By Suzy Alstrin
The vibrant campus culture at Reinhardt University promotes student engagement inside and outside the classroom. Assistant Professor of Nursing Jessica Nicoletti emphasizes the positive impact of enjoyable events on students’ well-being and educational success. Her thoughts are supported by the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) at The University of Texas whose research found that “student learning, persistence, and attainment in college are strongly associated with student engagement. The more actively engaged students are—with college faculty and staff, with other students, with the subject matter they are studying—the more likely they are to persist in their college studies and to achieve at higher levels.”
Nicoletti explains, “I am a firm believer that activities foster a sense of community and belonging. This is vital for a student’s social and emotional development. It creates engaged students who are motivated and empowered to take ownership of their school experience. Engaged students participate more in class. They perform better because they are driven by senses of purpose and pride.”
Instruction, exams, labs, and clinical rotations can be rigorous at the Cauble School of Nursing and Health Science. Nicoletti encourages students to take advantage of the events and opportunities on the main campus. Heading into finals week, she organized Spirit Week and a friendly competition between cohorts. Events included photos with Reinhardt’s SOAR mascot, a school t-shirt design contest, and opposites day where students and faculty dressed like each other. Participation and creativity soared all week and fostered leadership and teamwork skills.
Looking ahead to the upcoming school year, Nicoletti plans to devise new ways to enhance the connections between classmates and the University to support their continued success.
