2 Surround Yourself with Success at JCSU! <strong>SSS</strong> Banquet Snapshots <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong> Student Support Services <strong>Newsletter</strong> Message from Former <strong>SSS</strong> Director Since August 2000, I have directed the Student Support Services Program. What a journey it has been. During this time we have experienced much success tempered with frustrations and challenges as well. After all “anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” It’s how we manage in the storm that builds integrity and character. Yes! We’ve worked hard to establish a reputation of success, excellence and honesty. Just ask any of the <strong>SSS</strong> students and they will eagerly articulate the value of the program and all its benefits. All who really know me, know that I am driven by student development, student achievement and positive student outcomes. It’s my Passion and Purpose! As I move on, I am confident that the <strong>SSS</strong> program will continue our tradition of motivating, developing and producing exceptional students as they transition from one level of higher education to the next. -Cathy Jones, Dean of Students by Cathy Jones 7
6 Student peers teach USA Funds Life Skills at <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong> Implementing USA Funds ® financial-literacy program just seemed like the right thing to do, according to Keisha Ramey, assistant director of financial aid and alumna of <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong>. She remembers not so long ago what it was like to be a student and worry about credit-card debt and student loans. “I saw how important aspects of life management are – balancing work, studies and social life,” she explained. Student on the Move by James Cuthbertson Lauren Davis a 2004 JCSU graduate from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has achieved a 3.4 grade point average during her first year at East Tennessee State <strong>University</strong>. She is pursuing a Masters degree in Technology Concentration. Hats off to Lauren! Surround Yourself with Success at JCSU! <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong> Student Support Services <strong>Newsletter</strong> Student Peers Teach USA Fund Life Skills by James Cuthbertson When she learned about USA Funds Life Skills ® during a tour of USA Funds’ defaultprevention operations, Ramey – at that time the university’s default manager and orientation leader – knew she had to bring the program to the campus. She was pleased to learn that the program was available at no charge because JCSU is one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Since then, Module 5, “Now That You Are About to Graduate: Taking Control of Your Life,” has been used with graduating seniors the past three years. Modules 1 and 2, “Get a Grip on Your Finances: Smart Spending for Students” and “Seek Out Financial Aid: Funding Resources and Financial Obligations” are used in orientation sessions. But just recently, nine students – resident advisers and peer mentors – attended a USA Funds Life Skills Train-the-Trainer workshop. The group is teaching Modules 1-4; for the resident advisers. It is part of the mandatory workshops they are required to do in their dorms. A “campus expert,” for example, a default specialist or representative from student support services, assists the peer counselors at the sessions. At the end of each session, they review information about financial-aid issues. More than 100 students have attended sessions. “Students will listen to other students before they listen to us. Students relate the information in terms their peers can understand. Teaching USA Funds Life Skills not only helps those attending the sessions but it also helps the student facilitators with hands-on experience and knowledge,” Ramey explained. One student is teaching USA Funds Life Skills to meet community-service requirements in his fraternity. Crystal Gavin, a peer mentor this spring, is excited about becoming a resident adviser and using the program on the floor in her dorm next fall. “I’m really looking forward to doing the program every month in the freshmen dorms. The time-management information will give them insight to help them through the first semester and really, their first year. I presented the same information in a speech class and got a lot of comments that it was very informative. I’m excited about presenting the program next fall!” Gavin said. Flyers and e-mails are used to promote the sessions. Ramey believes participants are spreading the word to others on campus. <strong>SSS</strong> Highlights: continued... Gadsden, LaToya Jackson, LaSherise Simpson Pi Delta Tau Education: LaQuanda Higgins Alpha Lambda Delta Freshmen: Brandy Brown, Suvondra Brown, Shana Collins, Sheena Dennison, Torris Flenor, GregoryGatewood, Terri Harris, Jeffrey Hunt, Christina Moody, Anneshia Perry, and Iviance <strong>Smith</strong>. <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong>’s Andre Kelly, a member of Student Support Services was selected to receive a scholarship during the opening ceremony of the 19 th National Minority College Golf Championship at the PGA Historical Center in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The freshman from Washington, D.C., received a $2,500 grant from representatives of State Farm Insurance Company. The National Minority College Golf Scholarship Fund grant recipient won the Scholarship May 5 th . What is Student Support Services? The mission of the Student Support Services (<strong>SSS</strong>) Program provides opportunities for academic development, assists students with basic college requirements, and serves to motivate students toward the successful completion of their post-secondary education. The goal of the Office of Student Support Services is to accomplish its mission through providing services that increase college retention and graduation rates of its participants and facilitates the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next. Activities include academic advising, personal counseling, tutorial services, peer mentoring and career