Hardin-Simmons Student Engagement Services

(ABILENE, Texas)– At Hardin-Simmons University, the Student Engagement Center was created with the purpose of systematically improving the overall student experience.

“From the outside, our office is defined by three keywords: orientation, involvement, and retention. But internally, we prefer integration, engagement, and success,” states the Student Engagement page located on the HSU website.

HSU’s Student Success team believes success is a process rather than an endpoint, and the way someone arrives at their end goal typically speaks to the ability to succeed again.

Helping students gain the necessary tools for success is what Student Success Specialists are all about. There are four trained specialists who are always eager to help students through ways such as mentorships, academic support, and creating spaces to get involved around campus.

Now that the HSU campus has made the transition to online learning, many students are encountering new challenges as they adjust to the new delivery format. The Student Engagement team wants students to know it is OK to reach out for help.

Adrienne Morgan, Student Success Specialist

“Keep talking to people! Keep talking to us, your staff and your faculty,” advised Adrienne Morgan, Student Success Specialist. “I am excited to make the most of this situation and see the way Hardin-Simmons embraces who we are as a family to support, love, encourage, and engage each other in a totally new way.”

Morgan believes it is critical for professors, staff, and faculty to continue to be in communication during this process.

“My phone still rings, so when things come up you’re confused by or concerned about, reach out,” said Morgan. “This is new for all of us up here in Student Life and I want nothing but the best for you, so don’t hesitate to reach out when things come up.”

Available Resources:

Academic Center for Enrichment – The ACE is available online through Zoom and can be accessed through Canvas. In the Modules tab of the ACE section of Canvas, there are step by step instructions on how to schedule a meeting with a specific tutor as well as how to access each tutor’s office hours. Subject topics include Liberal Arts, Sciences, Businesses, and more.

Richardson Library – Although the library is physically closed, there are still resources available for research projects. Library faculty and staff offer a 24/7 chat service, found by clicking the “Ask a Librarian” chat box on the home page. This service is staffed by professional librarians that have access to all HSU’s databases and online materials. Other tools offered are subject guides, scanning content, and YouTube videos.

Due dates for all library books have been extended until May 7, 2020.

All due dates for library books have been extended until May 7. There are two book drops located on campus or students can send their books back to the library in the mail.

For further questions regarding the Richardson Library, visit the Library Contacts page.

Student Life on Instagram – Student Life is using Instagram every day for mental health tips (Mental Health Monday), spiritual life (Spiritual Formation Tuesday), wellness (Wellness Wednesday), academics (Academic Success Thursday), and other kinds of various activities (Fun Friday) to help keep students socially engaged, entertained, and mentally healthy.

Student Success Blogs – Although Student Engagement has been utilizing the Student Success Blogs since the beginning of the fall semester in 2019, the team believes the blogs can be even more helpful now that everything has made the move to online learning.

“We are trying to cover every platform with meaningful and intentional content,” said Morgan. “Instagram isn’t used by everyone and not everyone reads their HSU email, so we want to reach everyone. And we can ALWAYS use suggestions. So, if there is something you’ve thought about that you think other people can benefit from, email me. I want nothing more than to share things that are worthwhile to our students.”

How to reach Student Engagement:

“I, unfortunately, can’t buy you coffee through a computer screen, but I’m more than happy to chat over Zoom,” Morgan explained about new ways of communicating remotely. “Email is always good communication, but we all also have a texting number you can reach out to. Full disclosure, this number is through a texting service/app, so if we aren’t quick to respond it’s a technical issue. We promise we aren’t ignoring you. If we don’t respond quickly, email us.”

Adrienne Morgan, Student Success Specialist, can be contacted by email at adrienne.morgan@hsutx.edu or texted at 325-939-8673.

Emma Ellison, Coordinator of Student Activities in Student Life, can be emailed at emma.ellison@hsutx.edu or texted at 325-400-3155.

Austin Hennesay, Coordinator for Clubs and Organizations in Student life, can be emailed at austin.hennesay@hsutx.edu or texted at 325-400-3669.

Nathaniel Jack, Coordinator for Club Sports/Student Success Specialist in Student Life, can be contacted by email at nathaniel.jack@hsutx.edu or texted at 325-267-1571.

For more information regarding Student Engagement services, visit the HSU website.