PN Photo/ Lydia Cooper
By Lydia Cooper and Bryan Ndum
In Old Main, the introvert student population gathered. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together introverted students, who make up 40% of the student body according to Kyle Smith, Dean of Student Affairs and associate Vice Chancellor. The Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity hosted the gathering for “Find Your Community Week.”
The gathering was held on Aug 22 with over ten students in attendance. The event was designed to celebrate the diverse personalities within the student body and offer a space where introverts could connect and engage comfortably.
“I wanted to have that event to get students who have similar personality traits and similar mindsets together and to get them connected to other students and get them involved on campus,” Smith said. He said he knew how to make the meeting “introvert friendly,” as he is an introvert. The meeting started with icebreakers so that everyone could get to know each other. There were board games available to students so they could socialize with the other students there.
“I felt it was good for me to come meet new people, I came to this school with only knowing one person I found this as a way to come out of my shell,” said Brenda Avellaneda, a freshman psychology major. By the end of the gathering, everyone was interacting with each other and socializing.
Rafael Batalla, a freshman History major said, “Just wanted to get out and do stuff to meet new people and make new friends.” By organizing this event, UNCP demonstrated its commitment to creating inclusive experiences that cater to the needs of all students. The success of the introvert gathering underscored the importance of providing spaces that honor different personality traits and ensure that introverted students feel valued and embraced within the campus community.
