Summer Steps for Fall Success

Written By: Ian Silvester

Incoming freshmen and their families filled the grounds of the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Tuesday, May 19, for the first Mane Event of the summer. 

It was the first of five first-year student orientations held over the summer, which are required programs to help incoming students begin college life confidently. 

According to the Mane Event webpage, the day-long orientation is a student’s “gateway to starting strong, building connections, and feeling at home before classes even begin.”  

One way UAFS ensures new students leave Mane Event feeling confident for the fall is through the leaders of each orientation: Current students. Student leaders, such as juniors Kaston Smith, a psychology major, and Arrington Rose, a biomedical professions major, and senior Adelie Howard, a business administration major, take students and their families around campus to give them a glimpse of what life looks like as a Lion. 

“With Mane Event, my orientation leaders were the first student-on-student experience. It’s the first time you’re not just talking to staff, but the first time you actually get to experience the culture of UAFS,” Adalie said. 

Mane Event is required, but there are exceptions. Kaston was unable to attend before his first year at UAFS, something he said left him less prepared for the first day of classes as others. However, instead of letting that be a setback, he has turned it into a reason to ensure others are equipped with everything they need to succeed. 

“I know there’s a kid who’s really anxious and isn’t sure why they want to come to UAFS. I want to be that person, like people were for me, who is a mentor or somebody they can look up to when they go to classes or just be their friend,” Kaston said, explaining how he likely would have dropped out of college had he not had those people at the start of his journey. 

During Mane Event, incoming students tour UAFS, stopping at colleges, departments, and resource areas such as the Academic Success Center and the Babb Center for Career Services;learn about financial aid; and leave with a plan for their first six weeks of classes. Students will also have time to learn more about the various Registered Student Organizations, or RSOs, that they can join. 

“They say at every Mane Event, students who are involved are so much more likely to be successful,” Adalie said.  

“Getting involved also opens you up a lot to the faculty and staff here,” Arrington added. “If I hadn’t joined all of this, I wouldn’t have the relationships I have.” 

All three agreed that at the end of any Mane Event, they want every student to know there is a place they can be involved at UAFS. Whether it’s Greek Life, Pickleball Club, or Geology Club and everything in between, there is an RSO for anyone.  

“They’ll make lifelong friendships,” Kaston said. 

“I want them to have that comfortability and have that foundation already established before they get here to help them better succeed,” Arrington said. 

“I want them to take away confidence in logistically knowing their way around campus and where their resources are,” Adalie said. 

Each Mane Event this summer will begin with check-in and a welcome, followed by academic college sessions and an engagement and resource lunch before students and parents split. Students will go on a campus quest and plan their first six weeks at UAFS, while parents receive financial aid and student support information. 

The remaining Mane Event’s this summer will be Friday, June 19, Friday, July 17, Friday, July 31, and Thursday, August 6. Students can learn more and register for Mane Event at https://uafs.edu/student-life/student-family-programs/mane-event/index.php. 

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• MANE Event
• New Student and Family Programs