Summer I 2014 newsletter - Robert Morris University

Student Support Services
Newsletter
Completing the Challenge ~ by John Jimenez
The College Challenge Completion scholarship is
annually given to active and high achieving Student Support Services participants. Just like any
other scholarship, participants had to apply by
completing an application. Selected students,
Marsallis Barber, Renaqua Bell, Emmanuella
Brookman, Bianca Castaneda, Phylicia Fletcher,
John Jimenez, Natalie Meeks-Johnson, Yasmin
Lopez, Diana Munoz, Diana Osnaya, Stanley
Pinkney, Billy Razick, Crystal Sena, and Elizabeth
Vega. These students formed 3 groups and each
group was responsible for creating either a PowerPoint, Prezi, or a short film about college life at
Robert Morris University - Illinois. Students met
vigorously to develop their presentation for the
RMU faculty, staff and students on February 24,
2014.
In their four week timeline, Group Leaders, Emmanuella Brookman, Marsallia Barber, and Crystal Sena would send emails that informed their
groups about when and where group meetings where to be held. They also researched
then distributed vital information to their particular group. The topics we chose focused
on Financial Literacy, Time Management, and Entertainment! The three topics were solely based on college life at RMU. The teams‟ goal was to help students find answers to
questions about budgeting and financial aid. They also gave tips to students about dealing with time management while also provided information about educational and engaging activities in Chicago. Each participant won the scholarship and I am I am sure they
will use wisely on their tuition. ~ JH
Volume 1, Issue II
Summer I 2014
Inside this issue:
Completing the
Challenge!!
1
Director’s Corner
2
2
Congratulations
2014 SSS Graduates
3
A Dance to Remember
5 Reason Why
Volunteering is
Important I
4
2014 Shamrock
5
Shuffles
Im-
“Your success is
our success, your
failure is your
own. Failure is
NOT an option in
SSS.”
~Dr. Pinkey Stewart
Student Support Services Newsletter
Page 2
Director’s Corner
EDUCATION IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
It is the end of the quarter (or the beginning of the next one), and students are scampering
around wondering whether or not they passed that class or what their grades will look like.
This should never be the case for an SSS participant. Why? The SSS program provides numerous workshops, meetings, and other activities to show you how to stay on top of your
academic situation. Whether it is understanding your academic credential to learning how to
manage your finances and lower your student loan interest – SSS has what you need to be a
successful student.
The education you receive here at Robert Morris is YOUR responsibility. Ultimately, it
comes down to you taking an “active” role in classes, financial aid process, completing projects and homework assignments, etc. In most cases, the amount of work you put into pursuing your bachelor‟s degree is the amount you will get out of it. When it comes to education, the benefits far outweigh the costs.
Take advantage of everything the SSS program has to offer you, including Supplemental instruction sessions in Accounting, English, and Math; attend the SSS meetings; come in for tutoring before you need
help; and meet with your SSS advisors on a regular basis. These are just a few ways you can
remain active, stay on track, and be more responsible for you own education. ~PAS
Congratulations 2014 SSS Graduates
Congratulations to the SSS 2013-14 graduates!!! We are very
proud of you and know your Bachelor‟s degree will open many
doors to success.
Stephen Black
Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Networking
Xavier Cordova
Bachelor’s of Arts in Marketing
Mark Mann
Bachelor’s of Professional Studies
*Cum Laude*
**Magna Cum Laude**
Patrick McClendon
Carmelia Daniels
Bachelor’s of Art in Business Management
Bachelor’s of Art in Business Management
Carol Medina
Thaddeus LaBranche
Bachelor’s of Business Administration
Bachelor’s of Professional Studies
Curtis Thomas
*Cum Laude *
Bachelor's of Business Administration
Page 3
Student Support Services Newsletter
A Dance to Remember ~ by Xavier Cordovo
There were almost four months of practice leading up to the Hermosa Enigma performance on April 16,
2014. After we finally performed, I was able to look at all
that we accomplished. The performers that day included
our advisor, Angelica Catanada, Sammi Pierce, Quinton
Johnson, Angelica Castaneda, Quenton Madison-Miller,
Fernanda Vega and I, Xavier Cordova. The presentation
began with Angelica giving a brief history of the Latin
dance club, Hermosa Enigma, and the dance styles of Merengue and Salsa. Shortly after she finished speaking, the
lights were dimmed and we took to the stage.
