arch (Photo by Amelia Beamish)

What are some exciting highlights about the study discussed within the publication?

“Possibly the first peer-reviewed research on an integrated wellness model in a college setting, our study is participatory in nature, aiming to meet the needs of our university community and the wider academic community across various disciplines. The study presents empirical evidence demonstrating the significant impact of the Barnes Center at The Arch’s Integrated Health and Wellness Model on reducing depressive symptoms among college students. The article revealed that our integrated model encompasses various health and wellness components, such as self-guided mindfulness (), pet therapy (), and .”

You’ve mentioned that this may be the first peer-reviewed research of its kind, how do you anticipate this may further support others on a national and even global level?

“We are proud that our Barnes Center Integrated Health and Wellness Model is unique and successful in college settings. While existing literature has some data on integrated health care in hospital settings, our study is likely the first to demonstrate its significance in college settings. We anticipate conducting more research to support college student well-being based on our model, and to provide more data-driven evidence to impact policies and resources for college student well-being nationally and even globally.”

How do you anticipate these findings will help further enhance the ���ϲ����� student experience?

A student enjoys a massage chair at the MindSpa.

“Our current research underscores the significance of an Integrated Health and Wellness Model in a college setting. This model is a bridge connecting many domains of well-being, including physical, mental, social and spiritual, which allows the Barnes Center at The Arch team to provide holistic care for our students. We found that students seeking mental health services could also benefit greatly from engaging in other wellness activities, such as incorporating physical exercise alongside mindfulness experiences of pet therapy and/or self-guided mindfulness practice through the Crowley Family MindSpa, in addition to counseling to enhance mental health outcomes. Taking these findings further, the Barnes Center has implemented a new referral system based on this model, enabling our counseling and health care providers to recommend students to participate in physical exercises, nutrition services, pet therapy and the MindSpa.”

The University community is invited to explore future opportunities for participating in research and supporting the student experience.

• Interdisciplinary Health and Wellness Research Consortium: Involving faculty, graduate students and those interested in participating in research from various disciplines, the Barnes Center at The Arch is working to establish an Interdisciplinary Wellness Research Consortium. The group’s focus will be evidence-based health and wellness research and practitioner-researcher collaboration efforts, incorporating practices such as counseling, health promotion, physical wellness and more. It will also provide graduate students in training with mentorship opportunities in data analysis, research development and publication. For more information, email Yu at qyu105@syr.edu.
• 

  Shooting hoops at the Barnes Center (Photo by Ross Knight)

  Student Health and Wellness Advisory Committee: This committee is hosted for the 2024-25 academic year and offers leadership opportunities for students to provide feedback on health and wellness initiatives, programming and services to help inform the Barnes Center. The application is open through Friday, Sept. 20. More information and the application is available on the .

Block “Darty”

Activities from 1-5 p.m. are free for ���ϲ����� and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) students.

Students are invited to participate in a meltdown zone, Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, rat race inflatable, splatter room, receive artwork from a caricaturist, insight from psychic Jessica Johnson and airbrush tattoos. During this time additional highlights include food trucks such as XO Taco, Toss N Fire, Limp Lizard, Skippy’s Ice Cream and Bird Cafe. The outdoor concert will host performances from Dreamer Isioma, RENFORSHORT and DWLLRS on the Quad from 2:30 to 4:15 p.m.

Block Party

Starting at 7 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome, will open with ���ϲ����� student group FEƎM and their DJ sets. Followed by performances from artists Lil Yachty, Teezo Touchdown, ISOxo and KARRAHBOOO. Learn more about the artists by visiting The Peel.

Tickets will be available for purchase until Friday, April 26, 10 p.m. A valid college I.D. and ticket are required to enter the event. The JMA Wireless Dome Bag Policy will be applicable, whereby backpacks, professional cameras, alcohol, drugs and re-entry will not be permitted.

• ���ϲ����� and SUNY ESF: Tickets are $15 for students, faculty and staff with valid college I.D. and email address. Students are able to purchase a maximum of two tickets (the guest ticket must be for a student with a valid college I.D.) and at time of purchase they will be loaded to .
• Select colleges and universities: Based on availability, students with a valid college I.D. and college email address, attending from select colleges and universities may purchase tickets from the for $25 each, for a maximum of two tickets. Select colleges and universities include Le Moyne College, Colgate University, Cornell University, Hamilton College, Hobart and William Smith College, Ithaca College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Binghamton University, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Geneseo, University of Rochester, Wells College, SUNY Cortland, Onondaga Community College, Stony Brook University, University at Albany, University at Buffalo, New York University, Saint Lawrence University, Nazareth College and Utica College. If interested in purchasing a ticket from a college or university not listed, please email University Union vice president Heather Johnson ’25.

For additional information regarding accessibility, please . For more information about the events visit the University Union and accounts.

The Student Experience Division has announced the selection of Mark Nzasi and Yifan “Ivan” Shen as the 2025 Senior Class Marshals. In this honorable role, Nzasi and Shen will lead their graduating class during Commencement, help to recommend the Commencement speaker, meet with senior University administrators to discuss their student experience and offer insights and suggestions, in addition to representing their class at Universitywide functions, networking with alumni and more.

“Woven throughout the tapestry of Nzasi’s and Shen’s undergraduate careers are their shared passions for academic excellence, campus involvement, personal development and community support. Serving as honorable representatives for the Class of 2025 will only further amplify a positive impact on the student experience now and into the future,” says , vice president for student engagement in Student Experience.

Mark Nzasi
Joining the Orange community from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and starting his collegiate journey in Madrid, Spain, as a Discovery student, Nzasi is a junior majoring in neuroscience and psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. His dedication to academics, service and leadership has been showcased early and often throughout his undergraduate career as an Invest in Success Scholarship recipient, through Dean’s List recognitions, as a participant in the Renée Crown University Honors Program and the Coronat Scholars Program, a 2024-25 Remembrance Scholar and through the Sanofi U.S. Scholarship, among other honors.

Nzasi eagerly awaits the opportunity to serve as a senior class marshal, representing the Class of 2025 and bridging connections between students, administration and the Orange community. “I would not be here today if not for my family and the incredible Orange community that’s supported me and always challenged me to be better each and every day. I’m excited to give back to this community and advocate for my peers,” he says.

As an aspiring physician, Nzasi has actively engaged in research and academic projects. His undergraduate research focuses on investigating the effects of maternal separation on adolescent CD-1 mice, aiming to shed light on the relationship between early-life adversity and the emergence of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression. As a project aide, Nzasi contributes to the exploration of intricate cellular mechanisms, and their association with underlying human conditions such as degenerative eye diseases, to develop interventions to mitigate disease progression.

Outside of the classroom, Nzasi has immersed himself into a variety of student experiences including serving as the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Theta Xi vice president, implementing health care initiatives and promoting representation in medicine through the Black Pre-Medical Society, and as an orientation leader.

During his time as a member of the Black Honors Society, he was the professional development chair and co-founder of the University’s first student-organized Black Excellence Gala, a celebration of the remarkable achievements of Black students and students of Afro-descent on campus. He also supports and or is a member of the Our Time Has Come Scholarship, Men of Color Initiative (MCI) and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP).

As an active member within the larger ���ϲ����� and global communities and fueled through his passion for hands-on clinical experience, Nzasi gives back through volunteer experiences. Highlights include Riina Education for Innovation, empowering African refugee women through English as a Second Language (ESL) tutoring, and leveraging his immigrant background and Swahili language skills to facilitate learning and essential computer skills. He served in Global Medical Brigades, assisting in sustainable clinical stations such as triage, dentistry and public health education. In his homeland, at Kitui County Referral Hospital of Kenya, he shadowed physicians during emergency surgeries and provided crucial support. Volunteering at Dr. King Elementary School and as a Sigma Beta Club mentor at Nottingham High School, Nzasi has exemplified his commitment to making a positive impact.

Reflecting on his journey, Nzasi draws inspiration from his roots in Kenya and the sacrifices his family made to find better opportunities in the United States.�� “As someone who believes in the ideal that representation is the lens through which we dream, I applied to be a senior class marshal as a testimony to show others that they don’t have to succumb to the stories that society places on them,” shares Nzasi. “I aim to utilize this platform to empower all minority youth, regardless of their background, to recognize that with belief in themselves, they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.”

Yifan “Ivan” Shen
Hailing from Shanghai, China, Shen is a junior pursuing dual majors of architecture in the School of Architecture and music history and cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences, in addition to a vocal performance minor in the Setnor School of Music.

Academic highlights include being named a 2024-25 Remembrance Scholar, Dean’s List recognitions and being a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program. He is a recipient of the Asian Design Award, Alfred L. Kaskel Scholarship, Peter J. Moore Award for Excellence in Architecture Sketching, the Doug Whitney ’80 School of Architecture Global Experience Award and the Maxwell Citizenship Scholarship.

Through immersive learning and a dedication to research, Shen has placed his knowledge into action globally. Across continents he has worked with award-winning offices in Madrid, Kigali (Rwanda), New York City and Shanghai. Highlights of his contributions further include exhibitions, journal publications and supporting peers as a tutor and teaching assistant.

“I attended local schools under the communist regime in China and constantly faced shocks politically, culturally and interpersonally in foreign environments. My years at ���ϲ����� witnessed the possibility of a non-fluent English speaker from a totally different background becoming a campus leader,” shares Shen. “Being selected as a senior class marshal demonstrates the University leadership’s success in making the campus an inclusive environment where international students like me can find ways to grow and thrive.”

As a senior class marshal, Shen hopes to continue to support peers through inspiration and action. “I am excited to demonstrate to my fellow students that your identity does not limit what you can achieve. By showing them the capacities they possess and the opportunities the University provides, I hope to inspire more students to become as involved as I am.”

Reflecting on his own experience as an international student, Shen co-founded the International Mentor Squad (IMS), organizing events to further help international students who were nervous about branching out to make friends and merge into the community. He has been an active member of the School of Architecture Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Committee, a founding member of Architecture’s Honors Society, National Organization of Minority Students design team chair, member of the Hendricks Chapel Choir and member of the School of Architecture social media team. As a Hendricks Chapel Sunday Mass cantor, ���ϲ����� Abroad Global Ambassador and more, Shen further supports others.

Cross-campus partnerships inclusive of and the Division have designed a comprehensive pilot for a reimagined summer orientation program hosted in July, which will complement Welcome Week (formerly ���ϲ����� Welcome), hosted in August. This two-part pilot program will further evaluate opportunities to equip students earlier for a successful transition into the Orange community.

Dawn Singleton

“Summer orientation creates a longer runway to introduce our new students to campus and makes for a smoother transition. Our goal is to convert uncertainty and anxiety to knowledge and confidence,” says , vice president of student transition, access and inclusion in the Student Experience Division. “This pilot will be a cross-university collaboration with academic advisors, the Office of Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services, Student Living, Admissions and the Office of the Registrar, who are also now part of the newly formed Onboarding Steering Committee. The committee’s purpose is to collaborate to develop a memorable and seamless onboarding experience for incoming students. The work of this committee will inform the Student Experience Division’s re-envisioning of new student orientation to foster a greater sense of belonging for students making the major transition away from family and into the next chapter of their lives.”

Summer Orientation Pilot

Designed with evolving student needs and current best practices in mind, this pilot program will launch this July.��Further prioritizing activities and engagement that facilitate campus connections, the first phase of the pilot, held over the first two days, will focus on pre-arrival advising, gaining knowledge of University resources while exploring temporarily living on campus. Phase two will continue to engage incoming students in milestone events throughout the days immediately preceding the start of the semester during ���ϲ����� Welcome.

Butch Hallmark

“Transitioning to college looks different now than it did four years ago. Our priority is fostering a sense of belonging within the campus community, which includes ensuring students are able to become familiar with campus resources and the physical layout of campus prior to their arrival in August,” says , New Student Programs’ interim director.��“Together, the campus community, parents, families and supporters will ensure that each student is prepared, feels valued and is empowered to thrive.”

A group of 300 incoming students, accompanied by their families and adult supporters, will be invited to participate in phase one of the pilot. Incoming students invited to participate will not have an advantage toward course enrollment, housing or other requirements. Feedback will be sought from attendees and campus partners, used to then evaluate the pilot for possible future expansion and roll-out for the summer of 2025.

Survey results will inform services, programs and awareness efforts to help prevent and respond to sexual and relationship violence. Students who receive this anonymous survey in their ���ϲ����� emails (@syr.edu) are encouraged to complete it and by doing so, help the University gain a comprehensive understanding of the student experience.

“Regardless of their experience, when students take the 10-15 minutes to answer the survey, it allows the University to better understand the scope and prevalence of sexual and relationship violence at ���ϲ����� and respond with relevant resources,” shares , co-chair of the survey assessment committee, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications professor and Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion and Population Health senior research associate. “Participating in this survey is one way that ���ϲ����� students can help, and in my experience, this is an issue that students care deeply about addressing and doing what they can to help.”

Supporting the Orange Community

The Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence is comprised of dedicated students, faculty, staff and more, that work to bolster the University’s efforts in sexual violence prevention, education and advocacy services. By allowing students to anonymously share feedback, the Sexual and Relationship Violence Survey further supports these efforts through the representation of student voices.

“It is important for the task force to hear different voices and use the survey findings to make decisions about campus resource allocation and service provision,” shares , Barnes Center at The Arch assistant director of health analytics and survey assessment committee member. “We urge everyone who receives the email to participate and contribute to its lasting positive impacts.”

Results of the survey will continue to be used across the campus community to strengthen student experiences, improve campus climate and enhance programs and services.

For more information on the Sexual and Relationship Violence Survey, contact healthpromotion@syr.edu.

