The College of Education (COE) Office of Undergraduate Studies held Cougar Cool Down on May 3, 2016 to help alleviate stress from finals.  This is the second semester for the event and the office plans on continuing the tradition for the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters.   Students were treated to a complimentary breakfast, and lots of tropical fun. 

Students said they really enjoyed getting together and having a little down time.  “There was great food and great people,” said Maddi Vaughters, peer advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Studies and Human Development & Family Studies (HDFS) major.  “It was a chance to hang out with friends and enjoy breakfast before the semester comes to a close. It would be awesome if we could have something like this every semester.”  Students were treated to healthy snacks such as fruit and breakfast bars.  Coffee and a variety of fruit juices were served as well.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of a $200 book scholarship to HDFS –Nonprofit Leadership major Leola Donaldson.  Students entered an essay writing contest and Donaldson won for writing about her hopes to change the world upon graduation.  “My goal is to not only advocate for victims, but to also create programs,” said Donaldson. “I am very interested and am striving very hard to become part of a program development team, because I believe that programs have the power to change individual’s lives.” 

One of our goals in the Undergraduate Studies office is to promote student involvement with the college, provide opportunities for students to get to know each other, and to let them know how much the college appreciates them. “Our tropical Cougar Cool Down was a well-deserved study break,” said Teaching & Learning academic advisor Alyssa Adame .  “It was a chance for students to sit back and relax and to enjoy some breakfast and each other’s company. We look forward to hosting it again in the fall- make sure to be there!”