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Students Come Together for Welcome Back Party

Student ambassadors

As student ambassadors, we engage in the Student Connections Program, where we each email a group of students two times a month to give information, facilitate connections and remind them that their ambassador is always there if they need anything at all.

Stephanie Jares, the coordinator of advising and academic advisor for the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, suggested that we extend this virtual program into the real world by hosting a Welcome Back Party at the beginning of the fall semester. The ambassadors were absolutely thrilled by the idea of connecting with students in-person for the first time since the pandemic began, so we immediately got to work on party planning.

Deirdre Byrnes, a senior criminology ambassador, has been with the team since its inception, so she understood how important it was to have a space for us to interact with students and for them to interact with each other. She says, “I have been with the ambassador team from the very beginning, which, unfortunately, began just before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a team, we navigated all of our meetings, events and other programs virtually. We all tried our very best to stay connected to not only our department and other students, but also to each other as an ambassador group. This time was very hard on everyone, and one of our main goals was to bring every student together within our department, no matter where we all may be, and to really try our best to stay connected even if that meant planning events through a laptop or phone.

“As an ambassador program, we wanted nothing more than to be able to finally meet in person again and to hold in-person events. One of the events we wanted to plan and host included the Department of Sociology and Anthropology party, an event where students from our department could come together and meet one another or learn about different clubs. After a long time coming, we were finally able to host this department party, which ended up being way better than I expected. Every ambassador truly came together with one another to plan this event, as well as make sure it ran smoothly. This event allowed students within our department to meet one another, talk about classes or other activities happening within our department, as well as just enjoy each other in person. Something we had wanted for so long, finally was able to happen and was definitely carried out in a great way. I am very proud to see the developments, challenges, and accomplishments this ambassador program has been able to withstand and overcome since the very beginning.”

First, we decided to host the party in the lobby of the beautiful 1911 Building, as it’s the building where our department is housed. Then the ambassadors split into groups to cover different aspects of the party, like overall planning, decorating and representing student organizations. As part of the party planning committee, I had so much fun making paper chains and getting all of our materials together! It was awesome to see all of our hard work come together on the day of the party.

We had six tables set up at the party for the Criminology Club, Anthropology Club, Taylor Sociology Club and the Student Ambassadors, as well as a game table and food table. During the setup for the party, we got to decorate the tables using the paper chains we made and NC State-colored balloons, which was super fun! The people working the student organization tables had the opportunity to answer questions, tell students what their club does, and have people sign up for their email list. As the Ambassador working the Anthropology Club table, I loved talking to people about our meetings and giving out free goodies, like our bone pens! The game and food tables were big hits as well. Some of my fellow ambassadors designed a “find your advisor” game, and you got candy if you won! At the food table, we had a large assortment of delicious donut holes and even more candy. 

Although the party was a massive success, planning never goes perfectly. Our team was able to work through these hiccups and create a positive experience for all those involved! In the words of Connor Nelson, one of our new criminology ambassadors, “I would say the party went really well! Although there were a few problems with the distribution of the party flyers and changing the game last minute it went very smoothly. I think all the student ambassadors were able to talk with various students in the department while showcasing the clubs we have to offer as well. All the tables look unique and it was an easygoing environment to welcome the students back.”

Lindsay Hazelwood, another one of our new criminology ambassadors, really valued the connections the Welcome Back Party allowed her to make. She said, “I enjoyed having a welcome party and thought that it was SO important in forming relationships with the other students in my department! As a freshman, and even as an upperclassman, I know how intimidating college can be, especially when you are unfamiliar with the other 35,000 people around you. Even with students dropping in for 5-10 minutes, I developed solid connections with the people in my department!” 

My fellow Ambassadors and I are so happy to have started this tradition for our department, and we can’t wait for next year!

This article is by Sarah Isenhour, a Department of Sociology and Anthropology student ambassador majoring in criminology and psychology, with a minor in cognitive science.