Building Bridges: Open Doors Brings Students Into the Lyceum

The event is open to faculty, staff and students. Its goal is to help students feel more comfortable engaging with administrators, better understand their roles and build stronger connections within campus leadership spaces, Chancellor Glenn Boyce said.

"Each year, our Open Doors event embodies what makes the University of Mississippi special: connection," Boyce said. "It creates meaningful dialogue between our students and university leadership, ensuring that every student knows that the doors of the Lyceum are always open, and that we value their thoughts, ideas and viewpoints."

This year's event runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and is expected to draw more than 300 attendees, said Abdulrahman Bajunid, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Modern Languages, graduate assistant in the Division of Student Affairs and the organizer of this year's event.

"Ninety-six percent of respondents felt administrators cared about student well-being, 86% reported gaining new perspectives on administrative work and over two-thirds made meaningful connections or discovered shared interests with staff," Bajunid said.

"Administrative feedback echoed the event's effectiveness and praised its logistical improvements over prior years. The event clearly met its core purpose and learning goals, affirming its value as a bridge-building experience."

Coleman Grimmett, the university's senior director for business operations, has participated in the event over the last few years. 

"I have really enjoyed the level of engagement and dialogue fostered by the Open Doors event,"  he said. "This is a wonderful opportunity for faculty, staff and students to meet in a casual and conversational setting that really promotes campus community and connectedness."

"One of my favorite aspects of the program is when I see students across campus that I recognize from the event, and we have the opportunity to catch up further on how their school year is going or as a follow-up to our previous discussions. I also enjoy seeing those who return to the event year after year."

Morgan Dilworth, a senior from Jackson majoring in psychology with minors in law studies and philosophy, participated in last year's event. 

"Open Doors was an awesome experience for me," Dilworth said. "Coming in, I was able to tour the Lyceum and meet so many amazing people who have helped me throughout my journey at Ole Miss."

"As a freshman there are so many things you have to find out for yourself, and I am grateful that I was able to attend Open Doors and receive guidance and access to on campus resources so early."

Top:  Chancellor Glenn Boyce (left) greets students in his office suite in the Lyceum during a previous Open Doors event. The annual event, set for Oct. 21, gives students an opportunity to meet and talk with university leaders in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Photo by Christian Johnson/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services