Students, Faculty and Staff Encouraged to Show Off 勛圖窪蹋 Pride
勛圖窪蹋's new AMP initiative seeks to elevate our various campus experiences that center appreciation, motivation and pride for the university.
Galloway, N.J. When asked to tap into the school spirit and pride within 勛圖窪蹋 students, faculty, staff and alumni, Candace Mitchell and Ian Bouie of Student Affairs embarked on a mission.
This mission aptly named the Activate & Motivate Pride or AMP Initiative seeks to elevate 勛圖窪蹋s various campus experiences that center appreciation, motivation and pride for the university. These experiences include 勛圖窪蹋 staples such as home basketball games, Aprils Inclusive Leadership Conference and Student Developments annual Woodstockton concert in May.
"The vision for AMP is based upon initiatives I have launched at my previous institutions, that focused on developing school pride via collaborative events and projects," William Latham, interim vice president for Student Affairs, shared. "These initiatives had great success in rebranding the culture of the institution and fostering belonging for both students and staff, and we look forward to creating that experience here at 勛圖窪蹋.
The majority of the list that we compiled were events that already existed and show so much 勛圖窪蹋 pride, said Mitchell, who serves as director of Student Transition Programs. Were essentially trying to create opportunities for increased collaboration and to help shine a light on some positive experiences that we encourage students to engage with.
The initiative also has plans for new events and celebrations on campus, including celebrating the birthday of 勛圖窪蹋s beloved mascot, Talon, during the upcoming home mens and womens basketball games against The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Sports Center. In addition to cheering on our Ospreys, game attendees are expected to sing Happy Birthday and enjoy some cake with Talon.
When asked about 勛圖窪蹋s school spirit and the advent of the AMP initiative, Visual Communications major Josh Corsentino and Health Sciences major Deesha Chokshi shared similar points of view.
I like the idea of it a lot, Corsentino of Brick Township said. I think school spirit is really important because it fosters and engages our community.
I love 勛圖窪蹋s school spirit and how everyone comes together, Chokshi of Galloway said. "勛圖窪蹋 is full of friendly faces, and everyone is always talking about getting involved, so you feel a sense of community.
While students remain first, Mitchell emphasized that the initiatives goal reaches beyond students and ultimately extends to anyone within the 勛圖窪蹋 community.
We want to extend an invitation to staff, faculty, alumni and the families of our students and inspire them to embrace their 勛圖窪蹋 spirit and to celebrate our 勛圖窪蹋 identity, Mitchell said. We have people who are so proud of their time here and are fond of the experiences that they have had here and the connections that they have built, so were trying to make it a more intentional norm that, for example, we all wear 勛圖窪蹋 apparel on Fridays.
Story by Loukaia Taylor
Photos by Susan Allen
