Student Groups Energize Collings Hall

The sights and sounds of students have returned in full force this fall to Collings Hall, and the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education undergraduate student groups have been busy building back.

This semester, Kappa Delta Pi and Aspiring Oklahoma Educators Association are in the process of rebuilding these groups through activities and fundraisers. Turnout was strong for the first in-person initiation for KDP, setting the tone the college is back and open for business.

Members of both organizations played host to a pumpkin-painting fundraiser on the south oval that was successful in securing funds for both groups to order their organizations’ T-shirts. In addition, a favorite fall activity of decorating and marching in the homecoming parade returned in 2021. This year’s theme was “Tune Back In” and the JRCoE cart was decorated as the Magic School Bus. Dean Stacy Reeder and 2021 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Jessica Eschbach (OU 2012 Language Arts Education) rode in the parade, followed by JRCoE students handing out over 900 books to children. The student groups are putting on Friday lunches with Career Services to offer resume, interview and professional dress tips, and will have a session on the emotional intelligence of financial literacy.

“My favorite part about working with the students is seeing the connections they make with each other,” said Director of Alumni Outreach Susan Greer, who also serves as the student group adviser. “We were working on stuffing books for the parade and the students who volunteered did not know each other. By the end of the afternoon, they were exchanging contact info and planning on attending Oklahoma Education Association’s conference together the following week!

“Everyone seems to be a bit hesitant to engage but our student leaders this year are enthusiastic about being back together and looking for ways to include everyone while feeling safe. I love that our students are so empathetic and kind to one another.”