R E A C H — ing New Freshmen

It is exciting to see our newest Roadrunners at Orientation every week. They bring with them energy and enthusiasm about college, and life on campus.

This time of the year is the perfect opportunity to reflect upon how we REACH (pun intended) our new students. Many of us are, or will be, interacting with new students at tables, during activities/services, or presentations. Which of the REACH domains are you covering? Which domains can be more intentional? Are you using the REACH language in your communications with students?

Remember that R E A C H is Student Affairs’ opportunity to operationalize the important student learning opportunities we provide students outside the classroom. Students’ interactions with us and our departments provides education and tangible skills, so let’s highlight them.

• Responsibility is being aware of expectations, utilizing available resources, and taking ownership for actions. It involves being accountable to self and others through ongoing self-awareness and respectful self-advocacy.
• Engaged citizenship is connecting to and serving society for positive impact. It involves embracing cultural differences and maintaining inclusive relationships to improve the well-being of self and others.
• An Active leader is someone who is flexible, can incorporate divergent views, create options, and motivate others. It involves effectively communicating, connecting and collaborating with others to effect positive change.
• Critical thinking is the ability to effectively analyze and synthesize information. It involves purposefully questioning assumptions, clarifying values, and considering others’ perspectives to understand the rationale for decisions, values and opinions. It also involves the effective use of qualitative and quantitative skills to solve problems and promote success.
• Healthy and balanced living is based on making good decisions in all aspects of life. It involves understanding academic, personal and professional priorities, as well as the impact that choices have on the physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects of well-being.

Engaging our new students with REACH skills will put them on the path to college success!

Submitted by —
Melissa Hernandez
Associate Director,
Counseling Services

Four C's / REACH Staff Training Schedule (SD371) - Fall 2016

REACH / Four C’s Training Resource Links

• Excellence Model Check off List – “Excellence in Service and Programming”
• Four C’s Cards – “Excellence in Service and Programming”

Any questions or comments? Please send us an email at VPSA@utsa.edu.