Linn, Collins receive $125 waivers for seeking academic counsel

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. -- Two freshman Northeastern State University students will pay a little less tuition after First-Year Experience and the Student Academic Success Center held a pre-enrollment cookout earlier this fall.

Michaela Linn (Colcord) and Sheila Collins (Muskogee) each received a $125 tuition waiver after visiting academic counselors and having their names entered in a drawing.

Linn, who hopes to enter radiology, visited an adviser with First-Year Experience.

"I just wanted to find out which classes I should take," she said. "It was suggested to me not to take a general biology course. Because of what I plan to study, I was told it would be better to take Evolution and Diversity as my basic biology requirement."

Collins wants to study chemistry, but adjusted her plans after consulting with an adviser.

"I visited Lauren Barrela of the Student Academic Success Center through my University Strategies class," Collins said. "I was leaning toward chemical engineering, but we looked it over and it didn't really mesh with my interests. After further assessing my interests, I decided I would study to become a forensic scientist."

During the pre-enrollment cookout, students were informed that enrollment was open for the Spring 2013 semester and encouraged to visit with an adviser on campus to ensure they were on the right academic track.

NSU advisers served grilled hot dogs to each visiting student and answered questions.

"It was a little cold outside but we had a great time interacting with students," said Jeff Walker, director of First-Year Experience. "Informational fliers were handed out detailing enrollment dates and many students attended the cookout.Those who visited with an adviser about their class schedules were entered in the tuition waiver drawing."

Walker said NSU attaches importance to students using all campus resources to their benefit, including the offices of First-Year Experience and Student Academic Success.

"We want students to have a seamless college experience," he said. "By visiting with their academic advisers, students can better plan their road to academic success as they pursue their degree."

For more information about First-Year Experience at NSU call 918-444-3253. For further information about the NSU Student Academic Success Center call 918-444-3651.