For Taz, a traditional college-aged Black Muslim female, the supportive community of her family, friends, culture, and religion are most important to her. She was raised in Kenya, and her parents wanted to instill in her important cultural values. Appreciating the flexibility that online learning has to offer, she was able to take classes online through Midwestern, while in Kenya, for her first year of college and then move back to her home state for her second year at Midwestern, taking classes mostly on campus. She is studying to go into nursing. Currently, she is living with three of her siblings, all going to college in-state. Having a supportive family, friend group and community at college is very important to her.
If Taz has time to spend in between classes, she really enjoys talking with her friends. A big, light-filled area on the third floor of College Services is just right for that. The area is big enough to hold a lot of people and it is a great place to relax and socialize.
The most important space on campus for Taz is the reflection/meditation/prayer room. It is also on the third floor of College Services. As a practicing Muslim, she prays five times a day. Often, she is on campus during three of those prayer times. At the prayer room, she is able to connect with her community and connect with other students who share her values. She also often leaves feeling very encouraged, having read prayers or encouraging messages left on the whiteboard by other students. Because the prayer times are set times, the prayer room can become very crowded, with a line waiting outside - which also provides another opportunity to see her friends.
If Taz has homework that she needs to work on, she would prefer to use the private study nooks, second floor of College Services, where she can focus. However, they are usually occupied. It seems as though students have to get to campus early in order to get into one of them.
Campus spaces where Taz never goes is the staff office area – it remains a mystery to her. She never had a reason to venture down those hallways.