Dare to be Great

Have you...

Have you...

Have you done the following to plan for summer and prep for next year?

• Meet with your academic advisor to set up your summer and fall schedule?                            Contact the Advising Center in Wyllie 107 or call 595.2040.
• Visit the Career Center about summer interships or jobs?                                                  Contact the Career Center in Wyllie D173 or call 595.2452.
• Meet with your instructors about how to boost up the grade even if by just a few points?           Set up face to face meeting versus sending an email or calling.
• Meet your academic and personal goals for this year?                                                                We have a few tidbits for you...continue below...

Goal Setting and Action Steps

"Remember, you win some and lose some.  The loss of a few battles is not the loss of the war.  You still have a chance to win if you give it another try."  - George E. Woodberry.

• Make sure your goals are SMART goals.  Anyone can have goals but if your goals are too far ahead of yourself or too easy to attain, goals can be forgotten and never reached.  So utilize the SMART goal method in which goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-limited.   For more information check out:  http://www.topachievement.com/smart.html
• Utilize your resources and tools.  Actively use your the resources and tools that are given to you at the beginning of each school year such as your student planner.  Schedule your time, make to do lists & set benchmarks for identifying your progress.
• Build a support system.  Be with individuals who will support you in meeting your goals.  Programs in OMSA or Student Support Services can be a good place to begin if you don't feel you have that support.  Being around individuals who believe in you or who you want to aspire to be will further empower you in the process.

More resources: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~acskills/success/index.html, Professor's Guide to Getting Good Grades in College by Lynn F. Jacobs, Ph.D. and Jeremy S. Hyman, M.A.

Important tips for preparing for graduate school

4-year College Plan for Graduate School

You aren't that far away from summer vacation!  However, you shouldn't stop preparing yourself to reach your goals.  Here are some important points to remember no matter what year you are in college!

Major Goals: Your major goals in college are to 1) select your area of study, 2) maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0 or greater, 3) prepare sufficiently for the GRE test(s), and 4) apply for graduate school.

Year 1:
Fall Semester
*Get to know advisor
*Take different types of classes in order to determine major field of study
*Check out extracurricular activities you would like to join in spring semester
*Strive to have a ≤3.5 G.P.A. in order to be on Dean’s List
Spring Semester
*Decide on major field of study
*Meet with advisor and create a plan of classes you need to take and when you should take them in
order to graduate in your fourth year
*Meet and get to know university faculty from your major field of study
*Join extracurricular activities, especially those pertaining to your major field of study and/or
tutoring
*See if major study faculty, including advisor, are accepting undergraduates for their research
projects
*If this is the case, plan on joining for part of the spring semester and the majority of the summer
session

Year 2:
Fall Semester
*Research and plan on applying for summer programs in your major field of study
Possible Programs: The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program, Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP), N.I.H. Summer Internship Program, Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), Four Directions Summer Research Program (FDSRP)
*Approach major faculty members (ones that you have conducted research with and/or taken multiple classes from) and ask if they would be willing to give you a strong letter of recommendation for the above programs you are applying for
Spring Semester
*Plan on tutoring other students
(See if local middle schools and high schools need tutors)
*Apply for multiple summer programs
*Start studying for the Graduate Records Examination (GRE)

Year 3:
Fall Semester
*Continue to study for the GRE
*Start researching graduate programs
*Plan on applying for another summer program (a list of possible programs are included in Year 2)
*Consider joining a community outreach program for spring semester
Spring Semester
*Schedule to take the GRE in May
*Join a community outreach program and/or continue tutoring other students
*Apply for another summer program
*Make final decisions about which graduate programs you will apply to
*Create a checklist of items wanted by each program and dates you plan on completing them
*If program requires subject test, start studying for it

