november 2012 oda newsletter
DESCRIPTION
13th Annual Academic Awards Banquet, DSP Community Town Hall Meeting, Operation Christmas Child, and more!TRANSCRIPT
Student Leadership & Community Engagement Newsletter
Table of Contents
Important Dates
What DSP Means to You
Study Labs
Thanksgiving
TownHallMeeting
Terror in the Corn
Peer Mentors
Awards Banquet
Career for Curriculum
StudentStaffCorner
DSPInternational Alumni Highlights
In the Community
CorporateOppotunties
& More
Important Dates: December What Does DSP
Monday FridayThursdayWednesdayTuesday3 4 5 6 7
10 11 12 13 14
17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26
29 30 31
1 2
December7:BanquetCommitteeMeeting:MBSAOfficeat1pmDecember 8-16: HanukkahDecember14:BanquetCommitteeMeeting:MBSAOfficeat1pmDecember 15-21: Finals WeekDecember 21: Winter Commencement: Coors Events Center at 9:30am December 22-January 13: Winter BreakDecember 25: ChristmasDecember 26-January 1: KwanzaaDecember 31: New Year’s Eve
Written By: Jessica Beard
From the outside looking in, the Diverse Scholars Program can be seen as an academic support group made up of diverse students, but what does this kind of culture stand for to the students that are associated? I asked our members for their feedback on what DSP means to them and what they love about being involved inthisdynamicplatform.Responsesincludednounssuchasfamily,support,friends,involvement,success,andlove.Howdoesadiversegroupofpeoplethatmayhavesimilaritiescreatesuchatight-knitcommunity?Theanswerissimple;respect. Respectallows thediverse scholars toappreciateand learn fromtheexperiencesandculturesothermemberscontribute.InordertoestablishtheDSPcamaraderie,studentshavetohavemutualrespectforoneanother.Annualcommunitybuildingeventssuchasourretreat,corporateluncheons,andcornmazeextrava-ganzasallowourmemberstolearnaboutoneanotherinasocialsetting,outsideofacademicenvironments.Theseeventswerealsofoundinresponsetowhatpeoplelovemostaboutourprogram.Accordingtoresearchdone by the University of Wisconsin, “racially and ethnically diverse peers both informally and within the class-roomshowedthegreatestengagementinactivethinking,growthinintellectualengagementandmotivation,andgrowthinintellectualandacademicskills.”Havingassociationandinteractionswithstudentsfromdifferentbackgroundsexposesstudentstonewperspectives,subsequentlymembersstarttochallengetheirownviews,testtheircriticalthinking,anddevelopleadershipskills. Participatinginaprogramcan,onthesurface,beawaytogetinvolvedandmeetagroupofpeople.Ontheotherhand,theassetsthatareextractedfromthededicationtosuchadynamiccommunityissomethingintangible.Diverseenvironmentsallowstudentstobecomemoreawareofsocialproblems,acquireleadershipskillsandimproveintellectualdevelopmentforaheightenedacademicexperience.Italsohasbeenreportedbystudentsthattherehasbeenhigherlevelsofdevelopmentinappreciatingtheartsandidentifyingmoralandethicalissuescontributedtotheexposureofavarietyofbackgrounds. SoifyoureallywanttoknowwhattheDiverseScholarsProgrammeanstoitsparticipants,it’ssomethingthatcan’tbeputintowords.It’sanexperience,apassion,motivationtobebetter,afamily…Asforme,theDi-verse Scholars tell me a story and teach me about the world: what it looks like now and how it will look in the future.Theyteachmeaboutmyself,whoIam,andwhoIwillbecome.Mostimportantlytheyteachmehowdif-ferencesshouldbevaluedwhileatthesametimebringingclosertogetheranunderstandingthatoursimilaritiesanddifferencesarewhatbuildourgreatrelationships.
Mean to YOU?
4
Study Labs!
Studylabsprovidetheidealstudysessionforfreshmenandsophomoresintheirrequiredbusinesscourses.Themeetingsprovideanexperiencedleaderthathaspreviouslytakenthecourse,alongwithmultiplepeersthatsitinthelecturesanddiscussionswithyoueveryweek.NotonlyarestudylabsachancetospendtimewiththeDSPfamily,buttheyareatimetoexpandknowledgeonrequiredbusinesscourses.FreshmanMarkYabutcommentsthatstudylabsdisplay“howgreatthesupportwehaveforeachother[is].Wearewillingtogiveupourtimeinordertohelpourpeersout.”Studylabsaretheretoprovideknowledgeforusasindividuals,yes,buttheyarealsothereforustoshareourknowledgewiththosearoundus.Studylabs,whilebeingapartoftherequirementsforDSP,areanexemplarymethodofstudyinginwhichtheprogramhopesthatitsstudentstakealongwiththemthroughtherestoftheirschooling.
