What an exciting time it has been for the Parent Program in the FYE Office! Rachel and I have been busily working to prepare for 20 new Parent Counselors. Our publicity started right when we got back to school in January, with applications due February 5th. We had 2 rounds of interviews for the Parent Counselors. First round interviews started on Tuesday February 8th and lasted through Thursday. On Thursday, staff sat down and made decisions to begin second round interviews. We had an unexpected twist in our plan- during our selections meeting on Thursday, we found out campus would be closed the following day due to snow, which is when we were scheduled to post the applicants who were invited back to 2nd round interviews. We quickly reacted and finished our list by Thursday afternoon. After the list was completed, we emailed all of our applicants to let them know the list was formed a day early.
After the craziness of Thursday, we were ready for second round interviews starting first thing Monday morning. During this round of interviews, the applicants were told to bring an object with them and explain why it would be good for a parent to give that object to their student before coming to college. There were lots of creative and well thought-out objects that were shared with us! Tuesday was a night full of evaluating and difficult decisions. After many hours of discussion, staff formed the newest addition to the Camp War Eagle team- the 2010 Parent Counselors!
The following day (Wednesday the 17th) was an exciting day for the FYE staff and especially exciting for Rachel and me. Parent Counselor Callouts were finally here! After months and months of planning, we were ready to have our new group. Staff met in Foy 189 around 7 that night to prepare for our Callouts that started at 9. Soon thereafter staff arrived, the 2009 PCs got to Foy to help us announce and welcome the 2010 PCs. While standing on the back steps of Cater Hall, each 2009 Parent Counselor announced one new 2010 PC to the group. After all of the names were announced, we asked the old and new PCs to join us back in Foy 189. When the new Parent Counselors were walking in to Foy, the 2010 CCs, as well as the 2009 PCs, had formed a spirit tunnel for the new group to run through. We really appreciated the CCs encouragement and support.
After eating the cookie cake we had to congratulate the 2010 PCs, they sat down to start their new job! Dr. Debbie Shaw spoke to the group about this history and Camp War Eagle and specifically mentioned how the Parent Program began and how much it has grown in the past 15 years. Two of our 09 Parent Counselors, Jeanetta Thomas and Torey Palmer, shared some personal experience and advice with the PCs. We feel like the 2010 PCs really enjoyed meeting all of the 2009 Parent Counselors and having them there to support them. After the 2009 group left, Rachel and I asked each new PC to stand up and tell us their name, hometown, major, and something interesting about themselves. Doing this was a really fun way to already start getting to know everyone. We introduced the new PCs to staff, informed them about their first training session and AU Knowledge test this upcoming Tuesday.
We are super excited about our 20 new Parent Counselors. I can already tell our group is going to be great!