A Closer Look At The Faculty Help Center: An Exclusive Interview With Miss Mary Obadan, The Coordinator of the Student Volunteers.

Emmanuel Omolayo

At FATSSSA, the Student Help Center is a haven of support to the FATSSSA community. This is an interview with Mary Obadan, a core contributor to the mission. This interview reveals the wide range of resources available at the help center.

Pressman: Hi there, thanks for taking the time to discuss the Students’ Help Center of FATSSSA. Could you please introduce yourself and share your affiliation with the help center?

Interviewee: Good evening, my name is Obadan Mary and I am the coordinator of the student volunteers for the help centre

Pressman: Thanks for sharing Mary, let's get started with the interview.

To begin, briefly describe what the Students Help Center is about and what inspired its creation.

Interviewee: The help centre is a student friendly arm of the faculty that helps students with whatever they are experiencing, be it mental, financial, emotional and educational issues.

The help centre has always been there, I guess only a few people know about it.

Pressman: Are there any upcoming initiatives from the organization that the FATSSSA community should know about?

Interviewee: An event is in the talks. I'm not allowed to disclose this yet, once the event time is close, I will let you know.

I think we should hold on for the event till next Monday.

By then the approval should be done.

Pressman: Alright, you mentioned that you coordinate the student volunteers for the help center, who can join and what are the processes involved?

Interviewee: Anyone from all the departments and levels should and can join.

Pressman: What are the skills students may possibly learn by joining the organization?

Interviewee: Empathy, listening skills, people will learn to help others, organisational skills amongst others.

Pressman: Okay, kindly describe the culture within the organization, what is it like to be a member?

Interviewee: Being a member of the help center, basically it's more like a family thing, members are united, lovely to each other and care for each other. There is a very beautiful relationship among members and even with the lecturer in charge. It gives an opportunity to associate with other people and hear about issues going on in the school. I hope this answers your question?

Pressman: Yes it does.

Also, is the help center facing any challenges presently? If yes, kindly highlight them.

Interviewee: Yes, students from other departments are not showing interest. Most people who are there are psychology students.

We need people from every department.

Pressman: What would you say to a student who is hesitant about reaching the help center?

Interviewee: Please try to reach out. It's for your benefit and to be guaranteed that your identity is kept safe, if you are dealing with any issue.

Our doors are open.

Pressman: If you could describe the organization in three words, what would it be?

Interviewee: Friendly, helpful and goal-oriented.

Pressman: Alright, thanks so much Mary, your insights about the Student Help Center are amazing, is there anything else you would like to share before we wrap up?

Interviewee: We would appreciate it if more people, especially from other departments aside from psychology, turn up for membership.

Also if anyone in the faculty is experiencing whatever issue, let them reach out, help is sure.

Pressman: Alright!