Events like Discovery Day help students find both academic and extracurricular pathways. Photo By: Josiah Nelson

JCCC President Tony Miksa praised the college’s efforts in building extracurricular community through on-campus events, but noted students can have a difficult time finding their fit due to out-of-school obligations. 

“I think the college does a great job of getting connected with students,” Miksa said before diving into ways to improve the performance. 

Miksa made the comments as a guest speaker in News Writing and Reporting, which has collaborated with the president to create a live in-class press conference experience the past two semesters.

“We have to think about how we market these events,” he said. “I think there are a lot of students around that just don’t necessarily see events or they see it and walk by and they don’t know that that club or organization could be helpful to them.” 

Last semester, The Messenger reported on a survey that showed 43% of students feel like they don’t belong on campus. To solve this dilemma, Miksa discussed the importance of making campus activities more accessible to students who juggle commitments. 

 “One of the things that we always have to continue to do is look at when we are offering activities,” Miksa said. “Are there chances that we can do it at nights or later on in the afternoon, whenever it is, to try to connect to people?” 

 Reporters asked whether on-campus housing could be part of the solution.  

 “There are no conversations going on to get on-campus housing,” Miksa said. “Typically housing at community colleges comes when it’s in an isolated area where there isn’t a lot of housing or not as accessible.”