Alice Murray guided a student in finding her classroom—which happened to be on another campus. “It was a good feeling to help her go from ‘lost and confused’ to ‘confident and self-assured,’” she said.

Daniel Lê took a student who “was panicking and on the verge of tears” under his wing when a records error prevented her from beginning her classes.

Karen McKinney Holley helped several students who had signed up for a class on a different campus drop and add to pick up classes on the Clarkston Campus where they intended to be.

Such were the experiences of Georgia Perimeter College’s “Ask Me” volunteers who gave an hour or more of their time to assist students on the first days of classes this week. 

Now in its seventh year, the program stations volunteering faculty, staff and even students in strategic locations at the beginning of each term to greet students, answer general questions and direct students to appropriate offices or classrooms. Each volunteer wears an “Ask Me” button and is armed with campus maps, phone numbers and a list of frequently asked questions. 

A record number of 130 volunteers participated this fall, says Fran Mohr who, as director of GPC’s Customer Service office, oversees “Ask Me.”

Volunteers such as Susan Gast in Marketing and Public Relations and Mustafa Elsawy in OIT say the experience reminds them of the real and very important mission of the college: educating students.

“Having that one-on-one connection inspires me and reinforces the purpose of my work,” said Gast.

“It reminded me that on the phone or in front of the computer are not the only places where I can be helpful. We are all here for the students,” said Elsawy.

Other volunteers’ thoughts on their “Ask Me” experiences:

“Just seeing their worried and bewildered faces light up after giving them the information they need—that makes my day!” —Pat Kemp

“I saw the program as a way for me to quickly gain hands-on experience learning more about GPC while also providing service to students to ensure their success.” —Angiah Davis, new GPC employee

“A smiling face thwarts confusion, and you never know how that simple interaction can affect perceptions about GPC.” —Janice Byrd

“I forgot to take my button off and left campus for lunch. The waitress at the restaurant started asking me questions about GPC registration and other general questions about the college. I was wondering the entire time she was talking how she knew me, and then I realized I had my ‘Ask Me’ button on for the world to see!” —Suzanne Dickerson

“It feels good to be able to steer people in the right direction when they’re looking kind of lost.” —Dr. Erin Morrey, assistant professor, biology, Dunwoody.

“I also wore the ‘Ask Me’ button to my classes and used it to emphasize how important it is for students to ask questions.” —Rick Diguette, Dunwoody

“I teach courses online and … I wanted the opportunity to interact with students on campus. —Shakealia Finley, economics

“I always leave ‘Ask Me’ feeling that I was a part of students’ academic launch/success [and] that I helped to get them connected/directed.” —Stephen Taylor, Testing Services, Clarkston

“I wear the ‘Ask Me’ button the entire first week of classes each semester. Yesterday I was walking behind a group of students who were confused about where to go for a class in E building on our campus. One of them said ‘we need to find one of those ‘Ask Me’ people.’ I spoke up and said ‘here I am.’ —Patricia Mote, biology, Dunwoody.