Student Leadership & Community Engagement Newsletter

Table of Contents

Important Dates

What DSP Means to You

Study Labs

Thanksgiving

TownHallMeeting

Terror in the Corn

Peer Mentors

Awards Banquet

Career for Curriculum

StudentStaffCorner

DSPInternational Alumni Highlights

In the Community

CorporateOppotunties

& More

Important Dates: December What Does DSP

Monday FridayThursdayWednesdayTuesday3 4 5 6 7

10 11 12 13 14

17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26

29 30 31

1 2

December7:BanquetCommitteeMeeting:MBSAOfficeat1pmDecember 8-16: HanukkahDecember14:BanquetCommitteeMeeting:MBSAOfficeat1pmDecember 15-21: Finals WeekDecember 21: Winter Commencement: Coors Events Center at 9:30am December 22-January 13: Winter BreakDecember 25: ChristmasDecember 26-January 1: KwanzaaDecember 31: New Year’s Eve

Written By: Jessica Beard

From the outside looking in, the Diverse Scholars Program can be seen as an academic support group made up of diverse students, but what does this kind of culture stand for to the students that are associated? I asked our members for their feedback on what DSP means to them and what they love about being involved inthisdynamicplatform.Responsesincludednounssuchasfamily,support,friends,involvement,success,andlove.Howdoesadiversegroupofpeoplethatmayhavesimilaritiescreatesuchatight-knitcommunity?Theanswerissimple;respect. Respectallows thediverse scholars toappreciateand learn fromtheexperiencesandculturesothermemberscontribute.InordertoestablishtheDSPcamaraderie,studentshavetohavemutualrespectforoneanother.Annualcommunitybuildingeventssuchasourretreat,corporateluncheons,andcornmazeextrava-ganzasallowourmemberstolearnaboutoneanotherinasocialsetting,outsideofacademicenvironments.Theseeventswerealsofoundinresponsetowhatpeoplelovemostaboutourprogram.Accordingtoresearchdone by the University of Wisconsin, “racially and ethnically diverse peers both informally and within the class-roomshowedthegreatestengagementinactivethinking,growthinintellectualengagementandmotivation,andgrowthinintellectualandacademicskills.”Havingassociationandinteractionswithstudentsfromdifferentbackgroundsexposesstudentstonewperspectives,subsequentlymembersstarttochallengetheirownviews,testtheircriticalthinking,anddevelopleadershipskills. Participatinginaprogramcan,onthesurface,beawaytogetinvolvedandmeetagroupofpeople.Ontheotherhand,theassetsthatareextractedfromthededicationtosuchadynamiccommunityissomethingintangible.Diverseenvironmentsallowstudentstobecomemoreawareofsocialproblems,acquireleadershipskillsandimproveintellectualdevelopmentforaheightenedacademicexperience.Italsohasbeenreportedbystudentsthattherehasbeenhigherlevelsofdevelopmentinappreciatingtheartsandidentifyingmoralandethicalissuescontributedtotheexposureofavarietyofbackgrounds. SoifyoureallywanttoknowwhattheDiverseScholarsProgrammeanstoitsparticipants,it’ssomethingthatcan’tbeputintowords.It’sanexperience,apassion,motivationtobebetter,afamily…Asforme,theDi-verse Scholars tell me a story and teach me about the world: what it looks like now and how it will look in the future.Theyteachmeaboutmyself,whoIam,andwhoIwillbecome.Mostimportantlytheyteachmehowdif-ferencesshouldbevaluedwhileatthesametimebringingclosertogetheranunderstandingthatoursimilaritiesanddifferencesarewhatbuildourgreatrelationships.

Mean to YOU?

4

Study Labs!

Studylabsprovidetheidealstudysessionforfreshmenandsophomoresintheirrequiredbusinesscourses.Themeetingsprovideanexperiencedleaderthathaspreviouslytakenthecourse,alongwithmultiplepeersthatsitinthelecturesanddiscussionswithyoueveryweek.NotonlyarestudylabsachancetospendtimewiththeDSPfamily,buttheyareatimetoexpandknowledgeonrequiredbusinesscourses.FreshmanMarkYabutcommentsthatstudylabsdisplay“howgreatthesupportwehaveforeachother[is].Wearewillingtogiveupourtimeinordertohelpourpeersout.”Studylabsaretheretoprovideknowledgeforusasindividuals,yes,buttheyarealsothereforustoshareourknowledgewiththosearoundus.Studylabs,whilebeingapartoftherequirementsforDSP,areanexemplarymethodofstudyinginwhichtheprogramhopesthatitsstudentstakealongwiththemthroughtherestoftheirschooling.

