Recently on March 28,2009, NCSU students participated in Service Raleigh, an annual citywide day of service started in 1998 by NC State’s Student Government and Park Scholars. This year, over 2,000 volunteers from the university and surrounding communities volunteered to lend a hand. Despite the wet and murky weather, students stuck it out and participated in projects that ranged from moving mulch, site restoration, and planting trees. Arriving early Saturday morning, students were greeted with warm donuts from Krispy Kreme, and fresh bagels from Brueggers Bagels Shop. Once full and energized, students joined their organizations and then broke into teams heading for their designated locations. This year I partnered with my sorors of the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  in efforts to clean up an area located on interstate 440 to correspond with our “Think Pink Live Green” program. Overall it was an experience that made me think twice about my carbon footprint on this earth. I was happy to say that I was “KOmited 2 the Cause” and persevered despite the soggy rain boots and questionable finds.

If you or someone you know is interested in the Service Raleigh Organization, log on to thier website at http://www.serviceraleigh.org/volunteer/volunteer_reg.html

On Monday, August 29, 2005 Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. Five years later, the victims of the storm are still suffering. Shattered lives and destroyed homes still plague the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. As our economic state worsens, those affected by the storm are further afflicted.

On Febuary 24,2008 the Kappa Omicron Chapter, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.  hosted a program entitled Mardi Gras. The purpose of this event was to celebrate the traditions and history of Mardi Gras, while also providing a fundraiser to help support the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. In hopes of giving relief to  the victims who have still not received relief and support from FEMA since Hurricane Katrina stuck the gulf coast in 2005, the proceeds of this fundraisers went to The Network for Good, a foundation for victims of Hurricane Katrina.  The program was a great success that touched on the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras, and helped give back to those in need. With only a $1 admission participants received a decorative mask and entrance ticket into a New Orleans setting. With creole inspired cuisine (my favorite), and creative games ranging from charades to go fish (Mardi Gras style) it was a blast!  Despite the shopping for decorations,making the flyers and painting the masks, the program was a lot of fun and it paid off. I am very proud to be apart of such an organization that make others concerns such a serious matter. Skee Wee my sorors!

If  you have any questions about The Network For Good Organization,  Please visit their website for more information:  http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/.

Oh yes it’s that time of the year! This past weekend myself and other college of design students helped volunteer with the admissions process for the College of Design. From welcoming anxious high school students and their families, to touring students around the Design Campus, volunteers helped to prepare candidates for the fall 2009 intake process. Although freezing and windy, Design faculty, staff, and students were well prepared and covered from head to toe in “Wolf Pack Red” and helped guide the flow of traffic while students waited patiently to hear about their competition and process for admission.

Once welcomed by Marva Motley, the College of Design Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (Student Organizations), students were broken into groups based on the major they were applying for.  Whether it was: Art and Design, Industrial Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, or Graphic Design, students scheduled interviews to meet with professors and go over portfolios. While students were waiting for their interviews they were led by student ambassadors and volunteers to tour the college. Viewing the Brooks Hall Main Gallery, Library, and Multi-media Lab, Graphic Design studios, Industrial Design studios and shop, students began to get a glimpse into the College of Design. Once the tours were finished, the big Kahuna, yep, Marvin Malecha (the Dean of the College of Design) greeted them again but this time he discussed the process and the expectations.  This was followed by a presentation by Financial Aid, University Housing, and lastly a student panel. Overall students came out to leave their best impression on the professors, and staff  hoping for a chance to become apart of the NC State family.

If you have any questions or concerns about the admissions process for the College of Design, visit the website at:  www.ncsu.edu/design 

Yes! I am back and ready to take on a another fun filled semester. My stress level is low.  I am calm and assertive and ready to dive into 2009! I had an excellent break with tons of sleep, plenty of home-cooked food, and laughter.  It is safe to say that I am recharged and refocused for the goals ahead of me. With the upcoming career fairs, resume workshops, meetings and events, stayed tuned for the exciting year ahead!

Tis the  Season to give back!  During such economic struggles, students have been able to come together and help some those less fortunate during the holidays. Donating clothing, school supplies,toys, and necessities, and even Thanksgiving dinners to families in need.  I had a great time working with my peers to help make others smile during the holidays. 

This past Thanksgiving my lovely sisters of the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, reached out to families during the holiday season. Through the  Women’s Center, located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, Alpha Kappa Alpha gave a helping hand to 100 Families by supplying them with Thanksgiving dinner.  Oh yes! Cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese,stuffing, and of course, my favorite, turkey, was just some of food loaded up and delivered for a thanksgiving feast. While also providing food, Kappa Omicron, decorated the Women’s Center to help spread the Christmas cheer by hanging Christmas stockings, lights, ornaments and, of course, snow! And K.O. wasn’t the only organization this season that helped pitch in during the holidays.

Another program on campus that helped spread the spirit of giving was a program entitled “Shoeboxes of Love” hosted by the African American Culture Center. The purpose  of this program was to donate gifts filled with fun and functional play items and necessities to children in the surrounding communities.  Some of the organizations involved included the African Student Union, Heritage Society, the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, and the African American Student Advisory Council.  Donating over 100 boxes to the local orphanage, “Shoe boxes of Love”  gave children  a chance to open a gift for the holidays. I must say that giving back was in full effect this Christmas and I enjoyed every minute of it.  It was a blast giving  back and although I had never done so much for people that I didn’t know, I know that they appreciated it and I walked away a better me.

You could hear the entire stadium echo with wolfpack pride that day, and regardless of where you are on campus, the school spirit is always just as evident. As a student here at NC State University, I have come to appreciate a campus that has celebrated diversity, academic excellence, and school spirit for years. I am proud to be a one of a kind “Wolfpack Girl!”

