For the first time since 2016, NKU hosted the Celebration of First-Year Experience on Thursday, April 13, honoring the work of first-year students, along with the faculty and staff who supported their success. This year, 15 students received First-Year Student Experience awards for their outstanding work in their first year at NKU or, in the case of the Outstanding Peer Coach award, for facilitating that transition as a mentor assisting students taking a University 101 course. Meet two of the awardees below:
Outstanding Peer Coach Award: Caroline Bohannon
A second-year public relations major with minors in marketing and management, Caroline Bohannon served as a peer coach supporting section 003 of University 101, sharing her own freshman-year experiences with new students, as well as valuable study skills. Peer coaches are students with at least a 3.0 GPA and of sophomore standing or higher, working with all first-year students to ease their transition into college life, create goals and explore majors.
“Receiving this award gives recognition to the work I have done for the First-Year Student Success Hub this year and makes me feel the impact I am making to improve the first-year experience here at NKU,” she says.
Bohannon’s advice to prospective students is to get involved in organizations that align with their passions. “From Greek Life, to clubs associated with your major, there is something for everyone to stay connected and engaged on campus,” she says.
As a freshman, Bohannon credits University 101 and peer coaching with facilitating her own first-year success, as well as courses like Dr. Rachael Clark’s “Positive Psychology” and prof. Jason Farkas’ “Leading Social and Cultural Change.”
“They both taught me so much that can be used in every field of study to leave a positive impact on those around me,” she says.
Outstanding First-Year Success Student: Maryah Harris
A visual communication design major from Cincinnati, Maryah Harris initially found the transition from high school to college life overwhelming, from the increased course load to a change in environment, but credits the First-Year Student Success Hub’s emphasis on networking and communication with helping her feel at home at NKU.
“I have been able to create friendships with both friends and professors,” Harris says. “Everyone here at NKU wants to see me on the road to success and strive for me to be good at whatever I put my mind to. On this route, I have been able to see that these experiences are creating a journey to adventure through toward success.”
According to Harris, earning this award inspires her to strive for greater achievement as she continues her education at NKU.
“It means a great deal for me to be recognized for my accomplishments,” she says. “Just being able to know that just being able to know that I received this award is a blessing and helps me understand that I’m accomplishing the goals I set originally when dreaming of college life when I was younger.”
For next year’s incoming class, Harris recommends networking and staying engaged during freshman year.
“Do not procrastinate, take time for yourself and give yourself breaks as much as you need,” she says. “Allow yourself to create bonds with your professors, do not be scared to ask for help and explore outside your comfort zone.”