Within a few minutes, the lights returned and visible for the audience were Sammi, Quinton, Fernanda and
I. For the next 4 minutes, we danced Bachata to Maestra
by Elvis Martinez and Merengue to La Dueña del Swing by
Hermanos Rosario. There were a number of various
twists and turns throughout the choreography with a few
surprises for the audience. After we finished dancing, the
lights dimmed once again, and when they returned, Angelica was seated on the dance floor. Then, Quenton walked
from the audience and tried to persuade Angelica to dance
with him. However, she refused to dance with him that
was until Quenton Madison-Miller offered a rose. At that
point, Angelica accepted the rose as they began to dance
Salsa to Valio la Pena by Marc Anthony. After their dance
was over, the audience was offered roses by the performers and everyone was invited to dance with the group.
Overall, the entire performance went off without a hitch
and the audience was excited by what they saw.
There are many memories to take away from this
experience. However, now that everything is over, it‟s
time to look ahead to the future. It has been a wonderful
time getting to learn how to dance Bachata, Merengue and
Salsa, and these are skills that I will definitely use at a Latin
night in the near future. However, before I graduate I
would like to thank everyone for sharing these memories
with me. Joining Student Support Services has brought me
so much joy, and these are friends that I will keep for a
lifetime. I wish everyone the best, and I hope to see you
on the dance floor again soon!! ~XC
Page 4
Student Support Services Newsletter
5 Reason Why Volunteering is Important ~ by Gemma Blair
Let‟s be honest with each other. As students we‟re pretty busy. A lot of us are
earning scholarships by participating in clubs or activities and we‟re taking full class
loads. It‟s understandable. The last thing that‟s on your mind is volunteering. The
few days you get to yourself you cherish and you feel loath to give them up. I‟m
here to tell you that it‟s worth it. I‟m not even talking about every single weekend.
I just mean that if you hear of an event, and you don‟t have classes or a conflicting
event, get out there. Make yourself known. Robert Morris is pretty good about
advertising us, but at the end of the day the best person to advertise you is you.
Speak with your actions. Here‟s why it‟s a good idea.
1.) It‟s an amazing networking opportunity. –
You hear that a lot but and I‟m sure it‟s starting to go in one ear and out the other.
But take a second to actually consider that the people you can meet at volunteer
events can be potential employers. It‟s quite literally how I got my internship.
(We‟ll discuss that more later)
2.) Sometimes, and I do stress sometimes, professors may be willing to give you
credit for events you attend. –
No not always. But if it‟s in your field and theirs for a class that you‟re in, ask. The worst thing they can say is
no. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. By and large though, they want you to get out there and get known in
the profession.
3.) It looks amazing on your resume. –
If I got a quarter every time someone at Robert Morris said that line to me, I‟d have paid off my tuition by now.
Thing is, it‟s being said so often because it‟s overwhelmingly true. When you go on interviews for internships
or even for career positions, they‟re going to look, and they‟ll be impressed.
4. Its fun!!
No really, it is. I‟ve done 3 events this month. And I know all about being busy. I thought, “I‟m giving up my
weekend and this is going to be awful.” But it wasn‟t. Each event I‟ve gone to has been exciting in its own way.
At the Women Chef and Restaurateurs Convention, I met several celebrity chefs and had the option to go to
several panels at the event. At the Good Food Festival Chicago, I helped demo some samples and again met
some amazing people. I was busy and had a blast. Last weekend, I helped out at Eyrie, the student restaurant,
and filmed a video about BioEarth packaging. I had no idea what I was actually volunteering for going into it, but
I‟m glad I ended up saying yes. I got real experience with a client, and saw new potential for my degree choice.
5.) Sometimes, again stress on sometimes, you get a little something for helping. –
Not money. Never money. It‟s called volunteer for a reason. But you‟re still giving your time and the people
you‟re helping out get that, and there are sometimes perks. Don‟t go into it expecting anything, treat it like
the awesome surprise it is and show your gratitude when it happens. One because it‟s respectful to say „thank
you,‟ and two because even if you just get a free meal out of it, it‟s still free and that‟s pretty cool.
