Arriving on campus early at University of Wisconsin-Stout helps students build community and begin the transition from high school to college life.
For 55 incoming Stoutward Bound scholars, their connections began even earlier on orientation day last summer, when they met other students, faculty and staff. The first-year multicultural students will move into their living community in South Hall on Aug. 23, 10 days before the start of school.
“Our goal is long-term retention. We want to make sure they persist, succeed, find a place to be and graduate,” said MSS Assistant Director Sia Yang, the Stoutward Bound advisor who works with students throughout their college career.
In its 18th year, Stoutward Bound is coordinated through Multicultural Student Services. The early-start bridge program offers students a unique, supportive living and learning community that prepares them for success.
Week One Orientation, for all new incoming students, provides an array of opportunities for students to engage and connect with their peers at some of UW-Stout’s most loved annual events, including Blue Rah, Backyard Bash and the 40th anniversary of the Great Stout Cookout.
Building a living and learning community
Four peer leaders serve as professional mentors who work individually with Stoutward Bound students. A student event coordinator plans monthly events for the group, including team-building exercises and social activities. Together, they attend campus events, including those hosted by Career Services, Housing and campus student organizations.
“Our peer leaders help students build a community and a sense of belonging, with the goals of getting them to different spaces on campus, and connecting them with different people, resources and student organizations. They’re heavily involved with engagement and activities,” Yang said.
Within their learning community, Stoutward Bound scholars attend an eight-week First-Year Experience polytechnic seminar. They also attend workshops led by different departments and a writing class led by two instructors before the academic year begins.
“They experience what it’s like to be in a classroom before school actually starts. Thishelps to ease the anxiety of class and navigating campus,” said Yang, who also works with the instructors to check on student engagement or if they need academic resources. “It’s all about teamwork and helps the students know that we’re engaged in their learning and makes the students want to be involved.”
Yang meets with students twice a semester to see how they’re doing in and out of the classroom and in their personal lives and refers them to campus resources if needed
“I work with them throughout their college career and help them build skills to meet their goals, whether they’re seeking a leadership position, internships on and off campus, applying to grad school or a study abroad program,” she said.
After their first year, if students continue to persist in the program, they may apply for the Stoutward Bound Scholarship
Multicultural Student Services (MSS) office, in Merle M. Price Commons, works to strengthen connections across different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds, fostering an environment where all students can thrive, develop their leadership potential, and feel empowered to succeed at every stage of their academic journey. It promotes leadership development and intercultural awareness and enhances student success and retention by offering academic, career, and financial support and resources.
MSS also provides a gathering space and opportunities for students to connect, talk, study and relax. Students can connect with multicultural student clubs, like Black Student Union, Native American Student Organization, Hmong Stout Student Organization and Latinos Unidos.
