Student Activities Coordinator Katie Warnick has increased student engagement by partnering with internal stakeholders to expand RSU’s diverse and inclusive programming opportunities for Rogers State University students.
“Katie joined our team in October and has included internal stakeholders in the development and expansion of quality student engagement programming. She has brought positive changes to student programming, and we look forward to seeing her execute student affairs co-curricular plan to better assess student leadership development and event success,” Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Robert Goltra III said.
Warnick graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science in May 2020. At SWOSU, she served as the Collegiate Activates Board Director and as a Dean of Students Intern.
Her collegiate accolades and community service include Youth Leadership Oklahoma Class XIV, Greek Woman of the Year 2017-2018, a member of Sigma Sigma Chi Sorority and five years of service to the Organization Allocations Committee.
“Having previous higher-education experience in student affairs has allowed me to hone my leadership abilities, cultivate a network of colleagues in contrasting departments across campus, and continually develop my collaborative skills in a fast-paced environment,” Warnick said.
The Woodward, OK native has only held the position for a few months but has made a big impact by implementing more inclusive programming for the student body.
“We celebrated National Coming-out Day and are exploring expanding Greek-life to include fraternities, and welcomed back a black student organization, Brothers and Sisters of Excellence, to RSU after a six-year absence,” Warnick said. “In addition, we are spreading awareness for issues relevant to university culture such as National Suicide Prevention week, Prescription drug take-back day and programming about the dangers of alcohol during Scared Sober October.”
RSU’s finest student leaders have stepped up and help lead programming alongside Warnick’s direction.
“I was so impressed when I first arrived on campus with the level of activity and quality of student leadership. It has been highly rewarding and fulfilling to assist students in furthering their leadership skills, organizational management, and their pursuit of advancement and prosperity during their educational careers,” Warnick said.
Event planning during a pandemic is not ideal, but she has been able to adapt and think creatively.
“The pandemic has forced me to think outside to box, but also has allowed me the opportunity to reach more non-traditional students with unconventional programming such as virtual trivia nights and remote learning care packages,” Warnick said.
Warnick has also advanced a weekly student e-newsletter, Happenings On the Hill, that includes current events, announcements, organizational activities and allows students to stay in the loop without feeling overwhelmed. She encourages students to reach out, be proactive and find an activity that brings them joy.
“I challenge students to find at least one student event and/or organization each semester to participate in that interests them and adds to their student experience. This could be a volunteer event, movie night, virtual event, joining an organization, a tournament, or joining student government. If they just can’t find anything at all, then together, we will make something happen that does spark their interest. I want RSU to feel like home to all its students,” Warnick said.
Students may learn more about registered student organizations.