Faculty and students from various colleges and organizations around campus came together Tuesday for the 7th Annual Prairie View A&M University majors’ fair. The event is sponsored by University College and provides information to students of all classifications and majors regarding specifics in their respective departments, how to change their majors or minors, and special services available to students around campus.
Held in the ballroom on the second floor of the MSC, the event was structured like a career fair, with tables and booths being manned by students and faculty from around the university. Several academic colleges were represented, giving students an opportunity to network with professors from their majors, in addition to learning more about continuing their studies.
“This really was a good opportunity to let the students talk to the experts about their majors,” said Ila Schauer, an advisor with University College. She added that the majors fair was specifically timed between the end of midterm examinations and before early registration for next semester, an advantage which allows students who decide to change majors or add majors at the fair to have ample time to register for the appropriate classes.
The program offers information to freshmen who are undecided about the major they have chosen or who have simply not yet committed to a field of study. “The idea for the event really came as a result of addressing the students’ needs,” said Fred Bragg, a professional advisor with the University College who originally came up with the idea for the majors’ fair.
In addition to getting more familiar with teachers and peers in their various departments, students were also able to learn about special services available around campus.
Joshua Colby, a senior political science major and tutor with the Center for Academic Support, manned a booth that distributed helpful tips about test taking, writing papers, and studying. “We’re here to help freshmen and sophomores in lower level classes to be productive at Prairie View,” said Colby.
For students who were not freshmen students this semester, the majors’ fair also offered information about scholarship help. “This was not just for freshman students; information about scholarships specifically for juniors and seniors is available as well,” Bragg said. The Department of Multicultural Affairs also gave students the opportunity to learn about the exchange program offered to Prairie View students, which allows them to experience other universities across the country.
Several students found the fair useful for getting more information. “I already had a major and I wanted to find out about my minor, which I did. I also got information about scholarships,” said Paisley Moore, a freshman criminal justice major.
“I got a lot of information about my major and a catalog of scholarships that I could apply for,” added Pilar Hall, a freshman social work major.
Darryal Williams, an educator with the health and counseling center, also manned a table, distributing information about the dangers of the use of illicit drugs and handed out free condoms. He called the majors’ fair, “a great vehicle to reach students and let them know about the services the health and counseling center provides.”