Off Campus Newsletter

As the temperatures start to dip, it’s important to stay warm without sacrificing your budget. Check out these tips from Duke Energy:

Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. Every degree lower means more money in your pocket, without sacrificing comfort.

Seal leaks and insulate. Prevent cold drafts and keep warmth inside – saving energy and reducing heating bills.

Have your heating system checked by a professional. Routine maintenance helps your system operate efficiently, prevents unexpected breakdowns and can extend its lifespan

Change air filters regularly. Clean filters improve airflow and system performance, reducing energy consumption.

Let the sun help heat your home. Open blinds and curtains on sunny days to naturally warm your space, and then close them at night to keep the heat in.

Operate ceiling fans clockwise in winter. Push warm air down for greater comfort.

NC State students and employees who commute to campus by bus, bicycling, walking, carpooling, or vanpooling can get commuter benefits through WolfTrails.

Q. Can you talk about the work you do in your position?

A. In my role, I serve as program and project manager for student success within DASA, developing and executing initiatives that holistically address the academic, emotional, and social needs of every student. My core mission is to enhance student well-being and sense of belonging. This is achieved by designing, implementing, and assessing division-wide student success programming efforts, for example, the Student Success Symposium or the Student Success Connections initiative. This work is highly collaborative, so I strive to establish and maintain key partnerships across campus and the community, ensuring we foster a truly supportive environment. I also contribute by serving on several institutional committees like CARES, the JED Taskforce, and the Pack Essentials Advisory Board.

Q. What are the ways you assist off-campus students?

A. NC State can be a big place. We know that students who feel disconnected and don’t feel like they belong, are less likely to stay in school and succeed. This is exactly the gap the Student Success Connections initiative is designed to help close. Any student that is struggling to find their place at NC State can schedule a meeting with me and I can act as their “Engagement Navigator.” I’ll meet with them, (in person or via zoom) and we’ll engage in a conversation to get a better understanding of their background, interest and needs. The conversation is focused around how a student wants to be connected with NC State.

Based on that conversation, I will then provide the student with as many resource options that make sense for them. This may manifest in different ways, such as providing a list of resources, an email introduction to a campus partner, or even physically walking the student to an office or a resource. I just want to help students find their people. For many, it is an important part of the college experience that can also contribute to them successfully earning the degree they work so hard for.

Want to know more? Click to learn more about how Dave supports the Wolfpack community or contact him directly at dljohn22@ncsu.edu.