SSS Newsletter - Lock Haven University
Transcription
SSS Newsletter - Lock Haven University
Inside this issue: SSS Freshmen Put Their Best Foot Forward……………………………….1 Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Volume VIII ● Issue I Fall 2014 SSS Freshmen Put Their Best Foot Forward Peer Mentors……………………………………….2 Meet the Class of 2018…………………………………………………3 Common Reading Changes Student Perspectives…………………………………………4 Fall Activities & Announcements…………………………..5&6 Catching Up with Alumna Jenna Ewing……………………………7 SSS Creative Writing Contest………………………………………………..7 Fall Community Service………………………………………………….8 Meet the Terrific Trio………………………………………………………9 Student Support Services Department of Academic Development & Counseling 116/117/118 Ulmer Hall Lock Haven University Lock Haven, PA 17745 (570) 484–2409/3847/2324 Website: www.lhup.edu/ colleges/Business_Information/ academic_development/ student_support/ Facebook: LHU Student Support Services Peer mentor Joe Mattern, Dr. Sandra Barney, and SSS students in HIST102 By Meghan Mausteller Student Support Services, a federally funded TRiO program, reaches out to 230 students on the Lock Haven campus, ranging from freshmen to seniors. TRiO programs began in the 1960s with President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. They are designed to identify and assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds, which could include students who are first generation, low income, disabled, or indicating academic need. Beginning freshman year, various services in the SSS First Year Forward program integrate freshmen into the college experience. Among the services are a First Year Student Success Course, peer mentors, History+, and a Writing Specialist. ADAC119, or First Year Student Seminar, is a one-credit course for freshmen in which students are taught skills they can use for the rest of their college career. Some tools taught in the class include time management, study skills, and financial literacy. In ADAC119, first-year students are also introduced to their peer mentors. Mentors are SSS sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have demonstrated significant academic success. As first generation students themselves, mentors can provide additional social and academic support to students. Another source available to students is the History+ course. World History 2 (HIST102) is taught by Dr. Sandra Barney and counts as a general education requirement for most majors. To help students work through this course, SSS provides an upperclassman peer mentor. Currently, peer mentor Joe Mattern attends HIST102 classes and holds weekly study sessions. Any firstyear SSS students struggling with the course are encouraged to attend the weekly sessions. Students may also take advantage of the faculty Writing Specialist, Dr. Julie Story. Through one-on-one or group sessions, the Writing Specialist works with students to improve their writing abilities. At any stage during the writing process, students may schedule an appointment with the Writing Specialist. The Writing Specialist can also help students create cover letters or resumes for applying to internships or graduate school later on in their educational career. According to Dr. Julie Story, also Director of Student Support Services, the program “provides services that can assist students with all aspects of college life and learning. It provides extra support for and beyond academics so students can have the best opportunity for success.” By taking advantage of the services SSS has to offer, first generation students can be assured that SSS can help them find all the tools necessary to have a successful college career. Page 2 Volume VIII Issue I Peer Mentors The Student Support Service peer mentors are upperclassmen in the SSS program who are excellent students and leaders. They provide guidance and leadership to other members in SSS by assisting them in classes like History+ and by participating alongside them in social and cultural events, recreational activities, and community service. Peer mentors focus on integrating freshman into the college community and helping them achieve success. By Jackie Malloy Kayla Austin is a junior Communications major with a track in Public Relations. She has been involved in SSS since her freshmen year and was inspired by her own peer mentor. Kayla says, “My peer mentor, Sam, had a big influence on me, and that’s why I want to give back to the program.” As a peer mentor, Kayla assists with the freshman seminar class once a week and she also meets with a group of freshmen. Kayla says that one of the most important aspects of her job is to “be available as a peer mentor and make sure freshmen get the attention that they need.” Outside of peer mentoring, Kayla works for the radio station, FROGGY, as a