Robert Hradsky

As the leading comprehensive student affairs association, ACPA advances student affairs and engages students for a lifetime of learning and discovery. Within ACPA, the dedicated leaders who champion student care alongside research, scholarship and programs promoting student development and success, are honored with induction into the Diamond Honoree Program.

“I am humbled at being selected as a Diamond Honoree and share this honor with the many students, staff and faculty with whom I’ve engaged over my career. I especially want to thank my ���ϲ����� colleagues who nominated me for this recognition,” shares Hradsky.

Hradsky earned a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in higher education and student affairs administration from the University of Vermont, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from Loyola University Maryland. His professional experiences are focused in student affairs, academics and higher education leadership. Recognized by a number of professional organizations, he is known nationally for cultivating student-centered transformative environments.

“Rob and I met when we were both students at the University of Vermont and have remained connected throughout our careers by our involvement in ACPA. I’ve learned so much from him over the years about his efforts to integrate services and support for students through innovative collaborations. He truly deserves this recognition,” says , the University’s remote programs NYC director of student support and Diamond Honoree Program nominator.

As a strategic leader and an innovative collaborator for over three decades, Hradsky has held various leadership roles including at the ACPA and the ACPA Educational Leadership Foundation. His professional passions include creating exceptional student experiences and fostering positive organizational change.

Joining ���ϲ����� in 2018 as the senior associate vice president of the student experience and dean of students, he currently serves as the Student Experience Division vice president for student engagement. In this role, he focuses on enhancing community-building and engagement opportunities, in addition to overseeing the Barnes Center at The Arch, Student Living, Student Engagement, Career Services, Student Employment, and Fraternity and Sorority Affairs.

Hradsky also co-chairs the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence and the Threat Assessment and Management Team. He is a 2021 recipient of the prestigious Chancellor’s Medal for Outstanding Achievement and was instrumental in ���ϲ�����’s selection as a Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs in 2023.

“I have appreciated Rob’s counsel, support and desire to serve as my learning partner. As higher education searches for a more sustainable future, there will be a need for leaders who value learning and view students and staff as an investment rather than a commodity. I am fortunate to work for a supervisor who understands and embodies that sentiment,” says , Student Experience Division student living assistant vice president and Diamond Honoree Program nominator.

Funds raised in honor of each Diamond Honoree’s outstanding and sustained commitment to higher education, student affairs and ACPA go to and its funding of the research, scholarship and programs of ACPA that impact the lives of college students.

Students at the 2023 Career Fair

Launching the Next Generation of Student Success With a New Career Hub

Answering the mounting call to empower professional development journeys through enhancing the student experience is the spring 2024 launch of the . This new virtual environment hosts an intersection of timely and customizable career resources, services and technologies, available 24/7 for students, staff, faculty and affiliates. This virtual Career Hub helps grow the success of tomorrow by supporting taking action today.

Alongside schools, college and unit teams supporting student career development, Career Services is pioneering the launch and immersion of the new virtual Career Hub. Helping to lead efforts and answer the top four launch questions is .

Anti-trans legislation—including proposed bills and laws that attempt to limit health care access, remove Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) materials from schools and ban trans athletes from sports—have recently passed in some states.

For transgender and nonbinary individuals, these actions may compound on a personal level, resulting in negative impacts on their mental health and wellness while echoing throughout a lifetime of intersecting identities within work, education, personal relationships and more.

On Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., the University campus community is invited to learn more about this topic by attending the in 214 Slocum Hall.

���ϲ����� has a wide-array of resources available for transgender and nonbinary individuals (photo by Marilyn Hesler)

Staff members from the Barnes Center at The Arch, the LGBTQ Resource Center and the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics’ marriage and family therapy program will explore the health and wellness impact these legislations can have on the trans and gender non-conforming community, and what the University��can do to mitigate these negative impacts while providing critical supports for LGBTQ individuals.

“We see this panel as an opportunity to increase knowledge and awareness of the impact of the current sociopolitical landscape on our LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff and community members,” says Carrie Brown, counseling director at the Barnes Center at The Arch. “We hope this inspires and empowers all, as it is everyone’s responsibility to further support cultivating a welcoming, validating and accepting community on campus and beyond.”

���ϲ����� Trans and Gender-Affirming Support

As a connected campus community, faculty, staff and students actively work to remove barriers and increase access to student-focused and student-guided Trans and Gender Affirming support. Highlighted campus resources include but are not limited to the following:

Trans and Gender Affirming Health and Wellness

• Wellness exams, supplies (e.g. chest binders, KT Tape), hormone therapy and more;
• Official letters and documentation of name and gender;
• A diverse team of Barnes Center counselors provide group therapy and individual counseling; and
• Free, discreet and inclusive Safer Sex Express sexual health care supplies.

For more information, visit the .

Discovering Community

• : ,

For more information, visit the .

Strengthening a Welcoming Campus

• Workshops: ,
• Trainings: , ,
• .

Students at a career fair organized by Career Services speak with recruiters. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

Often quickly evolving alongside shifting employment markets and career outlooks is the technology needed to grow professional networks and skills, in addition to cross-campus collaboration among students, schools, colleges and Career Services. As a result, , has become an established professional development foundation. As a free resource to students and alumni, Handshake hosts available internships, professional employment and professional development opportunities available through the University and external partners.

Within the University, Handshake’s collected data shares a story of what the student experience entails. Access to this data empowers staff to shift from reactively addressing obstacles to proactively identifying them and removing barriers before students may even experience them. “Illustrating our students’ career journeys from their first appointment to their first job allows us to make informed decisions and recommendations that elevate a student’s professional development journey,” says Adam Capozzi, director of career services, assessment and student success. “Tracking and reporting our impact is pivotal both in experiencing short-term and long-term successes.”

Handshake Career Spark Award 2023

The dedicated student-focused efforts of Career Services were further celebrated Tuesday, Oct. 17, as they were named a 2023 recipient of the Handshake Career Spark Awards. This honor recognizes an annual shortlist of Handshake career centers for their outstanding work. The team received this honor for reporting, analytics and overall engagement within the . Amplifying this honor as a responsive, reliable and successful leader in student career success, the team is one of only 31 institutions, within the over 1,400 schools using Handshake, to receive this award.

“This is a tremendous achievement for our career service network and a true testament to the hard work we’ve put into using this platform,” says Capozzi. “Our unwavering dedication to improve operational efficiency, while gaining a clear picture of our impact on students, ensures we provide the right resources, to the right student, at the right time.”

“It’s never too early to begin taking action to achieve your unique professional goals,” is advice frequently shared by school, college and unit career teams in partnership with ���ϲ����� Career Services.

Supporting students within their unique trajectory to career success is . All students, regardless of class year and major, are welcome and encouraged to connect with more than 200 employers by participating in a variety of events. Employers in attendance will be offering internship and post-graduation positions.

Marking new milestones for student-focused professional development and alongside a dedicated Orange network encompassing faculty, staff, alumni, employers and more, is Adam Capozzi, director of Career Services, assessment and student success. “Fall 2023 Career Week is on track to be the largest on-campus gathering of employer partners to date,” he says.

“Our career services network is in the constant pursuit of strengthening the student experience. This is done not only through the evaluation of the types of events hosted but through a dedicated effort to meet and welcome students where they are at any point of their professional development journey. From your first semester to preparing for post-graduation—all students are welcome and encouraged to participate.”

What Fall 2023 Career Week Events Are Available and How Can Students Register?

Explore Career Week event highlights below and complete offerings on the . Per each event, it is important for students to and prepare before attending.

• Monday, Sept. 25:
• Tuesday, Sept. 26:
• Tuesday, Sept. 26:
• Tuesday, Sept. 26:
• Wednesday, Sept. 27:
• Thursday, Sept. 28:

How Can Students Prepare for Fall 2023 Career Week?

Complete information is available on the .

• : This includes ensuring your photo and details such as graduation year, education, work experience and more is current. Upon completion your account will reflect “100%.”
• Register for events: Students are asked to .
• Research attending employers: Using Handshake, proactively organize a list of interesting employers that will be in attendance at events. Use Handshake, LinkedIn and other websites to research them.
• Explore and more by before, during and after Career Week.
• Review resumes with and the , a free 24-hour service.
• From attire, LinkedIn branding, polishing an introductory “pitch” and more, on how to best make a professional impression.

With questions or to request accommodations, contact at careers@syr.edu or 315.443.3616.

Explore highlights below and visit the for complete details.

Admission
Tickets must be purchased in advance at . Admission into the fair is $6 per person.

Free New York State Fair Shuttle Services
Hosted by , shuttles to and from the New York State Fair are free for students with a valid ���ϲ����� or State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) identification card. Shuttles will travel a continuous loop between College Place and the New York State Fair Pink Lot during the following dates and times. Accessible transportation is available.

The shuttle will also serve as transportation for the Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater Noah Kahan concert.

“���ϲ����� Welcome not only ushers in the newest incoming student class but is a uniting campus celebration,” says . “Throughout ���ϲ����� Welcome and by means of sharing a friendly smile, supporting wayfinding and more, all are invited and encouraged to further connect with our students, families and supporters as volunteers.”

Volunteering for ���ϲ����� Welcome 2023

Volunteer and training opportunities are supportive of differing schedules and comfort levels. Following registration, volunteer training details will be emailed to your @syr.edu address.

Staff and Faculty Volunteers: ���ϲ����� Welcome | Aug. 22-24

As onsite student Orientation Leaders and Goon Squad teams assist in moving in new students’ belongings, faculty and staff volunteers support by means of greeting and wayfinding. Complete the by Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

Student Volunteers: Goon Squad | Aug. 22-24

The Goon Squad is one of ���ϲ�����’s oldest traditions dating back to 1944. Upper-division students are trained to welcome new students and their families at their residence halls. Working closely with Orientation Leaders, faculty and staff, Goon Squad members provide mentorship to new students through wayfinding, support moving in belongings, sharing resources and more.

Goon Squad perks include the following and complete details are available on . Complete the by Thursday, July 20, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

• Early move-in.
• Volunteer hours.
• If a Registered Student Organization (RSO) meets the volunteer requirement, they’re invited to table at the Orange Blast! Involvement Fair.
• RSO new student recruitment.
• Supporting the Orange community.
• Goon Squad swag.

With questions or to request accommodations, email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.

U Got This! Online Training

Expanding upon the many existing efforts that educate, inform and raise awareness about sexual and relationship violence, ���ϲ����� will launch a new annual required online training for returning students to learn more about preventing sexual and relationship violence and provide a refresher on relevant policies and resources. The , effective this summer, builds upon the existing in their first year at ���ϲ�����.

“Fostering a welcoming and supportive community is a result of continuous dedication, support and education, and with this new training opportunity, we add to the network of educational resources available to students centered on sexual and relationship violence prevention” shares , vice president for the student experience and co-chair of the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence. “This training aligns with recommendations made by the Chancellor’s Task Force on Sexual and Relationship Violence and Culture of Respect Campus Collaborative to expand ongoing education on these topics.”

Completing the Fall 2023 Continuing Community Wellness Requirement

Delivered by Catharsis Productions, the “U Got This!” online training consists of three 15-20-minute interactive modules focused on bystander intervention, consent, healthy relationships, sexual assault and harassment, interpersonal violence and more.

This annual requirement will launch Monday, July 17, for all returning full-time undergraduate students enrolled each fall semester. Early action is encouraged. Each of the three modules are required to be completed by Monday, Aug. 14.

Students who do not complete the required “U Got This!” training modules by the deadline will receive a Registration Hold on their account, preventing them from completing spring class registration until the training is complete.

For additional information including step-by-step directions, please visit the , email communitywellness@syr.edu or call Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotion at 315.443.8000.

Navigating a Professional Renaissance and Student Success
As a closely tied ecosystem, the global economy and employment are always top of mind for . “We’ve always worked alongside industry experts, anticipating shifting strengths and weaknesses across employment markets and global territories, while then taking that knowledge to prepare across campus and personally alongside each of our students,” he says.

However, the pandemic gave rise to an unexpected professional renaissance. “What felt like overnight, we were all suddenly faced with navigating short-term hurdles such as halted networking opportunities and companies freezing or even eliminating positions traditionally available for our students,” explains Capozzi. “While looking to the future we’ve been navigating long-term evolutions that include preparing our students for what could now be an entirely virtual hiring process, growing negotiation skills for a new professional landscape, while empowering through holistic support in spaces such as evaluating shifts in cost of living per global territories.”

2022 Outcomes Report: A Tenacious Tale of Student Success
Nearing a two-year milestone, peppered with unknowns and hurdles built by the pandemic, students, faculty, staff, parents and supporters worked relentlessly to circumnavigate change while reaching to harness the trajectory of student success in a new future. Alongside global communities and throughout 2021-22, ���ϲ����� worked to resume in-person experiences.

“It truly takes a village to accomplish these outcomes. Now that we’re empowered with this data, we’re more aware of the great accomplishments of our students so that we can help celebrate their hard work, but we also know about which areas we can strengthen to grow support as we move forward,” Capozzi says.

A tenacious tale of student success is further illustrated in the 2022 Outcomes Report findings. Career Services conducts a survey of new graduates annually, using collected data to summarize students’ employment and graduate study statuses, salaries, geographic locations, methods of securing employment and more.

Highlights are shared below and more details are available on the .

Among the findings:

• Total students working hit a new record high of 1,916, up from the previous record of 1,731.
• Highest percentage of graduates in full-time, part-time or freelance positions before Commencement reaching 36%.
• Largest average starting salary for graduates up to $62,583, surpassing the previous record of $56,701.

To learn more about professional development resources, please .

