Dr. Ọlaọcha Nwadiuto Nwabara is an assistant professor of West African literature and cultures in the English Department. She has been at Geneseo for six years and has a background in Black Studies, African Studies, and Africana Studies. Nwabara is Nigerian-American, and her family is from Umuahia, a city in Nigeria.

Every year, the Spring semester sneaks up on college students as they return from winter break. Compared to the Fall semester, professors assume a higher level of familiarity, preparedness, and an already-in-the-groove spirit. This can make learning new material overwhelming, as students already try to grapple with various homework and reading assignments they might struggle with. 

While many students may have had a romantic evening with their significant other on Valentine’s Day, the campus was bustling with students from various clubs and organizations hosting events. Many Friday afternoons in the Macvittie Union are sparse with people, but this past Friday, Feb. 14— it was anything but!

College students have a lot on their plates, and when it comes to their mental and physical well-being, things can get tricky— especially when we talk about sexual health. Sadly, this group is more likely to face problems like unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than others. To give you an idea, people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for more than half of all STIs in the US, even though they only make up about a quarter of those who are sexually active. 

On Thursday, Feb. 6, Dr. Alexandra Oprea from the University at Buffalo’s philosophy department came to SUNY Geneseo to present on “How to Be a Good Democratic Citizen.” This was the inaugural talk of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) Lecture Series. 

For schools nationwide, mascots are a vital symbol of community and motivation for its students, symbolizing the greater whole of the school and becoming a vital component of sports fan and player lifestyles. At SUNY Geneseo, we are lucky enough to have one of the most iconic mascots, having won the annual SUNY Mascot Madness in both 2016 and 2018, Victor E. Knight; aptly named for his appearance as a human wearing a medieval knight’s armor.

Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate love for romantic partners, but not everyone has a romantic partner. Whether this is by choice or coincidence, it is no reason to skip an opportunity to celebrate love!

On Monday, Feb. 3, 2024, Geneseo hosted their annual Study Abroad, Club, and Community Fair in the Macvittie Union from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. Most tables for this event were set up inside the Ballroom, with a handful extending out to the Union’s lobby area to show Geneseo students how many opportunities are available on and around campus and how to access these resources. This especially applies to the Study Abroad programs offered to students.

As the new semester settles in, students may search for ways to be involved in the campus community. Joining a culture club allows students to connect with their heritage, learn about a new culture, and build connections with diverse people. Shakti, SUNY Geneseo's South Asian club, is one of the 190 recognized student organizations, offering a lot for their members and the students on the SUNY Geneseo campus. 

The Student Association (SA) is teaming up with Geneseo’s favorite radio station and voice of the valley, WGSU 89.3, to hold a rubber duck scavenger hunt from January 27 until voting for Referendum begins on Mar. 3. This event seeks to raise awareness and exposure for the upcoming Referendum while engaging the campus in some light-hearted competition. 

Mashed potatoes are often a fan favorite but can be boring when prepared the same way every single time. Try this simple mashed sweet potato recipe if you are looking for your favorite comfort food with a twist. With just five ingredients, this recipe is perfect for college students who are still learning how to cook for themselves. 

On Thursday, Nov. 21, Sigma Tau Delta hosted its annual English trivia night. The event was held in one of the newly opened multipurpose rooms in the Milne Library and was open to all students, not just members. Students of all majors were invited to attend, regardless of their knowledge of English literature.

Food pantries are vital resources for many nationwide and worldwide to get the proper food and supplies they need. While the surface title of these organizations might seem limiting, food pantries often offer many goods beyond just food for those in need. They can also provide supplies related to hygiene and everyday life, such as menstrual products, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and other similar items.

Rose Mournighan is the Helpdesk Coordinator/IT Support Professional at SUNY Geneseo. Mournighan has worked at Geneseo since May 2023. She explained how she first got involved with computing & information technology (CIT) at Geneseo: “I went to the University of Rochester, and part of that was managing a student IT help desk for the IT department, but that was for $15 an hour.” Mournighan continues, “During my time at the University of Rochester, I fell in love with Student Affairs and working with kids.” A friend and fellow manager at the University of Rochester scouted for the CIT help desk job and told Mournighan she would be a perfect fit. 

When browsing SUNY Geneseo’s list of clubs and organizations, students may feel overwhelmed by the large selection. It may be daunting to see hundreds of clubs that present different experiences and benefits, but at the very least, a large array of choices means there is at least one fitting club for every student.

As the holiday season is approaching, deciding which presents are the best to put on your list as a college student is important. Whether transferring to a different dorm or moving into an off-campus apartment, these items may make a great addition to your holiday wishlist.

Around campus, you might have seen professors, college students, and other staff alike toting around Safe Zone stickers, pledging that they have completed training under the program. Though some might already be familiar with it, not everyone might have heard of the program that seeks to provide SUNY Geneseo students, faculty, and staff with foundational training on LGBTQIA+ vocabulary, topics, and issues.

Kayla Storie is a senior socio-medical and biology double major and an emergency medical technician (EMT) on the Geneseo campus. She is also the Chief of Operations of Geneseo First Response (GFR); “Chief of Operations for us is kind of the overarching term for the person who looks after and oversees all the other e-board positions.” Storie explains that her position “spans across clinical and non-clinical operations of our management, and then also just communication with teams that aren't our own.”

The holiday season quickly approaching is the perfect opportunity to shop locally. Buying gifts online may seem like the easier option, but it can be harmful to the environment and, at times, support problematic businesses. Here are some local businesses in the Geneseo area that will have some great gift options for your loved ones.

SUNY Geneseo’s Workout Center recently announced that it will be closed on Nov. 6 from 12:00 pm through 4:30 pm to deliver and install new workout equipment.