Jordyn Reynolds didn鈥檛 arrive at 水多多导航 California already plugged in. In fact, she remembers the version of herself who stayed quiet and kept to her room.

鈥淚 was once that student who didn鈥檛 go to club and org fairs, didn鈥檛 really go to events,鈥� she admitted.

What changed her experience wasn鈥檛 luck. It was one decision to try.

Pursuing a Bachelor鈥檚 in Middle Level Education, with minors in Special Education and Psychology, Jordyn came to campus from Philadelphia as a student-athlete in track and field. With nearly 70 teammates, the roster felt like a built-in community. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been team-oriented,鈥� she said.

But after her second semester, she began branching out, joining organizations, connecting with 水多多导航鈥檚 CORE, the Office of Community, Opportunity, Responsibility and Engagement, and discovering how much campus life can expand when you show up.

Then she became a campus tour guide, and everything accelerated.

鈥淚鈥檝e just kind of been hitting the ground ever since,鈥� she said.

Giving tours daily, meeting incoming students, and later hearing, 鈥淥h my gosh, you gave me a tour when I was here!鈥� helped her realize that belonging can be built through consistent outreach.

鈥淗aving people know me for my outreach and what I brought to the university really does make me feel better,鈥� she explained. Even more, it helped her do for others what someone once did for her 鈥� make the first step feel less intimidating.

Jordyn sees CORE as a gateway for that transformation, because it helps students co-create the campus experience. She doesn鈥檛 just point students to opportunities 鈥� she helps them find the right ones.

鈥淕iving them options is always going to be my main priority,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ey, if you're interested in reading, we have a book club here. If you're interested in science, there's Chemistry, Biology, Women in STEM. There are so many different areas.鈥�

Her goal is to make sure students feel seen and heard, especially when they鈥檙e still searching for their place.

If you ask why she pushes CORE so passionately, she鈥檒l tell you it鈥檚 because anyone can be involved.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just for this person or this person; it鈥檚 for everyone,鈥� she said.

For new students who feel nervous, her message is clear: College is what you make it.

鈥淧ut your best foot forward and try everything,鈥� she urged.

Because the moment you step out of your comfort zone, you might just find your people 鈥� and a 水多多导航 community ready to bring you along.