Engaging Northern students in student life
WHITEHORSE – Students heading to Yukon College’s Ayamdigut campus this September will find a much more active extra-curricular life waiting for them.
“There will be so much for students to do, and more of a community feeling to being a student at Yukon College,” said Josh Regnier, Student Engagement Coordinator. “We’ll be taking advantage of the extended bus service to offer evening activities and events and we’re hiring a student as a part-time Recreation Coordinator to help with that. The Student Union will be ramping up their activities, beginning with the two-day Future Routes Festival next month, as well as funding student-organized clubs throughout the year.”
Floor hockey, tai chi, yoga, and self-defense at lunchtime, impromptu chess games, more social events and public speakers throughout the year - all of this has Monique Benoit, a 29-year-old Liberal Arts Student, looking forward to returning to class.
“The College is local, affordable and has a lot of talented instructors, but students need a bit more to stay engaged in their programs. When you’re working really hard to get through four or five years of school, it’s nice if some of that time can be fun too,” said Benoit.
“When I started last year, I was coming to class then going straight off to work or home to my kids. Being drawn into fun activities, like fundraising for Mo’vember, opened the door to me making a lot more friends, and that has completely changed my experience at Yukon College,” added Benoit.
Student Engagement Coordinator is a new position at the college. The position was initially part-time when Regnier began last October, and has now grown to full-time. Regnier’s main task is to organize events and activities for students, but also involves working closely with the revitalized Student Union.
“He has been an essential element to our success this year and is one of the best frontline resources here to enhance the College experience for students,” said Daniel Ashley, YCSU President.
“Inspiring and encouraging students to organize and create their own activities and experiences is a big part of this job,” said Regnier. “Last December several students organized a multicultural celebration that was a huge success… and apart from helping find a room and supporting them, I had very little to do with that. The more our students take an active role in shaping college life, the more rewarding it will be.”
To encourage students to take on greater leadership roles at the college, Regnier and Residence Mentor, Emily Dayboll, are planning a leadership training weekend to run at the end of September.
“Whether a student runs for president of the Student Union or helps organize a single event, the skills, experience and confidence they pick up will help them in their program and later, in their career,” said Regnier.
Many students have already benefited from Regnier’s skill at connecting them to activities, experiences, and each other.
18-year-old Tom Mcleod came to Yukon College from Aklavik, NWT, in January 2012 for College Prep classes. Living on campus in the residence building Mcleod quickly made friends, but found it harder to get to know non-residence students because nothing brought them together outside of class.
“Having fun stuff to do at lunchtime, like floor hockey and chess, has been great for this,” said Mcleod. “The party last December was good too – bringing a bunch of students together to relax, hang out and have fun. I started jigging and soon everyone was joining in,”
Mcleod points out that Regnier does a lot more than organize social events and activities. He is also a good entry point for students needing to access other college services and support.
“It’s hard finding affordable, reliable housing in Whitehorse and when I ran into problems, Josh gave me help and advice that kept a roof over my head and kept me in school. He’s so visible around the College, and approachable, and once he’s listened he’ll point you in the right direction,” said Mcleod.
Tackling the role of Student Engagement Coordinator at a Northern college has challenged the expectations Regnier held when he arrived in Whitehorse last October.
“I anticipated dealing mostly with 17 to 22-year-olds. I did not anticipate the wide range of students, returning students, tradespeople, older workers, students with kids… the sheer diversity of people who access the college,” said the 25-year-old Simon Fraser University graduate. “I never expected to be organizing after-school activities for children who live in residence with their student parents, but it has been incredibly rewarding, and it is the kind of help those students need to succeed in their programs.”
“Ultimately, it’s all about the well-being of our students. Encouraging active lives and offering social activities that can provide balance and fun.”
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For more information, contact:
Michael Vernon
Communications Coordinator
College Relations
Yukon College
867.668.8786
867.332.4722
mvernon@yukoncollege.yk.ca