Veteran Services will host “Wake Up & Walk” April 22 at South Campus to connect students with campus resources while promoting healthy habits.
“The event is designed to bring students, faculty, and staff together in a low-pressure environment where they can learn about available services while participating in a short walk,” says Loreanna Alvarez, an organizer of the event.
The session is designed to combine physical activity with access to educational support in a simple and engaging way.
“The main goal of ‘Wake Up & Walk’ is to inform students of the many available resources that San Jacinto College offers through various departments while focusing on our health,” Alvarez said. “We want to get our hearts pumping and our bodies tuned in with a 10-minute walk.”
According to organizers, the event encourages participation across campus and creates opportunities for connection by bringing people together in a welcoming setting.
“The event is designed for everyone,” Alvarez said. “The more faculty, staff, and students that attend, the more we can reach by having them share their knowledge with their peers or class, like potential internships or job opportunities.”
The idea for the event was developed through careful consideration for the student’s needs. Alverez said the departments were inspired to create something that was both informative and interactive.
“This is a collaboration between veterans and student engagement,” Alverez said. “We wanted to be more engaging and thoughtful of how we provide students with information while also encouraging healthy habits.”
During sessions, participants will learn about different opportunities on campus. Organizers also plan to invite guests from outside of the program to share information and connect with attendees.
“Each walk will include a guest speaker from a different department that will offer various resources,” Alvarez said. “While we don’t want to limit the information shared, we are also inviting administrators to come out and meet our college community and share their journeys and experiences.
She added that the event is meant to create a relaxed environment where students can learn without pressure.
“This would encourage growth for all faculty, staff, and students by beginning in a low-pressure setting,” Alvarez said.
Participants can expect more than just a walk. The event also gives students a chance to socialize and explore different areas around campus.
“As this is a walking activity, students will meet new peers, administrators and possibly walk through a building they have not visited before. They can also expect to complete their daily walking goals,” Alvarez said.
The program will offer multiple sessions throughout the semester at different times for convenience. The schedule is designed to be flexible for students with varying availability.
“We will be offering two sessions. One in March and one in April. Since we offer an AM and PM session, they can expect to gain any missing information or simply join us for the walk again,” said Alvarez.
The event is designed to bring people together and encourage more interaction among members of the campus community.
“Both departments hope that these mini walks will encourage everyone’s overall health while also enlightening students with opportunities to gain insightful information,” said Alvarez. “We are looking for everyone to be bold and network with peers, faculty and administrators during our walks.”
Organizers hope the program will grow into a regular campus activity that students look forward to attending. Students do not need to prepare in advance and can simply show up to participate. “Wake Up & Walk” is intended to be flexible and accessible to anyone interested in joining.
For more information, contact Arturo Guerra at [email protected] or Loreanna Alvarez via email at [email protected].