DEIA: The Core of Wellness

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility is at the heart of The Barnes Center at the Arch’s Wellness Wheel, showing its intersections with all eight Dimensions of Wellness.

When explored through a student-focused lens, DEIA is the core of holistic health and wellness. It’s also physically represented as the , showing its intersections with all eight Dimensions of Wellness.

“Holistic well-being cannot be explored without first acknowledging global and historical systems of oppression and health inequities that exist and interact with each Dimension of Wellness,” explained Tanya Williamson, Barnes Center at The Arch associate director for diversity and inclusion. “If not discovered and addressed, systemic health inequities can create barriers to accessing care, education and services.”

Cultivating a Culture of Belonging

Individuals thrive in affirming spaces. Seeking to cultivate a culture of belonging, the Barnes Center at The Arch health and wellness team not only represents DEIA as the core of their Wellness Wheel, but work to keep DEIA at the center of every action.

“Every ���ϲ����� community member should feel welcomed and valued. Our mission is to integrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, into all aspects of health and wellness,” Williamson says. “To achieve optimum health and wellness, our services, policies, practices, and the way we treat others must include the values and practices of DEIA.”

Leading the Wellness of Tomorrow by Prioritizing DEIA Today

Tanya Williamson

Williamson and the , which enhances the student health and wellness experience. Examples of this include but are not limited to: speaking with, gathering and implementing student feedback; trainings and workshops; expanding campus coalition through the Barnes Center DEIA Committee; and more.

“We are invested in DEIA initiatives that enrich the student experience. We’re learning and deepening our knowledge while taking actionable steps,” Williamson says. “Our collaborative work manifests in a variety of ways, including identifying the interrelated and overlapping impact of personal and institutional forms of inequity. We then exam issues from historical and current perspectives. We acknowledge the inequity that our students may face, and we ultimately strive to create opportunities for education, action and results to enhance the student experience. Specifically, we want students to feel they belong at the Barnes Center and on campus.”

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series

Through a student-focus lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters, as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

In an effort to further promote awareness of and encourage involvement in the student experience, has launched . With the ease of free virtual access and interaction, the portal welcomes users to stay up-to-date on everything happening around campus.

The Orange Family Connection Portal will now be the primary form of communication between Parent and Family Services and families.

“It’s is a great way for families to become engaged in their student’s ���ϲ����� experience,” says . “By creating a free account, the portal offers an easy way to review current communications, interact with the Orange community and share important information with their student(s).”

Accessing The Orange Family Connection Portal

Class of 2022 Graduates celebrate with their families.

Family members, supporters and guardians are encouraged to visit for information on creating a free account, as well as customizing and navigating through the portal.

Highlighted Features

• Timely communications
• Calendar events
• Services, programs and resources
• Important deadlines
• Interactive newsfeed
• e-Newsletters
• Customizable user profiles

Customized Campus Communications��

The portal empowers users to quickly access important information and then easily share it with their students. The portal offers a variety of personalization features, allowing users to only receive information they find most important for themselves and their student. This includes the options of customizing based on communication interests and desired frequency.

Highlights include content communities based on a variety of interests and backgrounds, in addition to e-Newsletter frequency (e.g., weekly, monthly or quarterly).

Story by Madison Manczko ’24, intern in��Student Experience Communications

Efforts are inclusive of consistent evaluation of current offerings and the needs and experiences of students, alongside wellness disruptors such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of ongoing efforts to design and deliver health and wellness-related programs, services and resources to meet the current needs of students, the has partnered with to administer the to all students.

“The Health and Wellness Survey is intended to help us gain an anonymous yet comprehensive understanding of students’ overall well-being. This understanding is critical, as we will then take what we’ve learned to evolve resources to meet the current wellness needs of our students,” says Cory Wallack, Ph.D., Barnes Center at The Arch associate vice president of student health and wellness.

Completing the Health and Wellness Survey | Due: Friday, March 10

The survey empowers students to share valuable anonymous responses to help inform the future of health and wellness programming, services and more at ���ϲ�����. Closing Friday, March 10, the includes questions related to substance use, physical wellness, and sexual, reproductive and mental health. More details:

• The survey is available in students’ ���ϲ����� (@syr.edu) emails.
• 20 participants will be randomly selected to win a $75 Amazon gift card.
• 5 participants will be randomly selected to win early course registration.
• Survey takes 10 minutes or less to complete.
• Responses are recorded anonymously.

Learn more by visiting the .

Helping to lead Career Readiness Week is . “Our teams are excited to host the first Career Readiness Week, during which we support undergraduate students in developing several facets of their professional persona, while also preparing for life post-graduation,” Mercer says. “I am especially excited for our networking event, where students will have the opportunity to mingle with local alumni working in a variety of industries.”

Well-rounded topics throughout the week offer post-graduation insight for students navigating the workplace professionally and the transition to employment personally. A mix of virtual and in-person events will be offered; all are free to attend.

• Monday, Nov. 7, 4-5 p.m.: Workshop
• Tuesday, Nov. 8, Noon-1 p.m.: Workshop
• Wednesday, Nov. 9, 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Lunch
• Wednesday, Nov. 9, 7-8:15 p.m.: Workshop
• Thursday, Nov. 10, 6-8 p.m.:

For more information or to request accommodations, please email Career Services or call 315.443.3616.

This story was written by Student Experience communications intern Esteban Quiñones ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Scheduling an Appointment
Students may schedule appointments using the Patient Portal. Visit the for more information. Subject to appointment availability, Fall 2022 Student Flu Clinic dates and times are available on the .

Attending an Appointment
Students should bring their pharmacy benefit card and health insurance card to their appointment. The flu shot will be billed to students’ insurance. Most insurance companies cover the cost of a flu shot in full. Students who have a copay or medical charge applied will have it billed accordingly to their Bursar account. Please know, ability to pay is not a barrier to service.

Students actively enrolled in the , do not need to bring their insurance information and a flu shot is covered in full.

For more information or to request accommodations, visit the , email the Barnes Center or call 315.443.8000.

Story by Student Experience communications intern Esteban Quiñones ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

In nature, away from screens, daily routines, “comfort zones” and alongside soon-to-be-friends, the feelings of adventure, reduced stress, personal growth and discovery of holistic wellness await exploration. Helping students explore inner wellness through , is Scott Catucci G’21, associate director for outdoor adventure, esports and student development, and Julie DeLeo, certified therapeutic recreation specialist and assistant director for outdoor education.

“Trips provide opportunities for students to unwind and take time to be mindful during the week. Simply being outside has numerous wellness benefits,” says DeLeo.

When explored through a student-focused lens, Outdoor Adventure Trips encompass the Barnes Center at The Arch Dimensions of Wellness, with an emphasis on , , , and .

Outdoor Adventure Trip experiences are unique for each student and throughout each trip. “We meet students where they are and support growth through experiential learning. At the foundation of each Outdoor Adventure Trip are outcomes that can support health and wellness for a lifetime,” says Catucci.

How does the Barnes Center at The Arch help students experience Outdoor Adventure Trips?

The team shares a passion for opening the outdoors to all and encouraging students to step out of comfort zones. Efforts to increase access include the following:

• knowledgeable staff leading trips;
• offering trips for those with and without previous experience;
• providing transportation and equipment;
• subsidized costs; and
• trips are organized to support relationship building and as a result are supportive of students registering independently or with a group.

What types of Outdoor Adventure Trips are hosted and how do students participate?

On average throughout an academic year, a little over 100 student-focused Outdoor Adventure Trips are hosted. The team emphasizes that there is something for everyone.

Updated at the start of each semester, available trips are listed on the . Additional user details are available on the .

Outdoor Adventure Trip Highlights

Students are invited to register for the remaining fall trips and be on the lookout for spring trip registration opening soon!

What if students are unsure about joining an Outdoor Adventure Trip?

Students wanting to learn more about what trips will entail and if they will be comfortable are encouraged to call 315.443.8000 or email BarnesCenter@syr.edu to speak with an Outdoor Education professional.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series

Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Why is prioritizing sleep important?
“Sleep is essential to every process in the body.” Growing awareness and support of strengthening good sleep hygiene to enhance the student experience is one of the many topic areas covered by the Barnes Center at The Arch Students Advocating for Mental Health Empowerment (SAMHEs) peer education team. “It affects our physical and mental functioning, ability to fight disease, develop immunity, metabolism and more.”

At its core, sleep is an essential part of holistic wellness. When explored through a student-focused lens, sleep encompasses the , with an emphasis on , , and .

What is good sleep hygiene?
Sleep hygiene is the culmination of assessing physical experiences such as nutrition and exercise, environmental experiences such as bedroom setup or technology habits, in addition to emotional strains such as stress, that all weigh into successful or unsuccessful sleep hygiene habits.

Good sleep hygiene is considered sleeping anywhere between seven to nine hours per night, while also being on a consistent schedule (waking up at and going to sleep at the same time–even on weekends).

Improving Sleep Hygiene: Sleep Audit
Students are encouraged to begin where each day ends, by auditing and adjusting sleep environments. Sleep solutions often change person to person, throughout the year and over a lifetime. Questions include:

• Is the space relaxing?
• Is the space dark?
• Is the space a comfortable temperature?
• If possible, have you removed technology (e.g. TVs, computers, smart phones) from the room?
• Have you reduced exposure to blue light/screentime at least 30 minutes to two hours or more before attempting sleep?

Moving past sleep environment, students are then encouraged to reflect on daily experiences surrounding mindfulness, movement, nutrition and more.

Improving Sleep Hygiene: Mindfulness
Feelings of overwhelm, uncertainty and stress may also negatively impact sleep hygiene. “Stress increases cortisol levels within the body, essentially triggering “fight or flight” response symptoms. With increased cortisol levels comes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This does the exact opposite of relaxing to prepare for sleep,” explains Alena Anthony, certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and Barnes Center associate director of fitness programs. Prior to bedtime, students should avoid activities that elevate cortisol levels and work to reduce stress with breathing exercises, meditations and more. Resources include:

• : Customizable support surrounding bedtime exercises, sleep sounds, stress, meditation, movement and more.
• : Workshop topics support holistic sleep hygiene.

Improving Sleep Hygiene: Movement
“Movement serves as a tool to regulate stress when used appropriately. Exercise releases serotonin, which improves mood. This diminishes production of stress hormones, keeping heart rate and blood pressure in a steady state, thus making it easier to relax. It’s important to note that while movement serves as a tool to regulate stress, movement itself does tax the energy systems of the body, meaning that it’s important to leave a few hours between workout and sleep to allow for recovery,” says Anthony. Customizable for a variety of interests and goals, highlighted are shared below.

• (Free personalized meetings to support health and wellness goals.)

Improving Sleep Hygiene: Nutrition
Sleep’s copilot when fueling daily life is nutrition. “They are interrelated and essential to physical and mental health. What we eat may influence sleep quality and duration. At the same time, how we sleep may alter our inclination to select certain foods,” shares Kristin Douglas G’04, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and certified dietitian nutritionist (CDN). The following highlighted food habits and choice overviews may support sleep hygiene. For a , please call 315.443.8000.

• Strengthen: High fiber, whole grains, starches, fruits, vegetables and unsaturated fats (e.g. nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil).
• Weaken: Caffeine, alcohol, meal skipping, being hungry or too full at bedtime.

Contact the for questions or if unsure how to begin strengthening sleep hygiene by calling 315.443.8000 or emailing BarnesCenter@syr.edu.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

“Family Weekend is a time to celebrate being reunited with your student and learning about their life on campus,” shares ��. “Take advantage of all of the programs and events that are offered, but most importantly—enjoy your time and build new memories together!”

Registration and Arriving
Helping support attendee experiences, is encouraged by Tuesday, Oct. 11. For details surrounding transportation, parking, dining, lodging and more, please visit the .

Family Weekend Fall 2022 Schedule
During the annual Family Weekend celebration, families, parents and supporters are invited to experience campus life and enjoy a weekend filled with activities. Highlighted events are shared below. Please for a complete schedule.

For more information please contact by calling 315.443.9187 or emailing family@syr.edu.

“The IUT Fair is a great opportunity for students to explore the many academic programs that ���ϲ����� offers. Even if a student is not interested in changing their major, they can learn about minor programs and opportunities for double-majors,” says�� , associate provost for academic affairs.

Fall 2022 Intra-University Transfer (IUT) Fair
Supporting student success is the . During this event, all undergraduate students are encouraged to meet with school, college and career representatives, to learn about deadlines, requirements and more.

“When connecting with advisors, faculty and staff, students are encouraged to be proactive and open about academic and post-graduation career goals,” says , Ph.D., director of student retention and success. “The campus community is here to help students define their unique meaning of success, organize goals and ultimately achieve them.”

Attending will support students in answering the following questions and more:

• How do I transfer to another ���ϲ����� school or college?
• How do I switch a major and/or double major?
• How do I add a minor?
• I know my post-graduation career goals, but what academic steps are needed to achieve them?
• If I switch to a different major and/or add a minor, how does that impact my post-graduation goals?

To request accommodations or for questions, contact at 315.443.0221 or studentsupport@syr.edu.

“Over the past few years, professional landscapes have experienced historical changes,” says , director of Career Services, assessment and student success. “Overarchingly cultivating a trajectory of success, our proactive responses have strengthened events and resources to further establish professional development for all students, ��especially encouraging our first year students to participate.”

What events are available and how can students register?

For each event, it is important for students to register on Handshake and prepare before attending. Additional support is available on the .

• Wednesday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Data and Technology Fair
• Explore complete offerings under and

How can students prepare?
Information is also available on the .

