Cornerstone Class Reflection

This fall is my first semester at “Cougar Nation”. I previously attended Saint Xavier University in Chicago, where I held several leadership roles. At the beginning of my sophomore year (August 2014) I resurrected an inactive organization on campus called the African American Studies Diaspora Club. The organization’s mission is to encourage and celebrate the gift of knowledge, power, and unity existing throughout SXU’s diaspora of African American students. Under my leadership, the AASDC became the premier Black organization on SXU’s campus as well as an excellent service to the Chicago community. My work within the organization allowed me to be blessed with several related opportunities of service to the SXU community. I was dedicated

Over the course, as I began to see all the material and work come together, I felt a sense of accomplishment and felt very proud of what I had done over the semester. This learning experience has definitely opened my eyes and opened new doors for me professionally already.

I had my appointment on the previous week at the Writing center. I brought my 2nd project for ENGL 160 class. I scheduled tutor to “face to face”, because I think it is the best way to improve all of my mistakes. Before going to Writing center, I was thinking that this tutor doesn’t help me at all, but fortunately my thoughts was wrong and I enjoyed 1 hour of editing my project.

Keeping in line with Marietta College’s statement on Diversity and Inclusion, it is important to map out a plan to make sure we are living up to the mission of the college. In order to fulfill this mission, it is necessary to have students from diverse backgrounds represented on campus. However, having students on campus is only one aspect of D&I work. Understanding the make-up of the college and the surrounding city, it is necessary to ensure these students have the support to be retained through graduation. In this effort, I propose the creation of a three part program that will assist in this effort. This plan will involve

It was truly gratifying serving as a positive role model for the students that needed the extra motivational push. Instilling passion within others to pursue a higher education, serving as a prominent role model for my peers, and intertwining my Hispanic and American mindset has been a true blessing.

This opportunity welcomed me into a community fondly referred to as “Black NCSU.” At the African American Cultural Center, I was surrounded by love and support from both students and staff who wanted to see me succeed on campus. Having a community of intelligent and successful black staff members was an escape from the daily exhaustion of being black in a predominately white institution. Each microaggression was fuel for my intense fire to see a change on campus, which was representation. Representation is important because it gives those who come after us the motivation to strive for more: “I am because you are, you are therefore I am.” With this new motto in mind, I applied to be an Orientation Leader with New Student Programs. Fortunately, I was granted a position as one of six other African American students. Knowing how fortunate I was to have this opportunity I used my position as an Orientation Leader to welcome the class of 2020 to the university. However, I will acknowledge my own bias. I paid special attention to students and families of color as I wanted to be a familiar face to inform them of spaces for black students. I was further able to reinforce this familiarity as a Multicultural Symposium Counselor through Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA). MSA gave me a platform, a voice, to reach younger students of color and pass on the message of

There was so much a sense of unity all around the campus. Everyone was helping everyone, everyone was smiling and having fun. It was such a community-like atmosphere, and I knew right then that this was the university for me. Shortly after attending the Fall Open House event, I felt in my heart that I needed to really get the ball rolling and acquaint myself with the school/college that I am trying to get in to make sure it will get me to where I want to be. I then organized a meeting with Mrs. Sharon Stroye the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs for the School of Public Affairs & Administration concerning college admission. After speaking with her it sealed the deal for me. Rutgers is where I wanted to be. A Rutgers education is the foundation and next step towards my career in

True Colors uses colors to identify four distinct perspectives and personalities. Understanding your true colors and the colors of your co-workers or classmates, spouse or friends, children or parents, clients and others will bring about new awareness in not only understanding yourself and others, but will make you more effective in your relationships with

Institutional analysis has been a crucial component of understanding race and ethnic relations. As many of our institutions are based on education, they are a necessary foundation for establishing equity. Cal Poly has a reputation of having small numbers when it comes to students and faculty of color. While the majority of the population has insisted that conditions have improved, the remainder of the demographics are still underrepresented. Events such as Culture Fest are cultural celebrations, which are held throughout the year to build community for people of color on campus. The attendance of white students for these events is relatively low, and there are mixed feelings about whether or not the numbers should increase. I interviewed six

After reviewing the results of both the 16 Personalities Quiz and the True Colors Personality Test, I have come to the conclusion that the 16 Personalities Quiz more accurately represents me. The True Colors Personality Test states that my personality colour, gold, “Values rules” whilst The 16 Personalities Quiz claims “Dislikes being constrained by the rules” and in this situation, The 16 Personalities Quiz is correct. Although I follow the rules, I cannot come to terms with all of them. I am a Mediator, which are free spirited and artistic. If I am capable of going beyond the set limitations, then I should be allowed to. I can truly be my best self if I am not doubted. The True Colors Personality Test also says

Large portions of the minority youth in the Midwest grow up in low-income communities where risk factors reduce their chances to attend college and excel academically. Project IMPACT is a multicultural academic program created by former Associate Provost of Diversity, Dr. Myra Gordon, to help minority recruitment and retention. Over 4,000 minority students have participated in special campus visits during high school, and a lot of them have decided to attend the university. Each academic school year, the Office of Diversity at Kansas State University hosts “College for a Day”, sponsored by Cargill and ConocoPhillips. There are about 700 students that are influenced by our ten “College for a Day” events throughout an academic school year. The

The first assessment we took on Euruka.org was a personality assessment called the True Colors. In this test, personalities are identified as four colors: gold, green, blue and orange. My result was green. As a green I am an independent, collected and reserve individual who “values knowledge, insight and justice.” Just like a green person, I do value my education, I was always one to prioritize my homework and studying hours over social activities and leisure. I tend to be quiet and don’t open up to people right away, sometimes not even at all. It takes time for me to feel comfortable with someone before I can speak out and make jokes. Some of the occupations I was recommended, as a green, were a variety of fields from an Architecture to a

It is my honor to nominate the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for the Ujamaa Community Award, recognizing its leadership and vision for a healthy community at Ujamaa and, ultimately, at Cornell. One of the Chapter’s main goals this year has been to expand students’ ability to participate in processes and issues that impact them. Last month, the Chapter welcomed the new Dean of Students, Dr. Vijay Pendakur, to speak at Ujamaa. During the event, students got a chance to hear about the new Dean’s goals and how they might affect the lives of students and communities of color. The discussion included a brainstorming session on ways to improve the student climate and experience at Cornell. As a result, many students were able to make substantive connections with higher-level administrators, including Associate Dean of Students/Director of Intercultural Programs Dr. Renee Alexander and Director of John Henrik Clarke Africana Library Mr. Eric Acree. Many students were also able to use the opportunity to begin or further pursuing making a difference in an issue meaningful to them.

Through the True Colors assessment conducted by Jill Pletcher from the WSU Career Development Center, True Color made me to look at myself and my personality temperament. She used True Colors four character cards to differentiate the four central personality styles of True colors; Orange, Gold, Green, and Blue. Color has been used to shape and describe my lives, my habits, my values, and my feelings. I was selected blue, gold, orange, and green in order.

As an undergraduate at Lehigh University I’ve wanted to change several social, academic, and extracurricular situations that I’ve faced. Lehigh could benefit from being a more diverse educational atmosphere. The most recent student demographics statistics stated that 68% of students are Caucasian. Penn Dental would offer me a class of students with more diversity in ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds than what I’ve experienced at Lehigh. I’ve supported student groups and programming that promotes equality across lines of race, gender, socioeconomic status and sexuality.