Culture Fest at Augusta University took place on April 13, bringing together students for live performances, cultural cuisines, student organization showcases, and a foam party finale. Now in its third year, the event aims to foster connections among students and build a sense of community in an inclusive campus environment.
Organizers say that Culture Fest is designed to help students feel they belong at the university. Shareen Clement, EdD, director of Mentorship and Student Engagement, said, “As student affairs practitioners, we know that belonging is both a predictor and an indicator of holistic student success. We also recognize that mattering, or feeling seen, valued, and needed, is a critical building block of belonging. Culture Fest provides our office with an opportunity to demonstrate that every student matters while celebrating belonging through the vibrant cultures that shape our campus and the surrounding community.”
This year’s festival drew more than 500 students and featured expanded programming with interactive elements such as its first-ever foam party finale. Clement said these unique experiences help create lasting memories for students: “Signature and unique memories play an important role in fostering belonging, shaping students’ experiences in school, and continuing to matter as they transition into alumni. These moments give them something meaningful to look back on and share with future generations as something to anticipate and celebrate.”
Student organizations played a significant role in the event. The Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) introduced attendees to Vietnamese culture by offering dishes like pandan waffles made with tapioca starch for a spongy texture. Calvin Tran, VSA president and second-year neuroscience major said: “Culture Fest allows us to attract an audience that we wouldn’t be able to have access to…we were able to share some information about our culture…We have some food from our culture that people can eat while experiencing some things that they normally wouldn’t be exposed to.” Soloman Amemasor added: “As a member of VSA who’s not Vietnamese, VSA represents a way for people to gain more insight on a different culture and step outside of our comfort zones.”
Tori Johnson coordinated this year’s event programming for Mentorship & Student Engagement (MSE), aiming for an energetic rave-style atmosphere. Johnson said: “Providing students with opportunities to showcase their unique talents and identities is important to our office because it is these identities that creates a vibrant campus environment. Next year we hope to feature bands and a variety of performances that celebrate both our student body and the broader Augusta community.”
Organizers encourage those interested in future events or connecting with MSE staff members about involvement opportunities at Augusta University.