• Attend and events before and during Career Week.
• Review resumes with career advisors and the , a free 24-hour service.
• Proactively organize a list of interesting employers and then research them.
• From attire, bringing extra resumes, LinkedIn accounts, polishing an introductory “pitch” and more, plan with career advisors on how to best make a professional impression.

What if students are unsure about attending?

No strangers to the feelings of uncertainty surrounding networking and planning for employment, Career Services interns share words of encouragement and welcome to all students during Career Week and beyond.

Anna Salewycz

“The more you start exposing yourself, the more prepared and less nervous you will feel. Attending events periodically makes preparing yourself for the future easier, ”
says Anna Salewycz ’25.

Marie-Elise Ambroise

“I think students think that they should only attend events that are concentrated on a specific major or company. It’s important to pursue building connections in different industries and learning about new careers across many events,” says Marie-Elise Ambroise ’24.

Ellie Brill

“There is no harm in attending events, it will only help with future career aspirations. Events may seem like high-pressure situations but they can be used as�� great learning opportunities for professional development,” says Ellie Brill ’23.

Victoria LaFarge

“I wish the campus community knew about the connections events can give you and that there is so much advice provided on any part of the employment process,” says Victoria LaFarge ’25.

For questions or to request accommodations, contact at careers@syr.edu or�� 315.443.3616.

The latest in the pursuit of enhancing student focused health and wellness is the Fall 2022 launch of free for ���ϲ����� faculty, staff and students. Within interactive and easy to understand trainings, Kognito enhances confidence and skills surrounding supporting students with mental health concerns.

“Supporting student mental health is a campus community responsibility,” says Cory Wallack, Barnes Center at The Arch executive director of health and wellness. “It’s important that the campus community work together to create a strong safety net. Especially as students at the highest risk are often not seeking counseling.”

A Campus Call to Complete Kognito Trainings
The ���ϲ����� Kognito partnership implements strategies to improve holistic well-being of students through increased education within the lenses of mental health, suicide prevention, substance use and empathic communication.

All ���ϲ����� faculty, staff and students are encouraged to .

Please email the Barnes Center at The Arch or call 315.443.8000 for questions.

What do SOaR Case Managers do?

If you are a student or you know a student who is facing a personal difficulty/challenge or is unsure where to start—SOaR case managers are there. From problem-solving to supporting navigating University resources, case managers help no matter the issue or challenge.

Highlights of include but are not limited to: individualized student support, consultation for those seeking to support students, academic support, assisting with personal/family emergencies, supporting during times of adjustment and transition, sexual and relationship violence support and more.

Meeting the SOaR Case Managers

On Tuesday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m., all ���ϲ����� students are invited to explore the SOaR space and meet the team during the .

• Tyrone Reese, SOaR associate director
  Reese is excited to empower students to build support networks and connect to resources, support students’ holistic well-being, and help students navigate and overcome any barriers with the ultimate goal of getting to graduation successfully.
• Shelley Crawford, SOaR assistant director
  Crawford enjoys learning about students and lets them know they are heard—and that they are cared about. She believes it is important students know there is a person on campus who they can talk with and who will be there during a time of crisis and also on their graduation day.
• Susan Sugar, SOaR case manager
  Sugar is passionate about supporting all students while fostering self-advocacy and empowerment to promote academic, personal and professional growth.
• Emanuel “Manny” Oliver, SOaR case manager
  Oliver works to provide support to students in several areas including academic, mental and physical health and other concerns/challenges a student may deal with in their college experience, and looks forward to assisting students in their success.
• Kira McCrary, office coordinator
  McCrary serves as the coordinator for case management services and is excited to use her knowledge to help support the team’s mission, values and initiatives in creating a welcoming experience for all students and visitors of SOaR.

Top row, from left: Tyrone Reese, Shelley Crawford, Susan Sugar. Bottom row: Manny Oliver and Kira McCrary

The Orange community is invited to learn more by visiting the , calling 315.443.2616 or emailing studentsupport@syr.edu.

As a transfer student and Orange Success Mentoring Program mentor, Aaron Hall ’23 has personal experience navigating the uncertainty of joining the campus community as an incoming student. “I felt being a transfer student disadvantaged me. My first semester on campus I had [considerable] trouble finding friends and connections.”

The Power of Peer Mentorship

Customizable peer mentor and mentee relationships and evolving student experiences, the cultivates connections that as a result, ignite each students’ trajectory of success at ���ϲ����� and beyond. Rooted in over 30 years of student experience research, the program strengthens key student experience milestones including but not limited to the following.

• academic support
• guidance navigating University resources
• leadership development
• professional development and networking
• social and emotional wellness

Closing the Gap of Incoming Student Uncertainty

Wanting to help fellow students through what can be a difficult time, the Orange Success Mentoring Program piqued Hall’s interest, and he persevered through uncertainty once more. “I was a little nervous because I was afraid that no mentee would match up with me because of my personality.”

Soon after completing the mentor registration, Hall was matched with mentees. “We talked a lot about academics, extracurriculars and financial aid. I gave advice and sent resources.” Overarchingly, during the spring 2019 pilot Hall participated in, over 200 students were matched with a mentor. Mentee feedback shared a 7% increase in the sense of belonging.

Hall’s dedication to mentees was further celebrated and honored with an invitation to serve within a nationwide Ambassador Program hosted by Mentor Collective, the foundational platform of the Orange Success Mentoring Program.

2022-23 Orange Success Mentoring Program

“You don’t have to be perfect or experienced to be a mentor,” shares Hall, who encourages student mentor and mentee participation. “If you are unsure about anything, that is probably a reason why you should participate in this program. Also, it is free and self-paced (you do not have to meet weekly).”

, and are open to incoming first-year, first-year transfer, and self-identified first-generation students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Returning students are invited to complete the .

For more information or questions, please visit the , email mentoring@syr.edu or call Student Outreach and Retention at 315.443.2616.

When the feelings of loneliness and seeking connection are explored through a student-focused lens they encompass each of the , with an emphasis on , and .

Not Alone in Feeling Lonely
Rios says, “we can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. This is human.” Navigating social experiences, establishing new support systems, communities and routines, are just a few of the many reasons why it is not uncommon for college students to feel lonely from time to time.

However, it’s important to highlight that though it’s not uncommon to feel lonely and/or disconnected, it does not mean that these experiences are insignificant and for some more difficult to overcome.

Exploring One’s Loneliness and Connections

Similar to each unique student experience, the feelings of loneliness and seeking connection are not simply supported within a “one-size fits all” approach. “Loneliness manifests in a range of ways, including social withdrawal, anger, irritability, substance use disorders, addictions, sadness, depression and anxiety,” explains Rios.

Students and those seeking to support students are invited to further explore and ultimately identify possible sources of loneliness and from there establish actions that when executed may lead to long-term solutions. Diving in further, Rios shares, “When we feel lost, lonely and/or uncertain we can resort to looking outside of ourselves for someone else to take the brave action of inviting us out, starting a conversation with us or addressing a lifestyle change we can be responsible for doing ourselves.”

Through self-reflection, individuals are invited to explore the following examples that may be generating feelings of disconnect and loneliness and also work to identify those unique to their experiences:

• New routines
• Difficulty managing time
• Uncertainty of the future (e.g. major, career and more)
• Distance from family, supporters and home
• Not yet established campus friends/community
• Uncertainty of University support and resources

Building a Personal Toolkit to Reduce Loneliness and Build Connections

“True belonging and connection require that we get brave with our authenticity. It requires us to take down the barriers and façades of self-protection and allow ourselves to be seen,” says Rios. “Loneliness is a human experience. How we approach and manage the feelings of loneliness will determine the outcome.”

After identifying areas that may be resulting in the feelings of loneliness and disconnect, students are invited to take action. The following resources can help meet new people and build connections.

• (registered student organizations)
• (create student experiences)
• (designated gaming room, virtual events)
• (faith communities, community service opportunities)
• (late-night programs)
• (hiking, apple picking,�� snowshoeing and more)
• (all events)

Supporting the Student Experience

Students and those seeking to support students are also invited to begin a personalized conversation with the following campus resources.

• Barnes Center at The Arch: Please , call 315.443.8000 or email BarnesCenter@syr.edu to learn more.
• Student Outreach and Retention (SOaR) Case Managers: Please , call 315.443.2616 or email studentsupport@syr.edu to learn more.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series

Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Please note, admission into the fair is $3 per person and .

Free New York State Fair Shuttle Services
Hosted by , shuttles to and from the New York State Fair are free for students with a valid ���ϲ����� I.D. Shuttles will travel a continuous loop between College Place and the New York State Fair Pink Lot during the following dates and times. Accessible transportation is available.

• Saturday, Sept. 3, Noon-10 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 4, Noon-10 p.m.
• Monday, Sept. 5, Noon-9 p.m.

For questions or additional information, contact New Student and Family Programs at welcome@syr.edu or 315.443.9187.

As a mobile app wellness leader and through virtual experiences, Headspace helps to create habits supportive of mental health. Complementing the , Headspace further places students in the driver’s seat of their unique health and wellness journeys.

“I believe a big part of college is not only challenging yourself academically but also learning to take care of yourself,” says Yvonne Chen-Yih Kuo ’24, Barnes Center at The Arch peer educator. “Headspace allows students to step back and take time for themselves, to sleep better, while also find opportunities to learn different ways of mindfulness and self care.”

���ϲ����� Student Premium Headspace Memberships
Free Headspace premium membership is available to ���ϲ����� students on a first-come, first-served basis and provides the opportunity to grow availability. Detailed instructions for creating and linking existing accounts are available on the .

“Oftentimes as a college student I am physically and mentally busy. By using Headspace I have been able to take time to clear my thoughts and practice meditation frequently,” says�� Tianna Carrington ’23, Barnes Center at The Arch peer educator. “I encourage students to use Headspace as a free “on the go” guide to help with everyday college student stressors.”

Headspace highlights include but are not limited to the following:

• Learn the fundamentals of meditation and mindfulness directly from experts.
• Customizable experiences support managing stress, sleep, self-esteem, focus, movement and more.
• Sleep sounds and bedtime exercises.

For more information, visit the . For questions, email the Barnes Center at The Arch or call 315.443.8000.

Goon Squad team lends a hand during Move In 2021.

A tradition as strong as the color orange itself on the ���ϲ����� campus is the annual outpouring of campus community member volunteers for milestone student experience events such as ���ϲ����� Welcome, Family Weekend and more.

“Welcoming smiles, friendly greetings, unwavering support and campus community connections are what combine when helping to create an unsurpassed student experience,” says New Student and Family Programs Director .

“All are invited and encouraged to further connect with our students, families and supporters as we continue to grow memorable ���ϲ����� traditions,” says New Student and Family Programs Director .

Registering for Volunteer Opportunities
Fitting for a variety of schedules and comfort levels, there are volunteer opportunities and trainings to help all support the student experience. Following registration, volunteer training details will be emailed (@syr.edu). Visit the for more information.

���ϲ����� Welcome Move In | Aug. 23-25
Alongside and over 500 students serving as the 78^th Goon Squad team moving belongings in, faculty and staff volunteers are needed to help greet incoming students and families. by Monday, Aug. 15.

Citrus in the City | Aug. 27
As a pillar event of ���ϲ����� Welcome, faculty and staff volunteers help support memorable student experiences through wristband distribution, line management and more. by Monday, Aug. 15.

Family Weekend | Oct. 14-15
Helping to further strengthen campus connections among families, supporters and students, faculty and staff volunteers help with greeting, wayfinding, souvenir distribution and more. by Friday, Sept. 30.

For questions or to request accommodations call at 315.443.9187 or email welcome@syr.edu.

SummerStart Success

Leading SummerStart since 2021 is , and in Student Outreach and Retention (SOaR).

From building inclusion to now supporting international student participation and more, Srinivas and Fredericks have been busy growing SummerStart into the future. The team is driven by goals of inviting the campus community to not only learn more about the importance of the program but also the emphasis placed on supporting the whole student and their individual needs prior to the start of their first year of college.

“A first of many inclusive campus experiences, SummerStart cultivates a mindset of community, support and empowerment, that when combined ultimately works to break down barriers and lead to student success,” says Srinivas. “This approach brings a strong correlation of positive first-year student retention. During 2021 this included a 93% program success rate of students in good academic standing and a 100% rate of students continuing their studies into the fall semester. When viewed in a longer time frame of student retention, success is also found within six-year graduation rates. However, SummerStart requires continued expansion of cross-campus collaboration and communication to further build upon this success.”

Further reviewing the 2021 cohort’s performance into the subsequent fall semester demonstrated a need for strengthened academic student support that continues throughout the first semester of college. To meet this support need, the SOaR team applied for and was awarded a SOURCE Research grant. The grant will fund three undergraduate student research assistant positions, that will be responsible for examining the ���ϲ����� SummerStart program, conducting research about the program at other universities and proposing recommendations to support future program changes. Additionally, they will provide academic mentoring throughout the fall to further help students stay on track.

The SummerStart Experience

The six-week SummerStart program meets students where they are and helps to build connections between their unique goals, increased independence, campus resources and experiences throughout the summer leading up to the fall semester.

“A must experience if you want to get a head start on the college experience. The benefits stretch from friend groups, staff networking, belonging on campus and so much more. I’m grateful to have been part of such a supportive and diverse program that introduced me to so much of what ���ϲ����� has to offer,” says Jose Venegas ’25.

Applications are open annually in the spring and highlights of the SummerStart program experience include the following:

• Individualized support.
• The opportunity to earn 7-9 degree credits.
• Community building with faculty, staff and peers.
• Increased time for acclimating to campus life and residential living.
• Opportunities to build confidence.

