The Caterpillar Crawl takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the V. James Eardley Student Center. Illustration by Michael Lindsey.
As enthusiastic students settle into a fresh semester with renewed spring goals, a free open house event called the Caterpillar Crawl is offered to introduce helpful supplementary programs such as workshops on choosing a major, or finding mentoring for job searches.
"College is a one-time experience, and there are many resources you can access," said Rosa Rodriguez, marketing and outreach student assistant in Student Services at Truckee Meadows Community College. "If you know about and take advantage of these services, you’ll be more successful."
Caterpillar Crawl is an open house that will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the V. James Eardley Student Center, and is sponsored by TMCC Retention and Support Services.
The purpose of the event is to let students be more aware of support that is available, such as special scholarships, expert resume advice, clubs and organizations for students, and free personal and confidential counseling. CareerConnect is also a new program that will be presented for the first time in Spring Semester.
Being successful at college is like a caterpillar going through a transformation to a free-flying butterfly, Rodriguez said. "Sometimes there are challenges along the way that can be transcended with the assistance of retention and support services."
Departments participating in the event are CareerConnect, Career Center, Re-Entry Center, Counseling Center, Student Government Association, and Disability Resources Center (DRC).
Caterpillar Crawl Works Like a Treasure Hunt
Welcome tables will be set up near the two main entrances of the V. James Eardley Student Center. Students wishing to participate can pick up a "passport" at either table. The passport is a brochure that describes support services in six different areas that may not be well-known to all students. A space for signatures will follow each section.
Students can then attend any of the six stations around the Red Mountain Building, and all six, if they would like to enter the raffle for the grand prize. When going to all six, the last station visited will submit the entrant’s name and email into the raffle.
Each station, or center, will be themed as one part of the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly. There will be free refreshments at each center, as well – fruit punch or lemonade at one center, popcorn at another, pizza, and cake.
Those entering the raffle will be eligible to win the grand prize package, or one of several other gifts, such as a free career personality and interest profile, an assessment that is worth $10. The grand prize is currently being decided upon and may include items such as USB drive, logo wear and more.
"It may be the first activity that you go to this semester, and it will be a fun way to start," Rodriguez said. "We are dedicated to helping students learn, get the help they need, and to have fun."
For more information about the Caterpillar Crawl, please call 775-673-7060.