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Washington State University

Fall 2017 Student Involvement Activities

Our department participated in 10 events for undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and/or retention efforts. We are happy to share with you that we have full faculty participation in these events, and all of our nine language sections are attending and promoting the department and our degree program offerings. We hope that you enjoy reading about our student events and looking through the photo galleries of our student-focused activities.

La Bienvenida 2017

Parents and families of incoming freshman and transfer students were invited to attend La Bienvenida in May. This event is conducted entirely in Spanish and introduces prospective students to all that WSU has to offer. Sere Previto (Italian faculty), Eugenia Sileoni (Spanish faculty), Daniel Liera-Huchim (staff recruiter and Spanish translator), Jacob Barrows (French faculty), and Ana Maria Rodriguez-Vivaldi (Spanish faculty and associate dean) spoke with students about all of our languages, in particular, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.

 

Graduate Student Welcome Breakfast

Each fall semester, we welcome our new and returning graduate teaching assistants by hosting a small breakfast on their first day of departmental training during the Week of Welcome on the Pullman campus. At the teaching assistant training, students learned departmental expectations, language teaching techniques, and theory. The department now has 12 graduate student teaching assistants, compared to six last year!

     

Week of Welcome Open House

During the Week of Welcome in August, the department highlighted our academic programs through a language and culture fair for new students who are interested in foreign languages and cultures. The department showcased our major and minor degree programs, scholarships, and study abroad opportunities. Students enjoyed a variety of foods and traditions from all of our different cultures, toured our language lab, and completed a Language Passport to enter to win exciting prizes.

Fall Retreat

The last Friday before classes started, the department’s faculty, staff, and graduate students gathered for a peaceful and relaxing retreat at Kamiak Butte County Park just outside of Pullman. After being apart for the summer, a great time was had by all. Stories of summer adventures, academic preparation discussions, and tasty food made this retreat an enjoyable afternoon before the start of the semester. We enjoyed a potluck-style feast with deliciously marinated chicken and beef prepared for the barbecue by our office assistant Daniel Liera-Huchim.

 

Global Learning Fair

In August, WSU students had the opportunity to speak directly with faculty and staff from across campus to learn about available study abroad opportunities at the Global Learning Fair. Our department highlighted our five faculty-led programs including Austria, Costa Rica, France, Germany, and the Hearts in Motion mission that takes place in Guatemala.

Meet your Major Fair

At the Meet Your Major Fair in September, we showcased the many major and minor degree programs we offer. This fair is open to all students as a way to introduce them to degree programs they may not be aware of but may be interested in.

Major Advisor Meet and Greet with College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

In September, select departments were invited to attend the “Major Advisor Meet and Greet” event put on by the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), and we were very pleased to be included. Laurie Heustis, academic advisor, attended the event where she and other advisors from various departments met with CAMP students and answered questions about their programs. Ray Acuna-Luna, coordinator and retention specialist for CAMP, spearheaded this very successful effort to bring students and advisors together in a forum. Since this event, Mr. Acuna-Luna has been promoted to the new director of the Cougs Rise Program in the Office of the Provost.

Palouse French Film Festival

Sabine Davis, clinical associate professor of French, collaborated with the University of Idaho’s Sarah Nelson, associate professor of French at the University of Idaho, to organize and present the 8th Annual Palouse French Film Festival on Tuesdays in October. The program included: Cézanne et moi; La tête haute; Elle; and Microbe et Gasoil. The event was a great success with 514 students and community members in attendance for the four films! Read the Daily Evergreen article about this year’s festival.

 

Fall Preview 2017

Fall Preview 2017 took place on October 20 and 28 in the CUB Junior Ballroom. This event is an academic fair targeted towards high school juniors to attend and learn about degree programs offered at WSU. Our department showcased our nine language sections and many major and minor degree options. We had a representative (or two) from each language section to fully engage all interested students.

Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) Conference

More than 200 first-generation students from across the state of Washington came to the WSU Pullman campus to attend the Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) Conference in November. Many of these students were admitted to WSU on the last day of the conference. Our department representative at the conference informed prospective students about the many language majors and minors we offer and encouraged them to get involved with our department.

Thanksgiving with Dr. Bonzo

Joshua Bonzo, clinical associate professor of German, invited some of our students, who were unable to make it home to be with their families this year, to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with him and his family. For two of the three students, this was the second time they have spent Thanksgiving with Dr. Bonzo’s family.

Dr. Bonzo Thanksgiving 2017

Joshua Bonzo, second from left, at dinner with his wife, Amber, left, and student guests.