AIS Offices Team Up to Focus on Recruitment and Yield Efforts Amidst Covid-19
In the past few weeks AIS offices have created virtual resources and reminders to help students who are uncertain of their next steps. This has been in response to a large number of students’ fall plans changing.
- Academic & Instructional Services
Utah State University (USU) faculty, staff, students and administration, as well as many others in the Aggie community, found creative ways to celebrate the 2020 graduates despite the cancelation of the spring commencement ceremony due to COVID-19.
The Student Retention and Completion Office, along with the commencement steering committee, invited campus offices and individuals to identify ways to celebrate USU graduates. Many departments, colleges, and individuals accepted the challenge and found innovative and fun ways to acknowledge and celebrate the class of 2020 on April 30 despite the lack of a formal graduation ceremony.
To kick off the celebrations, President Noelle Cockett and 2020 valedictorian Mealii Enos released a video message congratulating the USU class of 2020.
Some other ways people celebrated graduates this year included applying a special USU frame on their Facebook profile pictures, posting messages of congratulations on social media platforms using the hashtag #USUGRAD20, and sending emails to specific graduates with whom they had worked, researched or associated.
The USU community was also encouraged to wear Aggie blue attire on April 30 in recognition of the class of 2020 and their accomplishments.
More than 7,000 students from 48 states and 59 countries will graduate this year with a degree from Utah State University. With over 1,000 bachelor’s degrees earned by those who are first-generation college students – meaning that neither parent has earned a four-year degree.
USU recognizes that graduation is important, not only for the students who have achieved this major milestone, but also for the faculty, staff and family members who work hard to assist students in this achievement. For that reason, USU made it a priority to find creative ways to honor and celebrate this year’s graduates during this time of uncertainty.
“During this time of cancelation and closure, it is important to acknowledge the connections that are still occurring. The celebration of graduates is the pinnacle event at any university. USU takes great pride in graduating thousands of students each year. In addition to celebrating the students, commencement is also a celebration of the faculty and staff who work tirelessly to assist students on their road to success,” said Heidi Kesler, Director of Student Retention and Completion and Chair of the Commencement Steering Committee.
In July, diplomas and diploma covers will be mailed to all spring graduates. At that time, the university will once again unite to celebrate the achievements of thousands. As students receive this significant package, their degrees will be conferred and their status as alumni of USU will be official. The university, as led by President Cockett herself, is committed to celebrating the 2020 graduates in an in-person event when the public health situation permits.
While this year’s celebration may have looked different than the past, the accomplishments of the class of 2020 are no less impressive or important and deserve recognition.
https://www.usu.edu/virtual-graduation/
https://www.usu.edu/commencement/