After Office Hours Brings Students, Faculty and Staff Together

LEXINGTON, Ky, (Aug. 29, 2019) — The mission of the Office of Residence Life at the University of Kentucky is to empower students to engage in active learning, global citizenship and self-discovery while at college. However, those goals may not get accomplished if students do not feel a sense of belonging at UK. To feel like part of the UK community, students need to develop positive and supportive connections with their peers, faculty and staff. Thus, a creative solution emerged — After Office Hours.  

Early each fall, the Office of Residence Life invites colleagues from across campus into its residence halls to engage with students after normal business hours. While participating in After Office Hours with students, faculty and staff discuss campus resources, adjusting to college life, and students' aspirations, interests and needs. Faculty and staff interacting with students during After Office Hours demonstrates how the UK family is caring, supportive and student-centric. Moreover, this event allows first-year students a chance to build relationships with faculty and staff early in their college career, relationships they may utilize for support in the future.   

Faculty and staff members who participate enjoy connecting with students about college classes as well as their overall experience at UK. In fact, many faculty and staff return to volunteer year after year.   

After Office Hours will take place from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept.11. There will be a dinner and orientation at the Gatton Student Center in the Grand Ballroom. Resident directors will then escort AOH participants to their respective residence halls to begin After Office Hours. Volunteers might prepare themselves to answer questions about the following:

• academic advising;
• academic resources;
• how to contact a faculty member;
• how to be involved on campus;
• campus safety;
• personal needs, etc.

Those interested in volunteering or learning more about the program, should connect using the link here by Aug. 30, 2019, or contact Kenyatta Jeter at kenyatta.jeter@uky.edu or 859-323-4626.