Pirates Perspective
Stories, insights and conversations highlighting the people, traditions and future of the NCMC Pirate Community.
Pirates Perspective
Episode 10: Student Involvement
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Campus Activities Director Jessica Maye is the guest.
Welcome to Pirates' Perspectives, the official podcast of North Central Missouri College. Each month we'll share stories, insights, and conversations that highlight the people, traditions, and the future of the MCMC Pirate Community. Welcome back to the Pirates Perspective podcast. We've missed everybody over the summer, but we are glad to be back on campus with our students. And today we're gonna talk about campus activities and getting involved in MCMC. So today I have with me Jessica May, our student activities coordinator. She's new to MCMC and we're excited to have her here. So welcome Jessica. Thank you. So you're new to the role of student activities coordinator. So tell us a little bit about yourself and what ended up bringing you to MCMC.
SPEAKER_01Yes, so um I'm from Birmingham, Alabama. Um I come from like a big city, so just like coming from here, from there. A little culture shock. Yeah, it is, but it's all good. Um I went to Chattanooga Valley Community College um for three years, and I went to Clayton State University um for three years as well and played basketball there. Um I got my bachelor's in health and fitness management, and right now I'm working on my master's, getting um my master's in physical education. So been doing a lot of things there. Um, this role of being a student activities coordinator is very new to me, um honestly. But I did some programming, I did some things like this at my old job. So it's not really so much new, it's just like being in a different age group. Yeah, okay, that makes sense. Mostly, yes. So I don't know, I just I'm ready to experience all things of the student activities coordinator position, but I also am the assistant basketball coach too. So that was that played a little bit um part of the decision to come as well.
SPEAKER_02It gets you definitely in there with the students.
SPEAKER_01Yes.
SPEAKER_02So for someone who may not really know what a student activities coordinator might do, what does the role look like?
SPEAKER_01So we do a lot of of course we do a lot of events and activities around campus, but we also manage with student senate. So we work with the president of that organization, the vice president, the secretary, and we're also um getting some more um positions in that uh in student senate to help with the progression and involvement of that, and it's also just finding ways for students to connect and to engage on campus and getting them involved in different things so they can find not really find themselves but find their people above like around campus.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, find their community, yeah, absolutely. So, what are you most excited about as you start this journey this first semester?
SPEAKER_01So the first four weeks has been so big, and I keep hearing like it's the biggest thing here. So just like seeing how this the first four four weeks playing out. Um, I have like some great ideas and events coming up, so I'm ready to see how the students interact and how um everything just goes. So that's like really the biggest thing for me, and just getting like more involved into like everything on campus. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_02So, you know, we are a big campus about we want students to get involved. So when we hear students being encouraged to get involved, why do you think that involvement outside the classroom is such an important part of a college experience for someone?
SPEAKER_01Um, especially like coming from like we have a lot of students that's not from here. Yeah. So them coming from wherever they're from, like different areas, I think it's give them that community that they're looking for. It gives them a chance to um just find their inner selves and just find like people on campus, and like it helps them develop different ways of leadership, it helps them develop their their skills of connecting with people and just building things in their areas that's gonna help them grow to be the best, whatever they want to be in life.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. I think a lot of these kids um that are coming in as our traditional students, it is a wide variety. We have some that are coming from small, small towns where they've only been exposed to the same students, the same people for years, and then we have people coming from huge cities, and this is their first time in the city. Right? And yeah, we have international students, so it's just so interesting to see them all kind of come together. That's one of my favorite parts about the beginning of the semester. So sometimes I really do think that students think they need to be outgoing or already know people before they attend something. So, what would you say to a student who wants to get involved but is nervous? Like they're nervous to show up alone.
SPEAKER_01I've lie, you're not the only person that's nervous. I think everybody is nervous, so you just gotta like take that fear away and just go at it and just like have like embrace the experience because it's always an experience to like new things, like to experience those new things. So I think just taking a deep breath and just like going straight at it because you don't never know what you're gonna experience or what you're gonna get.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, they're definitely not alone. I have so many students that tell me, I'm like, I'm just so nervous, I'm so scared. Like, what if I don't you are not the only one? No.
