Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
WCU welcomes students, staff back to campus
WEST CHESTER » West Chester University President Chris Fiorentino saluted 1,896 faculty and staff, while greeting about 400 students who were in attendance at Thursday’s “Welcome Back” program at Emilie K. Asplundh Hall.
To close the program, participants, Fiorentino, and cheerleaders led the audience in the WCU
Fight Song.
“With all your strength and might, Hey win!, We can!, So here we go again, Hey! Rah! Rah! Rah! Rah! West Chester U!” those in attendance cheerfully recited.
But the informative event was much more than a pep rally.
Fiorentino saluted staffers for their “can-do attitude and shared sense of purpose.”
Staff was lauded for “doing what it takes to make it happen.”
Fiorentino: “We all bring such different talents, skill sets and personalities to our jobs. I see a common bond.”
Several university programs were discussed by campus leaders.
Dr. Tabetha Adkins, associate provost for student success and founding dean of the University College, said that the University College program focuses on three ideals: access, exploration and interdisciplinarity.
University College is home for the office of Students with Disabilities, the Learning Assistance and Resource Center. This program uses both technology and old-fashioned one-onone interaction.
Plus, the Summer Bridge Program gives students in select majors a chance to get a head start.
A program is designed for freshman.
“We have been working to develop an engaging ‘experience’ that could change the way first-year students approach learning — we are seeing them build meaningful connections with faculty, staff and other students,” said Shannon Mrkich, an associate professor of English and coordinator of the First Year Experience Program.
The university hosts 30 students in the Dub-C autism program, which helps students with autism increase retention and graduation rates and to obtain gainful employment after graduation, Cherie Fishbaugh, director of autism services said.
“Reports indicate that 85 percent of college graduates with autism are unemployed,” Fishbaugh said. “I am proud to report that this past summer, 18 of our 21 spring semester students had paid jobs or internships.
“This employee readiness program will help our students to prepare for the work force, while providing other WCU students experience in working with neuro-diverse employees and co-workers.”
Fiorentino went off script and joyfully noted that several breaks for applause were not rehearsed.
The president was thankful that several eTextbooks were offered free of charge.
“My students can actually interact with an eTextbook: they can play audio and video, touch different areas of an image to find more information, rotate three-dimensional models and quiz themselves,” said Constance Case, an associate professor in the department of theater and dance.
WCU works hard to stay diverse.
“The university is committed to creating opportunities to increase selfawareness of one’s own views and build awareness, knowledge and skills toward diverse dimensions of identity,” said Rodney Kaplan, a fourth-year political since student who MC’d the event.
Community engagement and the university’s work by staff and students with the borough’s Melton Center were celebrated.
“America Reads mentors … cover topics such as behavioral management, social identity training and resume and interview preparation,” Kai Asbury, a graduate assistant in the office of Service-Learning Volunteer Programs said.
The 2018-2019 Civility Award was awarded to recent mother Tori Nuccio, an interim associate director in the financial aid office.