Building rapport: SC State’s Stephenson teaches freshmen about effective communication with professors, campus staff
At South Carolina State University, Dr. Windy Mack Stephenson wants freshmen to build that necessary rapport early in their matriculation.
Held in conjunction with SC State’s First-Year Experience Program, her recent workshop, “Improving Communication with Faculty & Staff,” was intended to equip first-year students with ways to succeed in their campus interactions.
“The first year of college is about more than academics — it’s about learning how to advocate for yourself, build meaningful relationships, and seek guidance when needed,” said Stephenson, executive director of academic and scholarship services for SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College. “Our students are capable, brilliant, and full of potential.
“Sessions like these ensure they have the tools to navigate challenges and thrive in this new environment,” she said.
Through a combination of discussion, guided instruction, and active learning, students explored how to professionally interact with faculty, ask for help, and build positive relationships with professors. Students participated in role-playing scenarios that reflected real-life academic challenges and analyzed examples of “good” and “bad” emails to professors. The sessions emphasized the importance of tone, timing, and clarity in all academic communications.
The workshop fit right in with what students are learning from the First-Year Experience program.
“First-Year Experience has shown me a lot in just a little bit of time, but the main things that has stuck with me is to surround yourself with people that want you to succeed,” freshman Keziah Darby said. “Make those connections with others including my peers and professors as well and making time for yourself is always important.
“And I learned to stop procrastinating so much -- have that mindset to just get it done right then and there. I enjoyed every meeting we had, each and every one of them helped in some way,” Darby said.
Stephenson’s session covered key topics designed to equip students with practical tools to navigate their academic journey more successfully, including:
- Why communication with professors matters.
- Best practices for emailing professors.
- Using office hours effectively.
- How to advocate for yourself.
- “The First-Year Reset” – understanding that college offers a fresh start and an opportunity to grow beyond high school routines.
Additionally, students explored such themes as the difference between a fixed and growth mindset, the importance of academic grit, and strategies for staying organized and self-motivated throughout the semester.
Dr. Lisa Sparks, the First-Year Experience program’s executive director, said student feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many participants expressed that these sessions were eye-opening and should be a required experience for all freshmen.
“Students mentioned that the workshops provided much-needed reality checks, and they realized how small changes in their daily routines could make a significant difference,” Sparks said.
Cameron Davis, first-year advisor for SC State’s College of Graduate and Professional Studies, praised the initiative, calling the sessions “innovative and reassuring in an unpredictable environment.” He emphasized the importance of such workshops in helping students build confidence and adaptability in their academic pursuits.
Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., dean of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, applauded the collaboration and the commitment to first-year success.
“Workshops like these exemplify the mission of the Clyburn Honors College — to equip students with not only academic excellence, but also the essential life and leadership skills they need to succeed,” Whitaker said. “We are proud to support programs that invest in our students' growth from day one.”
As SC State continues to emphasize holistic student development, workshops like these remain essential for empowering students with the mindset, skills, and support needed to succeed throughout their college journey and beyond.