SPEAKER_01I was literally just talking to one of the teams, she was like, Well, I just decided to not be nervous because nobody, like everybody else around me, is I'm just gonna like step into it. I'm like, Yeah, that's a good way to put it.
SPEAKER_02It's exactly right. So we already mentioned the first four weeks, but students are going to continue to hear a lot about our first four weeks as the semester begins. So, could you tell us what are the first four weeks and why do we put so much emphasis on the activities that we have during this first four weeks time?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, so the first four weeks is basically like the first four weeks of school. So we're coming to school, it's opening a week, like we're just trying to get everybody acclimated, um, get them to get involved, meet friends, meet different people on campus, community, all of these things, and just getting them prepared for like throughout the year. So just bringing on the events. So we have this week we had Coffee with the Cop, we had the student org fair, um, we have what else we had? We have like a little walk and brunch, well not walking brunch, but it's like a little snack, grab and go snack at the library. Next week we have we have a lot of stuff going on. We have Thirsty Thursday, and we have um go pickleball. Yeah, I like that. It's so many like different varieties. Like I've just been trying to like implement different things so like they can definitely have a chance to experience new things, but also just like like we said, like get involved in different activities.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and there's activity pretty much every day. I mean, I know that they get there's a chance for students to go to a Royals baseball game, yes, and that's next Friday. Yeah, and there's just all kinds of stuff. That schedule has been shared far and wide. You can see it on the TVs around campus, it's been in emails on the social media. So if you're looking for those, I promise you can find them somewhere. Yes. Um, for the first four weeks, if a student was only gonna remember one thing about it, what what do you want that to be?
SPEAKER_01Hmm, that's a great question. I think or one the student org fair, because I think that was really, really good, and they were able to not only see the students, other students around campus, but see communities and where like if they want job opportunities, if they want like different orgs that they want to join, I think that was really good. But the biggest one I believe, I feel like bingo is very a big hit, so I know that they will definitely um love bingo and the globe pickleball. I think that's gonna be a really good experience for everybody.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. Um, so you mentioned the community organizations. So we did have the org fair yesterday, which I think most people hear org fair and they think, oh, student organizations, but we did have so much community involvement. Um, I was absolutely floored by all the community involvement. I saw hospital, nursing homes, several churches, um, community health organizations. It was really great. Um, so why do you think it's so valuable for students to make those community connections while they're in college?
SPEAKER_01Because, like I mentioned earlier, like they're far from home or they're not at home. So just to be able to have those options to go, like you might need a doctor, or you you might need to go see a therapist, or you might want to go see what this place involves. So just having that different varieties of stuff to have to either do for activity-wise, or to get involved with different churches or whatever face-to-face you choose. I think that's just different options to have and to give them so they can know what what they have available for them.
SPEAKER_02And I think it's great for the community too. I will say I've been an MCMC for almost 12 years, and I have seen a real uptick in how the community interacts with our students. There are lots of places, especially Main Street Trenton, that offer discounts for our students, our our ice cream shop, our coffee shops, um, and I think that really gets the students out in the community as well. So we appreciate all of that community organization coming. Yes, I agree. So I'm gonna shift to Student Senate. So that's a very important part of MCMC. The Student Senate is a big thing. Um, so it's a way that students can have voice on campus. Um, so can you tell us what Student Senate does here at MCMC?
SPEAKER_01So um they really play a part in leadership around campus. So figuring out what the students want, what they need, what they want to see on the campus. So it's really the student center is here to help the campus, like it's here to help the student body of the campus. And I think it involves their leadership, it involves their like their commitment to finding what events the get the students want, or just all things like what the student wants and needs.
SPEAKER_02So, what type of student should consider getting involved with student senate? Do they need any previous leadership experience, anything like that?
