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In February, Â鶹ÊÓƵ Dining, in partnership with the Office of New Student and Family Programs, hosted a Teaching Kitchen designed specifically for first-year and transfer students. The 50 available spots filled immediately, a clear signal that today’s students are looking for connection, not just consumption.

On February 4, Transfer Nation 2026 welcomed transfer and contemporary students for an afternoon focused on connection and reflection. As part of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s First-Year Connection programming, the event emphasized community-building and highlighted the academic and personal support systems available across campus.

Paul Bazzano has worked for Â鶹ÊÓƵ Recreation for more than 30 years. He started as a student worker while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in communication at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and is now assistant director of competitive sports and athletic training. 

On January 20, Â鶹ÊÓƵ expanded one of its most essential student support services. The Patriot Pantry officially opened a new location at Â鶹ÊÓƵ Square, extending food security resources to a campus that primarily serves graduate and professional students.

Operated by the Basic Needs Services team at the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC), the pantry provides nonperishable food and hygiene products to students experiencing food insecurity. The service is designed to reduce stigma and remove barriers that can interfere with academic success.

A mini career fair in October brought together 17 students and nine employer partners for a networking experience designed with intention: a quieter, structured environment where neurodivergent students could practice professional skills without the sensory overload of a conventional career event.

In a first for any university in the United States, visually impaired baseball players are getting a chance to step up to the plate at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Led by a volunteer coach and University Life’s Â鶹ÊÓƵ Recreation and Disability Services offices, Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Beep baseball initiative is gaining momentum after a successful community learn-to-play clinic last fall.

Student Affairs and Academic Advising professionals from across the country attended the first Student Success Coaching Conference: Ignite Your Success Through Coaching in October. The conference, hosted by Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Student Success Coaching (SSC) unit, provided an opportunity for more than 400 coaching professionals from 100 institutions—including Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, and others—to collaborate and learn from each other. 

Tereana Battle can look back on many accomplishments during her time at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, but one of the memories that gives her the most satisfaction is her capstone project, creating an anti-bullying workshop for middle school students.

The Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award honors the essential role families play in supporting their students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Students nominate their families, and the Family of the Year Award is announced at Family Weekend in the fall. The Choi family is the 14th Family of the Year recipient. 

Over the three days of this fall’s Career Fair, more than 5,000 Â鶹ÊÓƵ students filled Dewberry Hall in sharp professional attire and with polished résumés in hand—ready to take the next step toward their careers.