exploration, disability accommodations, exposure to cultural events, graduate and professional school exploration and grant aid to Pell eligible recipients. At <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong>, Disability Services operates under the auspices of Student Support Services, which provides a multiplicity of services. <strong>SSS</strong> Highlights: On Friday, January 28, Student Support Services prepared for a visit to The Levine Museum of the New South and the Blue Restaurant. Preparation for the trip began with an etiquette dining session in the Family Dollar Room on Thursday, January 27. Student Support Services participants arrived and listened intently to the well received tips on dining that were given by Ms. Deborah Armstrong of the Blue Restaurant. Then on Friday, the trip downtown started at The Levine Museum of the New South, a place brimming with the history of old Charlotte including the African American neighborhoods of Cherry and Brooklyn. Complete replicas of Highland Mills provided glimpses of the cotton industry in the region. The evening was capped by a wonderful dinner at the Blue Restaurant. The Disability Awareness Workshop/ Faculty Appreciation Day on February 11 focused on informing the faculty of successful practices used by students with disabilities and showing the faculty how much the students in Student Support Services appreciate them. Daunte Bruce, Terri Harris, Ryan Neely and Delora Turner discussed everything from questions of transition from high school to college to good note taking and making teachers aware of techniques that could enhance the learning process. During the session from 11 a.m. to noon. At noon, a lavish spread of refreshments and drinks were provided for the faculty and staff. On Tuesday, April 12, the Eighteenth Annual <strong>Johnson</strong> C. <strong>Smith</strong> <strong>University</strong> Honors Convocation was held in the Jane M. <strong>Smith</strong> Memorial Church. At the 10 am ceremony several Student Support Services students were honored. The big awards went to Steve Allen, Kera Carter, Indya Davis, Casarae Gibson, Ashley Greene, Travis Hentz, Tyrell Hughes, Ashley Greene, Jamaal Griffin, Ryan Neely, and Donna Paul. <strong>SSS</strong> Banquet Senior Recognition continued… Then a musical tribute featuring McNair Scholar and rising sophomore Taurus Turner and Steven Hanks from Zeb Vance High School was performed. “Your lives are predestined, but you determine your destiny,” he quoted. The program followed with a tribute to seniors by Correa McCoppin in the form of a slide show and a poem by Casarae Gibson. One of the highlights of the night was a selection from “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” by Amber Murray and Joshua Fleming. Both are members of the JCSU choir. Receiving senior awards were Steve Allen, Alexis Bibbs, Daunte Bruce, Kayla Clark, Ronisha Cody, Coyia Curry, Indya Davis, Tia Dixon, Frederick Engram, Carol Gerald, Reginald Goins, Travis Hentz, John Holmes, Tyrell Hughes, Khalila Islam, LaVonya James, Jarvis Jones, Veronica <strong>Johnson</strong>, and Nubia Jones. Also Charla Jordan, Thasaian Jordan, Ruth Lazarre, Nicole Mallory, Charra Moore, Kevin Moore, Christopher Parker, Donna Paul, Sandra Ramsey, Derrick Spearman, Jannice Stratton, Paige Waymer, Jamie Wilder, and Colene Wright. December graduates will include Jimmy Bean, Terrence Daniels, Curtis Dorsey, Alisha Felder, Jimmia Hart, Amber Hymes, Shekia <strong>Johnson</strong>, Larry Ledbetter, Ryan Neely, Michael Nelson, Jr., Adrine Pettaway, Brian Richards, Shakima Ruffin, Delora Turner, and Darwin Wilmore. These awards were given by Mr. Saunders, Ms. Devonia Jackson (Office Assistant), and Mr. James Cuthbertson (Disability Specialist). The <strong>SSS</strong> seniors gave Mrs. Jones, Mr. Saunders, Ms. Jackson, and Mr. Cuthbertson gifts of appreciation. Former <strong>SSS</strong> Director Cathy Jones had closing remarks. “You were born for and with a purpose,” said Mrs. Jones. “Seek to find your passion in life. You are living proof that determination and hard work will pay off. What a blessing it has been for me to watch you go from diapers to degrees. We hope throughout your JCSU educational experience that we have not only taught you how to make a living, but also how to live.” The hosts and hostesses of the evening were Lionel <strong>Johnson</strong>, Marcus Lyles, Kyeshia Carter, Terri Harris, Veronica Jones, Erica Lockhart, Brandi Laribo, and Antoine Singleton. Trip to Biltmore Estate by James Cuthbertson Who says there aren’t castles in America? The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina is the largest, private residence ever built in the United States. It contains 250 rooms, 34 family and guest bedrooms, 65 fireplaces, three kitchens and an indoor swimming pool. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt, it opened on Christmas Eve in 1895. Who was George Vanderbilt? He was the grandson of ‘The Commodore’ Cornelius Vanderbilt; Vanderbilt <strong>University</strong> is named for him and a member of a family with a vast fortune in shipping and railroads. Poughkeepsie, New York’s Jallah Rouse said, “It was a beautiful estate. The ornate architecture introduced a lot of style to the house.” Antoine Singleton, sophomore from Charleston, said “The rooms were set up very nicely and the art was great.” “It was like something I have never seen before,” said Kyeshia Carter. “The library and the collection of over 10,000 volumes in it were remarkable.” Jokingly, she said, “But the beds were small.” This was after her tour of the resting areas for the Vanderbilt family. Fortunately, we all had the opportunity to view the Christmas Show. The elaborate layout, design and Christmas decorations impressed Correa McCoppin. “Every room had a Christmas scene in them!” The tour began at the entrance hall, followed by a tour of the winter garden featuring the center fountain sculpture ‘Boy Stealing Geese’ by Karl Bitter. The students passed through the billiards room followed by a visit to the banquet hall and the breakfast room. 3
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