One of the strengths about TWU, especially the Houston Center, is the community atmosphere that permeates everything you are involved in on campus. Student Life is active in that development through its relationships and activities. It is also rather unique in that it lends a physical presence to many of the departments officed out of Denton: Career Services, Student Health Services, the International Education Office and the Wellness Center.
Examples of how these relationships unfold into events include such things as coordinating Immunization Clinics with Student Health Services, and working with Career Services to offer Career Fairs at the beginning of both Fall and Spring Semester. Another example is Outreach efforts extended to the evening folks as the Counseling Center and Student Life Offices team up to share important information. Once a month in the first floor lobby area for two days in a row, staff are present to hand out bookmarks, flyers, brochures, etc. on topics that relate to daily activities: time management, study skills, test-taking strategies, safety, etc. A different area is highlighted each month. Additionally, it is an excellent chance to connect with others in the TWU community.
As a TWU Houston Center student, you are immediately enveloped in two communities: that of TWU and the Texas Medical Center (TMC). The TMC community is rich with its offerings for students of health care disciplines. Within TMC, there is a Student Affairs Advisory Council that meets monthly, composed of staff and students of the various higher education institutions here in the Medical Center. Not only are good networking contacts made and information shared, but two events a year are implemented for the entire TMC community. Examples of programs include Stress Management, Caring for the Care Giver, a Spring Festival on the front lawn with food and live music, a Cajun lunch with a DJ, and an ice cream social, to name just a few.
TWU – Houston now has an on-going relationship with neighboring Methodist Hospital, specifically, the Eileen Murphree Mc/Millen Blood Center. Every semester, a blood technician team sets up tables for blood donations here on the TWU – Houston site. By structuring this into the daily lives of students, faculty and staff, it is our goal that individuals within TWU routinely give blood, and in doing so, cultivate a sense of responsibility to the larger community.
For Valentine's Day each year, cards are made by our students for the patients in the Texas Children's Hospital. Smiles are gleaned by all! And there has been a long tradition of TWU actively participating in the TMC annual Food Bank Drive, benefiting greater Houston. Presently the TMC community is in the midst of planning a Wellness Walk in conjunction with the Mayor's Wellness Council. TWU plans to be one of the many institutions within the Medical Center to actively support this health-conscious event.
The Office of Student Life is excited to help orchestrate opportunities for you to grow, cultivate a sense of community, develop leadership skills, and enhance your awareness within the kaleidoscope of life's encounters. It is the heart of TWU, and works to augment an academic base that will prepare you more fully for your entry in to another level of the professional world.
There is something here for everyone! There is something here for you.
