Finding A New Way to Connect in College
Growing a program and supporting students in their college careers can already be considered a heavy undertaking in any given year, but during a pandemic, well, it may feel almost impossible to provide the same level of support.
But even the new obstacles that the past year presented didn’t stop Allison Hargrave, the College of Science’s Science Residential College (SRC) advisor and academic counselor, from being the steady hand her students needed in those uncertain times. In fact, her hard work and efforts to continue providing opportunities and to advise students during an unprecedented year recently earned her the 2020 LSU Foundation Staff Outstanding Service Award.
The LSU Foundation Staff Outstanding Service Award is an annual award established to recognize the superior work performance and outstanding contributions of full-time, non-academic staff employees of the LSU flagship campus and the LSU AgCenter.
Allison, who has been with the College since March 2019 and works predominately with first-year students majoring in the College of Science or pursuing pre-health, provides some insight into her role with the SRC, as well as what those who are interested in becoming part of the SRC family can expect from their experiences.
CoS: Congrats again on the award! How does it feel to be recognized for the long hours and effort in getting the SRC where it is today?
Allison: It takes a village, that is for sure. I am honored and fortunate to work with such an amazing team in the College of Science and Horseshoe Community. Knowing my current and previous students feel comfortable contacting me when they are going through a rough patch, feeling uncertain about something, or simply wanting to hold a conversation, is all the confirmation I need. The SRC would not be where it is today if it was not for Dr. Hollie Hale-Donze; I hope she does not plan to retire until I do.
CoS: What exactly is the Science Residential College? What can students expect to get from it, and what has the feedback been like thus far?
Allison: The SRC is a residential community within the larger LSU campus for first-year students majoring in the College of Science. Students living in the SRC take specific courses together in the fall and spring called cohorts, have enrichment activities throughout the year, a team of faculty and staff for academic and emotional support is available for the students, and tutoring/supplemental instruction is provided for our cohort courses throughout the year.
Upperclassmen have given great feedback about the SRC. Some have stated they are still living with their same suitemates from SRC, others are in study groups with some of the same students from the SRC years before, many of our residents become Residential Assistants after first-year to continue living in the SRC and help future SRC students, many become SRC or College of Science Ambassadors…the quote below is from a current SRC student relating to our event in October.
CoS: How much has the SRC grown in the past year alone?
Allison: In Fall 2019 we had about 189 participants for the SRC. Our freshmen class of Fall 2020 was the first class to live in both newly renovated Evangeline and Highland Halls. Our enrollment capacity is now at around 250. I think we will have more growth in the near future.
CoS: What has it been like spearheading the SRC? What are your favorite parts? What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?
Allison: I truly enjoy my advisor role because I am able to build closer relationships with a variety of personalities. I am a believer in what challenges you is what changes you. The challenge enables one to expand problem-solving skills and become more adaptable. Being involved in STEM programs produces trials for some. However, learning about individuals of diverse backgrounds, while seeing the change and growth in all of them throughout their first year of college, is very rewarding. It is a truly humbling experience to understand students’ perspectives and discover the impact made, however small.
The COVID pandemic has been one of the obvious and most difficult challenges throughout this role. Our residential community being the leader of the school by generating safe and enjoyable outdoor enrichment activities for students to assist them with their resiliency and mental health during a pandemic has proven to be positively impactful. Creating advising videos, contactless digital submissions of cohort courses and sign-ins for events, etc. has allowed me to accommodate the pandemic restrictions while expanding the outreach. I also have been offering in-person advising appointments since September 2020 in the SRC to assist our students with interpersonal interaction and avoiding Zoom burnout. We are all in this together.
CoS: Why do you think it’s important for students to consider participating in something like the SRC?
Allison: I think participating in the SRC gives students an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals with similar interests. We provide many opportunities for networking and involvement that enhance students’ education and engagement with the LSU and science community. The SRC can also help students feel a sense of belonging to know they have the support of the College of Science and other students within their residence hall.
CoS: Do you have any plans or goals for this upcoming year that incoming students can look forward to?
Allison: I do anticipate we will have a full house with a new, wonderfully diverse 2021 class. We are hoping to have more social and safe programing events throughout the year.
CoS: If a student is interested in the SRC, how can they find out more information?
Allison: For anyone interested in the SRC, our website provides tons of great information: https://www.lsu.edu/reslife/housing/residential-colleges/science.php or can send us an email scirescollege@lsu.edu with any questions.