AACC’s Office of Student Engagement kicked off the spring semester with a snow-themed spirit day on Monday. 

Students gathered in the student union for free pizza, produce and a performance from AACC’s new Cheerleading Team. Different academic departments on campus also gathered to get the word out about what resources they offer.

 “It looks like a lot of money was invested,” Christopher Robinson, a fourth-year transfer studies student, said. “A lot of [the faculty] are out here to, like, promote themselves… [and let students know] that ‘we are here for y’all’ which is kind of cool.”

Robinson noted that after 12 years of public school, he was not used to this level of excitement surrounding academia.

Spirit Day was the first of three events for Welcome Week. 

“We’re offering students the opportunity to gain access to departments on campus that can help them be successful,” Winnie Shabazz, the event specialist at the OSE, said. Shabazz highlights the Sarbanes Center, which prepares students for gainful employment once they complete their program of interest. 

The different departments at the event included the Student Achievement and Success Center, Sarbanes Center for Career and Civic Engagement, Tutoring Center, Personal and Career Counseling, and Academic and Transfer Advising.

“For students to be able to have their own dialogue, one on one with the staff members that they may be working with [is so valuable].” Shabazz said. 

“This is my first time attending this sort of type of event,” Kaylee Walsh, a second-year psychology student said. “The fact that we’re able to have such a big space [dedicated] for this thing is very telling. And the amount of things we have.”