going up and down; we call it the lift ballet. Then we moved to the Dixon Ministry Center, Center for Biblical and Theological Studies, Chick-fil-A, and the dining hall, transforming them as well. We were all done by 3 a.m. I’m getting too old for it, but it’s a lot of fun. My favorite part may be sitting in the SSC at 9 the next morning watching students come in to see it for the first time, taking out their phones to take pictures to send to their parents. Finally, Elliv, is our end-of-year celebratory, high-energy show with music and dancing. It’s put on by 160 students, and I get to walk with them and facilitate it, asking “what if?” — “I see what you’re doing, but what if you try this?” We want to show that as Christians we can have fun, but not in a way that’s contrary to the Word of God. It’s a time to celebrate the year, and it invigorates the students for final exams. I want students to walk away saying, “I’m glad I’m at Cedarville.” Q: What role does Campus Experience play on campus? How does Campus Experience contribute to students’ 1,000 days? A: Campus Experience touches all students during their 1,000 days at Cedarville University. This starts at the very beginning, Getting Started Weekend, when our team welcomes and acclimates the new Yellow Jackets to campus. Then we have the privilege of planning events for students all the way through their 1,000 days. We’re helping create lasting memories and lifelong friends. Beyond events, the full-time Campus Experience team seeks to equip and engage our student-teammates with leadership development, professional opportunities, and especially discipleship. In doing this, our student-teammates then take what they have learned and influence their friends in their major, residence hall, or friend group. We take the 1,000 days we have with our students seriously, and our goal is to be intentional with anyone God brings across our path. Q: What makes a successful student event? How do you measure success? What needs to happen? A: Successful events are all about the experience provided rather than the number of people who attend. If you focus on the experience an event will provide, you will have the numbers to validate the event. So, success must focus on the students rather than the event. Successful events start with planning and taking the time to ask the following questions: What does the student need? What does the student want? What is the attitude of the students about the event or life at this point? What are the perceptions (thoughts) of the students? Taking the time to get a clear picture of the student allows you to develop an intentional event and develop desired guest outcomes that identify the following: What will the guest think about the event? What will the guest feel about the event? and How will the student respond because of the event? Events must be viewed from the students’ perspective, not the planners’. A successful event for Campus Experience does the above. In addition, it provides opportunities, environment, activities, services, and programs so that the student can create memorable and meaningful moments. Our goal is to provide for and serve others, and an event is successful when it meets their needs and wants. Q: Why do you think student events are important? Why does it matter that we put on ALT nights, Elliv, JS, and other events? A: Events and programs are essential because they meet the needs of the community, and they also equip students to seek out that community when they are away from campus. We put on activities and events to encourage community. We want students to put down their technology and engage with one another. Events like ALT nights encourage personal student growth as they grow in community outside the classroom. Campus Experience views events and programs as cocurricular and not extracurricular. We want our studentteammates and our guests to be able to use what they are learning in the classroom here on campus. Q: What do you love most about your job? A: I have a great job — it is a calling. God has allowed me to serve others through creativity, organization, and leadership development. When I drive on campus each day, I am reminded that this is a gift and to make the most of every day. The most rewarding part of the job is the people I work with. The people who serve alongside me in the Campus Experience office, the colleagues across campus, the summer guest groups we host, and, most importantly, the students God brings to Cedarville University. My job is people; my passion is people. 20 | Cedarville Magazine
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