Oh the Places We'll Go
My experience at Ohio State thus far has been phenomenal. I was able to meet with Doug Koyle and learn about the various offices that he oversees. Doug has been at Ohio State for a very long time and has worked his way up to various positions, including his current position as Assistant Vice President. I will be working in the Conduct Office and implementing my own project as part of my office hours, but I am not limited to the offices in which I will be interning at. The MISL (Mentorship Initiative of Student Life) program is a holistic experience within Student Life as I am working independently on a project in the Conduct Office, implementing a research project with my cohort of eleven interns, preparing for the GREs, and engaging in professional development. This is eight weeks of immersion in Student Life and the Ohio State University. Eight weeks of adventures as we cross things off of our “Buckeye-list”. And most of all, eight weeks of meaningful and worthwhile conversations.
The only word to describe my conversations that I have had thus far is powerful. The conversations among our cohort invigorate me and confirm that my passions are valid, realistic, and achievable. In spite of the fact that we only met last Sunday, something seemed to click with our cohort. It could be that we all have interests in pursuing a career in Higher Education, but we all come from diverse backgrounds in terms of familial backgrounds, socioeconomic status, geographic locations, educational backgrounds, and involvement at our respective institutions. While it was quite intentional that we were all diverse, we connected much quicker than I expected. Everyone is passionate about something, and it’s not just “something”. Everyone is passionate about Higher Education and Student Affairs, making a difference in the lives of students! I find it remarkable that many or all of us in the MISL program are first generation students and students of underrepresented groups. Each has had their own journey and while each journey is different, we thrive with a common purpose. As I have told many of them before, I would not be surprised to see each and everyone one of them in respected positions, creating positive change to campuses and communities. We created a support system, a comradery. . . a family. We are not too optimistic, too naïve, and unrealistic. We are change agents who CHOOSE to see the world for all its blessings, and I am eager to see where we all go after eight weeks.
The only word to describe my conversations that I have had thus far is powerful. The conversations among our cohort invigorate me and confirm that my passions are valid, realistic, and achievable. In spite of the fact that we only met last Sunday, something seemed to click with our cohort. It could be that we all have interests in pursuing a career in Higher Education, but we all come from diverse backgrounds in terms of familial backgrounds, socioeconomic status, geographic locations, educational backgrounds, and involvement at our respective institutions. While it was quite intentional that we were all diverse, we connected much quicker than I expected. Everyone is passionate about something, and it’s not just “something”. Everyone is passionate about Higher Education and Student Affairs, making a difference in the lives of students! I find it remarkable that many or all of us in the MISL program are first generation students and students of underrepresented groups. Each has had their own journey and while each journey is different, we thrive with a common purpose. As I have told many of them before, I would not be surprised to see each and everyone one of them in respected positions, creating positive change to campuses and communities. We created a support system, a comradery. . . a family. We are not too optimistic, too naïve, and unrealistic. We are change agents who CHOOSE to see the world for all its blessings, and I am eager to see where we all go after eight weeks.