By Claire Regan
Wagner College’s incoming commuter students got a jump start on the school year with a daylong orientation program designed just for them.
The first-ever Commuter Student Experience Day, held on Aug. 16, included campus tours, panel discussions and a welcome party. Parents, family members and guests were invited to join the first-year and transfer students who live close enough to campus to travel from home.
“The goal was to create an experience for commuters that was as meaningful and exciting as move-in day, when residential students are welcomed to campus,” explained Thomas Tressler-Gelok, assistant dean of campus life who spearheaded the all-day program. “As they navigate Wagner, we want them to feel excited and welcome, and comfortable with the commuter-student identity.”
More than 90 commuter students participated in the orientation. Attendance was encouraged, not required, Tressler-Gelok pointed out.
The day began with a Commuter Lounge open house. Located in Union 204, the freshly painted lounge features a large plasma screen TV with an Amazon Fire Stick for access to Netflix and other premium services, a fridge and a microwave, and comfortable seating for working or relaxing between classes. Lockers to store backpacks are available nearby.
Wagner President Jeff Doggett and Vice President Ruta Shah-Gordon were on hand to welcome the commuters and their guests.
Parents and family members attended a session about the best ways to offer support to their new Seahawks while students got to know each other in a separate session. Lunch and a welcome party followed.
“Parents are part of the commuter’s journey,” Tressler-Gelok stressed. Including them in the program with a panel discussion and an afternoon mixer was a priority.
Orientation leaders and Campus Life staff were available throughout the day in a “question tent” on the Union’s Forcelli Terrace to offer information about meal plans, campus parking, public transportation and other logistical issues.
An information fair on Trautmann Square featured local establishments from “down the hill” that are frequently patronized by Wagner students including Napoli Pizza, House of Beauty Salon, Olive Tree market and Citizens Bank.
Campus tours led by members of the Commuter Student Association included the residence halls because some commuters choose to live on campus during their four-year journeys.
“We are a residential campus,” Tressler-Gelok said, adding that the ratio of residential students to commuters this year is about 70 to 30.
Yenuli Perera, a junior biopsychology major who commutes from the Sea View section of Staten Island about three miles from campus, appreciates the Commuter Lounge where she spends a lot of time between classes.
“I’m so involved on campus, I don’t have time to go home during the day," she said.
She takes advantage of a meal plan to join residential and commuter students in the dining hall for lunch and dinner. The cold pasta salad bar is a favorite.
Perera remembers saying “hi” to two students in the Commuter Lounge at the beginning of her freshman year who encouraged her to join the Commuter Student Association. Today she is a Student Government Association senator, a student counselor in the Admissions Office and a first-year peer leader. She also served on the 2024 orientation staff.
Her best advice to commuters and to all students as the school year gets under way: Interact.
“Saying ‘hi’ can go a long way,” she pointed out.
More information about commuter student support services is available here.