mascot. After graduation, she would like to be a public relations representative for a hospital and work towards her master’s degree. By Julie Battin Fatima Conteh is a junior Psychology major. This semester is her first as a peer mentor. She chose to become one in order to gain more leadership experience. Fatima is responsible for the Study Hall sessions the program offers. The Study Hall sessions provide a quiet, distraction-free room for students to visit on Monday and Tuesday evenings in order to study, read, and complete homework. Fatima also helped to facilitate the e-mail etiquette workshop sponsored by SSS in October. She thinks one of the most helpful programs SSS offers is the resume workshop because it teaches students how to create a proper resume. Her favorite SSS activity is Movie Night. Students in the program go to the Roxy Theater the first weekend of every month and see a movie of their choice. After college, Fatima is considering becoming a therapist or counselor. Her advice to students in SSS is: “Take advantage of the services it provides.” By Meghan Mausteller Devon Hairston is a senior Psychology major returning for his third year as a peer mentor. As a veteran peer mentor, he is continuing his “Discussions with Devon,” in which he talks to SSS students about school, stress, and everyday life. During his five semesters on the job, Devon has had the opportunity to see many freshmen come through the program. “Working with the program, I feel like I’ve left a mark, influenced people, and made lifelong friends,” said Devon. “I still talk to students who I mentored my first semester.” As a senior, Devon is now faced with obstacles of his own, including choosing a career. He is currently thinking of returning to school after graduation this spring to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Paired with his background in psychology, Devon is thinking of using his plethora of knowledge to become a district attorney. By Meghan Mausteller Joe Mattern is a senior Sports Administration major. He had previously worked for Dr. Barney and was asked to take a position as a peer mentor when a spot opened up last semester. Within the mentoring program, Joe is the History+ tutor, which means he sits in on Dr. Barney’s History 102 class and holds tutoring sessions for students as needed. After college, Joe wants to coach high school sports and become a college professor. He has work experience to help him accomplish both goals. This summer, he worked for the Little League Baseball camps as a counselor/coach where he taught 13- and 14year-old children baseball fundamentals. Joe looks back on this job as the “best work experience I have gained so far.” After graduation this spring, he plans on returning to Lock Haven in the fall to continue his education and become a graduate assistant. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” - Abraham Lincoln Volume VIII Issue I Page 3 Meet The Class of 2018! Terren Lesher By Jackie Malloy Terren during her travels before coming to LHU Terren Lesher is a well-traveled freshman studying Secondary Education (English) and Special Education at LHU. Coming from State College, she says many people find it surprising she chose LHU. “I loved the teaching program here,” she says. Terren wants to be a teacher when she graduates. She says, “I always wanted to be a teacher. I believe we can change the world through Education.” When Terren isn’t in class, she enjoys participating in the Counsel for Exceptional Children and Spanish Club. She is fluent in Spanish and traveled for 10 months before coming to LHU. Graduating early from high school, Terren studied abroad through the rotary program, traveling to Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon jungle, and many other places. She lived with two host families while teaching English to high school students. “One thing a lot of people find weird is that they eat guinea pigs there [Quito],” Terren noted. When she isn’t participating in clubs, working the desk in the University Tutorial Center, and meeting new people, Terren likes to read, hunt, and help others. She is a job coach in State College to help high school students with special needs secure and keep a job. Terren was also dairy princess in Huntington County. She is the first person in her family to attend college. Terren thinks that SSS has really helped her succeed on campus and has participated in peer mentor sessions, e-mail etiquette and money management workshops, and tutoring. She really likes that the help and support that SSS offers her. Terren says one of her favorite things about SSS is “having someone there to ask questions to and make connections with. Dr. Story is a big help with that.” Cheyenne Lynch By Jackie Malloy Cheyenne Lynch is a first-semester freshman with a knack