Writtenby:JordynJohnson
Ciara AguilarBCOR1010
“I wanted to see if I could use what I
learned last year to givebackthisyear.”
Andrea MeliAccounting
“I thought it would be a good way to get involvedasasenior.”
Adrianne VanMicroeconomics
Marketing
“I wanted to be able to say ‘Hey, I’m here tosupportyou.’toallof the freshmen and
sophomores.”
Thu Van TranBCOR1020
“Study labs help cre-ate a line between
what students know and what they don’t
know.”
3
If you’re interested in becoming a study lab leader, contact [email protected]!
I’m Thankful For... Town Hall Meeting
5 6
ThesemiannualTownHallMeetingtookplaceonWednesday,November28th,2012.Itwasencouragingtoseethatsomanypeoplecaredaboutthefutureofourcommunity.ThisTownHallwasunliketheoneswehavehadinthepast:itwasastudentleddiscussiononwhatwewantedtoseefromourofficeandourprograminthefuture.TheOfficeofDiversityAffairsandtheDiverseScholarsProgramisatafragilestagerightnowandchangeiscomingquickly.Thegoalofourmeetingwastoseewhattypeofchangeourcommunitywantedtoseeandyouallspokeup. Forthoseofyouwhowerethere,youheardhowweareallstakeholdersinourcommunity.ThatmeansitisuptoustotakeactiontomakesurethattheODAandDSPmoveinthedirectionthatyouwanttosee.Ifyoudon’tknowwheretostart,startbycomingintotheoffice.Justbyshowingyourface,youcanhelpstrengthenthebondsthatholdourcommunitytogether.Youcanmakefriends,gethelponhomework,orjustsayhitomeoroneoftheotherstudentorprofessionalstaff!Iencourageyoutotakeitastepfurther,though.SetupameetingwithJamie,Adrian,Desiree,orJessicaandpresentany ideasyouhavetomakeourofficeandourprogramsbetter,Ifyoudon’thaveanyideasandwanttohelp,comeinandseewhatyoucandotohelp!Maybeanotherstudenthasanideaforaprogrambutneedotherpeopletomakeithappen. Thereweresomegreatideasbroughtupbythestudentsatthetownhallmeeting.Oneideawassettingupmorestudentnightswherestudentscanjustcometogetherandhangoutwithouttheprofessionalstaff(nooffense,westillloveyou).Anotherideawastosplitourcommunityintosmallergroupssothatwecangetawayfromthecliquesandbeabletoreallygettoknowasmallergroupofpeople.Withthis,wecouldalsodomorecompetitive,outdoor,oractiveeventsthatwouldhelpusbuildourcommunityonalargerscale.Wealsofeltthatitwasmostimportanttomakesurethateveryoneiswelcomingandpositivesothatincomingstudentsarenotafraidtobeapartofthecommunity. Attheendofourmeeting,wewroteacommitmenttoourselvesandtootherstudentsthatwewouldstepupandmakeourcommunitysomethingtobeproudof.Areoccurringmessagewasthatyouwillonlygetsomethingoutofyourexperiencewithourprogramifyouputsomethingin.Don’tdothingswiththecommunitybecauseyouhavetodothem,doitbecauseyouwantto.Ifyoudonotseesomethingyouwantinourcommunity,thengomakeithappenbecauseIbetthereareotherstudentswhofeelthesameway.Forthoseofyouwhowerethere,thankyouforcomingandIhopeitwasagreatexperience,andforthoseofyouwhocouldnotcome,Iencourageyoutotalktosomeonewhodid.Lastly,allIwanttosayistakeaction!Bigorsmall,youwillhelptremendously.But,ifnothingisdonethanmanyofthethingsyouloveaboutODAandDSPmaybetakenaway.
Written By: Caleb Trantow
FAMILY.
The people that help the ODA create a welcoming environment.
THIS OPPORTUNITY AT LEEDS.
My family and my support system, including DSP and friends.
Myfamily,myniece,andmynephew.
DSP.
