Meet Aaliyah Moore, BSC’s new first-year student success coordinator. She comes to the Hilltop from the Department of Diversity and Inclusion at Arkansas Tech University. Learn more about her and her role on campus.

Tell us about some of your responsibilities in this position.

As the first-year student success advisor, it is my responsibility to:

• Ensure a successful transition to our college environment among first-year students, with a focus on students from populations that are traditionally underrepresented;
• Provide advising and support for first-year students;
• Implement student success workshops that will aid in the retention of first-year students;
• And develop and advise peer mentoring efforts for first-year students.

What’s one of your goals for your first year at BSC?

One of my responsibilities is to oversee the Panther Peer Mentorship Program for first-year students. An early goal of mine is to see success with this program with this being the first year it’s officially been implemented at BSC. I recognize that challenges will arise with the newness of the program, but it is my hope that each student who’s involved will find that the program has helped in some way as he or she starts to navigate life away from home.

What are you looking forward to in this role?

I think what most excites me about my position at BSC is that I have the opportunity to make an impact early on. First-year students come to college with a wide range of curiosity, fears, and doubts, and I am excited that I have the chance to help alleviate the stress that sometimes comes with being in a new college environment.

Do you have a favorite thing about Birmingham?

I think my favorite thing about Birmingham is the wide range of shopping options – ha! Big cities have often surrounded me, but I’ve never actually lived in one. It’s pretty exciting that I don’t have to drive too far to have access to my favorite stores.

What book have you picked up recently?

Lately, I’ve been reading “Becoming” by Michelle Obama.

What advice would you give students as they begin their first year of college?

My best advice to first-year students is simply to enjoy the journey and take in every lesson. Their first year is the foundation for the rest of their college career, and life beyond, so my best advice is to embrace each moment, knowing that everything fits together for a purpose.