Writtenby:JordynJohnson

Ciara AguilarBCOR1010

“I wanted to see if I could use what I

learned last year to givebackthisyear.”

Andrea MeliAccounting

“I thought it would be a good way to get involvedasasenior.”

Adrianne VanMicroeconomics

Marketing

“I wanted to be able to say ‘Hey, I’m here tosupportyou.’toallof the freshmen and

sophomores.”

Thu Van TranBCOR1020

“Study labs help cre-ate a line between

what students know and what they don’t

know.”

3

If you’re interested in becoming a study lab leader, contact Jessicaatjessica.baumgarten@colorado.edu!

I’m Thankful For... Town Hall Meeting

5 6

ThesemiannualTownHallMeetingtookplaceonWednesday,November28th,2012.Itwasencouragingtoseethatsomanypeoplecaredaboutthefutureofourcommunity.ThisTownHallwasunliketheoneswehavehadinthepast:itwasastudentleddiscussiononwhatwewantedtoseefromourofficeandourprograminthefuture.TheOfficeofDiversityAffairsandtheDiverseScholarsProgramisatafragilestagerightnowandchangeiscomingquickly.Thegoalofourmeetingwastoseewhattypeofchangeourcommunitywantedtoseeandyouallspokeup. Forthoseofyouwhowerethere,youheardhowweareallstakeholdersinourcommunity.ThatmeansitisuptoustotakeactiontomakesurethattheODAandDSPmoveinthedirectionthatyouwanttosee.Ifyoudon’tknowwheretostart,startbycomingintotheoffice.Justbyshowingyourface,youcanhelpstrengthenthebondsthatholdourcommunitytogether.Youcanmakefriends,gethelponhomework,orjustsayhitomeoroneoftheotherstudentorprofessionalstaff!Iencourageyoutotakeitastepfurther,though.SetupameetingwithJamie,Adrian,Desiree,orJessicaandpresentany ideasyouhavetomakeourofficeandourprogramsbetter,Ifyoudon’thaveanyideasandwanttohelp,comeinandseewhatyoucandotohelp!Maybeanotherstudenthasanideaforaprogrambutneedotherpeopletomakeithappen. Thereweresomegreatideasbroughtupbythestudentsatthetownhallmeeting.Oneideawassettingupmorestudentnightswherestudentscanjustcometogetherandhangoutwithouttheprofessionalstaff(nooffense,westillloveyou).Anotherideawastosplitourcommunityintosmallergroupssothatwecangetawayfromthecliquesandbeabletoreallygettoknowasmallergroupofpeople.Withthis,wecouldalsodomorecompetitive,outdoor,oractiveeventsthatwouldhelpusbuildourcommunityonalargerscale.Wealsofeltthatitwasmostimportanttomakesurethateveryoneiswelcomingandpositivesothatincomingstudentsarenotafraidtobeapartofthecommunity. Attheendofourmeeting,wewroteacommitmenttoourselvesandtootherstudentsthatwewouldstepupandmakeourcommunitysomethingtobeproudof.Areoccurringmessagewasthatyouwillonlygetsomethingoutofyourexperiencewithourprogramifyouputsomethingin.Don’tdothingswiththecommunitybecauseyouhavetodothem,doitbecauseyouwantto.Ifyoudonotseesomethingyouwantinourcommunity,thengomakeithappenbecauseIbetthereareotherstudentswhofeelthesameway.Forthoseofyouwhowerethere,thankyouforcomingandIhopeitwasagreatexperience,andforthoseofyouwhocouldnotcome,Iencourageyoutotalktosomeonewhodid.Lastly,allIwanttosayistakeaction!Bigorsmall,youwillhelptremendously.But,ifnothingisdonethanmanyofthethingsyouloveaboutODAandDSPmaybetakenaway.

Written By: Caleb Trantow

FAMILY.

The people that help the ODA create a welcoming environment.

THIS OPPORTUNITY AT LEEDS.

My family and my support system, including DSP and friends.

Myfamily,myniece,andmynephew.

DSP.

