Find Your Community

In their first year, we hope students find their community on campus. If you notice your student does not mention much aside from classes in your conversations, maybe prompt questions related to how they are using their time. If you are noticing they have not gotten very involved, below are some great questions to prompt action. Again, we know it can be intimidating for them to take the first step and put themselves out there, so your encouragement and follow up can help. Questions to ask: • Are you excited to check out the Involvement Fair this weekend (held first Saturday of the year after classes begin)? • Have you thought about continuing an activity from high school? • How is your residence hall? What have your roommate/suitemates gotten involved with? • Have you looked at the different organizations on the Compass? • I know there are resources on campus to help you get involved, have you talked to your RA or crew leader?

Engagement Coaching

The opportunities for students in a collegiate setting are endless. Some students will jump right in feet-first, while for others this prospect is more overwhelming. It can be intimidating to attend a new organization meeting by yourself, ask a new friend down the hall to join your intramural team, or attend the latest CAB event. Our aim is to help students connect with the people and opportunities that will get them involved in a meaningful and fun way. During a one-on-one meeting with a university fellow for student engagement, students will engage in self-reflection to determine specific goals for becoming an engaged student during their time at Christopher Newport. By identifying their values and processing their past experiences, students will walk away with direct strategies to find a connection on campus and/or in the greater community. Students can email studentengagement@cnu.edu to schedule an appointment.

Emerging Leaders

Participants explore aspects of leadership and personal development focusing on the ideas of personal strengths and abilities, developing self-leadership and becoming an actively engaged citizen. The program is geared toward students who have little to no college leadership experience and seeks to establish the foundation for successful student leadership at CNU. The five-week sessions are held each semester.

My student says there is nothing to do on campus, are they correct?

No. Every weekend of the fall semester different social opportunities await to allow students to connect to different organizations, events and activities. From festivals and fairs to late-night events and entertainment, every weekend there are new and exciting free events to fill every student’s social calendar.

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a student-led organization where Captains design free programs for every weekend of the semester. CAB brings movies, comedians, musicians, lectures, craft nights and more to keep CNU alive after the day's classes end. Check out their calendar of free events and more by visiting @cnucab or @cnu.ose for more free campus socials from the Office of Student Engagement.

FIND YOUR

COMMUNITY

Looking to get plugged in? Want to get involved? Let us help!

At Christopher Newport we have clubs, resources and support that focus on:

• Identity and culture • International student communities

• Sexual and gender diversity • Disability/accessibility • Politics

• Social issues/human rights • First-generation college students

and much more!

cnu.edu/diversity