Virtual receptions welcome UH West Oʻahu’s new transfer and returning students

Screen shot showing grid of virtual reception participants on Zoom.

There were dozens of participants at UH West Oʻahu’s Virtual Transfer and Alumni Reception, held June 18 via Zoom.

University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu alumni, administrators, faculty, and staff welcomed newly admitted transfer students and students who are returning to UH West Oʻahu at a Virtual Transfer and Alumni Reception, held June 18 via Zoom. Another virtual reception will be held June 25.

“While this event typically would have been held on campus, we held the event through video conferencing to accommodate social and physical distancing,” said lead event coordinator Dr. Gloria Niles, Director of Distance Education and Co-Coordinator, Office of Professional Development and Academic Support (OPDAS).

The June 18 event was for students who have already registered for their Fall 2020 classes. The June 25 event is targeted to students who have not yet registered for their Fall 2020 classes.

“For both events, the receptions provide an opportunity to begin to build relationships with our newly admitted transfer students,” Niles said. “Students have opportunities to chat in breakout sessions with other students and alumni.”

The receptions are different than an orientation; they are not designed to be informational, Niles noted.

“Rather, they are designed to share our excitement and enthusiasm for our newly admitted transfer students from other campuses in the UH system as well as students who may be new to the UH System, and students returning to UH West Oʻahu after some time away from being enrolled in classes,” she said.

While the Office of Distance Learning has offered virtual transfer and alumni receptions in the past, they have been exclusively focused on UH West Oʻahu transfer students located on the neighbor islands.

“However, the June 18 reception was really exciting as a virtual opportunity to network with all of our transfer students, regardless of their geographical location,” Niles said.

Students interested in attending the June 25 virtual reception need to register through both Eventbrite and Zoom. The Zoom registration will provide the link to access the event, while the Eventbrite registration has additional questions to help with tracking those who are registering.

Image courtesy of UHWO Staff