However, because I am constantly drawn to producing and understanding the blueprint of great art, I am also a “design kid”. Majoring in art and design, I have been challenged to understand and control the elements within design that make art aesthetically pleasing. I have learned a lot that has helped me improve as a designer. With the help of an annual assessment known as “Junior Review”, art and design students are required to place their best works from freshman to junior year on exhibit for one week to allow fellow students and professors to see just how much they have improved since their freshman days on campus.

Observing works from sculpture, painting, digital drawing, fibers, multimedia, and photography courses; the College of Design professors comment on both the strentghs and weaknesses of each artist, while also understanding each individuals own unique process. Although a challenging major, I get an opportunity to work with numerous mediums that create a wide range of experience that can be applied to numerous fields within design such as textiles, animation, graphic design, surface design, fibers and photography.

Also with the resources provided by the college such as: the dual boot Mac computer labs (accommodating both Mac and PC lovers!), The Harry B. Lyons Design library, photography darkroom and studio, large format plotter printers, Design IT lab, workshop,lazercutters, spay booth, dye kitchen and plaster printers. The possibilities for great art almost seem endless, but the combination of resources make for an extremely successful program that encourages students to exploit their hand and digital craft to create innovative and unique design.

For more information concerning programs within the College of Design checkout their website.

While here at NC State I can sincerely say that I have become a stronger more self-determined individual, because of my experiences I have gained confidence and comfort in my own skin, and found myself able & capable of achieving my greatest dreams. While being involved in a broad spectrum of organizations on campus has helped in my personal growth, I have learned that trying new things and putting yourself “out there,” is the best way to get your foot in the door. As a active member in the Multicultural Student Affairs Peer Mentor program, I have learned that giving back is essential in order to allowing all students to achieve their true potential in a academic, or social setting. Sponsored by the Multicultural Student Affairs Office (Yes! it’s a mouthful), each incoming student who attends a multicultural symposium at NC state will have the opportunity to participate in the peer mentor program, where they will be paired with an elder student of the same major. In this program students are provided with a helpful resource while trying to adapt in a college setting; if nothing further the student has one new friend, just to share experiences with in a new environment. In doing so, incoming students are able to gain more insight into both social and scholastic fields. Whether it is receiving a call to see how your day went, or working together at the NC state Fair Food Drive; students working together gain knowledge from  older students past experiences. The most important theme in the mentor program is to rely the need for proper study habits, or how to handle a heavy workload. Overall I can say from experience that it is nice to be able to make someone’s day just a little bit brighter, I regret not having the same experience as a freshman by participating in the peer mentor program.

“Never before has man had such a great capacity to control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of mankind in the history of the world.”- President John F. Kennedy

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Monique Cleveland, and I am a junior here at NC STATE (Go Pack!). Majoring in art and design, I was thrilled to be able to share my experience with you. I hope that from my blog you will learn not only more about me, but some of the benefits that NC State has to offer. Before I begin to talk about my life here at NC State, let me first tell you about my life before NC State.

I am originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and while there I cheered competitively for ten years. I was highly involved in after school programs as well as with my church, sharing my time with those less fortunate in my community. Later after I long deliberation my family decided to move! As a result my family moved almost 300 miles away to Wendell, North Carolina (oh did I mention it was my SENIOR YEAR!). However since then I have adjusted quite well to my rural surroundings with the help of a little southern hospitality. Graduating from Eastern Wake High School in 2005 with honors I was quickly accepted at North Carolina State University.

Soon after being accepted into North Carolina State University like most students I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. Upon entering NC State I quickly matriculated into a transitional program designed to help guide students like myself through the difficult switch into the college setting. This program’s main objective was to help guide students through their first year successfully, with emphasis on helping them decided on course of study. I owe much of my current success to my transition coordinators; they took a personal interest in my future, taking the necessary steps in order to help get each student headed on the right track to be admitted into the college of their choice (i.e. College of Humanities and Social Science, Design, Engineering etc.). The Transition Program also requires that new freshman enroll in a University Education intro course, along with an 8-hour quota of study hall time that must be completed each week. Although it seemed pointless then, it taught me a lot about how to handle my college workload. The course taught me the importance of time management, establishing a helpful relationship with your professor, and learning how to access and accommodate your learning strategies. I can honestly say that the Transition Program gave me good l habits that I can still apply today and beyond my college experience. So as a result of getting help from the resources here at NC State, a portfolio, and great grades I was accepted in to the College of Design.

Since my freshman year I have learned that in order to get what I want, I have to put in the time and effort now, because the opportunity may not be there later. Now majoring in art and design I love my classes, professors and I am currently in numerous organizations here on campus. Just a few organizations I am apart of include the Multicultural Student Affairs Peer Mentor Program, the African American Design Student Association, the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, and College of Design Student Ambassador Program. Understand that everyone is different, and that the organizations that I am apart of are personalized to what I can handle, as well as my interest. Also keep in mind that these organizations are only extracurricular activities, school is a PRIORITY, and understand that the main reason everyone is here is to first gain an education.

So my advice for you while planning for school choose the program that fits you, or who your working up to be. Do the research, visit the school, learn and benefit from the resources NC state has to offer because at the end of the day you are trying to build a stronger, smarter you.

Why did you choose to attend NC State?

I chose NC State because they have a competitive and well known design program

List you current extra-curricular activities and positions held:

• African American Design Student Association
• College of Design Student Ambassador
• Food Lion Hunger Relief Volunteer
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