Year 4:
Fall Semester
*If selected graduate programs require a GRE subject test, plan on taking it on the October and November test dates
*Write to current faculty from selected graduate programs about his/her research and the program
*Work on personal statement starting in September
*Plan on making one general personal statement and later catering the last two paragraphs to the specific program (not including the conclusion)
*Have personal statement reviewed by advisor, other faculty members, summer program mentors, and writing/career center at university
*Create a list of faculty members to write a letter of recommendation
*Be sure to ask them starting in September and make sure they feel comfortable in writing you a strong letter
*Make faculty aware of the deadline
*Look at graduate school check list that was made in Year 3 and make sure everything is turned into the graduate school admission office on time
Spring Semester
*Avoid the senior slide, end final semester with a high G.P.A.
*Prepare for interviews
*Seek help from career counseling center, advisor and program mentors
*Look for professional yet modest interview suits
*Know who you are interviewing with and look up his/her research
*Prior to interview date be sure to know where appointments are at, do a run through
*After Interviews
*Write thank you letters to everyone you met with even if you decide not to attend that program
*Select Program
*Look for funding

source: http://gready.blogspot.com/2006/03/4-year-college-plan-for-graduate.html

Where were you? ...At Multicultural Professional Day!

"I loved Multicultural Professional Day!  Thanks so much for creating this event!" - Maria, Nursing Major

Multicultural Professional Day wrapped up its 5th year event on Friday, March 28, 2008. 

Student participants left with the knowledge about their Credit Score, interviewing & resume writing skills, work etiquette and many other basics all students need prior to entering the workforce! 

Our presenters came from the surrounding communities to share their experiences and insight on career sucess.  Thanks to our committee members and sponsors - OMSA and the Office of Equity & Diversity.  In addition, a huge THANK YOU to the following individuals for supporting Parkside students in this important endeavor:

Dr. Martha Arroyo, keynote speaker

Educator’s Credit Union

Tim Thompkins

Maria Flores

Terry Flores

Vicente Correa

Gary Nephew

Gary Smith

Sheila Egerson

Rita Altmeyer

Sue Conway

Angela Jensen

Kong (Lee) Yang

Congratulations to those who Dare to be Great!

Congratulations to our 2008-09 OMSA Peer Advisors!

• Nelson Senda
• Sandi Love
• Curtis Jackson

March is Women's History Month

History of National Women's History Month

The Beginning
As recently as the 1970's, women's history was virtually an unknown topic in the K-12 curriculum or in general public consciousness. To address this situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a "Women's History Week" celebration for 1978.

In 1979, a member of our groups was invited to participate in Women's History Institutes at Sarah Lawrence College, attended by the national leaders of organizations for women and girls. When they learned about our county-wide Women's History Week celebration, they decided to initiate similar celebrations within their own organizations and school districts. They also agreed to support our efforts to secure a Congressional Resolution declaring a "National Women's History Week." Together we succeeded! In 1981, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution.

The Entire Month of March
In 1987, the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March. Since then, the National Women's History Month Resolution has been approved with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Each year, programs and activities in schools, workplaces, and communities have become more extensive as information and program ideas have been developed and shared.

Expanding the Focus
The National Women's History Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to Women's History Month.  They are involved in many efforts to promote multicultural women's history. We produce organizing guides, curriculum units, posters and display sets, videos, and a range of delightful celebration supplies.

Information taken directly from http://www.nwhp.org/.

February is Black History Month

Dr. Carter G. Woodson

Dr. Carter G. Woodson was the catalyst behind Black History Month because within his years of studies from his undergraudate to his Ph.D. from Harvard, he was disturbed to find that history books hugely ignored the African American population and individual successes.  Black History Month was first recognized in 1926 as "Negro History Week" and then was later changed to what it is known as today.  Since then, it has been celebrated throughout the country as a means to recognized the successes and contributions of African Americans in our US history.

resource: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html

Parkside Student Wins MLK Essay Contest

We are always very excited to know that Parkside continues to possess talented students as demonstrated here!

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs would like to recognize Jennifer Webster for her essay submission which won the MLK Essay Contest for the MLK, Jr. Celebration on Friday, January 25.  Please congratulate her for her exemplary essay!  She will receive a $200 bond and plaque.

Congratulations to Jennifer for a job well-done!

For more information about the MLK, Jr Celebration, please go to www.uwp.edu keyword: OMSA.

