KU Office of Multicultural Affairs program aids student’s success

Sara Anees, of Wichita, is a senior journalism major at Kansas University.

When Sara Anees arrived at Kansas University her freshman year, she didn’t know anyone and was unsure where she would fit in.

Anees credits the Hawk Link program offered through the University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs with helping her get involved and get through to her senior year. Anees’ Hawk Link retention specialist advised her to go to the activities fair and find at least one or two things to get involved in, she recalled.

“That really changed the trajectory that I had for KU — my productivity as a student but also my participation in extracurricular activities,” Anees said.

Anees completed the Hawk Link program, which includes a semester-long orientation class followed by seminars, her freshman year. The seminars offer programming specifically geared toward first-generation and minority issues of adjustment to college.

KU uses data that students provide on their admissions applications, as well as the federal application for financial aid, to connect underrepresented students with the program early. Anees said that was important because it made her more comfortable with the idea of going to KU.

“That laid the foundation for me as a student coming into KU,” Anees said. “I knew that I had a group of people who really cared about me as a student, my success and my experience as a multicultural student.”

Anees, a Wichita senior, will graduate in May with a B.S. in journalism with an emphasis in strategic communication and a minor in French. Her long-term goal is to go to law school, but she said that following graduation she is interested in a job in corporate social responsibility.

Anees was able to connect with people in her Hawk Link class that had similar experiences to her own, and those relationships were important when schoolwork got overwhelming, she said.

“I think Hawk Link definitely facilitated relationships and the experiences that I’ve had on campus,” Anees said. “That’s probably the most significant way that they’ve helped me: to adapt and excel at KU.”