A Study On A Rutgers Education

The place I will soon call my alma mater, Belmont University, is a place to discover one’s passions and dreams. At this institution, you begin to define yourself, find your true interest, and mold yourself into a God-fearing leader. Just as any other colleges, students transform into leaders, but what makes Belmont sets apart from the rest is our foundation. Belmont strives for their students to transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith. I am grateful to be at an university that has molded me to be a firm believer of what I am passionate about, and taught me to use that energy to go from here to anywhere.

Coming from an undergraduate institution that focused on providing a ground-breaking and revolutionary education, I wanted to continue receiving an education that is the fruit of research and experience. NYU's

As an incoming EOF (Educational Opportunity Found) freshmen attending Rutgers University this fall, I had the mindset that if I did well academically, the transition from high school to college would go by smoothly. Unfortunately, college isn 't that simple. The transition to college is much more complex than people perceive it to be, in my case, it’s the most difficult obstacle I’ve ever encountered. Therefore, my aspiration is to conquer this transitional period as quickly and fluently as possible. When I had to changeover from middle school to high school, I was terrified. I didn 't know what awaited me and how much different things were going to be. It turned out high school was exactly the same, with the exception of the grades being ninth through Twelfth. There was nothing to be worried about. On the other hand, that wouldn 't be the case in college.

One undergrad student who is now a senior, Cassandra Skinner, tells how her choice to attend an HBCU was difficult due to the misconception that these types of schools were “ghetto” or “ratchet”. But after her first semester, and being on the cheerleader squad, she realized that this is where she belonged, with “her

Another major predicament that plays a large role in the amount of African Americans that do not receive a higher education is once they get to college, they do not have a typical or enjoyable experience once there. In today’s society, it is hard to imagine that there is still racism and segregation in schools and colleges today but the reality is, it still does very much exist. This is especially true when black students attend predominantly white universities. Even though most colleges promote themselves by talking about how diverse their

It was only a year ago when I was faced with making a very important decision that would affect me for the rest of my life. It was time for me to choose an institution of higher learning to continue my studies that would eventually lead me to my career. My decision wasn’t simply which university or college to choose, but as a young black student, whether to choose a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or a Predominately White Institution (PWI). This would take me on an insightful journey and I would make my decision after discussing the pros and cons of both institutions and through interactions with students, faculty and staff. Before too long

Gregory, Perry and Rankin also explains that In 1907, African Americans infrequently had different choices for advanced education aside from a general (HBCU) .Furthermore, Gregory, Perry and Rankin states that In 2008, HBCUs are still transcendently African American and flourishing in light of the fact that these organizations are effectively teaching and graduating African-American understudies more so than ever before. According to Gregory, Perry, and Rankin Notwithstanding and now and again ignored, HBCUs are an imperative choice for secondary school African-American understudies look into attending more so today than any other secondary institution. Lastly, Gregory, Perry and Rankin explain how (HBCUs) secondary schools offer advantages minority understudies may some way or another not get if they were to attend a non HBCU; which is why minorities and African American understudies choose to attend HBCUs solely over the option of advantages offered at these HBCUs.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Digest of Education Statistics (2010) compiles data on educational trends and statistics in the United States. According to the digest, in 2009 African Americans earned about 10 percent of all bachelor degrees awarded. Furthermore, about 20 percent of African Americans currently hold a college degree. When compared to the same rates for the white non-hispanic population, African Americans are largely lagging behind. The challenges that African Americans are facing must be met by post secondary institutions if this group is going to continue on the path of economic and career prosperity. This need is discussed in the report Minorities in Higher Education:

I have always known that I wanted to attend a top-tier university. The other details came later; the small size, the proximity to an urban hub, and my major itself. For a while, I was convinced that it would not happen; that I just wouldn’t get in. Now, I realize that I have an opportunity to do so. This is an opportunity I do not intend to waste.