Caleb Kissell, junior

LaxmiRai,freshman

Juan Camacho, senior

Adrian Green, Program Manager

Isaac Gebre-Michael, junior

Monique Parks, sophomore

TomyfamilyandI,beingthankfuliswhatThanksgivingisallabout!Weusuallygoaroundthetableandhaveeverybodysaysomethingspecificthatthey’rethankfulforthatyear.WealsomakethisThanksgiv-ingtraditionintoapartygameandhavepeoplewritetheir“thanks”onapieceofpaper,putitintoahat,andhaveeverybodyguesswhoitbelongsto.MyfamilyandItrytobethankfulforourblessingsdaily,butThanksgivingisawaytomakeusstopandfocusonthemevenmorethanusual.Ibelieveinsimplyacknowledgingourthankfulnessinprayersandindailyconversation,aswell.Thanksgivingdoesn’tjusthavetocomeonceayear!

WrittenBy:GeoffreyWinter

Terror in the Corn

Despite the whirlwind of weather changes throughout the week, the Diverse Scholars Program respondedtothecallforcommunityonFriday,October25th.Whathastypicallybeenanightofshrillscreams and chain saws in the past became a night of spoons and movies, a welcoming environment for the freshmenandupperclassmenalike.Terror in theCorn,oneofDSP’sacclaimedCommunityEvents, is known to develop unity among the group, and this year a choice was given: To Be Frightened, orNotToBeFrightened.Thenightwasopentosuggestions,allowingeachandeverymembertovoicetheiropiniononthenight’sactivities.Peermentorshipswerestrengthenedandnewacquaintancesmade,resultinginasuccessfulnightforDSPanditscallforcommunity.

WrittenBy:JordynJohnson

John Maslin, freshmanI thought it was a great reminder of why all of us are in DSP, because we want to be part of a group that will acceptandlikeusnomatterwhat.

“

“

David Mast, 5th yearSometimesitisnecessaryforustoregroupafteralongandstrenuoussemester to remind us that no one hastogothroughacademiaalone.

“ “

7 8

Cometogether,rightnow.

Peer Mentors

Who is your mentor? Gabbie“TheBest”Lee!

Toyou,whatdoestheword“mentor”mean?To me, a mentor is someone who will provide

unconditionalsupportandisalwaystheretoguideyouasyouprogressthroughlife.

Do you like having a mentor? ILOVEhavingamentor.Icanhonestlysaythatmymentorhasprovidedmewithpricelessinformation,guidance, and advice that I would not have received

elsewhere.Havingherhasreallyshapedmycollegeexperiencethusfarforthebetterandour

relationshiphasmadeCUfeellikehome.

Mentee: Jasjit Mangat, freshman

To you, what does the word mentor mean?Mentor(n.)Someonewhoistheretoprovidesupport

andadjusttocollegelife--academic,social,etc.

Why are you a mentor?I’m a mentor because I want to be able to help the freshmenadjusttocollegeandloveCU.Iknowitcanbedifficultforfreshmentogetoutoftheircomfort

zoneandgetinvolved.Iwanttobeabletobesomeonetheycancountonforadvice,too.

What is the importance of a peer mentorship?The peer mentorship program is important because since it’s done through the ODA, everyone already

has this sense of community, making it easier for the mentorandmenteetobond.

Mentor: Gabbie Lee, senior

Wanted: Committee

Members!Committees:-AwardsCommittee-DecorationsCommittee-CorporateRelationsCommittee-PublicRelationsCommittee-RegistrationCommittee-FacultyRelationsCommittee-MediaCommittee

If you’re interested, join us in the MBSA officeonFriday’sat

1pm!

9 10

Career for Curriculum Luncheon

Student Staff Corner

Usemnemonictechniques!Theymake it easier to remember

information.

Study Tips

Whenitcomesdowntoit,finalsweekdeterminesamajorityofone’soverallgrade,sowhenithits,it’stimetobuckledownandgetstudying!TheODAstaffhasprovidedsomehelpfulfactsandtipstohelpyouretainthemostinformationandstayfocusedforthenextfewweeks.Certainfoods,colors,andsmellshelptostimulatethehippocampus,theportionofthebrainthatcontrolslearningandmemory,whichcanhelpwithlong-termmemorizationof information.Somepiecesof studyingareup to the individual,however:noteverystudentlearnsinformationthesameway.Whereasonestudentmightdobettermakingastudyguideinsilence,anothermightdobetterbymakingflashcardswithblaringmusic.It’ssomethingthattakestimetodetermine--areasonthattheportionofthesemesterbeforefinalsweekissoimportant.

