Welcoming Warriors

The University’s inaugural Warrior Expo event brought scores of prospective students to campus to experience Stan State live and in-person.

By Donna Birch Trahan

Armed with bags containing Warrior swag, high school senior Talia Maxwell and her father DeAndre Maxwell strolled through the Quad at Stanislaus State, taking in the scene.

From the University Library to the Main Dining Hall and University Student Center, the grounds were teaming with throngs of people along with tables and booths staffed by members of student clubs and organizations, academic programs, student services and administrative departments ready to answer questions and provide information about Stan State: what it’s like to attend, its academic programs,

The Maxwells, from Fresno, had come to pay an in-person visit to the University, which is one of the colleges Talia is considering attending. The father-daughter duo was among the many prospective students who participated in the University’s first-ever Warrior Expo. Held last October, the daylong event gave students, their families and community members an opportunity to experience what it means to be a Warrior. Approximately 2,000 people

Future Warriors had the opportunity to talk with representatives from organizations, majors and student services. Additionally, the University offered multilingual tours of the participants were invited to join Current students were also invited to participate in Warrior Expo bringing their parents and family members. All attendees were provided with a free lunch and were able to enjoy entertainment, swag giveaways, games and familyfriendly activities that continued throughout the day.

Vice President for Strategic Planning, Enrollment Management and Innovation Gitanjali Kaul called the event “an outstanding success” with campuswide participation.

“Our Director for Admissions and Outreach Miguel Pulido worked with all divisions — including Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Business and Finance — to put that day together,” Kaul said.

Eligible students who submitted a fall 2023 application prior to Warrior Expo, experienced the excitement of picking up their admission packet and celebrating the achievement with their loved ones. Admissions counselors provided application support and offered conditional on-the spot admission to more than 35 students, who each received rousing applause from admissions staff members, a Titus bobblehead and were invited to take photobooth pictures with President Junn to mark the occasion.

“It was a joy to watch these students come out with their families, waving Stan State banners,” Kaul said. “I remember some of those joyous moments from that morning.”

As nearly all California State University campuses have suffered enrollment declines during the past year, Warrior Expo was created to assist in recruiting students. It was one of the strategies Stan State enlisted to get prospective students engaged after the COVID-19 pandemic limited in-person visits and activities.

In addition to the Warrior Expo event, last fall from September to November, the Admissions and Outreach Services team attended approximately 250 events across the state of California consisting of college fairs, transfer days and college nights, counselor conferences, admissions presentations and application workshops. The goal of these efforts was to increase enrollment and support incoming students throughout their college admission journey.

Talia, the Fresno senior who plays for her school’s girls’ basketball team, was invited to Warrior Expo by Stan State Women’s Basketball Coach Wayman Strickland.

“He thought this would be a perfect time to come because we could see what the campus has to offer both academically and socially,” DeAndre Maxwell said of Strickland’s invitation. “He said this would be a perfect day to get information, see what the campus provides and what support is available to students.

“As a parent, it’s good to come out and experience the University with my kid. The people have been kind, the campus is nice, and the coach has been awesome.”

And, come fall, Talia Maxwell will join the University as a mighty Warrior.