How Do Students Define Engagement?

Aug. 31, 2015
Altherica "Nilah" Williams, an incoming freshman, originally form Laveen, Ariz., is majoring in molecular and cellular biology. "Excellence would be going above and beyond, and doing your best and better." Williams plans to go to medical school after she
“This year, I’d like to make above standard grades – a 4.0 hopefully – and secure an internship with a high-level consulting firm,” says Natalie Scibilia, an Associated Students of the University of Arizona senator and pre-business sophomore. “This isn’t
"I've never been outside the country before, me studying abroad is a big life experience for me," said junior Kaylee Wong, a global studies and communication major from Tempe, Ariz. "I'm going to a region I want to go work for in the future, so this is bo
Midshipman 2nd Class Philip Robert Wetherbee, a junior in natural resource management, says he would like to exemplify honor in the coming year. "Honor is always doing what you feel is right," he said. "After this year, I will be a senior — the pinnacle o
Elijah Christaan Countryman, a freshman from Phoenix majoring in business management, said: "Success is doing more than anybody would and putting in the extra mile for my professors and joining clubs."
"I think being a leader is important in the classroom," said Katie Alhadeff, a pre-business sophomore and member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. "In my sorority, I definitely want to step up and be a leader and be somebody that younger girls, and even gir
"Senior design day is the biggest thing for mechanical engineering students," said Joel Turnblade, a double major in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics.
"I want to be a high school math teacher, more for inner cities," said veteran Jonerik "Lurch" Harris Strawn, a UA junior in math education. "Sometimes, [inner city kids] get overlooked and I can relate to them more. Some inner city kids also need a male
"I want to go into a career in sustainable construction because it's important to reduce, recycle energy during construction and materials that we use to build," said Robert Evans , a junior in architecture. "I'd like to make a name for myself at the UA,
Arizona football players Jamardre Cobb , with sophomore linebacker Jamar Allah, a UA senior, and free safety Dane Cruikshank, a junior. "We eat together to accomplish the main goal and keep winning," Cobb said.
Faqryza Ab Latif, a psychology sophomore from Malaysia, said: "Happiness has always been an enigmatic goal for me, I have so many goals, but does it make me happy? I have to remind myself that I'm still young and take things little by little."
"I joined the Honor's College this semester, so it's a new academic challenge I'd like to tackle," said junior Daniela Kaplan, a philosophy and a gender and women's studies major. "I want to score really well in the LSATs and start applying to law schools

Students are increasingly attuned to the reality that they must have a varied range of applied competencies and skills if they are to be competitive for jobs and graduate studies – and that is why they chose the University of Arizona.

This year, the UA launched the Office of Student Engagement to help University students translate and apply what they learn in the classroom in transformative practices and experiences that will have a lasting impact on their professional and personal lives. The 100% Engagement initiative is a central component of the UA's Never Settle strategic and business plan beginning this fall, students will be able to graduate with an "Engaged Learning Experience" notation on their official transcripts.

UANews walked around campus recently and asked students: What will engagement look like for you? 

For UA pre-business sophomore Natalie Scibilia, being engaged means performing at an academic level that would enable her to earn an internship with a high-level consulting firm.

For veteran and UA transfer student Jonerik "Lurch" Harris Strawn, it means serving as a role model to high school students, encouraging them in their own personal success.

And Katie Alhadeff, a pre-business sophomore and member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, says it is about encouraging younger women to cultivate their own leadership.

Photography by John de Dios/UANews

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