So how does this come into practice? As mentioned, I‟ve done a handful of events. At one, I was introduced to a lot of
different people, and one of them was my new manager. So I went out, I made myself useful and because of that, I got
an opportunity for an amazing internship. I would not have gotten this position without it. My willingness to show up
and do a good job was noted. The same thing could happen for you. I know my experience is Culinary, but there are
events for every single degree RMU offers. Get out there and make you known. You deserve it
5.) Sometimes, again stress on sometimes, you get a little something for helping. –
Not money. Never money. It‟s called volunteer for a reason. But you‟re still giving your time and the people
you‟re helping out get that, and there are sometimes perks. Don‟t go into it expecting anything, treat it like
LaSh
hondra
the awesome surprise it is and show your gratitude when it happens. One because it‟s respectful to say „thank
you,‟ and two because even if you just get a free meal out of it, it‟s still free and that‟s pretty cool.
So how does this come into practice? As mentioned, I‟ve done a handful of events. At one, I was introduced to a lot of
different people, and one of them was my new manager. So I went out, I made myself useful and because of that, I got
an opportunity for an amazing internship. I would not have gotten this position without it. My willingness to show up
and do a good job was noted. The same thing could happen for you. I know my experience is Culinary, but there are
events for every single degree RMU offers. Get out there and make you known. You deserve it
2014 Shamrock Shuffle
On March 30, 2014, Katie Bowen volunteered for the annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. Katie is what seems
like a professional volunteer. She has been a Girl Scout since she was 5 years of age, Future Farmers of America
member for 3 years, and continues to look for other activities and events where she can volunteer her time. Katie
arrived at the check-in point around 6:15am on that 40 degree Sunday morning. As a volunteer her duties included
separating the bananas and preparing them for the runners as they passed her station. Although, she says there
were over 20,000 people at the race but, the bananas where just for the runners.
Katie says the picture shows her, “…breaking apart bananas and putting
them in the box so it would be easier for the other volunteers to put them
on the table. And to get stocked up before the runners came through. They
were taking pictures of us getting set up and they chose to take this picture
to show the hard work that we all did.”
Overall, Katie believes that, “…getting out there and meeting new people is
good because you never know who you [might] run into. You never know if
there is a big business person and [volunteering] looks good on your resume
[which in turn,] could help you get a job. ...Several companies look for people with experiences like this (volunteering).”
Stude nt S upp ort Serv ices
Robert M orris U niversity - Illi nois
Student Support Services
Robert Morris University - Illinois
Robert Morris University– Illinois
Suite 221 South
401 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
312-935-6100
Students Support Services/TRiO
Project S.T.A.R.S.
Striving To Achieve Remarkable Success
Tutoring
Do you need help understanding your Math assignment? Don‟t know
how to get that paper started? Or are you just lost and overwhelmed
by the number of group projects you have to do and need help managing your time? Do not despair, the SSS Tutors are here to help
you.
Subjects: English, Management, Writing (basic), MiPhone: 555-555-5555
crosoft Excel, PowerPoint,
Accounting, Math (basic),
Humanities,
Nursing,
Science, Economics
Fax: 555-555-5555
and Paralegal Studies
For specific hours and more information
see posted schedules in the SSS Office suite
Peer Mentor Meetings
Don‟t forget to sign up for the
following SSS events:
BE SURE TO LOG ON TO THE NEW
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES BLACKBOARD SITE AND SSS WEBPAGE FOR THESE AND FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!
http://www.robertmorris.edu/
community/TRiO/sss/
SSS also offers GMAT, LSAT and
GRE test preparation materials.
Mondays 9:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesdays 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Summer I 2014 Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
8am-6pm
Friday
8am-2pm
Artists/Writers/Designers Wanted
We are calling all artists, photographers,
graphics, and more. We are primarily asking you to
submit your ART All interested parties please contact
Crystal Tillman at 312-935-6014.
Note: all submissions will be reviewed and edited for
approval.