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At , the welcoming process begins the moment a student steps on campus. Long before classes begin.
And it begins with the words, “Welcome, what can we do for you today?â€
“Yes, we say those very words. Our goal is to meet the students where they are at that exact moment,†said Kat Kreikemeier, administrative director of admissions at SCC. “Are they worried about where to park, how to order their uniform or books, or where their classes are? With that one simple greeting we are letting them know, we are here.â€
Kreikemeier said faculty and staff instituted the New Student Welcome program in 2022 because they recognized that many students arriving at school weren’t familiar with Southeast Community College or the college experience in general.
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“We wanted them to know that they will have our support during their time here. So our New Student Welcome is an intentionally designed program meant to help students get started on the right foot,†she said. “It provides them the opportunity to have their specific questions and concerns addressed in a very private setting. The program has truly become a very meaningful and powerful experience for not only the students, but the staff and faculty as well.â€
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The events, which are free, are scheduled throughout the summer and winter months for students, depending on whether they are starting class in the fall or spring semesters. The events, which typically last three hours, are held on each of the SCC campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln and Milford. Students are encouraged to schedule their event on the campus they will be attending.
Kreikemeier said that upon arrival each family is assigned a navigator — either a staff or faculty member — for the duration of their visit. A checklist provided by the navigator helps identify any areas of concern the student may want to explore in more detail.
Under the guidance of the navigator, students and their families have the opportunity to tour the campus, complete registration and finalize other details prior to the start of the term. Students can also check in with their advisor, visit with key campus resources including financial aid, housing, tutoring, the Accommodations Resource Office and more. Students can also get one-on-one assistance from the SCC Help Desk to ensure they can access SCC technology platforms. They can even visit their classrooms. Kreikemeier said that, depending on the student’s questions, some visits last 20 minutes, others the full three hours.
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“It’s a totally different vibe than a traditional college orientation event where students and families sit alongside hundreds of others in a large auditorium. And, yes, we do those too at SCC,†Kreikemeier said. “But New Student Welcome just adds a little more personalization to the experience. Students can get answers to questions they want at that moment without sifting through info they may not want or need.
“The program also provides students with a significant opportunity to connect with their peers, many of whom will be attending the same classes as them and participating in everything from student activities, clubs and intramurals to athletics, student senate and our study abroad program,†she said.
Students complete an online New Student Enrollment form that provides information about accessing SCC’s technology platforms, making connections at SCC and introducing them to their college advisors. When that’s been completed, college advisors reach out to students and take them through the advising and registration process. Students are then invited to attend any or all of the New Student Welcome events to further assist them in their transition to SCC.
To learn more about SCC, please visit .