SPEAKER_01I mean, leadership, like you can find leadership in any type of way. I feel like everybody has some type of sort of leadership. It doesn't matter like what where it's from, but like we have that type of leadership. So I think honestly, if you are seriously want to be involved on campus, if you like to have that spotlight on you, if you have those communication skills, if you have those little leadership skills, I think the student center is for anybody that can come on board and have different ideas and different mindsets to bring to the table. So it's not really um a particular person, it's just if you feel like you have that spirit and you just want to be a part of something, I feel like it's for you.
SPEAKER_02So, do you think participating in Student Senate could help students develop skills that they'll need after MCMC?
SPEAKER_01Yes, it definitely is a resume builder. Um, it definitely helps them build in their whatever chosen career they want. It definitely helps in that way. Their leadership, like like I said, leadership skills, communication skills, decision making, all of those things I think plays a big part to helping them grow into where they want to do for the future.
SPEAKER_02I definitely agree. I have seen some of our former presidents and other student service officers go on and do really great things. Um, it's surprising to me how many come back and basically tell us about it. So it's been great to see that. Um, so you know, we're talking about students on campus, and I think people typically think about the ones that live in the dorms and stuff, but we have a ton of commuter students, and not just commuter students, but non-traditionals. So, for uh you know, the students who have to drive to campus every day, are these activities that we are having, are those open to those students as well?
SPEAKER_01Yes, um, every activity we do is open to anybody, literally. Like if it doesn't matter if you're coming one time week or if you're coming two, three times a week, it's open, you can come. I try to make sure that they're planned enough at the times where you're probably just getting out of class so you can have that little time to be able to come and participate and enjoy activity.
SPEAKER_02Absolutely. So, I mean, I think a lot of our commuter students will probably think like I'm coming to campus for class and then I'm leaving. Um, what would you tell them about why it's worth sticking around for an activity or an event?
SPEAKER_01Um, just so you can have more of a college experience for one, because you don't want to just always work, work, work. You do want to have some type of play in it as well. You want to have fun, you want to get that experience, and you want to be able to, you know, enjoy yourself with different peers and get to know different people. So I think it's very important to just not always like I gotta go to class, I gotta leave. I think it's just like okay, let me let me go to some STG and see. Maybe you you can find something that you like.
SPEAKER_02Oh, absolutely. Um and what advice do you would you like to give residential students and our commuter students for finding that balance between our academics and getting involved? Because obviously we're here to do academics, but that doesn't have to be all of it.
SPEAKER_01Right. I feel like no, you don't have to come to every event, but you can put time put time aside to do your work, and then you know what event's coming up, so you can put that time to aside, like, okay, well, I'm gonna do work at such and such time, and then okay, the event is at this time, so I can make I can make it at that time because I'm gonna be more organized. I'm gonna make sure that I put stuff in place to where I can make both, I can do both.
SPEAKER_02So here at MCMC, we have all kinds of student interest groups. Um, I mean we have a geology club, we have something called the Nerd Guild where they do all kinds of stuff. I mean shooting sports, we have all kinds of stuff. Yes. So if a student has a particular interest but doesn't see an organization that fits it, what can they do? Can they start something new?
SPEAKER_01Yes, and it's so crazy because I was literally just talking to the president of the Nerd Guild, and a student asked asked him about a club that she wanted to start, and it was called the Drumma Club, and she's actually trying to get in the process of trying to start her drummer club, and so I feel like that is so important because some things might not be what you want that's already out there, so why not create your own?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, there's interest for it. I think that we I've I've seen that happen several times over the years. I mean, even the Nerd Guild, we didn't have that five or six years ago, and now it's really gotten big, so it's uh very possible for students to get those organizations going. So, where should a student look throughout the semester to find out what's happening on campus?
SPEAKER_01So, all Instagram, we have all social media platforms, so definitely Instagram, have Facebook, and then you have our website, the North Central Missouri website that you can go on, and we will be posted um on the little, I guess the little slideshow sets on the websites, and then on the TVs, you'll probably have um marketing on the TVs and even probably flyers just hanging around campus.