Supporting Student Success through SummerStart

SummerStart 2022 students will begin arriving on campus the first weekend of July and will quickly dive into a robust . The campus community is invited to email SummerStart��or call 315.443.1031 for more information and to learn about opportunities to support SummerStart.

This holistic wellness approach showcases a concentrated effort of dismantling historic service silos and barriers, to then construct spaces of education, empowerment and inspiration. The intersections also host opportunities for the health and wellness team to enhance the student experience through reimagined services.

Challenging the status quo of health and wellness is the Barnes Center team behind the launch of the integrated experience of Adventure Based Counseling:

• Gwyn Esty-Kendall, health promotion specialist
• Julie DeLeo, assistant director outdoor education
• Scott Catucci M.S. Ed, M.A., G’21, associate director for outdoor education, esports and student development

Envisioning a Future of Holistic Wellness Experiences
At its core, the free is a hybrid of adventure based activities and experiential processing to foster personal growth. The series is offered each fall and spring semester, meeting in person, once a week for 10 weeks.

“The experiential learning model used allows students to process feelings, emotions and the physical reality of what they are doing in the moment and then apply that to their past, present and future experiences,” explains Catucci.

Meetings host a series of challenges, that ultimately combine to strengthen skillsets and provide students with tools to navigate obstacles they may face throughout a lifetime. Each weekly meeting includes the following:

1. Activities that may challenge students mentally, physically and/or emotionally.
2. Group processing explores how goals were accomplished and feelings around challenges.
3. Further processing connects identified skillsets with real-life obstacles to discover solutions and expand comfort level with addressing challenges.

Stepping Away From Predictable and Into Customized Growth
The Barnes Center team hosts safe spaces for students to immerse themselves in risk-taking, moving out of comfort zones, overcoming challenges, finding a sense of belonging, self-discovery, trust and more. Takeaways are also customizable per unique student goals and may also yield skill-building results surrounding leadership, teamwork, increasing community connections, processing emotions and more.

“Adventure Based Counseling may appeal to students who may not be as inclined to seek out traditional therapeutic interventions. Taking a similar approach to process group therapy facilitation, we move through physical and emotional challenges with students, creating unique opportunities for growth,” says Capparelli. “Through exposure to novel experiences and coping with uncertainty in the moment, students expand their comfort zones while doing something active and connecting. Over the course of 10 weeks, participants benefit from being seen, heard, respected, appreciated and supported. They leave with a greater sense of emotional acceptance, community and overall well-being.”

Highlights of Adventure Based Counseling include the following:

• Team Building Activities

Future Adventure Based Counseling Opportunities ����

Applications for Adventure Based Counseling open within the first few weeks of the fall and spring semesters. The health and wellness team encourages students to apply early as spaces are limited and fill quickly. Application information will be available on the and . Students who would like to share interest prior to applications opening may email the Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotions team.

For additional information or questions, please email the Barnes Center at The Arch or call 315.443.8000.

Yvonne Kuo ’24

Helping to build Wellness Leadership Institute outreach and lead workshops is Yvonne Kuo ’24, Barnes Center at The Arch peer educator. “I think students are often surprised about how much they learn. Such topics as nutrition, investing basics or dealing with paychecks are something that we, as students, may not be taught in school, so why not learn about it for free?” Kuo says.

Why Is the Wellness Leadership Institute Important?

Woven throughout these empowering educational experiences is the . All workshop topics highlight the core of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, while partnering with one of the .

Emphasizing that workshops are open to all undergraduate and graduate ���ϲ����� students, Kuo encourages students to step out of comfort zones and into ownership of their health and wellness journeys. “My favorite workshop was one that I attended with a campus nutritionist. It was an eye-opening experience to learn about different cultures and the different diets that they often consume,” she says.

What Topics Are Explored in Wellness Leadership Institute Workshops?

Nearly 80 workshop topics, hosted by health and wellness focused staff, faculty and peer educators, magnify the Dimensions of Wellness, while weaving together student experiences with available resources and services. Campus community members are encouraged to and those highlighted below.

• Allyship 101
• Fitness 411
• Investing Basics
• Leading From an Open Heart
• Relationships and “Situationships”
• Strategies for Career Planning

How Can Students Earn a Completion Certificate and Graduation Medallion?

Students that attend a workshop within each of the Dimensions of Wellness will earn a graduation medallion and certificate. Available through virtual, in-person and pre-recorded video opportunities, hundreds of free workshops are hosted throughout the year and accommodate a variety of schedules. Workshops are available now and will continue to grow and 2022-23 academic year.

Throughout their time at ���ϲ�����, students are invited to attend workshops. Traditionally, schedules host the opportunity to complete all Dimensions of Wellness within a semester. As of spring 2022, 14 students have achieved this accomplishment.

How Can I Help Students Connect With the Wellness Leadership Institute? ��

If a student may be struggling to balance commitments, navigating stress management and more, it may be helpful for all campus community members to suggest attending Wellness Leadership Institute workshops. Faculty and staff interested in weaving holistic health and wellness into curriculum and/or student groups are invited to partner with the Wellness Leadership Institute. Complete instructions are available on the .

• Students are encouraged to .
• Faculty, staff may use the referral function in and the .
• Parents, supporters are encouraged to and recommend attendance.

For more information or to request accommodations, visit the , email the Barnes Center or call 315.443.8000.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series

Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Helping to lead the implementation of the Orange Success Mentoring Program and inspire student success through action and connection is Kal Srinivas, Ph.D., director of student retention and success in SOaR. Armed with the knowledge that first-generation students are often confronted with complex and unique challenges, Srinivas and team launched the program focused on this population to build mentorship opportunities that honored and supported each student’s success.

“First-generation students may not have the family support or knowledge to navigate their way through myriad campus resources offered to them. Connecting with other students can help make their path easier and more fulfilling. Our goal is to support each of our first-generation students uniquely throughout their student experience,” says Srinivas.

Creating Connections

Little actions, such as registering to participate, can yield large results. With an emphasis placed on pairing returning students as mentors with new students as mentees, the process began in early spring 2022 with each participant first completing a matching survey. Over 200 participating students were matched with a mentor. Pairs were curated through an assessment of their unique answers to questions inquiring about interests, experiences and goals.

Motivated to support peers, Hamere Debebe ’24 participated as one of the program’s first mentors. “During my first year in college, I had to work two jobs, keep up with my extracurriculars and maintain my schoolwork. I had never felt so stressed and burnt out in my entire life. But because of this, I know how to help others before they get to the point I did. Especially in areas of impostor syndrome for first-generation and immigrant students,” Debebe says.

Strengthening a Feeling of Belonging

Communications between mentors and mentees began virtually through the Orange Success Mentoring Platform, an online system hosted by Mentor Collective. Then per each unique mentorship pairing, frequency, style and topics, ebbed and flowed throughout the duration of the semester. Mentees could seek support on topics surrounding navigating academic support, college costs and major exploration.

“The relationship between a mentor and a mentee is about the little things. Getting to know one another, being comfortable asking questions, going out of comfort zones to learn something new. It’s about building self-efficacy, which strengthens feelings of belonging here at ���ϲ�����,” says Srinivas. “Positive interactions in and out of the classroom in turn positively impact student success. It is also a reciprocal relationship where the mentor learns from the mentee’s experiences too.”

Orange Success Mentoring Program 2022-23

While the pilot program concludes this May, students will have an opportunity to get involved again.

“When you take a moment to pause and reflect on your own first year of college, what did you feel?” asks Cerri A. Banks, Ph.D., vice president and deputy to the senior vice president of the student experience. “As with any transition, there is often excitement, but understandably, also uncertainty at times. You can help incoming students navigate this new experience and strengthen their long-term success through mentorship.”

Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors in good standing are encouraged to by Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Open to incoming first-year and first-year transfer, self-identified first-generation students, on a first-come, first-serve basis, are encouraged by Monday, Aug. 1, 2022.

For more information, visit the or call 315.443.0221.

Students enjoying the zip line experience.

Why is it important to encourage participation in the Challenge Course and Zip Line?
Skills learned through outdoor adventure, inclusive of the challenge course and zip line experiences, are transferable throughout students’ unique health and wellness journeys. When explored through the , they encompass , , , and .

“Woven into daily interactions, these skills can be used to successfully navigate group projects and tasks while developing healthy, positive relationships with peers, colleagues, faculty, staff and future employers,” says Scott Catucci G ’21, Barnes Center at The Arch associate director for outdoor adventure, esports and student development.

Growth themes focus on reexamining how students relate to the people and places around them. Additional highlights include:

• Effective communication
• Cooperation
• Resilience
• Trust-building

Students learn effective communication skills, cooperation, resiliency and more while participating in the University challenge course.

What is needed to participate in the challenge course and zip line?
Individual and opportunities, along with opportunities, are available throughout the end of the semester and into the summer months. Students are asked to register on the . For registration instructions and more information visit the .

There is no additional cost to participate. Students are asked to wear closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or boots, in addition to weather-appropriate attire, such as athletic gear. The health and wellness team will further support experiences through education, guidance and providing all other needed materials, such as a helmet and harness.

Where is the Outdoor Challenge Course and Zip Line?
Located on South Campus, the Outdoor Education Center, challenge course and zip line can be accessed using the .

Are there other outdoor adventure opportunities?
Throughout the academic year, the Barnes Center at The Arch offers a variety of outdoor adventure experiences. Future offerings will be available on the and the .

• (offered per semester).

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

For more information or to request accommodations, visit the or call the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000.

Supporting the campus community and advocating for many of these initiatives is Emily Graham ’22, Barnes Center at The Arch health promotion intern. “For students not sure where to start, the are a great place. Peer educators are integrated all over campus, welcoming and a nonjudgmental resource for students who are looking to explore resources unique to their goals.”

Resources, services and consultation opportunities are available to those who are seeking to be recovery allies, are sober curious, living a sober lifestyle, seeking education and support, in recovery and more. All members of the campus community are invited to share the resources on the and learn more about them below.

Recovery Ally Training

Celebrated annually on April 15, National Collegiate Recovery Day honors those in recovery and highlights community support, resources and services available throughout the year. In addition to the resources below, campus community members are invited to .

Whether the celebration will include alcohol or not, this peer-led program helps students approaching their 21st birthday plan for a happy and safe time. Expect an invitation email (@syr.edu) the week before the start of your birthday month! Or the week of your birthday. Highlights include a free birthday prize pack and a personalized meeting to discuss how to maximize celebrating and minimize risk.

The rigors of college can be challenging, particularly for students living an abstinence-based or substance-free lifestyle. Built on a foundation of community, all students are invited to connect with others living a sober curious, substance-free or abstinence-based lifestyle. Attend the next .

Orange After Dark Events (Late Night Programs and Movies)

With the help of a student team, , including , encourage fun, relaxation and connection, while offering a substance-free environment. Seeking more ways to be involved? Explore Barnes Center at The Arch events on the .

Wellness Leadership Institute

Offering holistic health and wellness education are free workshops. Students are encouraged to self-register and members of the Orange community are welcome to build workshops into coursework and student recommendations. support a variety of schedules and topics. Substance-related workshops include Alcohol Safety, Putting it Bluntly, Up in Smoke and more.

This living opportunity is available to first-year and sophomore students who wish to live in and are committed to an alcohol and drug-free community. Those interested may visit the .

For additional information or questions, visit the , call 315.443.8000 or email healthpromotion@syr.edu.

Success Scholars had the opportunity to network with University programs during the reception, as well as connect with faculty, staff and administrators. In attendance were Blackstone LaunchPad, Career Services, Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising, Center for Learning and Student Success, College of Law, ’Cuse Works, First-Year Seminar Program, New Student and Family Programs, Renée Crown University Honors Program, Shaw Center for Public and Community Service, ���ϲ����� Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement, ���ϲ����� Abroad and ���ϲ����� Libraries.

Receptions honoring this year’s Invest in Success Scholars were held in on March 30 in Goldstein Auditorium.

Kal Srinivas, director for student retention and success, spoke at the reception, where she congratulated the Success Scholars while also introducing the robust University programs available to support student success.

“Today is about connecting you with programs that will support your aspirations and help you plot a path for continued success. Being a student at ���ϲ�����, you are surrounded by people and supported by programs here to provide you with a fulfilling and rewarding student experience,” said Srinivas during the reception.

As award recipients reflected on the meaning of the award, they also shared its personal impact on their student experience.

First-year student Ian Eisenbrand in the College of Arts and Sciences shared, “In my first year, I have fallen into complete investment with the academic environment on campus, encouraged by the ample resources provided by ���ϲ�����. I’m excited to continue exploring the opportunities provided by ���ϲ����� and to continue to grow in what I can offer.”

“The Invest in Success Scholarship is a great way to highlight students that put in effort and time into their education. The first semester of college is a big adjustment period. Staying on top of academics while learning how to navigate a new environment can be challenging so it felt great to be recognized by the school. It reminded me that the work I put into my education is worthwhile and appreciated,” says Ava Critchell, a first-year student in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“It is incredibly rewarding to know that my hard work this first semester has paid off. I am overjoyed to be recognized alongside hardworking students and friends. I feel empowered and prepared to continue on my ���ϲ����� journey,” says first-year student Wesley Tipton in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

For more information on the Invest in Success Scholarship, contact ������orangesuccess@syr.edu or by calling 315.443.0221.

Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern, Bella Podgorski ’22, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

“Despite an increase in visibility, the trans community continues to be one of the most marginalized members of our society, with disproportionate rates of homelessness, violence and lack of basic resources. This inequity is only exacerbated for Black and Brown trans women,” says Jorge A. Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “We encourage the Orange community to join us at this year’s TWoL events to learn more about the disproportionate impact that the prison industrial complex and the justice system have on trans folks and challenge all of us to look towards abolition and liberation.”

