Reynolds Community College provides new students an easier
transition into college through the Student Orientation, Advising and
Registration (SOAR) process. The SOAR
program is a three step process designed to help students prepare for the
upcoming fall semester during the weeks leading up to the beginning of fall
classes. Students who attend the three to four hour sessions will start with the
check-in portion of the process. In this
part of the process, SOAR staff verify that students are in the correct
academic programs and that they have full access to their “My Reynolds”
accounts.
Upon completion of the check-in process, students are taken
through the Welcome program where they are introduced to numerous members of
the Reynolds faculty and staff such as Dean of Students, Dr. Wendy Bolt. The Welcome program introduces students to
the various policies, organizations and opportunities that exist at Reynolds.
Once the Welcome Program is finished, students are escorted
by Reynolds Student Ambassadors to the computer labs where they are given
guidance on how to check their class schedules and their financial aid status
among other things. During this time,
parents are put into a separate group where they will be learning about
Reynolds through the Parent program.
When students complete the Welcome Program, they are able to print their
class schedules and meet with their parents again.
According to Counselor for First Year Initiatives Dr.
Kristine Dahm, the SOAR program at Reynolds is a campus-wide event that takes
the efforts of faculty, staff and volunteers to ensure a successful transition
for new students into the college community.
A good introduction to college can play an integral role in the relationship
a student has with the institution and their own academic success.
“Students meet a lot
of different staff and faculty members at SOAR,” said Dahm. “Research
demonstrates that when students feel connected to the college, they are more
likely to be retained. One way to connect students to the College is to
introduce them to faculty, staff, and students, which is done in various ways
at SOAR.”
Student Ambassador Pelayo Melgarejo is a second year Reynolds
student from Spain. As an international student new to the college environment,
he knows the benefits that the program can have for those looking to attend the
SOAR program. “You get to know all the different things you can do at the
college,”said Melarejo. “It’s a huge
amount of information that is given to you in a way that you can retain
it. It’s information that is given from
students and people who have experienced what you are going through.”
For more information on SOAR registration for the upcoming
fall semester, contact soar@reynolds.edu