SPEAKER_02Yes, they they definitely uh you can see it all over the place. And I think they get even emails, it's there's no excuse for not knowing what's going on, everybody. So if someone did have an idea for an activity they'd like to see here, um, are you wanting to hear those suggestions? What's the best way for them to get a hold of you?
SPEAKER_01Yes, and actually we just put together um an email and a form, it's a form online that you can go to and you can express your interest. And if you um want to give ideas, you can always come to the student service um center, the student center, and you can come and you can go bring those ideas, and then you can come to our students in your meetings with ideas, but we're always open to hear new things and what you want to see on campus.
SPEAKER_02That's amazing. So, obviously, this is new to you, and so I'm sure you're bursting with ideas at this point. Um, so what's an activity that you're personally hoping students will get excited about this year?
SPEAKER_01So, we're having a scavenger hunt, but we're turning into a digital scavenger hunt. So it's kind of like do you remember like like a couple years ago we had like a little Pokemon? Oh, we Pokemon Go? Yeah, it's gonna like look something like that, and it's gonna be like based around campus, and you're gonna be have like a whole day of like adventures on campus, and you have to like it's like a scavenger hunt. So I think that's gonna be really, really cool and exciting for them to to see and develop because it really hasn't been done in too many places, so I think that's just like something new and fun because everything is digital now, and I think that's what's gonna make it better.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, we have yeah, I kind of gotta cater to that digital aid for student. Absolutely. Um, so let's say that maybe you had an unlimited budget. Okay, what kind of a student event would you just love to have? A concert. Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_01A concert. I would love to do a concert like that. Or like a big, not really like a homecoming week, but like maybe like a homecoming week. And it's just like you have different activities, like the concert, like a big game, or just something to bring like you know, community students and everybody together. So definitely a big old concert. We're probably the biggest artist that you could probably find.
SPEAKER_02Boy, wouldn't that be great. Um, so since you're the student activities coordinator, let me put you on the spot here. What do you is your actual personal definition of fun?
SPEAKER_01So I'm very physical. So anything active, um, that's why I'm like so ready for this pickleball event. Um, because like that's fun for me, but anything that can get get your excitement going, your your blood flowing, and just like you're excited for. I think anything that can tackle that inner child, I feel like is fun for me. I can see that, absolutely.
SPEAKER_02Um let's say what's one thing that students would be surprised to learn about you?
SPEAKER_01Hmm, that's a great question. Um I'm kind of like stuck on that one. Of course, I'm a former basketball player, but um well, they're just gonna have to learn fun, I think. Yes, everything's fun. Um, anything I love outdoors, I love to go hiking. They probably probably won't look in the easy guy. I love hiking, so that's probably something. There we go. Let's have a student hike. I like that.
SPEAKER_02Oh, we have a state park right outside the town.
SPEAKER_01Oh, that's a great idea, any event that might actually come into play.
SPEAKER_02I helped. So, and our wrapping up here, so for a new student, you know, brand new this year, who is listening to this podcast and who hasn't met many people yet, isn't sure where they fit here, what would be your message to them as we begin this semester?
SPEAKER_01Um, because I'm new here as well, and it has been so opening and so welcoming here. I think this is the perfect place for you to come and just be open about everything and to be accepted and just like venture out. Like, I know it's not a lot to do in Trenton, but it's so many people here that make this place like everything that you would need or want, and I just like tackle everything with the open mind, and I think we would enjoy the time here.
SPEAKER_02I couldn't agree more. I think that was perfectly said. Well, that's all I've got. So we really appreciate you coming and talking about our people's activities. I hope any students listening want to get involved, reach out to Jessica, check out the calendar, and do something. Yeah, get out there, meet people, have a great time, and to our community members. We thank you for being part of MCMC, and we hope you continue to come on our campus and support our students. So uh that's it for this episode of Pirates Perspectives, and we'll see you next time. Thank you for joining us for this episode of Pirates' Perspectives. We'll be back each month with more stories and conversations from around the pirate community. So be sure to subscribe and share this podcast with your fellow pirates, both past and present. That's it for this voyage. Join us next month for more Pirates Perspectives.