Finals Week Break-Down

Don’twaituntilthe last minute tostudy!It’salongprocess.

Study Facts

11 12

&

Tidy up before you start studying: It’s easier to focus when you are surrounded by

order.

Studying makes you

sleepy: Make sure

you get plenty of sleep and

takebreaks!

Study in silence: It has been proven that loud and quick music

causes decreased concentrationlevels.

Makeflashcards,reread your notes, makeastudyguide.

The best formula for good sleep: listentoyourbody.Gotosleepwhen you are sleepy and sleep

aslongasyouneed.

Thebesttimefor learning in a healthy individual

is early morning:

Reviewyournotes when youwakeup!

Eatwellandexercise:when the body is healthy, it retains moreinformation.

Study the way you will test: If you can’t listen to music during the test, it’sbetternottodoitwhilestudying.

A team of sophomores within The Office of Diversity Affairs in the Leeds School of Businessgot together inearlySeptember tomapout theiryear.With thehelpof theODAandAdrianGreen, theSophomoreLeadershipCommitteewascreated.Historically,thesophomoreyearhaslackedstructure.Thisyear,sophomoreshadtheopportunitytonotonlygetinvolvedbuttotakecontroloftheirentireexperience.Bysettinggoalsanddecidingontheoverallmissionfortheyear,thecommitteewasreadytotakeitsfirststep.The annual Sophomore Luncheon was rethought and transformed into The Curriculum to Career Luncheon heldthisyearonNovember9th,2012inTheWilliamM.WhiteBusinessLibrary.Thenewlychosennamesaysit all; the purpose of the luncheon was for students to learn how their curriculum at Leeds is important and contributestotheirfuturecareersasprofessionals.Thisspecialeventwasnolongeraneventforsophomoresplanned by The ODA, it was an opportunity for all students to engage in their current curriculum and learn moreabouttheirfuturebylisteningandspeakingtotheiradministration,faculty,andstaff. The major difference between this year and years past was who planned the event; from theagendatothenametags,everydetailwaswellthoughtoutbytheSophomoreLeadershipCommittee.Theatmosphere was very casual, but remained professional in the sense that the subjects discussed involved plans for futurecareersandquestionsabout courses.With foodanddrinks in thebackgroundandgoodconversationsateverytable,theeventwasofftoagreatstart.FacultymembersrangingfromFinancetoRealEstatespokeontheirareasofemphasisasstudentslistenedandgainedanewperspectiveonwhatitmeanstomajorandearncertificatesineachoftheareas.Studentsalsolearnedabouttheimportanceofaninternationalexperience,thevalueoftheProfessionalMentoringProgram,andhowtoutilizetheCareerConnectionsOffice.Theeventwasstructuredinawaythatstudentscouldnotonlyaskquestionsbutengagein intellectualconversationwithexperts fromLeeds. Itwasnotanormalsetting,whichallowedstudentstofeelcomfortablewiththeprofessors,staff,andadministrators,sittingside-by-side,sharingthoughtsandenjoyingfood.Withapproximatelyfortystudentsinattendance,TheSophomoreLeadershipCommitteewasproudtobeapartofthewholeprocessandhopesthatthiseventwillonlykeepgrowinginyearstocome.

Written By: Ciara Aguilar

DSP International Alumni HighlightsLondonwasagreatexperience!TheLondonFinance Seminar gave me the opportunity toexploremanynewplacesandlearnnewthingseveryday.Throughtheexperience,IwasabletobecomebetterfriendswithfellowDSPmember,TeddyChavez.Wehadablastseeing Matilda and Chicago while there!Another highlight of my trip was being able to go to the Olympics, which has always been adreamofmine.MyfriendLindaandIwereabletogetticketstoseeabeachvolleyballgame.Theseminaritselfwasanicechangeofpace.Eachweekwegottovisitmanynewbusinesses,suchasBloomberg(mypersonalfavorite),BankofAmerica,LloydsofLondon,and Shell, to learn more about what they did and how their businesses play a role in the economy overall. I would recommendthis seminar to anyone who’s interested in going to London (not just finance majors)as it is an experience I will never forget!

Eric Acosta Alicia Gong

Amy Hall Cam LeChun Li

Kimberley Mccutcheon MatthewPiskorzKatherine TrinhShekinah Ward

Paulina Zaragoza13 14

London Finance Seminar

Maya Thayer, senior

This program is offered as a study abroad opportunity forany University of Colorado student with a 2.5 GPA or higheras well as other prerequisites with coursework. The LondonFinance Seminar is a competitive program, entailing 5 weeksof London exploration in a Faculty-Led Global Seminar whichincludes attending lectures, taking a field-trip to Paris, andvisitingnumerousfinancial andbusiness institutions in London.

