Staff

The university staff are the people who support the day-to-day activ- ities and long-term success of a college. They include your academic advisor, the campus cook, and administrators.

As a student, you will have many opportunities to interact with various staff members. I recommend getting to know them by name and greeting them often. If you can do this, it will make your college feel more familiar and comfortable.
These college personnel have influence over the efficiency of a process, whether it’s getting paperwork approved or providing financial aid information, and can provide academic and social support. So, it’s important to value and build a rapport with them.

One example of a great college staff is Mrs. Laura Estrada, who works at the University of Southern California. I visited the registrar’s office to enroll in a few courses and Mrs. Estrada was informative, efficient, and amicable. In time she, her colleagues, and I became more acquainted. I eventually visit them as I passed their building and made it a point to visit at the end of a couple terms.
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It’s people and offices like these that make college success possible for students.