My junior year in high school, I became a student mentor in our campus’s peer counseling program. This was an incredibly rewarding experience as I had the opportunity to help freshman students assimilate into our high school dynamic. As a peer mentor, I assisted students with personal problems and mediated issues with teachers in order to maximize their learning experience. I also acted as a role model for my mentees by talking frequently about AP and Honors courses and how to be successful in such programs. I put effort into learning about each individual's interests and goals so that I could expose them to clubs and academic courses that they may appreciate such as the Biomedical Academy or our school’s robotics team.…
When Chief of Staff to the President of Waco Community College Bristol Allen abruptly resigned, many were left wondering why she resigned mid-year. After being praised for her contributions in diversifying the college’s faculty and staff, and improving its academic standing among other Texas community colleges. The news of her resignation came as a shock to the community of Waco. As I began the interview of Mrs. Allen I realized that she was still very positive about her time at WCC but there was also a sense of buyer’s remorse. I first asked Mrs. Allen with all her accomplishments at WCC why she resigned so abruptly mid-year.…
It would be the greatest honor to be a TRIO SSS transfer mentor for Wenatchee Valley College students. I am interested in being a transfer mentor because as a first-generation college student I understand that being a first-generation student of color comes with barriers, but also gives me a unique and valuable perspective with which to bring to higher education. My parents only have an elementary education and have no understanding of the U.S educational system and as the middle child of five siblings, I understand the responsibilities and pressures youth in these populations have with shouldering the burden to accessing and disseminating information to their entire family. Additionally, I understand the cultural challenges some students of color may face as many traditional households discourage pursuing…
3. Thinking about your professional relationship with the Gateway professor you are working with this semester, what is the ideal professional relationship with this professor? I am in the class with Dr. Walenciak and he is one of the friendliest professors that I have ever met. I think that helps me to feel free to ask many questions about doubts that I have as a Gateway Mentor. The key word I think is RESPECT.…
Overview My journey through the UCM CPPP program has been very transformational. I selected this program based on positive feedback from peers. I thought a journey into an administrative role could be a distant possibility, but I was quite content in my current role in the classroom. This program completely changed my perspective.…
This program offers “comprehensive support through staff and peer advisers on academics, financial needs and careers” to improve the graduation rate from 23 percent to 53 percent…
The Senate Honors Awardees at Distinguished Faculty Event Throughout their career, UC San Francisco faculty put in great efforts to respond to mentoring and teaching responsibilities. The Academic Senate Committee on Academic Personnel (CAP) honors these efforts by awarding four faculty annually with the Senate’s Distinction In Mentoring (DIM) Award and the Distinction In Teaching (DIT) Award. This year’s recipients were recognized during an award ceremony surrounded by colleagues and family on Tuesday, May 29, in the Lange Room at the UCSF Library on the Parnassus campus. Each recipient gave an acceptance speech.…
I am interested in becoming an administrator in this community because I know I can aid with Whatcom Community College’s strategic goals and my values align with its mission statement. Though the utmost care and attention to my administrative duties, I would love to help WCC create opportunities for student growth and facilitate a diverse academic environment, which pushes students and staff toward excellence. I have recently graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, but I was also born and raised in Whatcom County and I would like to bring my academic and professional skills back to my local community. Moreover, my prior experience at Spokane Community College has shown me the positive and lasting impact a Community College can have…
When I went to my orientation last year, I did not want to be there. I was not excited for college, and I was upset that I had to attend orientation for two days. I did not know anyone in my orientation group, and I spent most of the time alone and uncomfortable. By the end of the first day, I had decided that I did not want to come to Wichita State and that I had made a bad decision. My transition mentors were great people, but they did not notice that I was miserable.…
Education is very important in society and it is a crucial part to getting a job. Coming to Towson University, I knew I had to balance both my social and academic life. As a Community Center Assistant, I will ensure that when students, families, and friends walk into the residence hall they will understand that education is valuable. I will have my assignments neatly arranged on the table so that when I sign people in, they will see that one can be a Community Center Assistant while also excelling in their academics and helping the community. I will be more willing to help and give advice to residents who have questions regarding courses for their specific majors.…
Move-in day was the highlight of my college career. As a freshman, I was preparing for a new term and feeling the eagerness for a new beginning. The transition from a traditional-styled home, to a communal dormitory space, is the start of one’s direction to adulthood and independence. Presiding in the learning community of Alvarez Hall forged me into the person I am today. Encountering a mixture of individuals with different sets of personalities and beliefs, allowed me to appreciate the culture and diversity the housing provides in order to cultivate the young minds of the future generation.…
Whether it was taking time out of my day to attend the first general body meeting of debate team or filling out the application for National Society of Collegiate Scholars, I began my success by putting my foot out into the unknown without fully expecting what I was going to get out of it. Having the adventurous mind to try out new things has opened my mind greatly to leadership opportunities, service, scholarship, and social justice. Topics and initiatives that I would have never thought to be conversing about or partaking in are now major parts of my everyday life. Through NSCS and every other organization or club I’m a part of, I have become a more active, accommodating, and out spoken person. To a first generation college student, obtaining success in college can often seem like a daunting task and many might shrivel in fear of the expectations.…
Almost every Saturday morning when I was in elementary school, my mother would wake me up for breakfast which usually consisted of cinnamon toast and cereal, I would get dressed in my favorite purple outfit, and pack. I would fill my small book bag with Barbie dolls, coloring books, and the whatever I was reading for school. Before leaving, my mother would make sure to stop by the gas station for snacks and to fill up on gas. We were going on a trip! We were headed to my grandparents’ house forty-five minutes away in Pascagoula, Mississippi; however, it felt like we had to drive for a full day.…
As an experienced educator seeking to transition into academic advisement, I was excited to see your opening for a Retention Specialist. Throughout my career in education, it has been the one-on-one advisement and counseling opportunities I have had with my students that have proven most rewarding. I am passionate about helping students find success as they navigate university studies. The following highlights my qualifications for this position: Solid foundation in higher education: My years teaching English to native and non-native speakers from around the globe, combined with my recent experience facilitating First-Year Composition at UCO, have fostered my capacity to serve varying learner demographics. As a recent graduate from UCO’s…
Student development theories are important to learn and to incorporate into any student affairs professional’s practice. In order to do so, one needs to learn about the wide breadth of possible theories, some which are applicable to many fields and others are more specialized. For example the highlights I learned from class are things I found applicable to my current job and future career goals as an academic advisor. Some of these highlights were theories that focused on understanding how general student populations think or what issues they may be experiencing in various stages of development.…