Hofstra hosts inaugural Inclusive Belonging Reception
Student moderator Destiny Dacilas (far left) asks panellists Abdul Sanz (second to the left), Jonas Perdonas (first to left), Sasha Ferdenand (middle), Natalie Correa (first to the right) and Ajesh Sukhai (far right) questions about their experience with belonging at Hofstra. // Photo courtesy of Sophia Guddemi.
Hofstra upperclassmen, faculty and administration met with first-year students to discuss fostering a sense of belonging while at college during the inaugural Inclusive Belonging Reception on Thursday, Sept. 7. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Division of Student Enrollment, Engagement and Success, the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
“Feeling good and feeling that sense of belonging is vital to academic success,” said Aisha Wilson-Carter, the associate director of equity and inclusion. The departments associated with this event aim to create more initiatives that holistically target the student experience.
“If you feel like you’re an outsider or you’re on the outskirts, those are the things you are worried about rather than the paper that’s due or the test you have to study for,” Wilson-Carter said. “You do better academically when you have people to reach out to and you feel comfortable.”
“If you don’t feel like you belong on the campus, you’re not going to want to immerse yourself in it,” said Aliza Ortega, graduate assistant for the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement.
“We want to do everything in our power to ensure that when you step on that campus, when you step into a classroom, you feel that you belong here,” said Dean of Students Michelle Van-Ess Grant during her introductory speech for the event.
Dean of Students Michelle Van-Ess Grant (far left) introduces the inaugural Inclusive Belonging Reception. // Photo courtesy of Sophia Guddemi.
The reception started with interactive questions posed to the audience about how they were feeling during their first week of classes. Gathered at round tables were mixed groups of first-year students, faculty, administrators and upperclassmen, all from different departments and schools of the university.
“It was a good way to meet new people and socialize,” said Richard Creary, a sophomore transfer student and supply chain management major. “Trying to feel like you belong, I relate to that.”
Prior to the panel discussion, Hugo Morales, assistant director of student leadership and engagement, and Brittany Rhoden, Title IX coordinator of student issues, spoke about their experience with belonging on Hofstra’s campus.
Afterward, student moderator Destiny Dacilas, a senior psychology and criminology major, and five student panelists took the stage. They shared the challenges they faced when they first came to Hofstra and how they fostered a sense of belonging. The panelists included Abdul Sanz, a sophomore civil engineering and dance major; Jonas Fredonis, a junior English major; Sasha Ferdenand, a sophomore health sciences major; Natalie Correa, a junior sustainability studies and geography major; and Ajesh Sukhai, a sophomore computer science major.
“Once I overcame my challenges and felt more comfortable, to start to find a feeling like I belong at Hofstra, I needed to be like those people that made me feel like I belong here in the first place,” Sanz said, referring to his involvement with becoming a resident assistant and resident safety director.
“Not only am I creating that community for myself, but I am also giving it to other people,” Fredonis, who is also president of The Pride Network, said. “I never thought I would excel in a leadership position like this, but it is something that I found a lot of purpose in.”
“I resonated with what they were saying, and it showed me that things do get better,” said Sydney Balroop, a freshman nursing major.
After the panelists told their stories to the first years, those who attended the event participated in a bingo game, encouraging students and faculty alike to meet new people.
“The energy here was really great. Everyone was very welcoming. I’m very thankful,” said Ryan Ketterer, a junior art history and fine arts major.
Ketterer hoped first-year students would leave the event and know “to not be afraid.” “Especially as a freshman, you’re in a new environment and even hearing people talk about their experiences is intimidating because everyone goes through their own experience, and you don’t know what yours is going to be like,” Ketterer said. “Everyone is here for each other; you are not alone, so don’t be afraid.”