for fencing, music, and participating in the SPSCA. Hailing from Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Cheyenne is a dual major in Special Education and Early Childhood. She is inspired by her family and helping her brother and cousin through their disabilities. She aspires to be an elementary teacher after graduating at LHU, and she would like to work with children with disabilities. Cheyenne is involved in many organizations on campus, including color guard. She is very involved in music, as playing the clarinet is one of her favorite hobbies, and university band is her favorite class this semester. Cheyenne says that one thing freshman really should do is make time to relax. She says, “Finding stress relievers are really important and having those down falls of time to collect myself [helps].” SSS has had an impact on Cheyenne, helping her to adjust to her first semester. She points out, “I would highly encourage the program even if some students don’t see it fits them. There are so many things to get involved in.” Cheyenne says that even if students don’t have the opportunity to participate in SSS, they should be involved through the University and make plans. Of the many opportunities LHU has to offer, Cheyenne finds that she enjoys participating in the opportunities and the programs that are suited to her major. In the future, she would like to become even more involved in SSS and campus-related activities. “The things you are passionate about are not random. They are your calling.” - Katherine Fredrickson Cheyenne in her color guard uniform Volume VIII Issue I Page 4 Common Reading Changes Student Perspectives By Jackie Malloy This fall, freshmen of all majors have been required to read a universal novel: Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer. A sub-committee from the first year experience committee was created in March. The group met to decide the common book freshmen would read for this year. Many genres were considered, including fiction, nonfiction, self-help. The book was chosen to make connections among freshmen that will give them something in common with other students and faculty on campus. Dr. David Russell was part of the committee that decided which novel would be chosen. He is the current chair of the English Department and a well-known professor on campus. Dr. Russell said that many faculty members gave suggestions about books that could be chosen. Many other books were in the running, including Huckleberry Finn. Members of the committee were asked to write their suggestions down and then each was rated from 1-10, with one being the highest rating and ten being the lowest rating. The best rating was the book that the committee would choose. When asked for the criteria of the suggestions for the common reading, Russell said, “The book chosen for the freshman had to be relatively inexpensive and less than 200 pages so that students could read the book quickly.” The book also had to be applicable to a variety of students as it was used for different majors. He also discussed the importance of the effectiveness of the book that would be chosen: “We focused on what students might get from reading about Chris McCandless.” The sub-committee hope that students will have a positive experience reading the book. “We’re hoping for freshman to understand shared experiences without agreeing. That’s okay; that’s humanity. Difference is a good thing,” said Dr. Russell. “Based on what we’ve heard so far, students really seem to be having a positive reaction to the book. I hope that it gives them an alternate view of the world.” One student, Sapanna Chantarawong, says that while she has used the book for her composition class, she hasn’t discussed it with other freshman outside of her class. “Chris’s story made me realize that materialistic items should not Students Unleash Their Creativity matter as much as experiencing life,” She said. “This book inspired me to go out of my comfort zone, but not to the extent that Chris did.” Another freshman, Tabitha Fisher, has also used the book in her Intro to Literary Studies class. Into the Wild has helped her to make connections with other students. She said, “I have had a few interesting conversations with classmates about the morality of Chris McCandless and his actions. It's a polarizing book, but we manage to have good discussions about it.” Fisher has been affected by the book, realizing that everyone should try things outside of their comfort zone for personal growth. She said, “It’s simply for the sake of being daring, and we should never be so eager that we lose sight of what is important to keep safe. Experience isn't worth much if you put yourself in danger. You can't learn from something that kills you.” The committee would like to create a similar experience