Mississippi University for Women’s Pan-Hellenic Council will host Dancing through Distractions, an event aimed at spreading awareness of and offering support to people with ADHD, Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 6:15-8 p.m. in the aerobics room of Stark Recreation Center.         

“The end goal is for (those with ADHD) to feel like they’re not only heard, but also thought of, because the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Sasha Burdine, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. “Everybody celebrates Breast Cancer Awareness Month but when I looked up the month of awareness that we have for October, it also said ADHD. I just want them to make sure that they feel cared for and seen.”

The event will be a class in which participants will be taught line dancing. The NPHC has secured the line dancing teacher, Bonnie Partidge, to be an instructor for the event.

“We plan on learning line dancing,” said Burdine. “It’s really popular and I think everybody loves dancing, even if they don’t know how to dance. This will also give them space to express themselves, learn line dances and have fun and dance with NPHC.”

NPHC has undertaken ample preparation for the event including getting the word out by posting flyers in person and online, brainstorming a title that was both inoffensive and eye-catching and getting the line dancing instructor on board for the event. The NPHC believes that it is important for them to do this.

“It’s important to me because nobody has ever done an event like this on campus,” said Burdine “From what I’ve researched no one else has done line dancing with a purpose like I’m trying to do.”

The initial plan for the event was not a dance but was changed to that after a poll was taken and it was revealed people would prefer a dance over the alternative.

“I originally really wanted to do yoga,” Burdine said “People with ADHD, their minds are always going. So, I was like, let’s do a yoga class to slow their minds down and relax. Or we can do dancing, something that’s pretty fun and chaotic. They said ADHD can be a little up on the scale, so let’s do dancing instead. Yoga is a little boring, line dancing is likely what more people will come to.”

The event will be free and open to the public.

Mississippi University for Women will celebrate transfer students in recognition of National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 20–24. The celebration, hosted by The W’s Student Success Center and themed “A Spook-tacular Path to Success: The Transfer Way,” will feature a series of events designed to support, recognize and engage transfer students.

“Transfer students make up approximately 75% of The W’s student body, bringing a wealth of experience, perspective and energy to campus,” said Clear Moore, director of The W’s Student Success Center. “Transfer Student Week celebrates this important group by helping them connect with one another, build lasting friendships and engage with campus resources that support their continued success.”

The week’s events include:

Monday: Monster Mic Monday

6–7 p.m., Nissan Auditorium

In partnership with the Residence Hall Association, students are invited to an open mic night to showcase their talents.

Tuesday: Don’t Ghost Your Boo-dget

12–1 p.m., The W Room

Students can enjoy a “hauntingly good” taco lunch while learning about financial wellness from Financial Wellness Peer Mentor Aalaya Campbell.

Wednesday: Web of Connections Wednesday

12–1 p.m., Student Success Center Steps

Transfer students are encouraged to stop by for treats, button-making and peer advice. Students can also sign a banner to share words of encouragement with fellow transfers.

Thursday: Thriving Thursday

11 a.m.–1 p.m., Stark Backyard

In partnership with Campus Recreation and the Counseling Center, students can enjoy a day of wellness, relaxation and mental health activities. Participants are also encouraged to join the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk at 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Fang-tastic Friday

Transfer students are encouraged to give back by participating in community service. Those who share photos of their volunteer work will be entered into an Amazon gift card drawing.

According to the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS), “National Transfer Student Week celebrates transfer students and the professionals who support them on their educational journeys.” NISTS notes that transfer students bring diverse life experiences, academic backgrounds and personal strengths that enrich campus communities, while navigating unique challenges as they move between institutions.

The W has been recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the leading master’s universities for transfer students.