GTCC Student Life Events Foster Engagement and Community

Photos and story by Charmaine Johnson, photography editor

Guilford Technical Community College’s Student Life Office is working to foster a sense of belonging and school pride through a variety of events aimed at student engagement and

community building.

According to Jarian Johnson, GTCC’s director of Student Life, these events serve multiple purposes but ultimately share the same goal: connecting students and strengthening the campus community.

“Each of these events is important because, while they all have different purposes, they serve the same end goal, which is to connect students together and build community amongst everyone,” Johnson said. “Each event is targeted to either give students a fun time or inform them and help them gain knowledge.”

Encouraging Engagement and Pride

Events like club fairs at the beginning of each semester encourage students to participate in school activities and attend off-campus events such as athletic games, further solidifying their sense of pride in GTCC. Johnson emphasized the impact of the Student Government Association (SGA) in making these events a success. “We are also lucky to have a strong Student Government Association to help push and promote many of these events. Anytime SGA is hosting, it is bound to be a great event!” he added.

What’s Happening on Campus?

Students can look forward to an array of other exciting events, including Green Out Night, Titan Tuesday and other celebrations. Green Out Night combines school spirit with entertainment, offering students an opportunity to enjoy a basketball game along with a halftime show hosted by SGA. “There will be fun challenges, prizes, and much more!” Johnson said.

Titan Tuesday, held every week at noon, is a recurring event designed to give students an opportunity to engage with campus life, connect with peers, and share ideas. “These events support civic involvement and community building by bringing all backgrounds of people together to enjoy the night. Everyone shares one thing in common, and that is Titan Pride!” Johnson said. “So why not come together and create wonderful memories among schoolmates?”

GTCC’s Student Life team and SGA strive to create experiences that resonate with students by basing events on student interests and feedback. Johnson encourages students to participate and share their ideas for future events. “SGA puts in so much time and energy into planning and creating these events,” Johnson said. “We always try to cater to the students and create events based on student wants. We have Titan Tuesday every Tuesday at noon—please come out! Show love or just tell us about your ideas for potential events that we could do in the near future.”

Engaging Beyond Entertainment

In addition to providing entertaining events, the SGA also strives to offer opportunities for students to engage with their education and the broader community. The Black-Owned Business Panel brought together local Black business owners to share their stories, challenges, and insights with students. This discussion not only supported local entrepreneurship but also sparked important conversations about business ownership and representation.

The Amazing in 8 Forum was held for students concerned about GTCC’s shift to an eight-week course structure. With the transition underway, the forum provided a space for students to ask questions and learn how the new format would impact their academic schedules. This event helped address concerns and offer clarity for students as they navigated the change. Both events demonstrated the SGA’s commitment to facilitating more than just entertainment but also providing valuable knowledge and resources to students, strengthening both academic and community ties.

For more information on upcoming events, students can follow GTCC’s Student Life updates through official school channels.