Activities:
- Worked orientation table at both parent and student orientation
- Continued working on programs for PAWS Program
- Met with site supervisor (Associate Director) to discuss how things were progressing at practicum site
- Attended grant meeting with STEM faculty members
Reflection:
This week I did not get much of my work done. I usually worked the orientation tables during the afternoons I worked in the office. While I do not mind working orientation, it was frustrating at times because I was not able to work on my projects for practicum. I usually worked the tables alone. At times it was extremely repetitive having to say the same thing over and over again to different people. I know this is similar to last weeks reflection, but this reinforced that students do come first at all times. The HCDC staff was really thankful to have someone to work the booth while they were in meeting or working on the STEM grant this week. Sometimes something small, like working an orientation table, helps others out in a big way.
The grant meeting was extremely exciting for me. Besides potentially getting the university lots of money, it was great to actually see Student Affairs and Academic Affairs collaborating together. The STEM faculty reached out to the HCDC to help focus on increasing minority enrollment and retention in the STEM majors. It was great to see how receptive the STEM faculty was to the HCDC staff members' ideas and concerns about the grant. It was also exciting to see how the STEM faculty learned new things concerning students from the HCDC staff and vice versa. It was really a learning experience for everyone involved. I am very eager to continue working in any way possible with this grant. I am also very eager to continue working in this office. There has not been a day where I have not learned something valuable to better myself as a Student Affairs professional.
- Cody Smith
A comment from Mr. Jacob Thomas McAbee...
ReplyDeleteCody, I know it is a struggle at times to keep stating the same dialogue over and over and over. However, always keep in mind that these students are hearing it for the first time. It is a new experience for them. If you don't show passion each and every time a new student comes up to you to speak, then your recruitment efforts are lost. If you want to show students what you offer and want them to utilize the resources you provide, you must let them know how much you love doing what you're doing and not show that it is so much of a routine. However, I have good news for you. Orientation is over! therefore, you can now focus on your projects for the rest of your tenure in the Holmes Cultural Diversity Office.
The STEM Grant looks to be going the way all student affairs professionals would want it to. Anytime you can find a way to bridge that gap between Academics and Student Affairs, you want it to be successful and run smoothly. I hope this keeps moving in the right direction for not only the HCDC, but for all Student Affairs departments in general. This could be a huge step in building that much needed bridge.
-Jacob Thomas McAbee