for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the future. “We really want the book to help freshman integrate into university life, but we think it could help other students who aren’t freshman too,” said Dr. Russell. Chantarawong agreed, “I would like to see students in the future read a chosen novel because it allows them to read about someone that existed in the world, someone going through different experiences. I think this book was a good choice. Reading a chosen novel gives a different perspective on life.” Dr. Russell hopes for more of a response from students as they continue to read the book in their classes. “I would encourage students to give us your feedback. We want to know how students felt about the book.” “He was unheeded, happy, and near to the wild heart of life. He was alone and young and willful and wildhearted, alone amid a waste of wild air and brackish waters and the seaharvest of shells and tangle and veiled grey sunlight.” - Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild Page 5 Volume VIII Issue I Fall Activities & Announcements Financial Literacy Workshop By Dr. Julie Story, Director and Writing Specialist As freshmen begin college, managing finances independently can be a challenging task. The options and responsibilities of retail banking and credit can be confusing, with the risks of credit card debt, interest rates, fees, or late penalties. In addition, only a few students have the funds to pay for college out-of-pocket, making loans necessary. To foster students’ skills in these areas, LHU Student Support Services program offers cocurricular activities to foster students’ financial literacy. On October 14, 2014, SSS freshmen attended a presentation by Ms. Leslie Clukey, Branch Manager of Santander Bank on Bellefonte Avenue in Lock Haven. The interactive program gave students guidelines and materials for wise money management of banking basics, such as maintaining checking and savings accounts, accessing and protecting accounts, avoiding overdrafts and fees, uti- lizing online and mobile banking, and using ATM cards. Ms. Clukey also encouraged students to use credit cards wisely to build a good credit history and to review their credit rating regularly. She provided money budgeting worksheets for students to analyze income, set goals, plan saving and spending, and balance accounts monthly. Ms. Clukey emphasized the importance of establishing credit, building a credit score, and reviewing their credit rating. Students asked many good questions that led to discussion on financial areas where they lacked experience. Because financial literacy is crucial for students’ staying in college and planning for future avenues in life, such as family, career, and graduate/professional school, the SSS program will offer a series of programs on different financial literacy topics. E-mail Etiquette Workshop By Dr. Julie Story, Director and Writing Specialist On November 14, 2014, Dr. Julie Story presented “Composing E-mail with Style and Etiquette” to SSS first-year students. They discussed how e-mail has become the most frequently used form of communication in the workplace. However, the quickness and easiness of the crude abbreviations and informality of electronic communication have also resulted in much miscommunication, leading to conflict, costs, and litigation. Organizations are having a hard time finding applicants who can write well. According to a survey conducted by the National Commission on Writing, businesses spend several billion and states spend millions per year on remedial writing training for employees. Students critiqued an inappropriate e-mail in which a student wanted a grade change from a professor. They revised the e-mail into an effective message after learning how to create the right tone, apply good communication skills, streamline and organize information, and write a responsible and careful reply. Through one-to-one writing consultations and writing workshops, the Student Support Services program assists students in understanding and developing effective communication skills for college and the workplace. In the spring semester, a workshop will be offered to address writing cover letters and resumes. “A good education is like a savings account; the more you put into it, the richer you become.” – Anonymous SSS Scholarship Opportunity! The SSS Program will award a limited number of scholarship grants to first-year students who are successful applicants. Applications were emailed to students and will be available in the SSS offices, 116-117 Ulmer Hall. With the application form, students need to submit a typed (12 point standard font) 1-2-page essay answering the following prompt: “You were offered the Money Management Workshop (required), E-mail Etiquette Workshop (required), community service