LEARNING EXPERIENCES
1st Exp.
Vice President of Diversity and Development - Junior Panhellenic Executive Council
The Junior Panhellenic Council serves to help engage and inform new members within the Greek Community. We seek to bring new members of all Panhellenic chapters together, through our weekly meetings and sisterhood events, while also making them feel as welcome and at home as possible on their new campus. Starting college can be an incredibly overwhelming and stressful time. There are so many changes from high school, and it can be difficult to adjust and overcome all of the uncertainties that rise up every day.
As the Junior Panhellenic Council, we do our best to combat those feelings and provide a stress-free and friendly environment, where girls can come every week to relax, let go of some of those worries, and hopefully make some new friends. We are there to answer questions, and also to raise their awareness about what is going on in both the Panhellenic circle and on campus. My principle job, as Vice President of Diversity and Development, is to highlight specific events on campus and in the surrounding Cincinnati area that are meant to foster diversity and the celebration of those that are different from ourselves. I also contributed tips and strategies for personal development and growth, such as methods of overcoming stress and helpful study tools.
Serving on JPC has allowed me to engage in the UC Community in a unique and fulfilling way, where I can guide others onto their own paths of involvement and discovery. It has helped me to further immerse myself in the Greek Community, beyond my own sorority, and has opened my eyes to future goals I would like to achieve. This position has granted me the opportunity to expand my participation on campus, and the knowledge I have gained will help me in my future endeavors.
2nd Exp.
Membership Development Committee - Kappa Alpha Theta
Since joining Kappa Alpha Theta last year, I made every possible effort to get involved as a new member. I actively participated in my chapter’s bible study and held three committee positions. I was so excited and thrilled to serve on both the Recruitment and Bid Day Committees, but being a part of the Membership Development Committee was most impactful for me as a member.
The Membership Committee meets on a weekly basis throughout the course of the school year, every Tuesday night after our Chapter meeting. The first hour is spent with an advisor, handling disciplinary concerns within the chapter, and the second is typically filled with the brainstorming and planning of future events (alumnae brunches, sisterhoods, philanthropic events, date parties, etc.), and the discussion of possible solutions to any problems or issues that may be occurring within the chapter. On occasion, we host an ‘Open Mic’ night and allow girls to come forward with any comments or questions they wish to share.
However, our duties and commitments are not limited to these meetings. We are also responsible for overseeing and supervising every event throughout the semester, while making sure our sisters are acting in the very best interest of the sorority. Furthermore, countless hours are spent planning and reflecting, so that, when we come together as a group, there are ideas to share and bounce around.
Through this experience, I was fortunate enough to represent my pledge class of forty girls, and my admiration and respect for the girls that really keep this chapter running grew immensely. My knowledge of all the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes increased dramatically over the weeks, and I now recognize all that goes into making Kappa Alpha Theta the very best that it can be. The privilege I had to sit in on discussions that affect all of our members and our presence on campus was wonderful, invigorating, and a fantastic opportunity that I would recommend to anyone.
3rd Exp.
Rho Gamma - College Panhellenic Council Formal Recruitment
A Rho Gamma, or Rho Gam, is a woman from a chapter within the College Panhellenic Council (CPC) community who is present to help the Potential New Members (PNMs) through the recruitment process. Women participating in formal recruitment have the opportunity to meet with each of the ten Greek chapters, before finding their individual homes within the Panhellenic community. Rho Gammas serve as a source of support before, during, and after the recruitment process, and they play a vital role in facilitating recruitment and guiding the PNMs.
Being a Rho Gamma means so much to me because I went through formal recruitment as a PNM twice, once at the University of Alabama and again when I transferred here to the University of Cincinnati in the fall of 2018. Having gone through the experience multiple times, I gained useful insight and perspective on how to truly make the most out of your own individual recruitment process. Throughout both my stints as a PNM, my Rho Gammas were instrumental in helping me find my fit, and they provided the support that I needed to really dig deep inside and make the right choices for me. Without them, I strongly feel that I would not have ended up where I am today, and for that, I am immensely grateful.
