Rachel Ross: Week 1 with HCDC
Activities
- Forming the schedule and to-do list for the 2014 International Student Orientation.
- Creating a flyer for the 2014 International Student Orientation.
- Read 50-page PAWS Handbook understand PAWS program.
- Brainstormed ideas to have collaboration between PAWS program and Housing & Residence Life.
- Created “Bucket List” for Pre-Departure Guide for International Students prior to the 2014 International Student Orientation.
My first week and couple days in the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center have been wonderful. I have learned so much about the student populations with which the center works. Though the primary population that the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center serves is African American students, they are expanding their role to serve International students and students of the LGBTQ population. Fortunately for me, I am working at least one project with each student population housed in this office.
For example, I am working heavily with the 2014 International Student Orientation. This orientation is a day full of sessions to acquaint international students to the workings of the United States and Mississippi State. I have been reorganizing the schedule and learning how much work and detail goes into creating a day-long orientation. I am creating a to-do list of things that need to be done in order to make this a successful orientation day, which includes reserving rooms, contacting resources, creating flyers, and ordering food to name a few items. So as I mentioned previously, I am learning how many details go into orientations, something I did not know prior to this opportunity.
I am also involved in planning ways to program towards and for the LGBTQ population. SafeZone has recently being housed under the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center umbrella. This new addition to the office has created a lot of conversations of ways to benefit this student population. Holmes Cultural Diversity Center wants to start intentionally planning programs and events for the LGBTQ student population, as well as potentially get a graduate assistant for this specific functional area within the office. I have learned through this experience the challenges that go into adding another entity to the office, as well as the accommodations and changes that need to be made to make the new population feel welcomed.
Lastly, I am working with the African American students and the PAWS program. PAWS is a mentor-mentee program to increase retention in at-risk students. The program is fairly new and requires a lot of attention. I am learning through working with this program that getting "buy in" from students and other departments is crucial for this program to be successful. I am brainstorming with the PAWS student leaders ways in which to get "buy in" from others, which is much more difficult than I ever anticipated.
As stated in the Chapter 1 reading, "all new professionals bring valuable knowledge and skills they can use to enhance the student experience." My supervisors have been really impressed with my opinions and suggestions. They really appreciate a new set of eyes in the office, as well as my work ethic. They have been really great at encouraging me to keep bringing in my ideas, because they have been really valuable, even in the short time I have been with them. I am looking forward to see what else I learn, what else I accomplish, and what else I develop while at the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.
For example, I am working heavily with the 2014 International Student Orientation. This orientation is a day full of sessions to acquaint international students to the workings of the United States and Mississippi State. I have been reorganizing the schedule and learning how much work and detail goes into creating a day-long orientation. I am creating a to-do list of things that need to be done in order to make this a successful orientation day, which includes reserving rooms, contacting resources, creating flyers, and ordering food to name a few items. So as I mentioned previously, I am learning how many details go into orientations, something I did not know prior to this opportunity.
I am also involved in planning ways to program towards and for the LGBTQ population. SafeZone has recently being housed under the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center umbrella. This new addition to the office has created a lot of conversations of ways to benefit this student population. Holmes Cultural Diversity Center wants to start intentionally planning programs and events for the LGBTQ student population, as well as potentially get a graduate assistant for this specific functional area within the office. I have learned through this experience the challenges that go into adding another entity to the office, as well as the accommodations and changes that need to be made to make the new population feel welcomed.
Lastly, I am working with the African American students and the PAWS program. PAWS is a mentor-mentee program to increase retention in at-risk students. The program is fairly new and requires a lot of attention. I am learning through working with this program that getting "buy in" from students and other departments is crucial for this program to be successful. I am brainstorming with the PAWS student leaders ways in which to get "buy in" from others, which is much more difficult than I ever anticipated.
As stated in the Chapter 1 reading, "all new professionals bring valuable knowledge and skills they can use to enhance the student experience." My supervisors have been really impressed with my opinions and suggestions. They really appreciate a new set of eyes in the office, as well as my work ethic. They have been really great at encouraging me to keep bringing in my ideas, because they have been really valuable, even in the short time I have been with them. I am looking forward to see what else I learn, what else I accomplish, and what else I develop while at the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I must say that I greatly appreciated reading about your various experiences within your practicum site at the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center. Just from reading your post I know that you are gaining tons of valuable experiences that will carry you well throughout your professional career.
With Diversity being such a hot topic in our field I want to challenge you to take sometime in the incoming week to reflect on how what you are learning within your current practicum position with each diverse group that you are working with will help you through you in your career. How will these experiences add to your skillset in helping students? What does this experience teach you about yourself?
I hope this helps you to "drop down the funnel" and to take even more from your practicum experience.
-JT