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Fall 2020 Student Highlights
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In early December, I woke up in the night thinking about our program assistant Becky Richardson’s cat, Jasper, and decided to write a newsletter. I was worried about our students and burned out. That’s when Jasper popped into my head.
When the pandemic first hit, we crafted a communication plan that included discussion boards to help students transition to learning remotely. We asked them to share a photo or description of their home study space. Becky posted Jasper’s photo explaining his very cat-like insistence on sitting in her desk chair. We made him an honorary office assistant. The interactions with students over Jasper the office assistant was fun and positive. It made us feel good and connected during an uncertain time. More positivity and connectivity is needed as we wrap up this unusual semester and still uncertain year.
This newsletter shares the good, the lighthearted, the impressive and often amazing accomplishments of SOAR students and alumni. Spending time in outreach and conversation with them was just what I needed, and I hope seeing how they SOAR will make your day brighter and lighter, too.
Be sure to read through to the end to learn about two inspiring alumni, Leticia Rangel and Yusef Shakur.
Ellen Judge-Gonzalez, SOAR Director
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Congratulations Fall 2020 Graduates!
Nine SOAR students are graduating from UM-Dearborn, representing the largest number of December SOAR graduates in the history of the program. SOAR students are known for their persistence and determination - an extra dose of both were necessary this year to make it to the finish line. Kudos to all on realizing your dream of a Michigan degree.
- Ahqam Algalham, CEHHS, Early Childhood with Elementary Education Certification
- Michelle Giannoulakis, CASL, Psychology
- Amber Huyghe, CASL, Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, Psychology (dual major)
- Wendy Little, CASL, General Studies with concentrations in Human Resource Management, Sociology, and African and African American Studies
- Kyle Ralston, CEHHS, Public Health
- Tyler Rhudy, CASL, History and CEHHS, Secondary Education Certification
- Staci Ridegway, CEHHS, Special Education with Elementary Education Certification
- Emma Thompson, COB, Digital Marketing
- Denon Wilson, CASL, Liberal Studies with concentrations in Anthropology, Environmental Studies, and Geography
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Each semester, UM-Dearborn honors a very select group of students with the Chancellor’s Medallion. Chosen by faculty from their respective colleges, these Fall 2020 graduates are being recognized for their outstanding quality of character, vitality, intellect, integrity and academic record. Read about Kyle's accomplishments and plans for the future.
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What’s a creative? Loosely defined, a creative combines artistry and creativity in communicating messages or meaning, often through written or spoken word and the visual or tactile arts.
This semester, SOAR creatives had their work published in Lyceum, UM-Dearborn's fine arts and literary journal or were winners in the UM-Dearborn Writing Awards competition. [Read more]
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The first semester at UM-Dearborn can be challenging, especially for students with many responsibilities outside of school. In addition to their classes, first year students in SOAR juggle family care, work, and other commitments while adjusting to the academic rigor of their courses. Add a global pandemic and remote learning into the mix it’s easy to see how a student could become discouraged.
Encouragement, support, and practical advice from seasoned SOAR student mentors, Nadia Bryant (left) and Shameca Rochon (right), helped the fall 2020 new SOAR students navigate their way through the term. [Read more]
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Meet the New Fall 2020 SOAR Participants
- Jackie Chapman, CASL, Integrative Studies
- Arsenda Jester, CECS, Bioengineering
- Lauren Kostrzewa, COB, Pre-business
- Antonia Moses, COB, Pre-business
- Thelmeka Perry, CASL, Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies
- Shawnta Ward, COB, Pre-business
- James O’Brien, CEHHS, Elementary Education/Language Arts
- Ovida Griffin, CASL, Integrative Studies
- Briana Walk, CEHHS, Children and Families
- Martha Wizgird, CASL, Mathematics
- Bonita Welch, CASL Integrative Studies
- Kate Gregg, CEHHS, Early Childhood Education
- Ray Field, COB, Pre-business
- Hallie Pape, CECS, Electrical Engineering
- Nada El-Zein, CASL, International Studies
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SOAR students seek out experiential learning opportunities that are both relevant to their career plans and align with their values and desire to impact their communities. Many SOAR students realize those goals by doing an internship. Here’s a snapshot of two SOARing students', Tonya Gatson (left) and Iman Mohamed (right), internship experiences during fall 2020. [Read more]
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Spotlight on Student Parent Anna Hamlin
When Anna Hamlin graduates in April 2021 with a major in Psychology and two minors – political science and criminal justice, she will be completing a UM-Dearborn journey that began nine years ago.
“When I started out in SOAR, I worked multiple jobs and had no previous college experience, so part-time worked for me,” Anna said. She met her spouse, Stephen, in class and the two married in 2014. Twins Octavia and Alexis were born in 2019 after a complicated pregnancy. When asked how she juggles parenting, work, and school, Anna says, “It’s a challenge for sure, but when I graduate from UM-Dearborn, I know I will miss it. I love a challenge!”
Grad school is in Anna’s future, but for now, she is focused on finishing out the year in this remote learning environment. “I actually enjoy learning this way. I’m pretty self-directed, but I’ve also been fortunate to have many responsive, wonderful professors over the years who pushed me and brought out the best in me.”
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The 2020 Lemkie Scholarship recipient is Daisy Recinos, CASL, Communication. The scholarship was established in 2018 in honor of Nancy Lemkie, who founded and was the driving force behind SOAR in the late 1990’s. “Learning I was this year’s Lemkie scholarship recipient was exciting and made me more determined to finish my degree. I’ve received other scholarships, but this one is special,” said Daisy, a CASL communication major. “SOAR was my opening to a world full of new opportunities. I don’t think I could have made it this far without SOAR.” [Read more]
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CEW+ supports women and underserved individuals on the Ann Arbor campus, advocating and providing resources to help them reach their academic, financial, and professional potential. SOAR and CEW+ have a long and valued partnership of collaboration on behalf of students. UM-Dearborn nontraditional students – those with significant breaks of time in their schooling or those who are primary caregivers in their families can apply for CEW+ scholarships. Many SOAR students have received generous scholarships from CEW+ over the years. While the financial help is significant, the recognition and opportunities afforded CEW+ Scholars is what is most meaningful to the students. SOAR CEW+ Scholars can find mentors in CEW+, attend workshops and conferences hosted by CEW+, celebrate milestones, partner on projects, and grow their professional networks.
We are pleased to recognize this year’s SOAR student CEW+ Scholarship recipients and share information about their specific scholarships. [Read more]
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Just who is a typical SOAR graduate? The simple answer is that there is no such person. SOAR alumni have a diverse range of skills, talents, experiences, and goals. By “spotlighting” them, we hope to introduce you to our diverse group of alums ... and maybe you'll see a familiar face!
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