Congratulations on your graduation! This is a time to celebrate your achievements, prepare for a future of opportunities, and embrace a world of infinite possibilities. You have worked hard, so take pride in how far you have come and all that you have accomplished. Our hope is that whatever your dreams may be, may each become a reality. The journey is just beginning!
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As another academic year is coming to a close at CPCC – with students preparing for final exams and making plans for the summer – there is one group of individuals who are ending their year with a strong sense of accomplishment and an eagerness to return in the fall. The following students are the newly elected SGA Executive Committee officers and they look forward to not only serving their campus community, but making a difference on campus.
President: Anza Abbas
“Ever since my involvement in SGA, I have gained exposure of a world that I was unaware of. Analyzing those experiences has brought me to the conclusion that we all come across challenges everyday, but most of us don’t believe in our abilities to face them. I believe that if we know the true arts of communication and coordination with others, we can make any change we want with the support of the people around us.”
Vice President: Hiba Siraj
“SGA is special; it is run by students and is completely about the students. Being a part of SGA has been very rewarding experience, but I am seeking to expand my experience to serve as a Vice President. Being the VP of SGA is a great opportunity to connect with the students who are involved in many clubs at CPCC. This will provide me with a great opportunity to make a difference at CPCC.”
Treasurer: Betty Gregory
“I believe I can enhance the SGA by adding the perspective of the over-40 CPCC student that have come back to school to realize their dreams or to further their career. As a 65-year-old CPCC student, I know that my life experiences, as well as my career experiences, will bring insightful and fresh ideas from the perspective of an older student to the SGA. I believe that the SGA will be well-rounded by my participation.”
Secretary: Raven Gaiten
“SGA is an excellent way to be involved and to learn new things about your campus. While being a part of the SGA gives me the opportunity to utilize my voice so that I can help in any way that I can and encourage others on campus to keep going forward with their career no matter how hard it maybe. I want others to know that I want them to succeed and with hard work and dedication you can achieve anything.”
The CPCC Student Government Association (SGA) is an organization run by students to represent fellow students, while also supporting the mission of the College and the Office of Student Life. The purpose of the SGA is to:
Today marks the grand opening of a new office of the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at CPCC Levine Campus (Room 3115). The VRC is a place for veterans and those who are a part of the veteran community to be supported in their academic, career, and personal endeavors. There is also a very active Student Veteran Association chapter where students find support, common purpose and friendships.
As we celebrate the growth of this community on campus and the expansion of resources, it’s important that we remember to honor Veterans and reflect on the sacrifices made for our country. The Joe Bonham Project, whose exhibit was recently on display at CPCC, represents the efforts of wartime illustrators to document the struggles of U.S. service personnel undergoing rehabilitation after traumatic front-line injury. Formed in early 2011 by Michael D. Fay, the Project takes its name from the central character in Johnny Got His Gun, Dalton Trumbo’s 1938 novel of a World War I soldier unable to communicate with the outside world due to the extent of his wounds.
Jennifer Conway, Student Life Coordinator, shares her experience after visiting the Joe Bonham art exhibit at Sensoria:
Today I am at Sensoria, sitting at the Joe Bonham art exhibit, which documents wounded warriors in their hospital beds, in physical therapy and in various stages of recovery. Many of them are double or triple amputees and have scars you can see, and most assuredly, many you can’t. The gallery is adjacent to the student lounge; a loud place full of students laughing and cussing, the TV blaring the never-ending news cycle and the cacophony that is fast food service. Students are walking by the door, droning into their cell phones, yelling to their friends and complaining about mundane teenage drama… “Girl, if you was real, you wouldn’t play with me. You gonna bump into me in the hallway? It’s gonna be like that?”
And here I am, surrounded by portraits of people in intense pain, who have given their service and their bodies to their country. The Americans depicted on the walls have lost limbs, faces, vision, the ability to walk or eat and drink normally. They have had endless therapies, doctor appointments, surgeries, and a life that revolves around a grinding daily schedule. Attempting to gain ground against wasted muscles and emotional rawness. Or just maintain.
In the midst of the noise, I just want to be very still. Quiet. Drink it in. As if my doing so will somehow protect these men from further harm.
A young student comes in without the hesitation of most. 22, I’m guessing, from the class of ’08 sweatshirt she wears. She immediately asks a lot of questions. “What’s an LED?” It’s an IED, I explain. Improvised Explosive Device. A homemade bomb. “Oh,” she says. She puts her bookbag down. Then her purse. And tears start to run. “Oh.”
She takes her time. Examines each piece. Portraits of men hooked to machines, bandaged and battered. Asks more questions… Are these all the same artist? What happened here? Is that the same man with the infection? Then her appreciation. “This is deep.” “These are someone’s brothers. And sons.” Then her wonder. “How can they do this?” “You just don’t realize… unless you know someone…” More tears flow that she wipes away before they get out of control. We talk some about the physical and emotional support these soldiers will need. “The scars you can’t see, bet those are worse.” She gathers her things and turns to go. She whispers a thank you, and goes back to her day.
