Treyvon Pierce-Wescott & Rachel Griffith
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) — Winthrop University hosts an annual involvement fair to introduce students to campus organizations, where they can get more information and join clubs in order to participate in the campus community.

“We have over 80 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, and this is to access the involvement we have on campus,” said Kanisha Rollings, the assistant director for student organizations and leadership development.

With so many organizations on campus, students are encouraged to visit the fair to find an organization that fits their interests.

“We want everyone to attend, to get an idea of the wonderful things we have here on campus and the wonderful things we do here on campus,” Rollings said.

“We enjoy doing the fall involvement fair, because it gives our freshman students, our first year students in particular, an opportunity to find a place to get connected and engage on campus,” said Kinyata Adams Brown, associate dean for engagement, diversity and inclusive excellence.

“Participating in student organizations or leadership opportunities on our campus really gives them an opportunity to hone their leadership skills, to enhance their community building and to really find their own niche and sub communities on our campus,” Brown said.

“Research shows us and tells us that students who do get involved, especially within the first six weeks of their college experience, they have a higher satisfaction and a higher success rate and higher retention, as far as when they’re going through college,” she said. “So, we really want to push those connections and that sense of belonging, because we know those things make a difference.”

Student leaders in the clubs use the fair as the chance to find new members and grow their organizations.

“I’m part of the Council of Student Leaders now and I got to represent that today,” said Muluken Hass, a Winthrop student who was recruiting at the event. “Hopefully, they interview and become part of the student government here at Winthrop and enjoy their stay here as freshmen.”

Organizers say they try to promote a welcoming atmosphere that encourages students to seek information, so they can comfortably approach each stand.

“Freshman should get involved, because I feel as when you get involved into the different organizations and just into the different things that are going on within the university that you’re attending, you’re  allowing yourself to actually get to experience a full college experience,” Julius Demunn, a Winthrop senior, said.

“With joining different organizations, you’ll be able to connect with different people, make new friends, find people,” Demunn said, “to expand your horizons, really develop being able to do and join different things that connect with who you are as a person.”

Tymia Lamb — the founder of Elite Dynasty, a student dance team — said she knew what she wanted to do on campus as a freshman

“I knew I wanted to do something with dance (and) it was a major, but it wasn’t anything as far as clubs and organizations. Being around my friends and joining other organizations and just being a part of communities, it inspires to say I want to be a leader of my own, so then I branched off and created my own and it’s thriving and growing,” Lamb said.

Freshman Olivia Newman said she appreciates the chance to connect with other students.

“The involvement fair is really crucial and important to new students coming in and students that are already here,” Newman said. “I’m glad we have a sense of community.”