Caleb Kissell, junior
LaxmiRai,freshman
Juan Camacho, senior
Adrian Green, Program Manager
Isaac Gebre-Michael, junior
Monique Parks, sophomore
TomyfamilyandI,beingthankfuliswhatThanksgivingisallabout!Weusuallygoaroundthetableandhaveeverybodysaysomethingspecificthatthey’rethankfulforthatyear.WealsomakethisThanksgiv-ingtraditionintoapartygameandhavepeoplewritetheir“thanks”onapieceofpaper,putitintoahat,andhaveeverybodyguesswhoitbelongsto.MyfamilyandItrytobethankfulforourblessingsdaily,butThanksgivingisawaytomakeusstopandfocusonthemevenmorethanusual.Ibelieveinsimplyacknowledgingourthankfulnessinprayersandindailyconversation,aswell.Thanksgivingdoesn’tjusthavetocomeonceayear!
WrittenBy:GeoffreyWinter
Terror in the Corn
Despite the whirlwind of weather changes throughout the week, the Diverse Scholars Program respondedtothecallforcommunityonFriday,October25th.Whathastypicallybeenanightofshrillscreams and chain saws in the past became a night of spoons and movies, a welcoming environment for the freshmenandupperclassmenalike.Terror in theCorn,oneofDSP’sacclaimedCommunityEvents, is known to develop unity among the group, and this year a choice was given: To Be Frightened, orNotToBeFrightened.Thenightwasopentosuggestions,allowingeachandeverymembertovoicetheiropiniononthenight’sactivities.Peermentorshipswerestrengthenedandnewacquaintancesmade,resultinginasuccessfulnightforDSPanditscallforcommunity.
WrittenBy:JordynJohnson
John Maslin, freshmanI thought it was a great reminder of why all of us are in DSP, because we want to be part of a group that will acceptandlikeusnomatterwhat.
“
“
David Mast, 5th yearSometimesitisnecessaryforustoregroupafteralongandstrenuoussemester to remind us that no one hastogothroughacademiaalone.
“ “
7 8
Cometogether,rightnow.
Peer Mentors
Who is your mentor? Gabbie“TheBest”Lee!
Toyou,whatdoestheword“mentor”mean?To me, a mentor is someone who will provide
unconditionalsupportandisalwaystheretoguideyouasyouprogressthroughlife.
Do you like having a mentor? ILOVEhavingamentor.Icanhonestlysaythatmymentorhasprovidedmewithpricelessinformation,guidance, and advice that I would not have received
elsewhere.Havingherhasreallyshapedmycollegeexperiencethusfarforthebetterandour
relationshiphasmadeCUfeellikehome.
Mentee: Jasjit Mangat, freshman
To you, what does the word mentor mean?Mentor(n.)Someonewhoistheretoprovidesupport
andadjusttocollegelife--academic,social,etc.
Why are you a mentor?I’m a mentor because I want to be able to help the freshmenadjusttocollegeandloveCU.Iknowitcanbedifficultforfreshmentogetoutoftheircomfort
zoneandgetinvolved.Iwanttobeabletobesomeonetheycancountonforadvice,too.
What is the importance of a peer mentorship?The peer mentorship program is important because since it’s done through the ODA, everyone already
has this sense of community, making it easier for the mentorandmenteetobond.
Mentor: Gabbie Lee, senior
Wanted: Committee
Members!Committees:-AwardsCommittee-DecorationsCommittee-CorporateRelationsCommittee-PublicRelationsCommittee-RegistrationCommittee-FacultyRelationsCommittee-MediaCommittee
If you’re interested, join us in the MBSA officeonFriday’sat
1pm!
9 10
Career for Curriculum Luncheon
Student Staff Corner
Usemnemonictechniques!Theymake it easier to remember
information.
Study Tips
Whenitcomesdowntoit,finalsweekdeterminesamajorityofone’soverallgrade,sowhenithits,it’stimetobuckledownandgetstudying!TheODAstaffhasprovidedsomehelpfulfactsandtipstohelpyouretainthemostinformationandstayfocusedforthenextfewweeks.Certainfoods,colors,andsmellshelptostimulatethehippocampus,theportionofthebrainthatcontrolslearningandmemory,whichcanhelpwithlong-termmemorizationof information.Somepiecesof studyingareup to the individual,however:noteverystudentlearnsinformationthesameway.Whereasonestudentmightdobettermakingastudyguideinsilence,anothermightdobetterbymakingflashcardswithblaringmusic.It’ssomethingthattakestimetodetermine--areasonthattheportionofthesemesterbeforefinalsweekissoimportant.