Being a Rho Gamma, allows me to give-back and offer that same encouragement and guidance to others. I know exactly what it feels like to be in their shoes. I remember how overwhelming and emotionally-draining the process can be, despite the thrill of meeting so many wonderful girls and finding a new home on campus. This role is something my past experiences made me uniquely qualified for, and it has been an aspiration of mine since the beginning of my journey in Greek Life three years ago. I am so happy that, despite the circumstances of a global pandemic, this dream of mine was able to be fulfilled.
4th Exp.
Peer Tutor - University of Cincinnati College of Nursing
Typically, freshmen in classes like Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology, as well as sophomores in Fundamentals and Patho/Pharm are assigned a tutor via student inquiries or referrals from faculty. The students are paired with a tutor based on course requests, tutor course comfort, and matching availability. Ideally seniors tutor juniors, juniors tutor sophomores, and sophomores tutor freshmen. Tutors can meet anywhere, in-person on or off campus or online via WebEx or Teams. It is best for both parties to try to stick to the same day/time each week, but the frequency is up to our discretion. As a peer tutor, I completed mandatory orientation and training and worked with three students at a time, in separate sessions, for a minimum of 1 hour per week per session. To adequately fulfill this role, I needed to be prepared, on time, and confident with the course material I was reviewing with my peers.
This experience matters to me because, as a senior at the UC College of Nursing, I feel as though this was an opportunity for me to finally give back to both the college and my fellow students. I have learned so much throughout my time here, and truly feel as though the college and this university have provided me with all the resources I could possibly need to succeed in my future career as a nurse. When I first began my nursing career at the University of Alabama, I was very disappointed in the curriculum and the things that I was learning. I did not feel I was being adequately prepared for my future. Since transferring, the University of Cincinnati, and specifically the College of Nursing, has far surpassed my expectations, and I know that when I graduate, I will be ready. I now harbor a desire to help other nursing students on their own paths to success, as I continue to progress towards becoming a global citizen scholar.
I actively shared what I learned from this experience with the members of the undergraduate Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) here on campus. I chose this specific audience in the hopes that, by sharing and detailing my own experience with my classmates, others will be motivated to also become peer tutors, or to utilize their services, in the future. It is an excellent way to give back to the college and serve the student body and, in addition, can be a wonderful resource for those who need the additional help or clarification.
5th Exp.
Nursing Co-Op - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
The UC Nursing Co-Op program is committed to providing an intense integration of academic study with clinical practice. Nursing co-op students are provided numerous opportunities to explore various nursing positions and are assisted in finding “their niche.” Along with the vast experience gained in the clinical settings, the student may have the opportunity to participate in various committees and projects at their respective placement hospital. These experiences introduce students to other important roles nurses have within the health care system; an opportunity that is rare for a nursing student.
The Nursing Co-Op program helps the students to:
Grow more rapidly as professionals. The nursing co-op program allows the student to participate in the actual practice of the professional nurse and guides them in understanding the complexity of the professional role and practice.
Practice in a variety of healthcare areas. The students are provided numerous opportunities to participate in nursing practice in various work environments. The program is individualized to meet the needs and desires of the students in developing a career plan.
Experience more “real-world” nursing situations. Students experience the everyday challenges professional nurses face and learn how to provide quality patient care amidst the challenges.
I can easily say my experience as a nursing co-op student was the most beneficial and impactful of my undergraduate nursing career. I personally was placed at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center on the Acute Care Cardiology Unit (ACCU). I worked one-on-one with a nurse preceptor for 11 months, while expanding my knowledge base and improving my clinical skills. I not only learned so much during this time, but I was lucky enough to develop close relationships with my fellow co-workers, managers and directors of the Heart Institute. I certainly feel as though I found my "niche" and calling within healthcare, and I proudly accepted both a Nursing Internship and full time RN job on this unit post graduation.
Four years ago, when I was first starting nursing school, I never would have guessed I would up working as a pediatric nurse specializing in cardiology. It just goes to show how much one opportunity can change your perspective and even your entire life. I am so grateful for my time at this incredible hospital with the most amazing people, and I am looking forward to the beginning of the rest of my nursing career.