Mentoring and Leadership
Through the department of dance I was given the opportunity to mentor a freshman transfer dance student for the 2016-2017 school year. Through this mentor-ship, my "mentee" and I met at least twice a semester and discussed questions about classes, the department, student living, or anything else that was brought up. The mentor program allowed me to share my knowledge and also to set up a safe and supportive environment in the department of dance.
During the Fall semester of 2013, Dr. Erin Webster-Garrett and myself lead a Scholar-Citizen Univeristy 100 course together. During that semester, we were able to mentor the students and lead them into what it means to be a highlander and specifically what it means to be a Scholar-Citizen. This course was challenging because the students were not always engaged in the topics presented and sometimes wanted an "easy way out" of an assignment. It took a great deal of patience to be able to work through those issues during the semester. Some students that were in this class I still keep in contact with today!
For the last 4 years I have been a student leader with CRU where I would lead bible studies (sophomore and junior year), lead the women's movement (Fall 2015-present), and lead worship (Fall 2016-present). This leadership put me in close proximity with students, and gave me the opportunity to practice speaking skills and communication skills. This leadership specifically encouraged me to talk about personal experiences and beliefs in my faith and gave me the opportunity to learn about myself and grow as a student and female. Through CRU I was able to activity share my faith and listen to students who were going through hard times. I am beyond thankful for the way that I was able to learn how to better listen. Listening is such an important skill to have and it is something that many people deserve and need to see.
Through the RUBY program lead by Professor Inessa Plekhanova, I have had the opportunity to teach young girls and boys dance and life skills for 4 and a half years. This program means the world to me. I have learned so much about myself and how I communicate and relate to people. I was the administrative assistant for 4 years where I would answer emails from parents, collect payments, and organize events and performances. This role as Administrative assistant was not paid and usually require about 2-3 hours a week from me. I learned through that position the importance of clear communication and the importance of patience when dealing with an issue. I would have to communicate with parents on a daily basis, and by doing so I had to show kindness and understanding. Sometimes it was easy to do that, but other times it was extremely hard! As the years went by though, my form of communication got better and I was able to build really strong bonds with my students and parents.
Facilitation
I have lead SCI talk-backs in front of audiences for "Keep This For Me" and "Elegy", spoke at CRU (speaking to the CRU members on a passage from the bible), visited two freshman dance seminar courses where I lead a SCI discussion, and visited a SCI designated criminal justice class in order to talk about SCI and explain what the programs look like. Leading discussions is important as a leader. It allows you to put your knowledge to use and educate others who are interesting in the topic you are presenting. Facilitation also builds presentation skills and gives you an opportunity to put your ideas and beliefs into motion.
During the Fall semester of 2013, Dr. Erin Webster-Garrett and myself lead a Scholar-Citizen Univeristy 100 course together. During that semester, we were able to mentor the students and lead them into what it means to be a highlander and specifically what it means to be a Scholar-Citizen. This course was challenging because the students were not always engaged in the topics presented and sometimes wanted an "easy way out" of an assignment. It took a great deal of patience to be able to work through those issues during the semester. Some students that were in this class I still keep in contact with today!
For the last 4 years I have been a student leader with CRU where I would lead bible studies (sophomore and junior year), lead the women's movement (Fall 2015-present), and lead worship (Fall 2016-present). This leadership put me in close proximity with students, and gave me the opportunity to practice speaking skills and communication skills. This leadership specifically encouraged me to talk about personal experiences and beliefs in my faith and gave me the opportunity to learn about myself and grow as a student and female. Through CRU I was able to activity share my faith and listen to students who were going through hard times. I am beyond thankful for the way that I was able to learn how to better listen. Listening is such an important skill to have and it is something that many people deserve and need to see.
Through the RUBY program lead by Professor Inessa Plekhanova, I have had the opportunity to teach young girls and boys dance and life skills for 4 and a half years. This program means the world to me. I have learned so much about myself and how I communicate and relate to people. I was the administrative assistant for 4 years where I would answer emails from parents, collect payments, and organize events and performances. This role as Administrative assistant was not paid and usually require about 2-3 hours a week from me. I learned through that position the importance of clear communication and the importance of patience when dealing with an issue. I would have to communicate with parents on a daily basis, and by doing so I had to show kindness and understanding. Sometimes it was easy to do that, but other times it was extremely hard! As the years went by though, my form of communication got better and I was able to build really strong bonds with my students and parents.
Facilitation
I have lead SCI talk-backs in front of audiences for "Keep This For Me" and "Elegy", spoke at CRU (speaking to the CRU members on a passage from the bible), visited two freshman dance seminar courses where I lead a SCI discussion, and visited a SCI designated criminal justice class in order to talk about SCI and explain what the programs look like. Leading discussions is important as a leader. It allows you to put your knowledge to use and educate others who are interesting in the topic you are presenting. Facilitation also builds presentation skills and gives you an opportunity to put your ideas and beliefs into motion.
Service
Most of my volunteer hours center around dance in the community, including the Radford University Ballet Youth Program under the direction of Professor Inessa Plekhanova, Community Dance Days, and the Honors CAMP program. Other volunteer experiences have been with SCI, CRU, and the department of dance(costuming).
I have been leading, facilitating, and organizing two Community Dance Days per semester since Fall 2014, and have loved every minute of it. I love having a time where kids in our community can come and dance without any affiliation to a studio and no need pay for classes if they can't afford it. We see different kids come each time, and see some who have been coming since 2014. This outreach performance has been my "baby" and something I cherish so much. Although I definitely recommend learning dance consistently from a well trained teacher, I also think that dance should be more easily accessible and doesn't always have to be centered on performance. In these community dance days, our goal is to create a safe and fun environment where kids can relax and just move for enjoyment. As I prepare to graduate I hope that these Community Dance Days can continue and that I can start Community Dance Days wherever I end up next!
The most important thing I have learned from volunteering is that it doesn't take much to start making a difference. If you can impact one person for one hour, you have started to make a difference. The second almost important thing I have learned is that if it isn't challenging, you may need to re-evaluate how you are serving. You come into contact with so many different people and are forced to make wise decisions or are forced to face confrontation. Those challenges shape you into the person that you are and help you to see how you can make changes that help you become a better version of you and that help you develop into a strong leader and servant.
I have been leading, facilitating, and organizing two Community Dance Days per semester since Fall 2014, and have loved every minute of it. I love having a time where kids in our community can come and dance without any affiliation to a studio and no need pay for classes if they can't afford it. We see different kids come each time, and see some who have been coming since 2014. This outreach performance has been my "baby" and something I cherish so much. Although I definitely recommend learning dance consistently from a well trained teacher, I also think that dance should be more easily accessible and doesn't always have to be centered on performance. In these community dance days, our goal is to create a safe and fun environment where kids can relax and just move for enjoyment. As I prepare to graduate I hope that these Community Dance Days can continue and that I can start Community Dance Days wherever I end up next!
The most important thing I have learned from volunteering is that it doesn't take much to start making a difference. If you can impact one person for one hour, you have started to make a difference. The second almost important thing I have learned is that if it isn't challenging, you may need to re-evaluate how you are serving. You come into contact with so many different people and are forced to make wise decisions or are forced to face confrontation. Those challenges shape you into the person that you are and help you to see how you can make changes that help you become a better version of you and that help you develop into a strong leader and servant.