Finals Week Break-Down
Don’twaituntilthe last minute tostudy!It’salongprocess.
Study Facts
11 12
&
Tidy up before you start studying: It’s easier to focus when you are surrounded by
order.
Studying makes you
sleepy: Make sure
you get plenty of sleep and
takebreaks!
Study in silence: It has been proven that loud and quick music
causes decreased concentrationlevels.
Makeflashcards,reread your notes, makeastudyguide.
The best formula for good sleep: listentoyourbody.Gotosleepwhen you are sleepy and sleep
aslongasyouneed.
Thebesttimefor learning in a healthy individual
is early morning:
Reviewyournotes when youwakeup!
Eatwellandexercise:when the body is healthy, it retains moreinformation.
Study the way you will test: If you can’t listen to music during the test, it’sbetternottodoitwhilestudying.
A team of sophomores within The Office of Diversity Affairs in the Leeds School of Businessgot together inearlySeptember tomapout theiryear.With thehelpof theODAandAdrianGreen, theSophomoreLeadershipCommitteewascreated.Historically,thesophomoreyearhaslackedstructure.Thisyear,sophomoreshadtheopportunitytonotonlygetinvolvedbuttotakecontroloftheirentireexperience.Bysettinggoalsanddecidingontheoverallmissionfortheyear,thecommitteewasreadytotakeitsfirststep.The annual Sophomore Luncheon was rethought and transformed into The Curriculum to Career Luncheon heldthisyearonNovember9th,2012inTheWilliamM.WhiteBusinessLibrary.Thenewlychosennamesaysit all; the purpose of the luncheon was for students to learn how their curriculum at Leeds is important and contributestotheirfuturecareersasprofessionals.Thisspecialeventwasnolongeraneventforsophomoresplanned by The ODA, it was an opportunity for all students to engage in their current curriculum and learn moreabouttheirfuturebylisteningandspeakingtotheiradministration,faculty,andstaff. The major difference between this year and years past was who planned the event; from theagendatothenametags,everydetailwaswellthoughtoutbytheSophomoreLeadershipCommittee.Theatmosphere was very casual, but remained professional in the sense that the subjects discussed involved plans for futurecareersandquestionsabout courses.With foodanddrinks in thebackgroundandgoodconversationsateverytable,theeventwasofftoagreatstart.FacultymembersrangingfromFinancetoRealEstatespokeontheirareasofemphasisasstudentslistenedandgainedanewperspectiveonwhatitmeanstomajorandearncertificatesineachoftheareas.Studentsalsolearnedabouttheimportanceofaninternationalexperience,thevalueoftheProfessionalMentoringProgram,andhowtoutilizetheCareerConnectionsOffice.Theeventwasstructuredinawaythatstudentscouldnotonlyaskquestionsbutengagein intellectualconversationwithexperts fromLeeds. Itwasnotanormalsetting,whichallowedstudentstofeelcomfortablewiththeprofessors,staff,andadministrators,sittingside-by-side,sharingthoughtsandenjoyingfood.Withapproximatelyfortystudentsinattendance,TheSophomoreLeadershipCommitteewasproudtobeapartofthewholeprocessandhopesthatthiseventwillonlykeepgrowinginyearstocome.
Written By: Ciara Aguilar
DSP International Alumni HighlightsLondonwasagreatexperience!TheLondonFinance Seminar gave me the opportunity toexploremanynewplacesandlearnnewthingseveryday.Throughtheexperience,IwasabletobecomebetterfriendswithfellowDSPmember,TeddyChavez.Wehadablastseeing Matilda and Chicago while there!Another highlight of my trip was being able to go to the Olympics, which has always been adreamofmine.MyfriendLindaandIwereabletogetticketstoseeabeachvolleyballgame.Theseminaritselfwasanicechangeofpace.Eachweekwegottovisitmanynewbusinesses,suchasBloomberg(mypersonalfavorite),BankofAmerica,LloydsofLondon,and Shell, to learn more about what they did and how their businesses play a role in the economy overall. I would recommendthis seminar to anyone who’s interested in going to London (not just finance majors)as it is an experience I will never forget!
