The student representative on Old Dominion University’s Board of Visitors (BOV), Raquan “Ray” Griffin, attends BOV and Student Government meetings to keep the administration informed about how its policies affect students and to present students’ ideas for initiatives that can improve their college experience.
“My big role is to provide an opportunity for the Board to gain insight into the student experience, and it’s also for me to gain insight into how the university operates, its strategic initiatives and what goes on behind the scenes,” said Griffin, a public administration graduate student and the graduate assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Life.
The position builds on Griffin’s extensive resume at the University. He’s served as the student director of customer service and special events and Campus Ambassador for the ODU Office of Admission; chief of staff for the ODU Student Government Association (SGA); vice president of the SGA; and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
When Griffin was appointed to the Board in June, he presented goals for his tenure which included promoting campus resources and student mental health and wellbeing.
Since then, he has worked to create a new program called BEACON: Blue’s Essential Assistance and Campus Outreach Network. He likened it to a resource fair to reintroduce students to those offices and services that were presented to them during the heady time of orientation, when everything is new and different. Griffin bills it as opportunity to connect with faculty and staff and as a way for students to boost their success in all areas including health, well-being, academics and career growth.
The first BEACON events took place in October and November. They featured representatives from The Center for Orientation, Retention, and Exploration; the Office of Educational Accessibility, Monarch Dining, Office of Financial Aid, the Center for Career Development and Leadership, the ODU Police Department, Academic Advising, the Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office, and Counseling Services.
“We had an advisor from every academic college available to give students that face-to-face opportunity without having them having to get the runaround and schedule meetings. All these things were right there in front of them, in one space. I would have loved something like that when I was an undergrad,” he said, noting that it was created with the help of the BOV. “Now that it's up and running, I'm super excited for it.”
Access to student resources and mental health and wellbeing has been important to him for a long time, Griffin said.
“Being in grad school, there is still that importance of being a mindful student, but also knowing when you need to take a step back and just have some time to yourself,” he said.
Griffin also sits on the Monarch Dining Advisory Board and in mid-November, he orchestrated a student wellness event cosponsored by that board and the Tidewater Kennel Club.
Called Pawsitive Vibes, the event brought 20 puppies to Webb Center during activity hour to comfort and delight students, faculty and staff. It was a success and will next semester.
Two BEACON events will also be scheduled for next semester.
Accelerated master’s degree program
Before earning his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Griffin enrolled in the accelerated master's degree program for public administration, which allowed him to start upper lever classes in his junior year. He took two graduate courses over the summer, so this fall, he began the final year of his master’s program.
“It’s a quick turnaround time. I've enjoyed it a lot. This has been super enjoyable, especially because of the people in my cohort. It’s interesting because they've all lived life a little more than I have. Many of them have full-time jobs, some of them are in the military,” he said. “So, there are a lot of skills and knowledge to learn from my peers.”
Griffin, who graduated from Tallwood High School, was also accepted to other state schools like George Mason and University of Virginia but felt Old Dominion offered the best community for him.
“I chose ODU, truly because of the opportunities that were available here, being in an urban area and having access to internships. I've had a lot of great internships and networking opportunities in the area,” he said, noting in particular his internship with the Virginia Beach Detective Bureau.
Diversity was also important to Griffin. While the other schools he considered were diverse, he felt diversity was predominant at ODU and the University also made him feel “at home.” Having been so involved in student government and leadership workshops since high school, he also didn’t want to give up those connections.
“ODU was the best school for me.” he said.
Leadership
Ever since high school, Griffin has been heavily involved in student government and helping make his schools better places.
“Leadership has been a big part in my life’s development,” he said.
Last year, he received The Stephen Greiling Lifetime Achievement Award which is granted to a Campus Ambassador who has been employed by the Office of Admissions for two or more years and who significantly contributed to the mission of the team, goes above and beyond what is asked of them and serves as a mentor to new students. He said being a Campus Ambassador was an honor, noting that having the ability to help make the Monarch experience great for the students already here, while also helping to recruit new students, was a fulfilling job.
“I’ve been involved with a lot of different things as it relates to the true student experience and being able to make meaningful change for students. I’ve helped to approve policies in the senate, gone to President Hemphill’s office to say we need to change this or that, worked with our individual communities, such as our Divine Nine Plots, and helped with Homecoming. These were super memorable experiences,” he said.
Looking forward, and with the help of his mentor, ODU’s Chief of Police R. Garrett Shelton, Griffin is working on his application to the FBI NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the United States State Department.