Campus swarmed by ANTS

August 27, 2009 by Renata Follmann 

The thought of going back to college can make some students feel antsy. But this semester, UNLV welcomes one of its newest organizations, the Alliance of Non-Traditional Students, or ANTS.

“It’s an unreached cohort of students and I realized that there was no organization [like this one], so I wanted to start one,” said Christopher Harrington, founder and acting president of ANTS.

According to Harrington, non-traditional students are the fastest-growing demographic on campus. Before ANTS was founded, non-traditional students did not have an organization in which they could meet, share stories, get support and improve their academic experiences.

The young organization has already sparked the curiosity and support of other non-traditional students.

Tara Lemieux is a good example of how ANTS is already reaching out to students who want to get involved.

“I felt it would be a great way to get out and become part of the UNLV community that I could relate to,” Lemieux said. “It was nice to know that there are other students in similar situations as myself, whether it be returning to school after years of employment, being a military veteran, having families or just being an older student in general.”

For both Lemieux and Harrington, getting a degree means a lot of effort and the indispensable help of friends and family.

“The demands on a non-traditional student are strenuous,” Harrington said.

Balancing family, jobs and new routines can make school discouraging for students who don’t fit the statistical mold of 18- to 25-year olds entering higher education for the first time.

“It always seemed that life had gotten in the way of not returning to school,” Lemieux said, explaining her journey back to higher education after several years.

ANTS hopes to provide encouragement through academic advising, mentoring, peer discussions and scholarships. The organization aims to supply non-traditional students with a solid base so they can lead successful academic and professional lives.

The founders of ANTS hope to help not only students who have taken the first step and enrolled at UNLV, but also those who can’t decide if school is right for them.

“A lot of the issues that we face are pretty general across the board,” Harrington said. “So who better than ourselves to help?”

For Harrington, sharing experiences can be a powerful tool to help someone getting back in the groove of school.

“I ventured into the Student Union [on the first day of school] feeling like I belonged and not feeling like the ‘old’ student who was returning to school,” Lemieux said. “I fully feel as though the support that ANTS provides students gave me the confidence for my first day at UNLV.”

The organization is holding its first open house at the Multicultural Center Lounge on Sept. 29 from noon to 1:30 p.m., with another session from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

ANTS welcomes all non-traditional and traditional students who want to help or need help. Harrington said, “We’re a new organization and because we are new, there are a lot of opportunities to get involved.”