Trans Pride Across Campus
On Monday, March 28, the Trans Pride flag will be raised in front of Hendricks Chapel. Additionally, the grassy knoll will be filled with small flags and educational resources on the trans community.

“
On Thursday, March 31 at 6:30 p.m. in 200 Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, join the LGBTQ Resource Center to explore the conditions within the U.S. prison system and the injustices that befall transgender people encountering the law. Following, engage in conversation with Jennifer Love Williams, a formerly incarcerated Black transwoman, entertainer, activist, and co-chair of Formerly Incarcerated People (FIP) and representative of Black and Pink NYC, a prison abolitionist organization supporting LGBTQ and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive prisoners. She also founded the Jen Love Project, which provides support and care packages to queer and trans individuals newly released from incarceration. Registration is required and a boxed dinner will be provided.

Additional highlighted opportunities and resources to be involved during TWoL and beyond include the following.

• Supporting Student Wellness Series: Trans and Gender Affirming Services

For more information or to request accommodations, please contact the by calling 315.443.0228 or emailing lgbt@syr.edu.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Resource Center and the Barnes Center offer strong foundations of support. As teams actively collaborate to create an unsurpassed student experience, LGBTQ Resource Center Director Jorge A. Castillo encourages students to begin where they are comfortable and explore all avenues of support. “The many resources and services available at ���ϲ����� are unique, and the Barnes Center staff participate in continuing education to ensure knowledge of and increase support for LGBTQ health and wellness. By bringing together folks with different levels of expertise and increasing access, we can ensure that everyone is able to provide and experience the most inclusive services possible,” says Castillo.

��Trans and Gender Affirming Services, Health and Wellness

The Barnes Center team enhances the student experience through holistic wellness by strengthening connections across health care, recreation, counseling, campus partners, education and more. As a result, the connected campus community works to remove barriers and increase access to care.

The Barnes Center at The Arch

A collaborative leader of these initiatives is Dr. Karen Nardella, Barnes Center at The Arch medical director. “Students benefit by having every aspect of their health and wellness addressed when considering, starting and throughout Trans and Gender Affirming Services,” says Nardella.

Highlighted resources are listed below. For more information and a comprehensive list, visit the. Students can make appointments by calling the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000.

• Gender affirming care, wellness exams, and more.
• Initiation, training, monitoring, nutritional counseling and more for hormone therapy.
• Official letters and documentation of name and gender (e.g. passports, drivers licenses and more).
• A diverse team of provide a variety of therapeutic styles and services through such as the LGBTQIA+ Therapy Group in addition to .
• Free, discreet and inclusive sexual health care supplies are available through the .

Exploring Identity and Finding Community

Intercultural Collective space in the Schine Student Center.

Seeking to be a campus and regional leader delivering support, community and education around marginalized genders and sexualities, and the complex intersections of our multiple identities, is the LGBTQ Resource Center. Highlighted resources and programs include those listed below. For more information, visit the .

Creating a Welcoming Campus for All

Castillo also wants students to know on-campus resources are guided by student feedback. “We will continue updating and improving all services alongside the changing needs of our LGBTQ students,” he says. In addition to the aforementioned services and resources, the following are also available.

• Updating preferred names and personal pronouns in .

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters, as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

The and the Barnes Center at The Arch invite the campus community to explore a number of ways to be involved to work towards ending interpersonal violence and cultivating a foundation of support.

Students participate in the 2021 Take Back the Night Rally

Planning Committee Chair Emily Graham Spring ’22 encourages others not only to participate in events but challenges them to reflect and think about what a healthy relationship means to them. “TBTN shows that the courage to speak up and speak out is truly impactful. It shows people that they are not alone when dealing with interpersonal violence,” she says.

Here’s how you can get involved in TBTN:

• : Through March 25. Using paper stars and posters, share how you will actively work towards a safer community. These will be collected and displayed at the TBTN rally.
• : As a visual representation of their support to end interpersonal violence, the campus community is invited to sign the pledge. Those who sign the pledge by Tuesday, March 29, will be included during the event.
• : Hosted in-person at Hendricks Chapel, on Wednesday, March 30, at 7 p.m., the night will include keynote speakers, a rally and march on campus. The event will be followed by a virtual message board where students can provide words of encouragement or messages of support.

For more information or to request accommodations, please , call the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000 or email healthpromotion@syr.edu.

Student Employee of the Year Award Nominations

The campus community is invited to nominate student employees who have displayed exceptional work, initiative, professionalism and more. The closes Friday, April 8. Nominated undergraduate and graduate student employees will be notified by the ’Cuse Works team and invited to collect a token of appreciation. Winners will be announced on April 18.

Student Employee Supervisor of the Year Award Nominations
Additionally through Friday, April 8, the campus community may submit 2021-2022 nominations for faculty and staff members that supervise student employees. Visit the for complete details.

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Celebrated April 18-22, this week takes time to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and positive campus contributions made daily by student employees. All students are encouraged to attend events, connect with the team and to learn more about professional development opportunities.

For questions or to request accommodations, contact the .

The Orange Experience Synchronized Skating Club Team.

After returning with silver from the 2020 Open Collegiate Eastern Sectional Synchronized Skating Championships, the faced a sudden and unexpected freeze. The COVID-19 pandemic cancelled all additional competitions, no new members tried out and the team was left questioning when they would return to the ice. Learning to adapt to these challenges and leading the implementation was the team’s head coach, Lisa Mirabito. “Last season, we faced illness, rink closures to control the virus and isolation that kept the team from regular weekly practices, but determined nonetheless,” she says.

As a result, the team’s passion and perseverance opened windows of opportunity to get back in the rink, keep practices safe and ultimately attend multiple competitions. Additionally, many first-year and sophomore students decided to try out and the team increased from 10 members to a whopping 20. “Since the team grew so big, so quickly, we were ready to take on anything the skating world threw at us,” shares skater Elisaveta Pronina Brauer ’22.

The freeze that COVID-19 placed on the team’s progress continued to melt as they won their first gold medal since 2020, beating rivals Princeton University at the Boston Synchronized Skating Classic in Nov. 2021. Even in the midst of a blizzard, the team’s success continued to heat-up in Jan. 2022 as they claimed silver during the Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships. While Feb. 2022 has proven the team is continuing to bring the heat on the ice, winning first place in the Lake Placid Empire State Winter Games and bringing home the final gold of the season from the Hershey, Pennsylvania, Reflections Synchro Invitational.

The team won silver at the Eastern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships in January.

Overall, the team is excited to be back practicing and competing together. “This team truly is full of people I love dearly and I’m so happy that I could skate with them. Over these past competitions we’ve grown so close,” says Pronina Brauer ’22.

For more information or questions regarding trying out for the Orange Experience Synchronized Skating Club Team, visit the the team’s , or email orangeexperience@gmail.com.

Story by Division of the Student Experience communications intern Haley Mykytka ’22, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Group therapy is an excellent way to explore emotional and social wellness, while feeling validated within unique identities.

While group therapy can be a resource to nurture nearly all , groups are an excellent way to explore and , while feeling validated within unique identities.

Why Is Group Therapy Important?
Leading offerings is . Brat strives to not only offer a diverse range of groups but encourages students, faculty, staff, parents and supporters to help promote these free opportunities to support student health and wellness.

“Groups are a microcosm of our world. They are supportive and confidential spaces for learning how to navigate mental health, interpersonal and individual holistic development goals,” Brat says.

How Does Group Therapy Differ From Individual Therapy?
Through daily conversations, media and more, individual therapy often receives more exposure and some may not even know that group therapy is an option—one that may actually be a better fit in comparison.

“Research shows that groups are far more beneficial than individual therapy in college counseling settings,” says Brat. “Group therapy helps individuals realize that they are not alone in facing certain problems and also provides a safe and real-world experience for practicing and improving skills. Additionally, it provides a means to express emotions more freely and have an opportunity to help one another, which can increase self-efficacy.”

A sampling of common issues addressed in group therapy includes the following. For a comprehensive list, .

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Difficulty in social situations and making friends
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Identity exploration
• Loneliness
• Stress management
• Trauma

What Can I Expect From Group Therapy?
Therapists facilitate the groups, enrollment is free and confidentiality is strictly respected. Built on a foundation of community, group therapy respects individual experiences and uniquely supports each participant’s goals. Within this safe space, experiences can include developing insight, working on changing behavior, improving interpersonal skills, sharing and providing feedback.

Upon reflecting on their experience, an anonymous student said, “I was really anxious about joining a group, but it was really helpful. I really enjoyed the exercises and skills we learned.”

Undergraduate and graduate groups, averaging eight to 10 students, meet weekly for 90-minute sessions. Participation may be on a rolling basis or close a few weeks into the semester.

“It felt good to know others have these problems too, and the two [therapist] facilitators were really nice,” shared another anonymous student participant.

Group Therapy Opportunities
Space fills quickly and early action is recommended. To participate, students may schedule an initial consultation to meet with a therapist and discuss group options and possible hesitations, by calling the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000.

For more information or to request accommodations, visit the , email the Barnes Center or call 315.443.8000.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Winter Welcome 2021

Hosted by in partnership with the campus community, Winter Welcome is the University’s new student orientation program.

• Winter Welcome: Jan. 21-23, 2022
• Move-In Begins: Friday, Jan. 21, 2022

Winter Welcome includes several required and optional sessions to get students connected with other new students, mentors, staff and faculty to support their transition to ���ϲ�����.

Winter Welcome Volunteers
The campus community will be invited to volunteer for Winter Welcome 2022. Volunteer registration details will be shared and those interested prior may to express interest.

To request accommodations or for questions, please contact the .

Leading these student campus connections are the Barnes Center at The Arch peer educators, like Missy Roney ’22.

“From connecting students to the many resources that ���ϲ����� offers to giving presentations on health and wellness topics, I love being able to grow, learn and pass that information on to my friends,” shares Roney. “Educating with a goal of empowering an individual to make their own informed decisions has been such a great experience and I can’t imagine my time on campus without the peer education program!”

What is the Barnes Center at The Arch peer education team?

Currently hosting over 40 students, the are a team of students passionate about teaching their peers about ���ϲ����� health and wellness resources, services and more. Three different sub-teams of peer educators specialize in substance use education, sexuality and relationships, and mental health.

• Be Wise Peer Educators: Focus on educating and empowering students to make informed choices and decisions regarding the use of alcohol and other substances. This team is committed to making a campus-wide difference through nonjudgmental dialogue.
• Peer Educators Encouraging Healthy Relationships and Sexuality (PEEHRS): Focus on sexuality and relationships including consent, healthy relationships, pro-social bystander intervention and sexual health and pleasure. This team is trained to create safer spaces on campus for dialogue on how to respond to abuse or harassment, how to intervene with peers who are perpetuating rape culture and how to support others.
• Students Advocating for Mental Health Empowerment (SAMHEs): Focus on mental and emotional health. This team is trained to provide outreach and educational programming surrounding mental wellness including stress management, sleep health, time management, nutrition and resiliency.

2021-22 peer educators

What do peer educators do?

Serving as health and wellness liaisons, role models and more, peer educators help connect fellow students to the in a variety of ways including:

As a peer educator, students can see how their work directly impacts their friends, classmates and peers across campus. While individuals who participate will build their professional skills including but not limited to problem-solving, collaboration and time management. Additional highlights include:

• Peer educator positions are paid
• Flexible remote and in-person opportunities
• Free swag
• Creating positive changes on campus
• Resume and professional development opportunities

How can a student join the peer education team?
All undergraduate students who are interested in sharing their unique health and wellness journey and empowering others to do the same, are invited to apply to be a peer educator.

“Whether you are passionate about advocating for mental health, harm reduction strategies with substance use or healthy relationships and sexuality, the Barnes Center at The Arch peer educators would love to see you at our recruitment,” says Panagiotis “Pete” Hatzelamprou ’23.

2022-23 are now open and will close Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at 8 p.m. Additionally, students are invited to attend one of the following .

• Wednesday, Nov. 10, 5:30 p.m. (ET)
• Monday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. (ET)
• Friday, Nov. 19, 3 p.m. (ET)

For more information, visit the . To request accommodations, call the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000 or email healthpromotion@syr.edu.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, families and supporters, as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern, Haley Mykytka ’22, College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Throughout confidential relationship counseling sessions, facilitators and students work together to explore challenges, identify solutions and build supportive skillsets to take with them into the future.

The interpersonal evolutions one experiences within themselves and through connections with others during college can lead to searching for additional resources and support. Simone Adams, LMFT, Barnes Center at The Arch assistant director of counseling, is working to inspire holistic health and wellness by nurturing the individual student experience within the strengthening of interpersonal relationships.

If students are questioning how to strengthen their relationships with others, or one notices a student may benefit from additional support, members of the campus community are invited and encouraged to share Relationship Counseling opportunities.

Why are our relationships important?
Taking the time to grow relationships often leads to positive outcomes for years following, including experiences of holistic health and wellness.

“[Investing in skill-building] can also impact generations ahead, as it allows us to pass down good relationship skills to others in our lives,” highlights Adams. “Improved relationships can also directly impact our long-term mental health and improve our overall quality of life.”

What is involved in relationship counseling experiences?
Throughout confidential sessions, facilitators and students work together to explore challenges, identify solutions and build supportive skillsets to take with them into the future.

Experiences are unique to those participating and relationship counseling may lead to faster change. “This is because both/everyone in the relationship/system is present and able to work on skills together instead of trying to create change in a relationship one person at a time in therapy,” explains Adams.

