Monday, July 15, 2013

Smith - Week 4 - Holmes Cultural Diversity Center

Activities

- Attended another meeting with STEM faculty about grant proposal
- Attended meeting with PAWS Program student executive members to discuss program ideas
- Finalized program ideas for residence halls for PAWS Program
- Sent out emails to student organizations asking to volunteer and donate for "Back to School Bash" event that HCDC is partnering with Starkville School District on
- Reached out to Starkville community barbers and salons to volunteer for the "Back to School Bash" by giving student that attend free haircuts

Reflection

The STEM faculty seems really passionate about this proposal and wants to make sure they focus on the retention aspect on their part. It is really amazing to me how they decided to reach out to our office and have been extremely grateful for the information we have been providing them. After the meeting one of the faculty members stayed to talk to us about a problem she was having. She felt she was having a problem relating to her African American students who were struggling in her classes. She felt there was some kind of "disconnect" there that she has not been able to overcome. It was inspiring to hear the things Ra'Sheda and Cedric had for her to put things in perspective. They told her that some African American student may have never had a Caucasian teacher before and may not know how to approach her either. The faculty member was extremely grateful for the insight, and I was excited that Student Affairs can also benefits faculty at universities and not just students.

The meeting with PAWS Program students went really well. It was great to hear their perspectives on what programs they thought would be effective in residence halls and what programs would not be. They also seemed very passionate about their positions and the mission of the PAWS Program. It was great to hear their critiques and adjustment for some of the programs that I did not think of myself. Having a student perspective can be a big help in making these program effective.

Partnering with Starkville School District has showed me one side of Student Affairs I really have no thought about much before. This "Back to School Bash" is connecting the university and students with the Starkville community. At the event community member will see volunteers from various student organizations from the MSU campus. From this the relationship between the Starkville community and the Mississippi State community will grow and show the Starkville community that they can also benefit from having a university nearby too not just the students that attend.

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