With the Spring 2025 term underway, the CUNY SPS campus has been buzzing with activity, starting with this semester’s Welcome Back Reception. The reception, which took place on February 4, was held over two separate meetings, the first virtually over Zoom and the second in person. During both events, students learned about the many services the School has to offer, and had the chance to mingle and play games after the staff presentations.
Virtually, Student Life Coordinator Parsh Lal and Associate Director of Student Life Anthony Sweeney kicked off the reception with a warm welcome to new and returning students before introducing one of CUNY SPS’ most notable students, Leonard Blades. Blades, who serves as co-chair of the Student Association and is pursuing his master’s in Disability Studies, had nothing but kind words for the CUNY SPS community.
“The Office of Student Life, they really go above and beyond…they really make the effort to make this community feel welcome and inclusive through all their events,” Blades said, before adding, “CUNY SPS is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, and I’m so grateful to the Office of Student Life and the services they provide to students.”
The virtual reception offered presentations from the offices of Career Services, Student Counseling Services, services for military and veteran students, Alumni Relations, and Student Life. Students were then split up into breakout rooms for casual conversation in smaller groups, followed by a CUNY SPS trivia session hosted by Lal for the entire group.
In person, students convened at the CUNY SPS building in Midtown, where they were treated to pizza, soft drinks, snacks, and party tunes. While some students caught up and played games, others got to know each other for the first time. After another set of staff presentations, Career Services offered an in-person LinkedIn workshop for those who wanted to update their profiles with expert help. And for students who needed a profile picture refresh, a photographer was on hand to provide professional headshots, a service that proved to be very popular throughout the evening.
With the reception a resounding success, students headed home after getting to know their on-campus community a little better. Lastly, the editors of The Kiosk would like to add one more hearty welcome back to students!
