BEYOND WELCOMING: BELONGING.
Sahid Rosado Lausell isn’t just bringing students in. She’s encouraging them to stay.
Students who feel seen — and heard — are likely to persist and overcome obstacles on the path to their degree. That’s why Rosado Lausell, recruitment and diversity initiatives coordinator in Oregon State’s College of Engineering takes time to find out what incoming students really need — considering every background, financial situation and interest. Such attention sets the foundation for their personal and educational success, long before they set foot on campus.
“Our underrepresented students are facing a lot in the college — and everywhere. From financial and food insecurity, to feeling disconnected from the college, and everything in between,” she says.
To show students they belong, it takes a step beyond the welcome mat. Rosado Lausell says many college recruitment programs have the best of intentions, but they often fail to consider how accessible and beneficial they actually are to their audience.
So she implemented a program that allows every student — and their family — to meet with an advisor the first time they visit campus. By the time they leave, their questions are answered, and they are prepared to begin their academic journey.
To solidify that relationship, Rosado Lausell stays connected with her students every step of the way. She coordinates events to build community within the College of Engineering, provides guidance and links them with organizations like the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, STEM Leaders, College Assistance Migrant Program, the Engineering Student Council, along with scholarships and other programs.
Rosado Lausell is also dedicated to helping students define their own success. She says it is dependent on the way we build our curricula, extracurricular activities and more.
“One thing that I really hope for our students is an environment that authentically nourishes their interests,” she says. “Too often, I see how we push students to pursue goals and paths that WE define for them, instead of allowing students to do it themselves.”
In the future, she plans to expand her outreach efforts to include K-12 schools, particularly in communities that don’t currently have opportunities to learn about engineering.
For Rosado Lausell, nothing is more fulfilling than seeing her students thrive.
“I’m lucky to work in a field that can directly impact students’ lives,” she says. “I don’t often get to see the immediate impact of my work, but just knowing that maybe I helped one student reach their goal is rewarding.”