Student Involvement Event Steers New, Returning Choctaws to Organizations That Help Them Grow

Jonathan Nutt, associate dean of students, said the Student Involvement Fair presents the best opportunity for MC students to learn how to get plugged in to campus activities.

Rachel Duncan remembers how excited she was to attend her first Student Involvement Fair and discover how she could contribute to campus culture at Mississippi College.

“What makes Student Involvement Fairs so special is getting to see all that MC has to offer,” said Duncan, a senior English literature and history major from Pensacola, Florida. “I discovered my student organization – MC Mock Trial – through an involvement fair, and I’ve been active in that organization ever since, even serving as president for the last two years.

“I know multiple students who have discovered their own student organizations through involvement fairs. Many of them have taken on officer positions. Even those who decide not to join an organization find the Student Involvement Fair to be a great opportunity to meet people – and snag some goodies at the same time.”

As a student director of MC Intramurals, which offers a variety of seasonal sports, tournaments, and special athletic events to students throughout the school year, Reece Gibson understands the value of attending the Student Involvement Fair.

“The event is special because it showcases all of the different organizations at the University,” said Gibson, a junior biology pre-dental major from Brandon. “There are so many different ways to become involved that everyone should be able to find something they like.

“The event is a great way for people to discover new activities they may not have thought about participating in.”

He plans to help out at the Office of Student Well-Being’s table at this fall’s Student Involvement Fair, explaining to new students how MC Intramurals work and answering any questions that come his way.

“The love and passion in the people who spoke to me during my freshman year are why I became involved in the organizations I chose,” he said. “I want to encourage these new students to get plugged in and maybe discover a new passion or interest.

“The main reason I decided to become a part of the Student Involvement Fair is to show students how much fun coming to campus events is. Well-attended events make an awesome campus experience even better.”

As a Dance Marathon student director, Natalie Seal hopes to convince her fellow MC students at the fair to take an active role in one of the University’s most visible philanthropic activities.

“Dance Marathon is a wonderful thing to be a part of,” the sophomore nursing major from Angie, Louisiana, said of the non-profit organization that supports children fighting various childhood illnesses at the Children’s of Mississippi hospital in Jackson. “We want to make sure to take every opportunity to share what it’s all about and to encourage students to participate in any way.

“Whether it’s Dance Marathon or some other organization, I am looking forward to seeing the students learn how they can become involved in different organizations on campus.”

Sponsored by MC’s Office of Student Engagement and the Office of Student Well-Being, the Student Involvement Fair provides an opportunity for members of registered student organizations and University offices and departments to showcase their services and recruit members from among MC’s expanding class of freshmen.

Participants decorate tables and offer informational handouts and giveaway items to students interested in becoming involved on the Clinton campus.

Jonathan Nutt, associate dean of students at MC, said the fair, scheduled from 3:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, in the Alumni Hall gymnasium, provides an excellent opportunity for student organizations to inform new and returning students about their mission and values.

“It is the absolute best time for students to learn how to get plugged in on campus and become involved,” Nutt said. “It is their chance to make the most of their MC experience. Becoming involved and finding community within an organization, ministry, or other activity is what the MC experience outside of the classroom is all about.

“The fair puts organizations and involvement opportunities all in one room, which only happens twice a year. Getting hundreds of people together in one place can always be challenging, but the event typically attracts serious-minded students interested in learning what organizations are available to them. If we can get students plugged in and involved, they’ll like it here, stay here, and graduate from here.”

The Student Involvement Fair is a “come-and-go” event that offers an opportunity for students to mingle, meet new people, and get a better perspective on everything MC has to offer. Any student organization can be represented at the event.

Among those scheduled to appear at the fair are the Baptist Student Union, the Office of Global Education, the Choctaw Swing Dancers, the MC Pre-PA Club, the PT/OT Club, the School of Business, Tri-Beta, and many more. In fact, representatives from more than 40 groups are planning to attend.

Duncan said she tries to represent her organization at every Student Involvement Fair at MC. The MC Mock Trial Team provides a unique experience for those interested in one day practicing law.

Students spend several months researching and preparing a case, acting as either lawyers or witnesses, and learning how to practice law in a real-life setting. The team also competes against other schools from across the country during the spring semester.

“As an officer, it’s important for me to put my organization out there,” she said. “With an organization like MC Mock Trial, having members who are involved is extremely important. I always aim to make students feel both informed and welcomed whenever I’m manning my booth.

“My student organization has been one of the greatest experiences that I’ve had at MC, and I would love for other students to have the same experience.”

Gibson admits a packed Alumni Hall gym can seem overwhelming to new students, but maintains that once they start talking with their fellow students, the newcomers will have a great time.

“I’m glad I approached every table as a freshman,” he said. “New students should either come in with a general idea of what they might want to do or bring a completely open mind. Either way, there will be lots to discover about what the University offers on campus.”

Duncan said even if they decide not to join an organization this fall, new and returning students will find value from attending the Student Involvement Fair.

“I have made multiple friends and had meaningful conversations with students at involvement fairs – even if they don’t elect to join my organization,” she said. “I enjoy seeing so many students begin to find their place at MC. Watching students get excited about finding their perfect organization is one of the most gratifying things for me as an upperclassman.

“Even students who think they already know what they are going to be doing on campus should go to the fair. Whether a freshman or a senior, they will find something new that they never knew MC had to offer. It’s a great way to find your place on this awesome campus that we call home.”

For more information about the Student Involvement Fair, click here.