Prospective, current LSUS can mingle in two Friday events

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Prospective, current LSUS can mingle in two Friday events

SHREVEPORT - Can't wait for the big fair to come to town next month?

LSUS has you covered with a pair of events Friday that showcases the campus spirit to prospective students, current students, and the community at large.

The Pilots open their doors to hundreds of high school students as part of Pilot Preview Day.

Students and their families take interactive campus tours and sit in on critical information sessions that propel them in their journey to become future Pilots.

The event starts at 9 a.m. and ends after lunch at LSUS's Fall Fest Fair in the parking lot of the Pioneer Heritage Center.

"We've been very good about getting information into students' and parents' hands at previous events, but we really want them to feel a sense of belonging on campus and to meet people," said Shelley Moore, director of recruiting at LSUS. "So we're adding a twist this year with a friendly Field Day competition.

"Prospective students separate into teams and participate in activities that have been crafted for people of all ability levels to enjoy. We've talked to our introverted and extroverted students, and they all thought this was a great way to take people out of their comfort zone without completely leaving that comfort zone behind."

The Field Day winners will get laser-engraved medallions from the LSUS Collaboratory, an immersive learning space that features large-scale 3D printing among other cutting-edge technology.

Prospective students will end their day at the Fall Fest Fair, which affords an opportunity to mingle with current LSUS students, faculty and staff.

Prospective students can connect with student organizations and specific colleges and degree programs as they envision what life would be like as an LSUS Pilot.

"It's invaluable for prospective students to see themselves in a place," Moore said. "That opportunity to meet with current students who are thriving in student organizations and have found their place - prospective students listen to those people a lot more than staff who are probably their parents' age.

"That peer connection is a critical piece to Pilot Preview Day."

Fall Fest Fair is for prospective and current students to enjoy various activities such as obstacle courses and food trucks while connecting with students organizations and academic departments.

LSUS Student Life director Emmanuel Sims wants to make the Fall Fest Fair a more interactive day for both prospective and current students.

"I challenged our student organizations and academic departments to not just set up a table but have an activity for students to engage in," Sims said. "While students pick LSUS because of our rigorous academics, student life also plays a large role in that decision as students are trying to find their place.

"Research tells us that post-COVID 19 students tend to be more introverted than before, so we have to meet them where they are and help get them out of their comfort zone."

Sims is adding an evening Fall Fest Carnival to the slate in an attempt to engage better with current students as well as faculty and staff.

The carnival (4-8 p.m. in the Pioneer Heritage Center Parking Lot) will feature a Ferris Wheel and other carnival rides and amusements complete with a full suite of carnival games and food.

"This is a new event that beefs up Fall Fest Week with the goal of attracting more of our college students as well as families," Sims said. "We wanted to provide a full carnival atmosphere.

"This is designed to highlight an exciting Fall Fest week and will hopefully be something everybody looks forward to every year."

The first 150 attendees get a free candy apple to highlight carnival cuisine that includes fried Oreos, funnel cakes, cotton candy, popcorn, and turkey legs.