Eric Acosta Alicia Gong
Amy Hall Cam LeChun Li
Kimberley Mccutcheon MatthewPiskorzKatherine TrinhShekinah Ward
Paulina Zaragoza13 14
London Finance Seminar
Maya Thayer, senior
This program is offered as a study abroad opportunity forany University of Colorado student with a 2.5 GPA or higheras well as other prerequisites with coursework. The LondonFinance Seminar is a competitive program, entailing 5 weeksof London exploration in a Faculty-Led Global Seminar whichincludes attending lectures, taking a field-trip to Paris, andvisitingnumerousfinancial andbusiness institutions in London.
Alumni Winter DinnerFriday, December 21, 2012 at 6:00pmDowntown Denver
December Graduates
Community Engagement Corporate Opportunities
15 16
What did you do?Throughout part of October and November, MBSA
members helped in either bringing presents of their ownordonatingtoOperationChristmasChild.
Afterreceivingdonations,MBSAmembersenjoyedventuring out to the nearest stores to buy several presentsconsistingoftoys,hygieneproducts,andschoolsuppliesforchildrenrangingfrom2-14.TheshoeboxeswerefilledanddroppedoffattheCalvary
BibleChurchonNovember29th.
Why did you do it?IwantedtoparticipateinthisactivitybecauseoneofMBSA’s focus is on community service and I thought
it would be a great way to get involved as well as integratetheholidayseason.
How did it bring DSP students closer?Theaspectofcomingtogetherforasimilarcause.Also many members came together to go to the
store and buy presents as well as wrap them while we listened to music which was a great bonding
experience!
What was the end result?FromMBSA’sFrightNightandotherdonationsreceived from the students and faculty at the
Leeds School of Business, MBSA successfully raised $180 which was enough to provide 8 children withgifts.Afteragenerousdonationof$200
from Northwestern Mutual, however, MBSA was abletosignificantlyincreasetheirservicetotheorganizationandwasabletofill18shoe-boxes
overall as well as cover the shipping cost for each box!
Interview with: Alyssa Faustino, senior
HowTo
WorkA
CareerFair
Before You Go:
1)ResearchCompaniesand Industries
2)PracticeYourApproach
3)DressProfessionally
4)PerfectyourResumeand Submit to Employers
Online
5)DevelopQuestionstoAskRecruiters
While You’re There:
1)ApproachRecruiters
2)AskQuestions
3)NetworkwithRecruiters
4)TakeHand-OutMaterials
Helpful Tips!
Follow Up on your Conversation.
Thank the Executiveforhis/herTime.
Introduce Yourself!
Make Direct EyeContact!
Keep a Copy of your ResumeandaFew
BusinessCardswithyou.
Prepare an
Elevator Pitch.
leeds.colorado.edu/diversity|303.735.5117|KOBL260|[email protected]
Fun Activities
to do DuringWinter Break!
- Build a snowman
- Have a movie marathon of your favoriteseries!
- Build a gingerbread house
-Createabowlingcompetitionwithyour friends outside the ordinary game(Ex.GrannyToss,Leapand
Throw,etc.)
- Drive around with friends and look at Christmas lights and decorated
houses
-Haveagroupgettogether!Blameit on the need for painted nails or the need to surpass the latest kill
streak.
Thank you for reading!
Student Leadership & Community Engagement Newsletter
DesireeRamirez
Caleb Trantow ParisPritchett
Juan Camacho Issac Gebre-Michael
Jessica Beard
Program [email protected]
Sophomore
Jamie LujanInterim [email protected]
Adrian Green*Program [email protected]
Jessica BaumgartenProgram [email protected]
Office of Diversity Affairs Staff
NewspaperStaffandProgramAssistants
Ifyouwouldliketosubmitarticles,pictures,flyers,opportunities,orupdatesthatwouldbenefitourstudents,faculty,staffandgreaterCUcommunitypleasesendthemdirectlytoJessicaBeardatJessica.Beard@colorado.edu-TheOfficeofDiversityAffairsreservestherighttorejectsubmissionsthatdonotalignwiththemissionoftheLeedsSchoolofBusinessandouroffice.Weaskthatyousendhighqualitypicturesandarticlesnomorethan500words.TheStudentLeadership&CommunityEngagementnewsletterisdistributedelectronicallythreetimespersemester.
Jordyn JohnsonPublishing Editor
FreshmanPublishing Editor
SeniorProgram Assistant
JuniorProgram Assistant
JuniorProgram Assistant
FreshmanProgram Assistant