William Roebuck, CGC ’26, wants to help students feel at home on campus. A graduate student in The Citadel’s online higher education leadership program, Roebuck spent the spring semester completing a practicum that supports the programs and people who help new students navigate the transition to college.
Through the practicum, Roebuck assisted with orientation intern interviews, developed and reviewed presentations for summer programs and studied how colleges communicate expectations and resources to students. The experience allowed him to apply concepts from the classroom in a real-world setting while gaining insight into the day-to-day work of student affairs professionals.
Roebuck did not begin his college career intending to work in higher education. He first considered careers in music and K-12 foreign language education. But during an orientation internship as an undergraduate, he discovered another side of education that appealed to him. He became interested in helping students adjust to college life, build connections and find opportunities for success beyond the classroom.
Over the course of more than 100 practicum hours this spring, Roebuck gained firsthand experience supporting those efforts. The work has reinforced his interest in helping students navigate unfamiliar situations and make the most of their college experience.
“I want to help students find where they belong,” Roebuck said.
Whether through orientation programs, peer education initiatives or future leadership roles in higher education, Roebuck hopes to help students build confidence and discover opportunities they may not have known existed.