Looking Ahead: Internships & Summer Jobs

Many students do last minute research for internships and summer jobs.  Some are successful at finding one and getting it.  However, many aren't so lucky.  So I want to remind students that right now is the time to start looking ahead for internships and summer jobs!

OMSA is given a variety of internships and summer job postings that may be of interest to students. Check us out in Wyllie D180!  We encourage you to visit us any time and to start preparing for it.  In addition, the Career Center has so many opportunities and preparation workshops available.  Check it out at uwp.edu, keyword: career center; or visit the Career Center located in Wyllie D173.

OMSA Spring Happenings

Get ready and back in action!  With only a week left before classes begin, OMSA wants to remind you that we have a variety of activities coming up for spring...so watch out for our events as we celebrate the many cultures in life and prepare you for your career.

Just to name a few...

• Black History Month in February
• Women's History  Month
• Multicultural Professional Day on March 28
• Asian Heritage Month

We hope you'll watch out for the flyers and join us!

Top 5 Questions Students ask OMSA

1) Where's Carmen? :) 

We know Carmen is a popular lady but we also know that in order to best serve you, we are all readily available to assist you as much as possible.  To set an appointment with Carmen or any of us, please call 262.595.2731 or visit us in Wyllie D182.

2) Does the university offer any financial aid grants?

OMSA with the Financial Aid Office work together to actively find financial assistance for students as much as possible.  Currently, OMSA assists with offering federally funded financial aid grants.  These grants include Lawton Grant, TIP Grant, AOP Grant and Teacher Forgiveable Loans and are specific in criteria for qualifcations.  For example, some focus on first year students only and others on graduate students. 

Non-federally funded financial aid grants are university scholarships that are given to the University from independent endowments.  Parkside offers almost $200,000 in university scholarships. There is one application and one deadline to apply each year: February 1, 2008. One application will get students considered for all UW-P scholarships for which they meet eligibility. If they have questions, they should contact the Scholarship Office at 595-3245 or email: scholarships@uwp.edu. The scholarship application is available online at www.uwp.edu Keyword: scholarships.

The Peer Advisors also research scholarships online for students to review.  If you are interested, please stop down to Wyllie D182 or call 262.595.2731.

3) Do you offer free printing?

YES, we offer free printing for academic purposes only.  OMSA believes in helping students succeed and understands the financial strain many students face in college.  For this reason, we offer free printing to alleviate a small financial burden.  Simultaneously, as we are thinking about your success, please also think about the financial strain put on OMSA when paper is wasted...save a tree and please print only 1 academic paper per person.  Don't make copies for your class using OMSA.  Thanks!

4) What student leadership positions does OMSA offer?

OMSA offers a variety of student leadership opportunities for all class standings & talents:

• Peer Advisors
• Graphic Designer
• Newsletter Coordinator
• ARU Mentorship Program Communication Coordinator
• ARU Mentorship Program Lead Mentors/Peer Mentors/Pre-Enrollment Mentors

All positions have different application processes.  If you are interested in the Peer Advisor position, check it out NOW at http://www.uwp.edu/departments/student.leadership/.  If other position vacancies, come see us at Wyllie D182 or call us at 262.595.2731.

5) Are you open during winter break?

Many students ask whether or not OMSA is open during the winter break...and the answer WE ARE OPEN!  UWP is open year round and rarely to never ever closes even with winter storms.  If we do ever close, we would notify various radio and tv stations to get the most accurate information out to you.  The following is a list of radio stations:

• Kenosha Radio Stations: WLIP/WIIL/WEXT (AM 1050/FM 95.1/FM 104.7), WGTD (FM 91.1);
• Racine Radio Stations: WRJN/WEZY (AM 1400/FM 92);
• Milwaukee Radio/TV Stations: WTMJ/WKTI (AM 620/FM 94) - Ch. 4, WEMP/WMYX/WAMG (AM 12.50/FM 99.1/FM 103.7), WITI Ch. 6, WISN/WLTQ (AM 1130/FM 97) - Ch. 12;
• Chicago Radio Stations: WBBM (AM 78) and WMAQ (AM 670)