Several hundred Cal State San Bernardino students and their families got an early introduction to campus life during Hire a Coyote and Family Fest on July 30, which featured workshops, employment opportunities and community-building designed to help new Coyotes begin the fall semester with confidence.

Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, the event welcomed students and their supporters to campus for an evening of learning, connection and celebration while introducing them to the people, programs and resources that will support their success throughout their college journey.

Students attended interactive workshops that were focused on preparing them for their first semester.
Students attended interactive workshops that were focused on preparing them for their first semester.

The evening began with Coyote Jumpstart, where students attended interactive workshops at Santos Manuel Student Union South that were focused on preparing them for their first semester. Sessions covered topics including connecting academic majors to future careers, understanding financial aid and navigating the transition to college.

During the "From Coyote to Career: Connecting Major to Professional Pathways" panel, CSUSB alumni shared how their college experiences helped launch their careers, offering advice and encouragement to students beginning their own academic journeys.

Students also attended the "Applied for Aid? Now What?" workshop, where they learned more about financial aid, how to better understand their offers and how the disbursement process works. 

During the one of the workshops, alumni shared how their college experiences helped launch their careers, offering advice and encouragement to students beginning their own academic journeys.
During the one of the workshops, alumni shared how their college experiences helped launch their careers, offering advice and encouragement to students beginning their own academic journeys.

A separate Coyote Success Workshop introduced students to academic advising, student mentors and campus resources that will help them thrive during their first year.

During the event, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships extended its service hours until 7 p.m., giving students and families additional time to meet with staff and ask questions before the start of the semester.

Many students attended the Hire a Coyote student hiring event.
Many students attended the Hire a Coyote student hiring event.

Many students also visited the Santos Manuel Student Union South Lobby for Hire a Coyote, the student hiring event hosted in collaboration with the Career Center and Student Employment. The event connected incoming students with campus departments hiring for student assistant and Federal Work-Study positions. Students learned about available jobs, hiring timelines and application processes, while several departments conducted on-the-spot interviews. Representatives from the Federal Work-Study program were also available to answer questions about eligibility and employment opportunities.

At Hire a Coyote, students learned about available jobs, hiring timelines and applications processes.
At Hire a Coyote, students learned about available jobs, hiring timelines and applications processes.

Working on campus provides students with more than just a paycheck. Student employment allows students to gain professional experience, develop transferable skills, build relationships with faculty and staff, and become more engaged in campus life while balancing their academic responsibilities.

A CSUSB student applies for an on-campus job.
Students applied for an on-campus jobs at the Hire a Coyote event.

Outside on the John M. Pfau Library Lawn, Family Fest welcomed students and their families for an evening of celebration and connection. Families gathered beneath canopies to enjoy complimentary food while taking in the beautiful campus, playing lawn games, listening to live music and participating in family-friendly activities. Campus departments and student support services were on hand to answer questions, and attendees could enter opportunity drawings for prizes, including a semester parking permit, Coyote swag and other giveaways.

During Family Fest, incoming students and their families enjoyed live music.
During Family Fest, incoming students and their families enjoyed live music.

Together, Coyote Jumpstart, Hire a Coyote, and Family Fest gave incoming students an opportunity to begin building relationships, explore campus resources and take meaningful steps toward a successful first year at Cal State San Bernardino.