Photos by Ralph Freso / Slideshow
Not everyone’s college experience will be the same.
“And that's OK. I think that's a good thing,” said Valarie Wright, a freshman commuter student at Grand Canyon University during Commuter Appreciation Week.
Wright views the commuter experience as an invitation to embrace a unique college journey – one that balances work, life and academics while staying connected to GCU campus life.
Commuter Appreciation Week, which wraps up today, brings attention to commuters' unique challenges and highlights the university's efforts to support and engage them in the community.
Senior Kieran Kuyper, a software engineering major, and freshman Hannah Underkoffler, a behavioral health major, spend some of their free time on campus putting together puzzles in the Commuter Lounge. "It is a good way to take a break from work,” Kuyper said.
The lounge, on the first floor of Kaibab, offers a home away from home, where commuters can grab a coffee, store their lunch in the fully furnished kitchen with multiple refrigerators, nap on the couch, watch TV or prepare for their next exam. It provides a quiet space amid their busy schedules.
GCU touts more than 6,260 commuter students, but not all of them know about the lounge.
“Even though I know there are a lot of commuters on campus, maybe only 10% use this space,” Kuyper said.
Part of the goal for Commuter Appreciation Week is to bring awareness to the resources GCU offers to make the college experience more connected and fulfilling for those students who don’t live in the residence halls and travel to campus each day.
Many students study on campus rather than at home to limit distractions. GCU offers study rooms with whiteboards in the commuter lounge and the library.
“If I can avoid doing anything at home I will,” Underkoffler said.
And the opportunities to connect to campus extend well beyond the lounge.
Commuters enjoy all the resources ground students do, from events to any campus facility, like the pools, gyms, Thunderground and Riverbed, along with the Canyon Health and Wellness Clinic and Student Care services.
And Underkoffler said, “Try to find time, outside of your on-campus hours, to be involved,” from joining a club or study group to just taking time to enjoy campus life.
Broadcasting major Cecilia Rangel, a recipient of GCU’s Canyon Rising scholarship, 200 of which are awarded to commuters, said, “I love participating in the Broadcasting Club.”
Commuter Appreciation Week was packed with events such as Commuter Country, Pop & Sip, Roller Disco and Rush Hour Rock, all designed to build camaraderie among commuters and foster a sense of belonging at GCU.
For many commuters, time management is crucial.
“Get good at organizing your time,” Kuyper said. “You're only going to be on campus for a certain amount of time. You’ll need to make the most of your hours on campus, whether it’s studying, doing homework, or meeting with professors and counselors.”
Mickele Kunselman, GCU’s Commuter Life coordinator, and the rest of the Commuter Life team play a key role in helping students succeed.
“I am lucky to have a team that genuinely wants to connect and get to know our commuter community. In fact, my team is on a first-name basis with most commuters,” Kunselman said.
Her passion for fostering engagement is reflected in numerous events aimed at making commuters feel connected and appreciated. Her guidance ensures that commuters can navigate their unique challenges while making the most of their college experience.
“For me personally, it has been fun getting to know the ones that come to the lounge regularly and even stop by my office to say hi or just to hang out between classes just to chat,” Kunselman said.
Though commuters spend their days driving back and forth from home to campus, GCU strives to make campus life as comfortable as possible during their time here.
“I would just say, don’t feel discouraged,” Wright reassured. “It may look different from the traditional experience, but you can still have fun and enjoy it.”
GCU student writer Leandra Lepp can be reached at [email protected].
