Additional Educational Experiences
"Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death"
- Albert Einstein
Student Government Association
A group picture from my trip to Raleigh for the 2023 N4CSGA convention.
I have always enjoyed student government because it helped me feel more involved and connected with the school. So, it was no surprise when I joined SPCC's Student Government Association (SGA) in the fall semester of 2021. However, unlike my past experiences, I have been able to take on a more significant leadership role at SPCC. As a senator in SGA, I have had the opportunity to plan events, represent the college, and be a voice for my peers on campus. I have also gained experience working on a team with constant open communication, managing various responsibilities, and keeping an organized schedule. Thanks to the student government, I am encouraged to be a more responsible and attentive person. I am now a more valuable and involved student who has helped make a difference for students on my campus. In the future, I plan to continue being a part of student government and improving my leadership skills.
The National Society of Leadership & Sucess
A group picture from my trip with my NSLS chapter to the 2022 NSLS National Conference in New Jersey.
The National Society of Leadership & Success is an honors organization on campus that focuses on helping students build leadership skills and setting them up for career success. When I first heard about the NSLS for the first time, I had no idea what the club was or if I should join it. However, after asking around, many of the people I knew were a part of the club, and they convinced me to join. Little did I know then that decision would set me on a pathway of personal success and achievement. This organization has been life-changing because it has helped me break out of my shell and become more outspoken and social. For example, in November 2022, I took my first trip without my family to New Jersey for an NSLS Leadership convention. At this event, I got to network with hundreds of the organization's national members and even meet some industry professionals like Darryl Matthews and Dylan Dreyer. Before joining the NSLS, I would have never felt comfortable doing this as I was very introverted, quiet, and to myself. However, as my chapter's community service and publicity chair, I have learned skills and tips that have allowed me to be more confident and outgoing in my everyday life. I have also gained skills such as networking, goal setting, teamwork, and taking the initiative. I now feel comfortable sparking conversations with strangers and leaving my comfort zone to take on new experiences. I can carry this newfound confidence and skills into the future to help me achieve professional success.
Global Scholars of Distinction
Unlike many of my other additional experiences at SPCC, being a part of the global scholar's program has been a very personal and self-reflecting experience for me. As a part of the Global Scholars of Distinction program, I have had the opportunity to learn about other countries through a cultural studies course, participate in globally focused events, and reflect on my learning has helped me become a better global citizen. Nevertheless, the most important thing has been reflecting on how my new knowledge has inspired me to change my outlook on global issues. Like most people, I often develop preconceived notions about issues I know little about. However, being in Global Scholars has taught me that it is vital to research beyond surface-level information so you can develop an in-depth understanding of global issues and topics. For example, during my time in the program, I learned about countries like China, India, Japan, Guinea, and Costa Rica. Moreover, I found at least one fact from each country contradicting my previous knowledge. These experiences taught me that I should not judge a book by its cover and should be more open to learning other people's stories. Furthermore, as someone who plans to become a doctor, this was an excellent opportunity to understand other people's viewpoints so that I am aware of them in the future.