Psychoeducational and psychotherapeutic sessions encompass topics that include, but are not limited to, improving communication, stress management, conflict resolution, strengthening trust, adjusting to life cycle changes and navigating boundaries.

What resources are available to strengthen relationships?
A variety of resources are available to help individuals build their skillset and as a result strengthen relationships.

Under the Student Health and Wellness Fee, relationship counseling services are available at no additional cost, for both undergraduate and graduate students.

For the 2021-2022 academic year, highlights include the following. To begin, please call the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000 to schedule an initial consult.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, parents and families, as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

“From early conversations of integrating health and wellness on campus, our team and goals, have been motivated by incorporating experiences that encompass mind, body, spirit and community—for all of our students,” explains Cory Wallack, Ph.D., Barnes Center at The Arch executive director of health and wellness.

In the pursuit of growing student-focused integrated care, with emphasis on the individual’s unique journey and empowerment of self-defining how to “,” the Barnes Center at The Arch team introduces their interpretation of the Dimensions of Wellness.

“The Dimensions of Wellness provide a strong foundation to enhance our student experience not only at ���ϲ����� but helps grow a skillset that will help [students] navigate their unique and evolving wellness journey throughout a lifetime,” shares Wallack.

Barnes Center at The Arch Dimensions of Wellness
Through social media, television, our relationships and more, as humans we’re bombarded with countless health and wellness messages throughout each day. Not always from a reputable source, these messages often “talk at” audiences by trying to motivate actions without knowing the most important part—the individual along with their unique needs and goals.

Flipping the status quo, the Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness opens opportunities to not only “talk with” but places students in the driver’s seat of their unique holistic health and wellness journeys.

The introduction of the Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness, brings with it a new era of health and wellness at the University. This evolution empowers students to explore and experience resources and services. While strengthening faculty and staff resources, expanding campus partnerships and more, the Barnes Center continues to recruit and motivate all campus community members to be catalysts of student-focused health and wellness.

“Students can use the Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness to better understand the many facets of health and wellness, how each dimension can impact a person’s holistic well-being and to discover ways to enhance their personal health and wellness,” shares Katelyn Cowen, Barnes Center at The Arch health promotion director. “At the same time, we in the Barnes Center are building resources and partnerships that address each Dimension of Wellness, so that students can create their own health and wellness experiences.”

The Dimensions of Wellness are experienced differently by each person and throughout different times in life. The Barnes Center Dimensions of Wellness not only recognizes that but welcomes and empowers continuous exploration.

Taking the Wellness Wheel for a Spin

Woven into the Barnes Center at The Arch Wellness Philosophy and similar to a personalized guiding compass, the is a visual representation of holistic wellness through the eight Dimensions of Wellness. All of which host a core of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA).

Hosting as a launch pad into health and wellness, the shares descriptions, examples, available ���ϲ����� resources and experiences for each Dimension of Wellness. Resources reflect not just one dimension, but a variety of dimensions and the intersection of these dimensions.

Learn more by visiting the by or calling 315.443.8000.

Barnes Center at The Arch peer educators emphasize that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic students now more than ever may be seeking support and community connections.

Barnes Center at The Arch Peer Educators, including Yhanelly Ruiz ’23, emphasize that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic students now more than ever may be seeking support and community connections.

What is SoulTalk?

Seeking a safe space where students from all backgrounds could build community while experiencing deeper conversations about a variety of life’s topics, SoulTalk was first ignited by Sean Martinelli ’15 with the support of Katelyn Cowen, Barnes Center at The Arch health promotion director.

Now a part of the Wellness Leadership Institute, is a free weekly gathering where students have the opportunity to speak on matters of the heart, mind and soul. Led by student facilitators, SoulTalk guides students through discussions in a safe space.

Barnes Center at The Arch Peer Educator Brooke Kirchner ’23 thinks all students would benefit from attending SoulTalk, especially those looking to find their place on campus. “SoulTalk is helpful for individuals who feel they do not have a voice or are struggling with self-esteem.”

What is involved in the SoulTalk experience?
Students can expect to have meaningful conversations and build connections with their peers. “Vulnerability and honesty are valued and encouraged,” shares Barnes Center at The Arch Peer Educator Lily Braden ’23. “We want to create a space where students feel valued and worthy of having a voice.”

Offering a foundation of community, all experiences are hosted with respect and organic conversation. New topics are explored weekly, where individuals are welcome to join and listen or participate in the volunteer-based conversations.�� Braden further explains, “with sharing about common issues or troubles, we can connect with one another and realize that we are not alone.”

Student facilitators find it important to share that topics are not faith-based, and though some may include spiritually, those of all faiths or no faith are welcome. Further breaking down misconceptions, SoulTalk is not part of the Group Therapy series.

How can a student participate in SoulTalk?
Throughout the academic year, free SoulTalk sessions are hosted every Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. Students can register on the under the . For first-time Wellness Portal users, instructions can be found on the .

All ���ϲ����� and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry�� (SUNY ESF) students are welcomed to participate. Remaining fall 2021 topics include the following. Stay tuned for the next round of topics, set to be released at the start of the spring semester.

Please visit the to learn more about SoulTalk. To request accommodations please call the Barnes Center at The Arch at 315.443.8000 or email healthpromotion@syr.edu.

About the Supporting Student Wellness Series
Through a student-focused lens of integrated health and wellness, this series explores a variety of Barnes Center at The Arch resources and services. In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience, topics empower faculty, staff, students, parents and families, as catalysts of health and wellness within their daily interactions.

Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern Cecelia Kersten ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Cosgrove began the time-consuming APPIC membership application for the program because she knew it would enhance the student experience through a variety of lens surrounding both those receiving services and those seeking professional development.

“This has been a vision of mine since I’ve started with ���ϲ����� three years ago. This [program] provides a rich experience for trainees and staff alike. Bringing on doctoral interns further diversifies our training program and moves us towards being a true training clinic,” said Cosgrove when asked what inspired her to create the new program. “Having a full internship program also allows us to recruit high-quality trainees from diverse backgrounds, further expanding our staff’s skill set and areas of experience.”

The application for the program took Cosgrove and her team several months to complete. For a program to become an APPIC member, it must meet all 16 membership criteria and pass through three rounds of reviews, concluding with a final review and vote by the APPIC Board of Directors. At last count, there were only 787 APPIC-member internship programs in the United States and Canada.

Participants will gain valuable, hands-on experience that will help them stand out when applying for jobs after graduation.

“Our internship features several unique aspects, including the opportunity to supervise graduate students, participate in a specialty rotation focused on a specific area of mental health treatment, engage in a robust groups program, gain experience with crisis intervention and receive intensive supervision from multiple supervisors. Many of these skills are highly sought after, specifically in counseling center work, but can also be applied broadly to many mental health professional settings,” shared Cosgrove.

This internship will assist students in growing and honing their counseling skills, with the end goal of developing well-rounded health service psychologists. The program was designed per the American Psychological Association’s functional competencies, so interns can exit the program knowing they have gained the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed beyond the University. Skills addressed in the internship include the following.

• Assessment
• Consultation
• Ethics
• Individual and Cultural Diversity
• Interpersonal Communication
• Intervention
• Professional Values, Attitudes and Behaviors
• Research
• Supervision

This program impacts more than its doctoral student interns—Cosgrove believes the entire ���ϲ����� community will benefit from this new opportunity.

“The energy of the staff behind training has been incredible. This energy behind professional development will directly and positively impact our student body since they will have therapists who are receiving intensive training in all aspects of their role, with a focus on providing the highest quality of care.”

2022-23 Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology Applications

Eligible students interested in applying for the Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology are invited to for application instructions or to call 315.443.8000. Please note, the 2022-23 program application deadline is Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. For additional information or to request accommodations, please .

Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern Cecelia Kersten ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

“The LGBTQ Resource Center makes the campus a better place by providing resources such as mentorship, a reception that can answer any questions about anything health-related and is a space that advocates for you to be yourself,” shares Lamont Mason Jr. ’23. “Furthermore, the LGBTQ Resource Center welcomes all students and is happy to speak to anyone that needs to be heard.”

LGBTQ Resource Center History

Before many of our current students were born, the LGBTQ Resource Center was founded in 2001. For the past 20 years, the center has strived to foster safe spaces on the ���ϲ����� and ESF campuses, supporting LGBTQIA+ community members and raising collective awareness of LGBTQIA+ identities and experiences.

It began in 1997 when undergraduate student Jordan Potash proposed establishing a Rainbow Task Force to then-Senior Vice President of Students Affairs Barry Wells. Wells submitted the proposal to the Senate Committee for Student Life, believing its mission was relevant for the whole campus community. In 1998, the Senate Agenda Committee formed the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on LGBT Issues. Following recommendations from the ad-hoc committee, the University opened the LGBTQ Resource Center in October 2001. The center moved to its longtime home at 750 Ostrom Ave. in the spring of 2002, where it remained for 18 years before relocating to 132 Schine Student Center in 2020.

Continuing Potash’s legacy and goal of “[transforming] suffering to hope, silence into voice and marginalization into the community,” from his speech at the LGBTQ Resource Center’s 15th anniversary celebration in 2016, the center hosts the annual Potash LGBTQ+ History Month Speaker Series. The speaker series features prominent speakers and artists from the LGBTQIA community. To recommend speakers and artists for the Potash LGBTQ+ History Month Speaker Series, email the LGBTQ Resource Center. Those interested in learning more about the history of the LGBTQ Resource Center should check out the new 20th Anniversary virtual timeline, set to be virtually revealed on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

“I see the LGBTQ Resource Center as a safe space for all ���ϲ����� queer and trans students. Students can count on the LGBTQ Resource Center to be a place for support, comfort, validation, friendships or anything else a queer student needs to thrive,” shares Sarah Reinkraut ’23.

LGBTQ+ History Month and 20th Anniversary

Explore highlighted events below and the complete list on the .

• Chalk the Quad

Queer and Trans Solidarity List 2021

In addition to attending events, all are invited to . The list of names will be printed in the Daily Orange and shared virtually on the LGBTQ Resource Center website, as a public commitment to supporting and advocating for LGBTQIA+ community members.

“As we celebrate the LGBTQ Resource Center’s 20 years, it is a time for our campus community to openly recommit themselves to supporting and advocating for our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and questioning students and other community members,” says Jorge A. Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “Now more than ever, we need to make sure LGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff know that there are many ���ϲ����� and ESF community members supporting their success, safety and general wellbeing.”

For more information or to request accommodations, contact the LGBTQ Resource Center by calling 315.443.0228 or emailing lgbt@syr.edu.

Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience intern Cecelia Kersten ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

[Please note, this image was taken prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and does not reflect current public health guidelines.]

“As a part of the national campaign, this year’s theme for Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month is ‘Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope,’” says Breana Nieves Vergara, Office of Multicultural Affairs coordinator of mentoring programs and LHHM co-chair. “Alongside our cross-campus partners, we hope to showcase the diversity among Latinx Americans, their many contributions to the United States, in addition to celebrating the resilience, heritage and richness of our community at ���ϲ�����.”

Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month 2021
This month provides an opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to over 20 Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. With a variety of events hosted through Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, the campus community is invited to explore the complete event list on the .

“LHHM is important because it allows us to take time to better understand the complexities and intersectionality of Latinx culture. Being president of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations [NALFO], I try to be authentic regarding my upbringing and culture, while prioritizing the well-being of my community here at ���ϲ�����,” says Rolando Cabral ’22 NALFO president and LHHM committee member. “Everyone’s experience is different but, that’s why taking time to understand each other, allows us to better understand ourselves even more and how we fit into our own culture.”

Highlighted LLHM events include the following.

“We are honored to have poets Ariana Brown and Alan Pelaez Lopez as our joint Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month Potash keynote performance as a collaboration among the Intercultural Collective,” says Jorge A. Castillo, co-chair of LHHM and director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “Brown and Pelaez Lopez’s powerful work exemplify the rich cultural production and heritage of the Latinx community at the intersections of Blackness, indigeneity and queerness.”

For more information or to request accommodations, please contact Breana Nieves Vergara by calling 315.443.0228 or emailing bknieves@syr.edu.

For those at the University, rigorous sanitary practices and upholding the are at the front of everyone’s minds, but there are additional components to health and wellness that can impact overall well-being that should stay forefront as well. The Barnes Center at The Arch recognizes that holistic health and wellness is centered on the individual, treating every aspect of the human experience—mind, body, spirit and community—with equal importance. Through the Barnes Center lens, health and wellness is a multifaceted journey—a unique and ever-evolving experience for every student. Using a holistic lens, the health and wellness team hopes to share with the Orange community an understanding that the different aspects of these human experiences are connected.

In the pursuit of enhancing the student experience and with this knowledge as a catalyst, the health and wellness team has started building the foundation of incorporating the Barnes Center at The Arch Wellness Wheel. This includes the and an inner core of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to support students as they discover and grow what health and wellness means to them on a personal level.

Barnes Center at The Arch peer educator, Mars Murray ’20, is one student who incorporates daily holistic health and wellness practices to combat the stresses of college life. “Struggling to juggle classes, extracurriculars, employment and more during such an exhaustive time—it can be easy to forget about the value of your health and wellness,” she says. “I find myself becoming extremely overwhelmed at times, but I always try to dig up a little extra energy to practice mindfulness activities, such as yoga or journaling. Sometimes you forget to take care of yourself, and that’s OK, but we must do our best to make time to avoid being completely overwhelmed and stuck in a loop.”

Supportive of evolving and unique student health and wellness journeys, the Barnes Center offers in-person and virtual opportunities that weave together holistic health and wellness. Some highlighted resources below are hosted on the . ��If this is your first time using the Wellness Portal, please visit the for detailed instructions.

