Students explore academic offerings at the Major and Minors Fair

Students look at some of the offerings in the Department of Geology.
Students look at some of the offerings in the Department of Geology.

Representatives from the schools and departments around campus gathered on Oct. 10 to showcase their programs for all Radford University students.

The Major and Minors Fair allows students to easily find information on a multitude of Radford University’s academic offerings, with a focus on pre-major students. At the fair, students explore majors, minors, academic programs, student engagement opportunities and student resources, as well as gain information about scholarships and academic organizations at Radford.

As students visited the more than 70 academic programs represented, they asked questions about the programs ranging from employment prospects to interest in the field.

“I absolutely love this part of my job and being able to not only to work with incoming students, but also visit with students who are already here who want help figuring out what to do with the rest of their lives,” said Lisa Baker Webster, associate professor in the School of Communication. “Usually, they have some idea to what that dream job is. Once you find that out, you can start breaking it down and figuring out what area fits it best. That’s why I think taking as many general classes as possible is a good idea. It helps them figure out what they want to do.”

Associate Professor Lisa Baker Webster, center, explains the offerings in the School of Communication to a student.
Associate Professor Lisa Baker Webster, center, explains the offerings in the School of Communication to a student.

College of Visual and Performing Arts Ambassador Lauren Slough said that she really enjoyed speaking with students and answering their questions.

“I could tell it on their face that they were excited as well,” Slough said. “I was talking with one girl who wanted to do interior design and she asked about jobs. You could see the look on her face – she knew what she wanted to do. It’s really fun to be able to share the love I have for the CVPA with people.”

David Anderson, an instructor in anthropological sciences in the Artis College of Science and Technology, brought examples of his field with him. Anderson displayed an ancient primate skull next to a human skull so prospective students could see part of the academic field.

“Having these samples really matters and having people touch and handle them,” he said. “While it is a cast and not the real thing, there is something different about being able to see how big it is, how it fits in your hands and how similar or different they are from the human skull that drives home the message of what we are trying to learn in the classroom.”

The Fall Majors and Minors Fair is sponsored by the Pre-major Advising Center, which works to empower all students to explore, evaluate, and choose their academic, career and personal goals.

For more information, please visit the Pre-major Advising Center website or call 540-831-5220.

David Anderson explains the origins of a skull.

David Anderson explains the origins of a cast skull to onlooking students.

Oct 13, 2017
Max Esterhuizen
540-831-7749
westerhuizen@radford.edu