Alumni Winter DinnerFriday, December 21, 2012 at 6:00pmDowntown Denver

December Graduates

Community Engagement Corporate Opportunities

15 16

What did you do?Throughout part of October and November, MBSA

members helped in either bringing presents of their ownordonatingtoOperationChristmasChild.

Afterreceivingdonations,MBSAmembersenjoyedventuring out to the nearest stores to buy several presentsconsistingoftoys,hygieneproducts,andschoolsuppliesforchildrenrangingfrom2-14.TheshoeboxeswerefilledanddroppedoffattheCalvary

BibleChurchonNovember29th.

Why did you do it?IwantedtoparticipateinthisactivitybecauseoneofMBSA’s focus is on community service and I thought

it would be a great way to get involved as well as integratetheholidayseason.

How did it bring DSP students closer?Theaspectofcomingtogetherforasimilarcause.Also many members came together to go to the

store and buy presents as well as wrap them while we listened to music which was a great bonding

experience!

What was the end result?FromMBSA’sFrightNightandotherdonationsreceived from the students and faculty at the

Leeds School of Business, MBSA successfully raised $180 which was enough to provide 8 children withgifts.Afteragenerousdonationof$200

from Northwestern Mutual, however, MBSA was abletosignificantlyincreasetheirservicetotheorganizationandwasabletofill18shoe-boxes

overall as well as cover the shipping cost for each box!

Interview with: Alyssa Faustino, senior

HowTo

WorkA

CareerFair

Before You Go:

1)ResearchCompaniesand Industries

2)PracticeYourApproach

3)DressProfessionally

4)PerfectyourResumeand Submit to Employers

Online

5)DevelopQuestionstoAskRecruiters

While You’re There:

1)ApproachRecruiters

2)AskQuestions

3)NetworkwithRecruiters

4)TakeHand-OutMaterials

Helpful Tips!

Follow Up on your Conversation.

Thank the Executiveforhis/herTime.

Introduce Yourself!

Make Direct EyeContact!

Keep a Copy of your ResumeandaFew

BusinessCardswithyou.

Prepare an

Elevator Pitch.

leeds.colorado.edu/diversity|303.735.5117|KOBL260|leedsoda@colorado.edu

Fun Activities

to do DuringWinter Break!

- Build a snowman

- Have a movie marathon of your favoriteseries!

- Build a gingerbread house

-Createabowlingcompetitionwithyour friends outside the ordinary game(Ex.GrannyToss,Leapand

Throw,etc.)

- Drive around with friends and look at Christmas lights and decorated

houses

-Haveagroupgettogether!Blameit on the need for painted nails or the need to surpass the latest kill

streak.

Thank you for reading!

Student Leadership & Community Engagement Newsletter

DesireeRamirez

Caleb Trantow ParisPritchett

Juan Camacho Issac Gebre-Michael

Jessica Beard

Program CoordinatorDesiree.Ramirez@colorado.edu303-735-5117

Sophomore

Jamie LujanInterim DirectorJamie.Lujan@colorado.edu303-735-2233

Adrian Green*Program ManagerAdrian.Green@colorado.edu303-735-0588

Jessica BaumgartenProgram CoordinatorJessica.Baumgarten@colorado.edu303-735-5644

Office of Diversity Affairs Staff

NewspaperStaffandProgramAssistants

Ifyouwouldliketosubmitarticles,pictures,flyers,opportunities,orupdatesthatwouldbenefitourstudents,faculty,staffandgreaterCUcommunitypleasesendthemdirectlytoJessicaBeardatJessica.Beard@colorado.edu-TheOfficeofDiversityAffairsreservestherighttorejectsubmissionsthatdonotalignwiththemissionoftheLeedsSchoolofBusinessandouroffice.Weaskthatyousendhighqualitypicturesandarticlesnomorethan500words.TheStudentLeadership&CommunityEngagementnewsletterisdistributedelectronicallythreetimespersemester.

Jordyn JohnsonPublishing Editor

FreshmanPublishing Editor

SeniorProgram Assistant

JuniorProgram Assistant

JuniorProgram Assistant

FreshmanProgram Assistant