The University College of Alabama State University hosted a “What’s N.E.S.T.”, event Tuesday, Oct. 22, offering students an opportunity to connect with the leaders of their respective colleges. Held in the Ralph D. Abernathy Hall DeShields Auditorium, the event, an acronym for “Next Elevating Step to Take,” aimed to introduce freshmen to their deans and provide insight into their majors, although all students were welcome.

Representatives from eight colleges attended, including the University College, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Visual and Performing Arts, College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, College of Health Sciences and the Levi Watkins Learning Center/University Library.

Kathleen Amende, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of the event for student success.

“Today’s event is so important because a lot of students don’t realize the administrative organization of the university,” Amende said. “It’s really helpful to know that there are colleges, and within those colleges, are several departments. And it’s important for me as a dean to see the faces of my students. As dean, I don’t get the opportunity to teach as many classes as most faculty, so just being able to shake hands with and get to know our students is really important for me,” she said.

The event emphasized the value of early engagement with academic leadership. Anthony Broughton, Ph.D., the associate dean in the College of Education, encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunity.

“It’s important that freshmen know the opportunities they have available within their college and have the opportunity to meet the great leaders and team that’s there to support them,” Broughton said. “It’s important that they know that there are various opportunities that they can tap into early on instead of later in their college career. I’ve noticed that today the students are excited about finding out their future career options,” he said.

Broughton also offered advice for students unable to attend.

“For those who missed out, please connect with faculty and staff, make sure you have your curriculum sheet and make sure that you’re familiar with your courses as well as those who are available to help you. Start thinking early on how you want to change the world. If you identify a major, you can start thinking about what you can do with that to impact the world.”

Freshmen in attendance echoed their excitement about the opportunities presented. Chelsea Brown, a freshman majoring in mass communication and radio broadcasting, said, “It’s good to be here and expand my knowledge on my major. It was also nice to see what other majors had to offer. I really enjoyed speaking with other deans, they were so nice.”

Zion Putman, a freshman majoring in dance, appreciated the connections made during the event.

“I came today because one of my professors told me to, and I’m actually glad I came. I learned how to get in contact with my dean as well as who I need to talk to because I’m considering double majoring,” she said.

Another freshman, Brianna Reynolds, who is double majoring in dance and elementary education, found the event helpful for navigating her academic path.

“I feel good about the event. Everyone was so helpful, especially with me being a double major,” Reynolds shared. “I was able to get my course list for my education major, and it’s very detailed. It has all the prerequisites and major classes on it that I wasn’t able to see before. Now, I better understand what I need to take before officially declaring my major. It’s a great opportunity to meet your dean, especially on a personal level. Sometimes it’s hard to get that opportunity,” she said.

Charlene Portee, Ph.D., the dean of the College of Health Sciences, emphasized the value of the event for undecided students.

“For freshmen, especially undecided freshmen, this is a great opportunity to be exposed to the programs we have here at Alabama State University,” Portee said. “Specifically, in the College of Health Sciences, we have seven wonderful programs. Of the seven, prosthetic orthotics is the only program at an HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) and health information management is the only accredited informatics program at an HBCU,” she said.

Portee also underscored the event’s role in helping students navigate their academic journey.

“This event gives students a chance to learn about the various programs and put them on the right path so that they can accomplish their goal of participating in one of these programs as well as graduating,” Portee said. “A lot of undecided students don’t know the path they need to take. Like the prerequisites, admission requirements and processes and how to be prepared for entering these programs. The key here is to inform students, let them know what is available and to help them identify their needs to continue on the right path,” she explained.