opportunities, supplemental advising and/or First Year Seminar with Dr. Story, peer mentoring, writing consultations, study halls, discussion sessions, movie nights, and peer tutoring for HIST102. Write an essay that a.) describes the SSS workshops and activities in which you participated this semester and b.) answers the following question: How has your transition been aided by participating in the Student Support Services Program?” Students should e-mail applications and the essay to [email protected] or deliver both documents to 116-117 Ulmer Hall by the deadline: midnight, December 17. Page 6 Volume VIII Issue I Fall Activities and Announcements By Dr. Julie Story, Director and Writing Specialist PA TRiO Conference TRiO Presentation to LHU Council of Trustees On September 4, 2014, members from SSS and Upward Bound (UB) gave a special report on both TRiO programs at the invitation of the LHU Council of Trustees. Whereas SSS assists college students to persist and graduate, UB helps to prepare high school students for college admission and transition. The panel of presenters included SSS Peer Mentor Kayla Austin and Director Dr. Julie Story, UB Director Tulare Park, and Lucio Perez, an alumnus of UB and LHU who is now works with UB on campus as an Americorps VISTA associate. In addition to providing an overview of federal TRiO programs, the panel described SSS and UB objectives, student eligibility guidelines, services, and performance data. Kayla and Lucio shared their personal stories, demonstrating that SSS and UB were important in their success. Fall 2014 Study Abroad Antonio de Nebrija University in Madrid, Spain Katie Joyce Congratulations Fall 2014 On October 15-16, 2014, SSS Secretary Veronica Roan and Director Dr. Julie Story attended the PA TRiO Annual Conference in Seven Springs, PA, along with UB Director Tulare Park and LHU Americorps VISTA-UB Collaborator Lucio Perez. Staff members were able to network with peers, share best practices, and discuss the latest TRiO developments in the Department of Education. Dr. Story and Ms. Park copresented “Improving Students’ Writing Skills through Collaboration between SSS and UB.” The presentation described the underlying theory, process, participants, practice and progress of two innovative collaborative initiatives: a writing enriched firstyear student seminar for SSS students and the groundwork for an electronic tutoring program for UB students. These efforts led to a future plan: to train writing peer tutors for service to students in both programs. Phi Kappa Phi Initiates! Victoria Minor & Julia Whistler Recognizing our Global Honors Students Chelsea Allen Stephanie Lanigan Cody Anderson Roman Marijczuk Dillon Benjamin Heaven Martin Erin Dempsey Michelle Otte Tabitha Fisher Amanda Pease Emily Furl Matthew Protsko Katrina Good Kelsey Schmader Zachary Hough Gabrielle Schock Amber Hryn Justin Schomaker Ramsey Ikner Eric Smith Marina Keiter Samantha Wesnak Roseanna Lance “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” - Theodore Roosevelt Congratulations Prospective Fall 2014 Graduates! Dillon Benjamin Marissa Morgan Eric Fenton Chelsea Ogden Katrina Good Brock Schmidt Christopher Long Michael Zumar Page 7 Volume VIII Issue I Catching Up With Alumna Jenna Ewing By Julie Battin Jenna Ewing graduated from Lock Haven University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. While at LHU, she was a Student Support Services freshman and then became a peer mentor. As a peer mentor for three years, Jenna helped students in the classroom and planned events for students in the program. The SSS staff provided her with resources and guidance during her college experience. They acted as extra advisors she could rely on for matters outside of the classroom. After graduating from LHU, Jenna attended Towson University in Maryland, where she earned her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. Her experience at graduate school was extremely valuable. Although her classes and professors were demanding and the environment was much less personal than LHU, she was able to network and gain important contacts. These contacts helped Jenna obtain her dream job. She now works as a behavioral specialist at Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. In the residential Obsessive Compulsive Disorder unit, she helps 5-6 people daily to manage and By Julie Battin and Jackie Malloy Memorial Hospital for as long as she possibly can. She enjoys being a friend, teacher, therapist, and motivator to the people she works with. Although she loves her work at Rogers Memorial Hospital, she is also open to the possibility of working in a partial hospitalization program or an intensive outpatient program. Jenna recently adopted a Black Lab/Great Dane mix named Asic. She says that although he’s quite