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With everything going on right now, scrambling to learn about a new campus and its resources shouldn’t be one of them, according to Gretchen Fricke, director of Student Services in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). 

Fricke and the SEHHB advising team organized the first SEHHB Transfer Student Welcome, held remotely on Monday, Aug. 17 and Tuesday, Aug 18. 

“We were hearing that transfer students were often overwhelmed with the transition to SIUE, especially coming from a community college setting,” said Fricke. “We were worried that the adjustment would become even more challenging for new transfer students in this highly remote format.” 

The orientation’s purpose is to assist students with those challenges. 

Julann Scheibal, a senior majoring in psychology, transferred to SIUE in Spring 2019 from Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) in Godfrey. Adjusting to a new school had its challenges, and if it weren’t for the constant help and guidance of Fricke and SIUE psychology advisor Kelly Atkins, Scheibal said she wouldn’t have been able to make it. 

“I would have benefited greatly from meeting other new transfer students, and speaking to SIUE faculty and staff to help guide me,” commented Scheibal, who offered Fricke ideas and suggestions in preparing for the University’s first Transfer Student Welcome.  “I was excited to learn that SIUE was planning to have a transfer student orientation. I was glad to give input as to what would be helpful. This is a wonderful idea to help pour into the success of students here at SIUE!” 

“We want to provide transfer students with resources to help them feel like SIUE Cougars from the very beginning,” continued Fricke. “Every campus is a little different. We want our new students to know what campus resources are available in their academic journey and in their extra-curricular pursuits. We also want students to realize that our advising team is here to help them with this transition.” 

Some of the information included: 

• Introduction to SEHHB Academic Advisors – Dawn Aldrich, applied health; Robert Alford, psychology; Danie Dobrinich-Johns, education; Terry “T.J.” Riggs, applied health; Claire Teichman, psychology; and Autumn Wetzler, education
• Advisor expectations such as meeting with an advisor each semester, discussing courses and developing an academic plan
• Majors available including early childhood education, exercise science, middle education level (endorsements), nutrition, special education, speech-language pathology and audiology, psychology and public health
• Campus resources such as Cougar Cupboard, Campus Recreation, Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) and student employment 

 “The Student Transfer Orientation was extremely helpful,” said Alison Blades, a junior transferring from Rend Lake College in Ina. “I learned about the many resources at SIUE that I had no idea were on campus. The staff running the Zoom meeting was especially knowledgeable and helpful. They made it enjoyable.” 

Photos:
Gretchen Fricke, director of Student Services in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. 

Julann Scheibal, a senior majoring in psychology, transferred to SIUE in Spring 2019 from Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) in Godfrey.