Dr. Charleyse Pratt serves as the assistant vice president of multicultural affairs and engagement of Cleveland state university. In this role her primary responsibilities include coordinating Learning Communities Programs and Partnerships at Cleveland State as well as directing initiatives for the Cleveland Transfer Connection. The transfer connection partnership is with Cuyahoga county Community College’s where students are able to begin associate or undergraduate studies to earn a degree and then transfer to Cleveland State to complete the four-year baccalaureate degree. The Cleveland Transfer Connection (CTC) at Tri-C and Cleveland State University is a Learning Communities program unique to Cleveland because it provides services from two institutions and offers two degrees (an Associate’s and a Bachelor’s) in one community of students. Dr Pratt’s driving philosophy is to create opportunities while disarming challenges for students who have a desire to gain an education but now need the preparation to be successful in a classroom. Her approach is student-centered support, leadership training and resource management to better navigate the academic journey toward graduation.

A Rutgers education will not only allow me to grow as a college student but as a person overall. Graduating from Rutgers will hold a greater value in the outside world when I apply for jobs as this university has many well-known schools like the Business School or the School or Arts and Sciences. Since Rutgers is well known for their programs, this would allow me to be able to excel in my major of choice and be able to take different classes that would allow for my knowledge to grow more than it would at Rowan University. The classes that Rutgers will offer compared to Rowan would challenge me to work harder and push my limits in order for me to grow and succeed as a person. Having a Rutgers education will help my career goals because while I am there, I will have many opportunities to join clubs and organizations that interest me. Since I plan on

Living in NYC I’m exposed to multicultural youth, initiatives to support minorities in higher education are scarce; I am thankful that I was a Project Rousseau participant over the summer. As an open minded, multi-culturally explorist; Project Rousseau has shaped my perspective on higher education. Over the summer, I spent time in multiple countries, visiting museums and galleries, and moving closer to my dream with the support of Project Rousseau. Project Rousseau was facilitated by volunteers; the memories will forever be the foundation to my lifetime career of giving back to my community. I've noticed that many of my peers lack the academic preparation for college.

Searching for influential advocates for higher education, I come across an inspiring man who further fuels my passion for the preparation of underrepresented students. Dr. Elias Blake, Jr. He is noted for the attention he “brought fresh attention to the role of historically black colleges and became an authority on desegregation and the black educational experience” Schudel, 2007). I once waivered on the cultural importance of these historical institutions most times deeming them as antiquated and too late in the pipeline of academic progress for viability. Previously, I based my thoughts on my expereince having attended primary education that highlighted cultural appreciation aimed at preparing students for high achievement as a minority in America. I considered this cultural focus more valuable earlier on than the college level since self-perception develops so early on in life. However, I have since learned to look at topics through multiple prisms not just the value of cultural awareness.

In a publication titled ‘Black Women in Academe’, author Yolanda Moses describes how “isolation, invisibility, hostility, indifference, and a lack of understanding of the Black women’s experiences are all too often part of the climate Black women may face on campuses” (Moses, 1989). The detrimental environment surrounding these women frequently results in sullenness, lack of social assertiveness, and belief that they are less competent than male students. Even if time spent at an academic institution is minimal, with this kind of prejudice faced at an early age, any woman- black or otherwise, would suffer the rest of their life. In response to the discrimination faced at universities, some have created programs to aid black students and other minorities; these programs tend to generalize the needs of all its black students and do not fully support black women specifically.

In today 's world where the population, especially of the United States, is growing gloriously diverse, institutions of higher education must also reflect this aspect in their student body. The purpose of colleges and universities is to provide students with the education and experience they need to succeed after graduating as well as expand their thoughts and perspectives. Thus, they must create and maintain a similar environment in which students will live and work in the future. Although diversity has been emphasized as a priority for many schools, socioeconomic diversity is often disregarded. However, socioeconomic diversity plays an important role in developing the perspectives and minds of students. Thus, it is essential for the admission offices, especially of prestigious universities like the University of Pennsylvania, to recruit and admit more economically disadvantaged students as well as for the schools to meet the needs of and maintain those students.