Tag: Community Service

Okay…technically in the admissions office, we don’t get a spring break but I had the opportunity to serve as an advisor to a group of students on an alternative service break trip to the Domincan Republic. The trip was organized through the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service (CSLEPS) Office at NC State. Alternative Service Break (ASB) trips offer a unique service-learning experience in which students engage in direct service to a community, while being immersed in the culture and customs of that community. This spring break CSLEPS organized 14 trips.

My group traveled to Jaibon/Laguna Salada where we partnered with an organization called Orphanage Outreach. As volunteers we taught English at the Centro para Ninez School located at the orphanage.

In the Dominican Republic, students go to school for half a day. We taught two different classes each day. In the morning we taught 5th grade and in the afternoon we taught 2nd grade. We taught the students basic English such as colors, numbers and animals. Each day we would come up with lesson plans and find creative ways to teach the students English. For our 5th graders, we played the memory game. By the end of the game, it got very intense…boys vs. girls. And the girls won 28-27.

In between our teaching periods we would work on construction projects at the orphanage. We helped them prepare for 140 volunteers that were coming the following week. Our main construction project was building bunk beds for the volunteers and laying cement for the new volunteer/community center that was being built on the orphanage grounds.

All in all, it was an AMAZING experience. Even though we taught kids something, they taught us as well. It was pretty hectic for the students leading up to spring break. But after spending a week teaching and working with the kids, I’ve learned to enjoy life and to be grateful for what I have. We all have something to give and everyone can make a difference…one person at a time.

And I couldn’t have asked for a better team of NC State students to travel with. The students who I had a chance to work with reflect the work we do in the admissions office in building a strong diverse class of students committed to making a difference. I was impressed with these students and their commitment to putting their hearts into everything they do.

NC State provides many different service-learning opportunities. If you are interested in service, this is an opportunity you should consider.

P.S. Thanks to Jeff Huber and Zainab Riyami for the pictures!

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

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.

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 everyone. This is my first post of the year. This post is going to be focused on my summer activities. I am starting with the summer because so much happened! So here we go!!!

During the summer, I was accepted into a program known as The Institute for Responsible Citizenship. This summer program selects 24 top African American students from around the US to take 3 classes and reside on Georgetown University. Going to various events and meeting multiple political icons, such as Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, Clarence Thomas, etc became a regular thing for us. Along with our classes and these events, we choose an internship in the DC area. The nice part was that if your internship was not paid, the Institute would give you a $3,000 stipend! I interned with TV One Television Network as the intern for the Office of the Presidents. I was able to form strong relationships with, not only my co-workers and other interns, but with the President/CEO of TV One, and all of the executives. They even invited me to attend the Democratic National Convention and help them shoot a live DNC after-show. I was able to go to Obama’s speech! Please check out the Pictures, because I met a lot of people in Denver. As you can see, I had a great summer. I hope that you all enjoy the pics!

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.

Hey guys I’m Jack Brandon and this first blog is for all you readers to get to know me a little bit and a little bit about the first month I’ve been here. I am 18 years old and a freshman in the College of Engineering. I’m thinking about double majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering, but that’s all likely to change at anytime. I’m staying in Lee, which is a suite style dorm on west campus. Its got pretty big rooms and there haven’t been any real problems so far, but that could be different if there were people in my suite that didn’t get along. For those of you thinking about dorms, from what I have seen hall style allows you to meet a lot of different people, but not get a very good connection with them. While the suite style allows you to meet a few people and get to know them very well.

I have joined a few clubs and am hoping that they end up being cool. I am in the IRC and Habitat…acronyms I know but I will get into it. The IRC is the Inter-Residence Council and I am the Lee Hall representative in that. It basically deals with how the school is going to help out the dorms and how the money gets spent. Finally is Habitat for Humanity, which as I’m sure you guys all know builds houses for the needy, they actually build houses for people in substandard housing, tear down houses to recycle the materials, tutor children, and do many fundraisers and trips.

I have a 15 hour course load this semester and it hasn’t been so bad as long as you try to read ahead and ask when you have questions. Finally I am also doing the Entrepreneurs Program this semester, which is a lot of fun. You can sign up for a 1 hour class that meets once a week and basically the leaders pick a project, you pick one to work on, and the group makes it, markets, it and basically does everything to get the product off the ground. I will be keeping everyone updated twice a month with blogs about certain aspects of the school so you can decide if you like the sounds of State or find out about what to do once you guys get here.

Later.