a handful, he’s a wonderful dog. Jenna is also engaged, and she and her fiancé, Nick, are planning to get married in May of 2016. To students about to enter the workforce, Jenna shared some advice: “Take advantage of everyone that you come into contact with at work. Always make sure that you are presenting yourself in a way that you would want to be reJenna with her dog, Asic membered. You never know when that person can come back into your life and reduce their Obsessive Compulsive-related provide you with the chance of a lifetime, symptoms. Jenna works with these indiso make sure you don't burn any bridges viduals for 15-90 days, and she helps them prematurely.” reduce compulsions, such as excessive The SSS staff and students send hand washing and showering. Jenna their best wishes for success as she Jenna loves her position, and she continues her professional and personal wants to continue to work at Rogers journey! SSS Creative Writing Contest The Student Support Services held its second annual creative writing contest this fall. The contest was open to SSS students and English majors. Students could submit poems, short stories, essays, or any other creative work about a topic of their choice. The submissions received for the contest this year included a variety of poems and essays. The first, second, and third place winners of the contest received prizes of a $25 gift card to Wal-Mart, a $15 gift card to Avenue 209, and a $10 gift card to Dunkin’ Donuts. Keith Meredith won first place with his poem, “Metamorphosis.” Alan Ninan won second place GO TO: ssswritingcontest. with his poem, “Next Weekend”, and Leanne Fries’s “Review of an Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting” earned third place. Their submissions can be found at ssswritingcontest.wordpress.com under the section titled “Fall 2014 Winners.” All other submissions received for the contest that were not featured in this newsletter can also be found on the WordPress site under the section titled “Fall 2014 Submissions.” The SSS Newsletter co-editors thank the students who submitted for their participation. Locate more information about the SSS program. wordpress.com “Setting goals is the first step to turning the Invisible into the Visible.” - Toni Robbins Page 8 Volume VIII Issue I Fall Community Service By Meghan Mausteller members in need. As part of the ADAC119 class, students wrote a paper on their community service experiences. This writing gave students the opportunity to determine their own definition of community service learning. They also reflected on what their experience taught them about society’s and their own personal values and how they can use this new knowledge to benefit themselves and others. Finally, they explained ways in which they can fit community service into their future career and life plans. Alan Ninan, a freshman Pre-PA major, participated in the SSS community service events at the John Yost Center. As an employee of the Mountain Serve Office Students gather with Americorps VISTA associate Lucio Perez at the Pumpkin Patch on campus, Ninan is no stranger to community service. Although he volunteers event hosted by the John Yost Community Center in Lock Haven regularly, Ninan felt like he gained valuable lessons from his work at the John Yost Community service is an imPatch event. Student volunteers were put Center. “Community service is like a portant aspect of the Student Support Ser- in charge of managing pumpkins, as well Swiss Army knife,” said Ninan, “By going vices ADAC119 First Year Student Semi- as running games and food stations. Stato events I’m opening the tool, and by nar With the help of Lucio Perez, an asso- tions students ran included ring toss, face applying the knowledge I’ve gained, I’m ciate from AmeriCorps Volunteers in Ser- painting, and food and hot chocolate. using the tool. It’s something I never got vice to America (VISTA), students had the At the Halloween Festival held on October to do before.” opportunity to participate in one of several 31, students not only ran games and staSSS students like Ninan are community service events. Two events tions similar to those at the previous event, clearly reaping the benefits of community allowed the students to volunteer at the but they also helped with set-up and service. Volunteering is an action that John Yost Community Center in Lock teardown. takes only hours, but can have effects that Haven. The Pumpkin Patch and HallowOther SSS students assisted the last a lifetime. een Festival events gave local children Lock Haven branch of the AAUW (known “Success isn’t just about what residing in the Clinton County Housing formerly as the American Association of Authority an opportunity to have fun in a University Women) to prepare for their you accomplish in your life. safe