8,200+ Calls To KSU Freshmen

Press release from Kennesaw State University:

8,200+ Calls to KSU Freshmen

I remember vividly the excitement of starting college – from the anticipation of picking
the right classes to the opportunity to connect with classmates who would eventually
become lifelong friends. Fast-forward to 2020 – can you imagine starting your college
career in the midst of a worldwide pandemic? This year’s freshman class at KSU, the
largest seeking a bachelor’s degree in the state of Georgia, faces the regular challenges
of figuring out what it means to be a successful student. However, they face this
challenge in a world of masks and social distancing.

It is so important to everyone at KSU that these freshmen are successful academically
and have a positive experience. The leadership team at KSU decided that we needed
to check in directly with all of them, so we divvied up the names and attempted to
call every single one of our more than 8,200 freshmen.

I participated in these calls and would like to report what we learned. First of all,
there were certainly a handful of wrong numbers and students for whom we had to leave
voicemails. However, we were all impressed by the number of students who answered
the phone, even though they did not recognize our phone numbers. So, what did they
tell us?

First, I am happy to report that the students I spoke with were respectful and polite,
but not particularly impressed that the university president was calling them directly.
I was delighted that KSU is the type of university where students would think it normal
to speak with their president. They also were clear in looking forward to more face-to-face
time in classes and socially. We are working hard to increase these interactions in
the spring semester (while still abiding by social distancing requirements).

In some ways, a freshman year is a freshman year. For example, many find math just
as hard during a pandemic as during a regular freshman year. We had the occasional
student who needed individual help, and we pointed them to tutoring, counseling or
advising services. We are hopeful that our new one-stop KSU Info Hotline (470-578-4636)
will help our freshmen and all students find the support services they need across
campus.

Perhaps the most encouraging comments demonstrated the resiliency and maturity of
our incoming freshmen. Though many are looking forward to a college experience post-COVID,
they were quick to explain that this is what college is like for all students across
the country. Many pointed out specific faculty members who are going above and beyond
to help them be successful. Others had great suggestions for how we can improve upon
our efforts next semester.

We were particularly struck by how many expressed how glad they were that they had
made the decision to be an Owl. We can all learn from their insight and high expectations
for the future – a future where we are sitting side-by-side in classrooms, at sports
fields, at artistic performances and at off-campus social functions.

Pamela Whitten

President

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This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.