{"id":5054,"date":"2023-08-16T20:16:48","date_gmt":"2023-08-16T20:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/?p=5054"},"modified":"2025-02-12T12:58:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T17:58:03","slug":"student-life-how-wilmus-online-students-stay-connected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wilmu.edu\/news\/2023\/08\/16\/student-life-how-wilmus-online-students-stay-connected\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Life: How WilmU\u2019s Online Students Stay Connected"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);}.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 991px){.kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column5054_e644b1-d5 dynamic-main-col\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p>\u201cIf you build it, he will come.\u201d You could say that famous \u2014 and often misquoted \u2014 line from the movie \u201cField of Dreams\u201d also applies to Wilmington University student <strong>Charleigh Geil<\/strong>, who\u2019s launching WilmU\u2019s newest online organization, the Marketing Club.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI noticed there wasn\u2019t a marketing club, so I thought I would talk to some people and see if it\u2019s something we could start,\u201d explains the marketing and biology major. WilmU provides \u201ca lot of opportunities, and they\u2019re willing to work with their students.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Living in Michigan and working full-time, Geil is one of more than 17,000 WilmU students who take courses online. She hopes the club \u201cwill help students feel more comfortable and expand their network,\u201d adding that it will \u201cbe a great way for everyone to connect.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>A great way for everyone to connect.<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Charleigh Geil<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The University wants online Wildcats to feel connected to faculty, staff and fellow students through virtual activities and experiences outside of the online classroom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe always say, \u2018Academics should be your No. 1 priority while you\u2019re here,\u2019 but we will encourage you to take advantage of the different opportunities while you\u2019re here \u2014 join a club, attend an event \u2014 to really round out your experience,\u201d explains <strong>Alice Miller<\/strong>, Wilmington University\u2019s director of student life.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many of WilmU\u2019s 40 clubs, organizations and honor societies host monthly meetings virtually, offering online students a perfect way to engage with fellow Wildcats \u2014 from the Pre-Professional Health Club to the Online Student Association to Toastmasters, an international nonprofit that builds leadership skills and teaches public speaking. There\u2019s Spectrum for LGBTQIA+ students and allies, and SHRM, which stands for the Society for Human Resource Management. The Green Team supports sustainability. And the Multicultural Student Association promotes awareness of diverse cultures.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt might be easy to assume that just because you\u2019re an online student, you\u2019re shut off from activities. There are many opportunities to get involved,\u201d Miller says. \u201cThe online book club is a great way for people who love reading to get involved.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And if gaming\u2019s your passion, check out WilmU\u2019s five official esports teams.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe would love to have as many people join us as possible,\u201d notes <strong>Christian Broderick<\/strong>, the head esports coach. \u201cIt really helps people feel more a part of this community.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide wu-blockquote-row is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote wu-blockquote-simple is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It really helps people feel more a part of this community.<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014 Christian Broderick<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, communities need leaders, so WilmU also offers a Student Ambassador program. Each fall, the University organizes a Student Leadership Summit in person and online. After completing it, you\u2019re eligible to become a paid Student Ambassador and help with the New Student Connections Group through Canvas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt definitely strengthens your resume\u201d and \u201cdevelops much-needed skills,\u201d Miller says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking of skills, practice yoga or learn about nutrition while connecting with your Wildcat community during free online events, including bingo and trivia nights. And how about Wednesdays for the win? Follow WilmU Student Life on social media for a chance at our weekly Win It Wednesday contests and drawings.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Did you know Wilmington University has 16 NCAA Division II sports teams in the CACC Conference? Even from a distance, you can tune in and be a super fan! Find a list of games on the <a href=\"https:\/\/wildcats.athletics.wilmu.edu\/landing\/index\">Athletics Calendar<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever your interests, Geil has some advice: \u201cI would say to go outside your comfort zone and do as much extracurricular as you can.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about Wilmington University\u2019s clubs, organizations and activities, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/studentlife\/studorganizations.aspx\">https:\/\/www.wilmu.edu\/studentlife\/studorganizations.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cIf you build it, he will come.\u201d You could say that famous \u2014 and often misquoted \u2014 line from the movie \u201cField of Dreams\u201d 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