February Update

For the month of February, the student network group mentors and mentees were focused on attending events that satisfied the diversity portion of their M100 class. Two of the most popular events were the musical Rent and the Tunnel of Oppression.

Rent was musical that depicted “a year in the life of eight artists and musicians with joy, sadness and comedy, as they struggle to make it in the big city—facing eviction, dealing with illness, homelessness, death and drugs, negotiating their dreams, finding their loves and living— one day at a time.” Many of the students found it eye-opening and provocative. This event focused on exposing students to controversial issues that are around today. While some students were not pleased with the length or appropriate-ness of the musical, many found that it gave them the opportunity to challenge their own stereotypes and prejudices. 

The Tunnel of Oppression took place during Diversity Education week and allowed student, staff and faculty the opportunity to experience various forms of oppression faced both on and off NC State’s campus. Some of the types of oppression addressed by this year’s tunnel were: physical ability, body image, homophobia, relationship violence, and race. The students watched different scenarios unfold through the different scenarios and engaged in discussion. Afterwards, counselors debriefed students and gave them information concerning ally behaviors for each of the types of scenarios the students saw. 

Both of these events encompass what M100 and SNG set out to do: foster a sense of community, belonging and connection within the larger university and build an awareness of diversity and inclusivity among students.

Study Abroad, Minors, Involvement on Campus

Our last few classes together will be focused on opportunities within Poole, across campus, and beyond.  We will specifically focus on study abroad programs, minors that fit well with management degrees and how to get involved in campus organizations.  There will be several guest speakers joining us, as well.  We are lucky to have the Early Career Network Group from GSK back to discuss the transition from student to professional and interviewing tips.  As the semester draws to a close, we will also look forward to planning for future coursework.  We will also welcome all professional mentors back on December 2nd to reunite with their SNGs.  It is sure to be an exciting few weeks.

SNG Events

The students are busy attending their second SNG event of the semester.  The professional and student mentors have been quite creative in planning activities.  Here is a recap of a recent event:

This past Monday, October 24th the international student network group and I went to Neomonde Bakery located off of Hillsborough. We had the manager, Sam Saleh, speak to us about his travels from Lebanon. He spoke about how he started his business and what he does now to keep it thriving. He also explained the differences in cultures and that being proactive and responsible is a major part of success. He was a really great speaker and the students responded to him very well. It was a successful event!

This week in class, we will continue our diversity discussion - focusing on how we can develop skills to be inclusive leaders.

First Impressions

We are thrilled to have Ms. Harris back in class this week to present the First Impressions exercise to our students.  This activity helps us to explore various stereotypes that we hold and discuss how we came to develop certain perceptions of various identity groups.  In the past this class has been very popular with the students, so we look forward to it each year!

Students will also be sending their mid-semester check-in email to their mentors this week. 

Career Development

After a short recess for fall break and advising, we are back in M100 class this week.  Mr. Brian Newton, Director of Career and Graduate Development, will be working with the students on enhancing their resume.  Once the resumes are polished, students will be sending them to their professional mentors for review.  Students are also turning in their Reality Check assignment this week.  This activity requires them to review their grades up until midterm to approximate their current semester GPA.  This allows advisors to know if any students are experiencing academic difficulty and plan interventions as needed.

Happy Fall Break!

This week is fall break, so M100 classes are cancelled.  We are in the process of grading SNG Event Reflections, and it sounds like many exciting activities have already taken place this semester!  After fall break, students will be heading into midterms and advising for the Spring 2012 semester.  I can hardly believe we are halfway through the term.  Happy fall!

International SNG Cultural Exchange

Academic Success

Last week in class we focused on Learning Styles.  The students completed an assessment to identify how they learn best, and then we had a class discussion to develop strategies to employ when professors teach differently than how one learns best.

This week we focus on GPA calculating, consequences of good and bad grades, and academic integrity. 

The students should have completed their first SNG event by this Friday, September 30th.  I hope to post pictures soon from some of the  events that everyone has been attending.  If you have photos, please feel free to pass them along!