The College of Graduate Studies will bring back its virtual scavenger hunt for a second year to help new and returning graduate students engage with MTSU’s website to learn about the variety of services and resources the university offers. 

The space-themed “Campus Quest!” scavenger hunt — this year extended from one week to two — takes participants through multiple tasks, exposing them to important landing pages like the MTSU Registration Guide and Career Development Center, where they earn points to enter the hunt’s multiple prize drawings, said Bethany Cardenas, communications team member at the college. 

Interested graduate students can sign up now for the virtual scavenger hunt at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/campus-quest to join in on the fun that starts Monday, Aug. 21. The event’s open and joinable until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 1. 

Cardenas said the staff will draw winners the week after the hunt closes. She added that this year boasts more high-quality, MTSU-branded prizes with 15 total opportunities for participants to win. Prizes include a water-resistant fleece blanket, a cap, bucket hats, sweatshirts, Columbia button-down shirts, leather wallets, a clear bag and tie-dye tumblers.

Winners from last year’s 50-plus grad-student participants gave staff positive feedback on the scavenger hunt experience. 

“Thank you for hosting this!” said Cameron Oldham, who is pursuing her master’s degree in biology. “It was so creative, a lot of fun, and I genuinely learned a lot about resources on campus I wasn’t aware of before.” 

“It was a great activity to participate in,” said Shelby Hurt, a graduate accounting student. 

Others praised staff for the effort they put into the hunt and said that they enjoyed being a part of it. 

Cardenas said everyone at the college hopes for an even larger turnout this year — especially with the extra week’s duration of the hunt — because the activity provides great information for every student. 

To learn more about the events and opportunities at the College of Graduate Studies, visit the website at www.mtsu.edu/graduate. 

— Stephanie Wagner (Stephanie.Wagner@mtsu.edu)