Each spring, high school students across the U.S. declare their college decisions, a first major step in carving their future path, and it deserves celebration.
On May 1, Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative — an initiative that encourages students to pursue a college education — is celebrating its fifth anniversary by hosting College Signing Day across the nation. ASU will be shining a gold spotlight on future Sun Devils who declare their decision to call ASU home and joining the former first lady in support of students who decided to reach higher.
“College Signing Day is an opportunity to celebrate a college-going culture in schools across the nation, and we are excited to have a digital platform that allows everyone from school partners to parents join in sharing their students’ accomplishments,” said Brad Baertsch, ASU director of freshmen recruitment and admission. “Each student has had a unique path on this journey each with different challenges, and through these activities, schools can continue to share stories to future classes in letting them know college is possible.”
This is also an opportunity for the ASU community to welcome our newest Sun Devils. Here to share wise and encouraging words are professors from across ASU’s four campuses:
“This is probably one of the most exciting new moments in your life. … Contribute to conversations; contribute something that’s meaningful and substantive.”
— Foundation Professor Neal Lester
Department of English in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
“Take a class you’ve never heard of, something you have no idea about because it’s an adventure.”
— Associate Professor Hilairy Hartnett
School of Earth and Space Exploration and the School of Molecular Sciences, both in The College
“Find what you love. Find the major that just engages you and that you just know this is what you need to be doing.”
— Student Success Center Director Alexia Shonteff
W. P. Carey School of Business
“There’ll be internships, there’ll be actions in the community you can get involved in — but just get involved with what’s going on with your major.”
— Professor Michael E. Smith
School of Human Evolution and Social Change in The College
“Build community with students and study together, do projects together, explore and learn together.”
— Associate Professor Marlon M. Bailey
School of Social Transformation in The College
“Go to club events because at the end of the day, meeting people, getting out on campus is going to make your experience a lot better.”
— CEO Rick Shangraw
ASU Enterprise Partners
“Really embrace the expertise that you have all around you here at ASU. You have the best scholars, the most amazing professionals who are here to teach you.”
— Assistant Dean Jessica Pucci
Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication
“Talk to your instructors. They’re human just like you are. They’ve been there too.”
— Clinical Associate Professor Kimberly Kobojek
School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
“Be open to the possibility that there is something worth experiencing, or hearing, or knowing even if it feels different from your life or your beliefs.”
— Institute Professor Michael Rohd
School of Film, Dance and Theatre in the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
“If you’re really keen and interested in the subject, you should approach your professors and ask about opportunities to participate in undergraduate research.”
— Professor Thomas Sharp
School of Earth and Space Exploration in The College
“Explore all the great things ASU has to offer.”
— Associate Professor Sangram Redkar
Polytechnic School in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
Join these professors, alumni and the entire Sun Devil community in celebrating and supporting college-going students on May 1 by sharing inspiring college advice and post on social media using #CollegeSigningDay and #FutureSunDevil, and don’t forget to wear gold!
You can follow the celebration on Twitter: @FutureSunDevils and @ASU.
Future Sun Devil to-do list
If you are an incoming student, here are some ways to declare your decision to attend ASU.
- Download and sign your #FutureSunDevil certificate for #CollegeSigningDay. And don't forget to thank someone for helping you #ReachHigher.
- Show off your #FutureSunDevil family pride on social media. Mention @FutureSunDevils in your Instagram story and use a GIF sticker using the keywords “Arizona State University.” Your post may be added to our official Future Sun Devil story!
- Submit your #CollegeSigningDay photo. Three submissions will be selected to receive a special Sun Devil gift from ASU.
- Check out these digital downloads to “Sparkify” your room, college center or graduation party.
- Want more Sun Devil swag? Visit the Future Sun Devil page to find links to phone and computer backgrounds, graduation-cap templates, poster downloads and more.
- Make it official. If you are an incoming first-year student, submit your enrollment deposit to begin your next steps toward enrollment. Incoming transfer and graduate students can complete enrollment steps through priority tasks on My ASU.
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