College is a stressful time. Having to balance schoolwork, internship applications and relationships, while adapting to independent life can be wholly overwhelming. Offering something for everyone, the , is an engaging and convenient way to ease into living and thriving as a young adult. In-person, virtual live or by video, workshops teach valuable skills for life in college and beyond.

Workshops offered throughout the year cover every Dimension of Wellness, with presentations on topics like “Career vs. Job: Why the Difference Matters,” “Putting it Bluntly (Cannabis 101)” and “Stress Management,” to name a few. Students who attend at least one workshop within each of the Dimensions of Wellness receive a graduation medallion and certificate. Often this is achievable within a semester. Faculty and staff are invited to explore opportunities to include workshops within classes, groups and more.

Since the start of the pandemic, many have noted an increase in feelings of loneliness, fear, uncertainty and more. Convenient and with free premium access, the Sanvello Mobile App offers support for stress, anxiety and depression management. Resources within the app are based in cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness tactics, such as daily mood check-ins, guided or solo meditations, guided wellness journeys and more. Use your ���ϲ����� email (i.e. @syr.edu) today to get started!

The Barnes Center at The Arch is challenging students to build holistic health and wellness into their daily lives. A variety of self-care programs and services are offered addressing four categories: nutrition, sleep hygiene, physical activity and mindfulness. Students who participate have the chance to earn up to 15 points across different challenge categories. Those who earn 15 points will win Barnes Center swag!

It is essential to have accurate information and supplies to keep sex safe. The Safer Sex Express is a no cost, discreet sexual health supply ordering service that empowers ���ϲ����� students to make safe and proactive sexual health decisions. Free Safer Sex Express orders host a variety of options, are packaged discreetly to ensure privacy, and students may choose between pick-up and residence hall delivery options.

Pick-up locations include the Barnes Center at The Arch, across from the Pharmacy, and newly expanded to the lobby of the Goldstein Student Center on South Campus.

Beyond filling prescriptions, the Barnes Center at The Arch Pharmacy hosts a virtual retail service available to the Orange community. The Virtual Retail Pharmacy, hosted on the Wellness Portal, is home to a large selection of common, over-the counter and general health and wellness supplies. Online orders are available for pick-up within two to four hours of placing your order. Highlights of available options include the following. Essential Cold/Flu Supplies

• Hand Sanitizer
• Personal Hygiene Supplies
• Sanitary Products
• And more!

For more holistic health and wellness opportunities visit the . For questions or to request accommodations, please email the Barnes Center at The Arch at BarnesCenter@syr.edu or call 315.443.8000.

Written by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience intern Cecelia Kersten ’23, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

“They say that knowledge is power, and that it most certainly is. But I think we should never be satisfied with the knowledge we come across, for there’s always more to learn, and we risk robbing ourselves of the opportunity to become more in tune with ourselves and the world,” shares�� Honorata Lubecka ’24. “Overall, the Wellness Leadership Institute provided me with a better idea of how to think reasonably and make responsible decisions, in all aspects of my life. I am thankful for the Wellness Leadership Institute, and all those who have put in countless time and effort into making it such a remarkable program, for helping me learn what I likely wouldn’t have been able to elsewhere.”

Since February 2020, the Wellness Leadership Institute has hosted 338 workshops and counting, including in-person sessions, virtual live and recorded video offerings. Workshop attendance is now reaching over 3,400 participants from the program’s start.

“I’m a senior student, so maximizing the time in ���ϲ����� is my end goal,” shares Aorui Pi ’21, while reflecting on the Wellness Leadership Institute experience. “Wellness is such an important topic to keep in mind, especially amid the pandemic while everyone isolates themselves. It’s also a great chance to meet people! I’m also a student organization executive member, therefore, having opportunities to learn more about management from workshops like “Anti-Hazing Through the Lens of Consent,” “Relationships and ‘Situationships’,” and more, helped me a lot throughout personal growth.”

Congratulations to the first students to complete the Wellness Leadership Institute!

• Sophia E. Carnicelli ’23
• Christina Coco ’23
• Julia Cutler ’21
• Meg DeNoma ’23
• Jacob Goldberg ’24
• Angela Hwang ’21
• Brandon Langford G’21
• Patrick Lee ’21
• Kristen Leung Tan ’21
• Honorata Lubecka ’24
• Marie Mortlock ’21
• Aorui Pi ’21
• Elizabeth Roney ’21

Dimensions of Wellness

As the supporting foundation for the Wellness Leadership Institute and similar to a guiding compass for each student’s unique wellness journey, the Dimensions of Wellness support holistic health and wellness with a core of Equity, Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion. More information and resources are available on the .

Faculty and Staff Resources
Easily woven into the classroom, organizations and cross-campus teams, the Wellness Leadership Institute serves as a resource for not only students, but the campus community. The pre-recorded workshops can be easily incorporated as part of class, incorporated into a class syllabi, and provide education for student teams, organizations and more. Faculty and staff are invited to request a workshop video or to request student workshop attendance.

Complete the to gain access to pre-recorded workshops, attendance monitored workshops and more! Additionally, faculty and advisors have the opportunity to use the referral function in to refer students to the Wellness Leadership Institute.

Sharing their participant experience is Marie Mortlock ’21, “The Wellness Leadership Institute gave me the opportunity��to develop skills outside of the traditional academic curriculum in a dynamic and engaging way.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more below and get started on the today!

• May I participate in the Wellness Leadership Institute remotely?
  Yes! Workshops are held in-person, live virtually and as asynchronous video sessions throughout the year.
• How do I register for a workshop?
  Using a ���ϲ����� NetID and password, students are encouraged to self-register for workshops through the . If this is your first time using the Wellness Portal, please visit the for detailed instructions.
• How long do I have to complete the Wellness Leadership Institute?
  ���ϲ����� students are invited to participate in workshops throughout their academic careers. Additionally, once completing a workshop within each Dimension of Wellness, students are encouraged to continue to attend workshops to support their unique health and wellness journey. Often students have the opportunity to attend a workshop within each Dimension of Wellness per semester.
• How do I know when I have completed a workshop in each Dimension of Wellness?
  The health and wellness team will send milestone marking emails to students’ ���ϲ����� email addresses (i.e. @syr.edu). An email will first be sent when half of the needed workshops are completed. Then once more when a workshop has been completed within each Dimension of Wellness.

For more information or to request accommodations, please email Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotion. Visit the to view the available workshop schedule, workshop descriptions, instructions and more.

Story by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience graduate assistant Alana Boyd G’21, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

“We acknowledge that there is a lot to process for students and staff in light of recent events, like the surge in anti-Asian racism and the Derek Chauvin Trial. It is important that we provide these spaces to be heard, find community, and receive support and resources,” shares Huey Hsiao, associate director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Kessler Program.

These virtual discussions are part of a significant inventory of support provided by the University. Information and resources available on campus and in the community will also be shared during the sessions.

“Our communities have faced unprecedented and significant challenges this past year caused by the pandemic and ongoing anti-Black racially motivated violence,” says Jorge A. Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “We hope that these sessions provide a space for our students and colleagues to feel less isolated and find community and resources.”

Visit the for a full schedule of sessions through the end of the academic year.

“At such a pivotal time in our nation’s history, it is incredibly crucial that we have these spaces to process and discuss these important issues as a community,” shared Justine Hastings ’21, president of the Student Association.

For questions or to request accommodations, please contact Jorge A. Castillo, by emailing��jcasti09@syr.edu��or Huey Hsiao, by emailing��huhsiao@syr.edu or calling 315.443.9676.

Story by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience graduate assistant Alana Boyd G’21, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

One area of growing support and celebration surrounds that of first-generation students. The Orange community is invited to recognize and celebrate First-Generation Student Appreciation Week, Monday, April 19-Friday, April 23, 2021.

“The Office of First-Year and Transfer Programs, alongside the entire campus community, is honored to celebrate our first-generation students,” says Carrie Grogan Abbott, director of the Office of First-Year and Transfer Programs. “Events during our appreciation week create a wonderful opportunity for first-generation students, faculty and staff to connect and build community.”

Being the first in a family or support system to go to college can be a challenging task. Further strengthening the transition to ���ϲ����� are the , who as fellow first-generation students offer support through shared experiences, guidance and specialized events such as the ’Cuse First Pre-Welcome Program.

Offering additional insight as a ’Cuse First Leader and first-generation college student is Elliot Salas ’24. “It is crucial for first-generation students to recognize that they should be proud to be the first person in their family to attend college, especially one like ���ϲ�����. First-generation students have gone through various obstacles in life, and ���ϲ����� is the launchpad for their dreams to become reality.”

First-Generation Student Appreciation Week 2021
Through celebration, resource connections and continuing the spark of relationships with peers, staff and faculty throughout campus, all are invited to the week’s events.

For more information or to request accommodations, please contact the Office of First-Year and Transfer Programs by emailing newtosu@syr.edu or by calling 315.443.9187.

“Despite an increase in visibility, the trans community continues to be one of the most marginalized members of our society, with disproportionate rates of homelessness, violence and lack of basic resources. This inequity is only exacerbated for Black and Brown trans women,” says Jorge A. Castillo, director of the LGBTQ Resource Center. “We encourage the Orange community to join us at this year’s TWoL events and celebrate trans folks while increasing their knowledge of how to support them.”

Trans Week of Liberation 2021 will host both in-person and virtual events.

Trans Pride Across Campus
Starting on Monday, March 29, the Trans Pride flag will be raised in front of Hendricks Chapel. Additionally, the grassy knoll will be filled with small flags and educational resources on the trans community.

Join the LGBTQ Resource Center and members of the Orange community on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, from 7 to 8 p.m., for a virtual and closed group social for trans, nonbinary, genderqueer, gender fluid and/or gender questioning folks to meet and find community. A meal ticket will be provided in lieu of an in-person social after registration.

Join J. Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, co-editors of “The Black Trans Prayer Book,” virtually Wednesday, March 31, 2021, from 7 to 9 p.m., to learn more about how racial justice and religious institutions that perpetuate anti-trans violence are connected to trans liberation. Additionally, this space welcomes Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) invested in healing from religious trauma and those who want to be in better solidarity with Black Trans and Non-binary folks.

On Saturday, April 3, 2021, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the campus community is invited to join J. Mase III and Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi in a virtual journey of “The Black Trans Prayer Book.” This interfaith, multi-dimensional, artistic and theological collection of stories, poems, prayers, meditation, spells and incantations of Black trans and non-binary people, creates an uplifting foundation of healing and affirmation.

For more information or to request accommodations, please contact the by calling 315.443.0228 or emailing lgbt@syr.edu.

“In a typical year, there are approximately 6,500 student employees in a variety of roles from Food Services, Bird Library, Barnes Center at The Arch and more. These jobs not only provide financial assistance, but also the opportunity to grow professional skills and competencies that will assist students throughout their professional careers,” shared the ’Cuse Works team. “With the recent launch of ’Cuse Works, we have the opportunity to implement improvements that serve to enhance the student experience in a variety of ways. One recent enhancement is the reintroduction of the Student Employee of the Year celebration and further recognizing the hard work and dedication of our student employees and supervisors, while providing events to learn more about becoming and being a student employee.”

Student Employee of the Year Award Nomination Forms
Through Friday, March 26, students, faculty and staff are invited to submit nominations for Student Employee of the Year Awards. Nominations are open to active student employees during the 2020-2021 academic year. Award winners will be announced during National Student Employment Week 2021. Those nominated for the Student Employee of the Year Awards will be invited to a virtual ceremony where all will be congratulated and the winners announced.

National Student Employment Week
From Monday, April 12, through Sunday April 18, 2021, National Student Employment Week will be celebrated within the Orange community. This week takes time to acknowledge and celebrate the hard work and positive campus contributions made daily by student employees. In addition to existing resources such as and , all ���ϲ����� students are invited to participate in the following virtual events. Swag and snack bags will be available to students who register while supplies last.

Additional information is available in Handshake. If this is your first time using Handshake, please visit the for more information and instructions.

For additional information or to request accommodations, visit the , call 315.443.2268 or email cuseworks@syr.edu.

RJ Mitte

Join co-star of AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” equality and diversity activist RJ Mitte, on Thursday, March 4, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET for an engaging, educational and inspirational discussion surrounding transforming obstacles into assets and bullying prevention. The Intercultural Collective’s Disability Cultural Center in partnership with University Union, invites the Orange community to register for this virtual event on .

“As a member of the Intercultural Collective, the Disability Cultural Center provides a space for connection, community, programming and outreach with a focus on disability as diversity,” shared Kate Corbett Pollack, coordinator of the Disability Cultural Center. “We are not only excited to partner with University Union and RJ Mitte, but we also look forward to sharing important topics of discussion surrounding disability communities.”

Other recognizable roles of RJ Mitte include Showtime’s “Weeds,” NBC’s “Vegas,“ Freeform’s “Switched at Birth“ and CW’s “Everybody Hates Chris.” Throughout the virtual discussion Mitte will further share his rise to fame, discuss his experience with cerebral palsy, his mission of removing the stigma associated with disability, activism and experiences on and off camera exploring diversity, acceptance, determination, achieving goals and more.

“As University Union’s Performing Arts Directors, we value above all else bringing diverse and popular artists to campus for students to enjoy,” shared Emily Sodergren ’21 and Luke Berninger ’23. “RJ Mitte is not only an extremely successful actor, but also an advocate for those with disabilities. We are so excited to partner with the Disability Cultural Center for this show, and to bring a new perspective to the ���ϲ����� community.”

For additional information or to request accommodations, please email Kate Corbett Pollack at kjpollac@syr.edu or call 315.443.0228.