Newsletter

Tyler Colfack
Cedar Hills, Utah
Human Nutrition
Leadership Track

Tavi/ Interest Group Leader

The inspiration for this project came from my orientation experience. I was able to meet others that helped me through my college experience. My Tavi leader was a good friend that I often went to for advice for classes and career goals, as we both were trying to apply to medical school. I wanted to give that same experience to incoming students. For my project, I wanted to help others have a successful time here at SUU and to be a friend they could go to.

There were however a couple difficulties that I encountered. First, I am a naturally quiet person. I would rather listen to a group of people than talk. So my first task was to overcome this natural tendency by creating ice breaker games and questions if the conversation got awkward or uncomfortable. A second difficulty I had was trying to put myself in their shoes. When I completed this project, I was starting my fourth year at SUU and I felt I was accustomed to college life. I had to remember what it was like to be a new student, away from home, and with such a large task at hand.

The members of my group benefited from my project. Not only did the orientation seem to pass quickly and with many conversations, many of the group members became friends afterwards. I frequently would see them with each other at school events and other activities happening around Cedar City. I also was able to spend time with some of them afterwards and hear about their activities since ThunderU. I feel that they benefitted by gaining friends to help them feel more at home and feel a further connection to SUU.

In addition to my group, I also benefitted from doing this project. I feel more confident in myself and my leadership abilities. I also feel that I am able to start a conversation with a group of people or individual people that puts them at ease. I too gained new friends that I enjoy doing things with and helping them with their different needs gives me a sense of fulfillment. I have learned a lot here at SUU and I feel that being able to pass along my knowledge helps create a better future class of students. I learned a lot during my project about working with people and I feel that this will benefit me immensely throughout my career as a doctor.

“I had to step out of my comfort zone to help them get excited about some of the traditions because I am not a great dancer and I don’t particularly care about some of the traditions, but I wanted to help them have an open mind.”
“The game was supposed to go for close to four hours but it was hot and the students began to tire quickly, so I elected to help each member of my group find their classrooms so that come Monday, they will not have to worry about it.”