First-Year Experience
Common Experience 2021
The 2021-2022 Common Experience theme is “Learning with Strangers: Leaning into the Unknown and Creating Dialogue” which is supported by Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell. With this text, the campus community will be able to think critically about how they interact with strangers, the impact strangers have, and how to engage in civil discourse. Through case studies based on current events and historical events, Gladwell explains that it is easy to default to truth when interacting with strangers and how easily misled we can be. He touches on the importance of human communication and the consequences that come with it .
How do you interact with a stranger – is the interaction dependent on the environment? What role does dialogue play in these common interactions? It is common to not think much of our interactions with strangers. However, these interactions have more impact on our day-to-day life than we think. The real question is, how are we going to let these interactions influence and mold us into the person we aspire to be. We hope that you keep this in mind as you interact with new people on campus!
Check out these resources to learn about different ways to become engaged!
- Malcom Gladwell Interview: Overview of Talking to Strangers
- Advice to Readers: Malcolm Gladwell’s Advice When ‘Talking to Strangers’: Be Careful
- Support Groups: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Fall 2021 Events, Videos, and Vlogs
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Beyond the Bar: Mocktails and Strangers | CeremonyRoom/Zoom | September 2
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Reconnecting With Your Inner Child: Trauma and the Effects in Adulthood | Ceremony Room | September 14
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Reconnecting with your Inner Child: Journaling | Ceremony Room/Vista Room | September 10
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Reconnecting with your Inner Child: Paint with Strangers | CAB East- Lawn | September 16
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Reconnecting with your Inner Childhood: Color with Strangers | CAB Lobby | September 22
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Hispanic Heritage Month: Tejanos and the Border | Vista Room | September 30
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| Speaker Series: Mayor | Auditorium | TBD |
| Walking with Strangers | On your own | November 13 |
| Native American Heritage Month Event | TBA | TBA |
| World Kindness Day | CAB Lobby | November 9 |
| Thanksgiving Food Drive | Campus Wide | November 8-17 |
| Leaning Into the Unknown: Culture and Religion | Vista Room | December 1 |
Spring 2022 Events, Videos, and Vlogs
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Don't Treat Yourself like Stranger: Let it Go | Ceremony Room/Pavilion | January 25
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| Don't Treat Yourself like a Stranger: Love Ya-Self | CAB Lobby/CAB Courtyard | February 14th |
| Speaker Series: Commissioner Clay-Flores | Auditorium | February 23 |
| Cultural Connection Through Food | Vista Room | February 28 |
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Don't Treat Yourself like a Stranger: Pupper Yourself | East Lawn | March 3
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Staycation Student Edition | Ceremony Room | March 8
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| Don't Treat Yourself like a Stranger:Expectation vs. Reality | Ceremony Room | March 23 |
| Leaning into the Unknown: Interlinking Religous Faiths | Ceremony Room | April 5 |
| Disability Allyship | Ceremony Room | April 28 |
| Dancing With Strangers | Vista Room | May 3 |
| 2021-2022 Common Experience Committee | |
| Heather M. Olague Executive Director, First-Year Experience |
Myrna A. Garza Coordinator, First-Year Experience |
| Ripsimé Bledsoe Faculty/Coordinator, First-Year Experience |
Kasandra Vela Peer Leader, First-Year Experience |
| Gabriela Santiago Family Engagement Coordinator, New Student Programs |
Bryant Moore First-Year Experience Librarian |
| Reba L. Fuggs Coordinator for Family Engagement, New Student Programs |
Tasha Martinez Diversity Resident Librarian |
| Caitlyn Pleake Assistant Program Coordinator, Academic Learning Center |
Allie Beedle Service Learning Coordinator, Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement |
| Teresa Enciso Assistant Director, Esperanza Hall |
Alyssa De La O Jaguar Math Program Assistant, Student Success Center Family Engagement |
For more information on our events, please visit JagSync or contact the Office of First-Year Experience at (210) 784-1435.