environment. annual spring book sale. At the Blanchard It’s about what you inspire On October 17, students had the Church of Christ Food Pantry, some SSS others to do.” - Unknown opportunity to participate in a Pumpkin volunteers prepared food for community Spring 2014 Dean’s List Kayla Austin Paige Fisher Jasmin Houston Roseanna Lance Karena Mitchell Todd Schorr Haley Uher Hannah Bartron Heather Fitzgerald Amber Hryn Cierra Lees Ronerlie Noel Jourdan Semmel Carlos Vera Julie Battin Jacqueline FloresLeyva Amber Hunter Emily Leitzel Michelle Otte Lucian Snare Kodie Vermillion Charla Johnson Kevin Mallon Megan Raffa Colton Spade Sarah Walsh Claire Jones Roman Marijczuk Candice Ramus Sarah Straub Julia Whistler David Keegan Madelyn Marshall Emilie Rogers Jessica Stives Marina Keiter Joseph Mattern LeAnne Sayles Randall Tasker Jennie Kobuck Andrew McMahon Kelsey Schmader Taylor Bechtel Samantha Benko Fatima Conteh Jessica Dugan Michael Eubanks Michael Field Leanne Fries James Goins Katrina Good Samantha Graeff Carly Heider Brianna Kochenour Victoria Minor Justin Schomaker Jaden Taylor Daniel Teleguz Page 9 Volume VIII Issue I The Terrific Trio! Your Fall 2014 SSS Newsletter Co-Editors Julie Battin is a senior English major with a writing concentration. She hails from Cochranton, Pennsylvania, otherwise known as the town with a lot of cows and way too many creepy corn fields. Julie has been a member of University Players and Dangerously Improv since her freshman year. As a member of University Players, she has done backstage work and has participated in Haunted Studio. Julie has also been a co-editor of The Crucible, an on-campus literary journal. She recently had an article, “Ten Insane Medical Beliefs from the Past” published on listverse.com. Julie enjoys music, autumn, and squirrels. She is still investigating future career options, but she hopes to move to Pittsburgh after graduation. Jackie Malloy is a sophomore majoring in English with a concentration in writing. She is from Lehighton, Pennsylvania, a small borough in the Pocono area, near the scenic town of Jim Thorpe. Jackie is an avid member of the French and English clubs on campus and would love to pursue a career in writing after college. She is interested in writing for a sitcom or becoming a literary critic. She just wants to read and write every day! In her free time, Jackie enjoys curling up with a good book, writing observational pieces, and using all of her excess creativity to scrapbook. Her writing is inspired by quotes, such as Isabel Allende’s, “Writing is a calling, not a choice!” Jackie hopes to follow her calling to Hawaii after college to soak up the sunshine and summer air while pursing her writing career. Meghan Mausteller is a sophomore majoring English and Communications with concentrations in writing and journalism and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She is from Lehighton, Pennsylvania, a small town about two and a half hours east of Lock Haven. On campus, Meghan is a member of the Global Honors Program and is a mentor for the Communication department. She is also the public relations chair for Phi Sigma Pi, the coeducational national honors fraternity. When she is not trapped in the library’s 24-hour study lounge, Meghan enjoys reading, writing, watching The Tudors, and thrift-shopping. After graduation, Meghan plans to start her own feminist literary magazine named Scarlett after her favorite literary character. “The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.” - Pema Chodrom ● Student Support Services TRiO program is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Education in the amount of $284,753 for this academic year. It is supported by additional funding and services from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania is firm in its resolve that equal employment and educational opportunity shall be accorded to all qualified individuals without creed, disability, lifestyle, affectional or sexual preference, national origin, ancestry, union membership, age, sex, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. The ultimate objective of this policy is the abolition of practices which tend, inadvertently or otherwise, to discriminate against women and minorities. ● The SSS Newsletter is produced through an Experiential Learning designed and facilitated by Julie Story, Director and Writing Specialist, Student Support Services, Department of Academic Development & Counseling. Students studying English, writing, editing, communications, document design, and/or public relations gain EL units and practical learning experiences outside of the classroom serving as editors and writers. Get Connected!: Facebook search for LHU Student Support Services or Website at http://www.lhup.edu/colleges/Business_Information/academic_development/