Clark- Week 8- USC

I can not believe that this experience is coming to a close. I have met some amazing people and now have some incredible new mentors. First, I want to introduce y'all to the people that I work with! 

Hope each of you now have an idea of the great people I work with!

This week was super busy and really fun. We went to different University 101 training's with faculty that will be teaching those sections one was about the National Student Exchange and the other was the Student Engagement Plan. I also was able to meet with the Associate Director of Operations for Admissions which was very insightful, I learned a lot about the structure of admissions at USC. My main task this week was working on training modules for the Peer Leaders that assist with the U101 program. They included; icebreakers, communication and listening skills, how to be a good team member, etc. I really enjoyed making these and hope that I can use some of them in with my students in the coming years. I also helped Dr. Jimmie Gahagan (who I will introduce next week) with a Sophomore Parent's Presentation that will be given to parents in the fall. I really enjoyed researching for resources for parents during their transition stages as their students go to college. I have never really thought about the idea of doing parent services at a university, but after working with this project I think it would be really nice to assist parents with this hard transition. I also revised their Student Engagement Plan and made an advisor contact sheet for the OSE so they can easily contact advisors of Peer Leaders.
Kimberly also made a very fun professional development outing for us interns!

We each made a Personal Professional Statement of Character, a Personal Professional Development Plan, as well as turned in our resume to her with this USC experience on it for her to look over. She has really taken time to mentor each of us, which I am very thankful for.
I also wanted to introduce y'all to my Columbia family!

From left to right.... Jon and Elizabeth Wagner and their 3 week old daughter, Judah, Bryant McGowan and Alison McGowan. This was taken at Bryant's 50th birthday party that Alison had for him at their home where I am living. I can't express what these families mean to me.
I am really learning a lot not only about myself personally on this journey, but myself professionally. Like I said last week I am falling in love with Student Affairs all over again. I was able to meet with individuals in admissions, alumni and I have continued to meet weekly with the leaders in my office. As I reflect on my past week, the main thing that stands out for me is my meeting with Dottie. Dottie is our Assistant Coordinator for Service-Learning. She is married and has 4-year old twin girls. I really loved talking to Dottie about balance. I continue to struggle with this and know that I want to work on it especially if I am fortunate enough to get married and have children one day. Dottie gave me wonderful insight and knowledge about her struggles, mistakes and victories through gaining her bachelors degree, masters degree as well as her doctorate while being married, then having children. Like I have said one million times, this experience has been priceless and this last week is going to be exciting, yet super sad.
I hope that each of you are having fruitful experiences at your site. I know I talked to almost all of you daily, but I miss seeing you and can't wait to see you in a week!!!!!