Photo courtesy sevenly.org
Growing up, my father taught me that every person is significant – no matter what they look like, where they come from, or what they do for employment. We never actually had a conversation about this very important life lesson, but I learned it by observing his daily interactions with people. As a child, I remember going to the supermarket or home improvement store with my father and dreading the checkout line because he would always (in my eyes) ramble on and on with the cashiers when all I wanted to do was pay and get in the car as quickly as possible. But now, looking back, I remember what a difference he made when he took the time to say “hello,” address cashiers by their name, and ask how they were doing (and really mean it). It’s a lesson that has stayed with me into adulthood and something I strive to teach student leaders.
It is important, as leaders, to recognize that every person has a story and that we all contribute to the success of a program, an organization, or a nation – regardless if you are a CEO, manager, secretary, or maintenance worker. We need to take the time to acknowledge others and understand that every person has value. Anthony J. D’Angelo, a current student affairs professional, shared his experience learning this lesson in the book Inspiration for Student Leaders:
During my senior year of college, I took a class on organizational leadership. One day my professor decided to give us a pop quiz. The quiz consisted of ten simple fill in the blank questions regarding the subject matter we had been studying during the last few weeks. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one. “What is the first name of the woman who cleans this building?”
Surely, this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. “Absolutely,” the professor said. “If you truly desire to be a leader you must realize that you will meet many people. Each and every person is significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.” I’ll never forget that lesson. I will also never forget that her name was Hazel.
Today marks the beginning of elections for CPCC’s Student Government Association (SGA), so we encourage all students to learn more about SGA and to cast their vote for the new Executive Committee.
To learn more about the candidates and what they hope to accomplish in their new role, please click HERE. Remember… your vote is your voice, so be heard! Elections end on April 21, 2013.
The SGA is an organization run by students to represent fellow students, while also supporting the mission of the College and the Office of Student Life. The purpose of the SGA is to:
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While students and faculty are starting to prepare for finals and the end of the semester, the Office of Student Life is gearing up for our annual celebrations of festivals, honor society inductions, and award ceremonies. As we reflect on an entire academic year dedicated to programming and student leadership, we ask that you join us in celebrating our students and building community on campus. All students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend our upcoming spring festivals where there will be entertainment, food, carnival games, and more.
For detailed event information, please check the Student Life Events Calendar.
Creative Curiosity is a blog curated by students in CPCC’s
Advertising + Graphic Design program. Check it out for inspiration,
program updates and activities of the Curious, A+GD’s student club.
The Office of Student Life has partnered with Library Services to provide an online leadership guide for students to access CPCC Library materials and external resources related to the topic of leadership – including books, videos, and websites. For more information about becoming a leader on campus, please visit any Student Life office.
Click here to access the online guide.
One of the great things about college is the opportunity to get involved on campus. College is about making new friends, understanding different perspectives, and experiencing new things. Students should make the most of their college experience and maximize what is learned in the classroom by becoming engaged outside the classroom.
To get started, visit the EXPLORE site for a list of student organizations offered at CPCC, ranging from academic-focused to special interests. With more than 40 recognized clubs, the options are endless for getting involved. Don’t see anything that interests you? Then make sure to read our Explore Handbook to learn how you can establish a new student organization on campus.
If you are already a member of a student organization, make sure you visit the EQUIP site to get more information about club guidelines (including the most up-to-date handbook) and to access all forms related to club activities. If you have questions about completing forms, please see the Student Life Coordinator at your campus.
Current student leaders who are interested in developing their club members and growing their organization can visit the EVOLVE site for resources and tools. Also, don’t forget to check out the online Student Leadership Guide for additional leadership resources.
Photo courtesy favim.com
Everyone has a great family story to share and, sometimes, there is a photograph that captures the sad, funny, embarrassing, or inspiring moment. It’s time to sort through your scrapbooks and old shoe boxes of family photos for the 2nd Annual Word of Mouth.
CPCC Libraries, in partnership with Student Life, is bringing back the historical tradition of storytelling with an event open to all students, faculty and staff. CPCC is a beautiful mosaic of stories that strengthen and maintain our community, and we encourage you to share your story at an upcoming Word of Mouth event on your campus. Telling stories is a way to educate, inspire, and entertain listeners while, simultaneously, allowing the storyteller to reveal him/herself in an authentic manner. By sharing your story, you have the potential to make a difference in someone’s day, week, or life.
If you are interested in sharing your story, please REGISTER HERE. Classes are encouraged to participate.
Several CPCC campuses will be hosting an event and selecting the best stories to be retold at Sensoria 2013. Please join us at one of the following events to take part in a unique experience that will leave a lasting impression.
