Page Guide

Page 1

Student Spotlight

Page 2

Student Spotlight

Page 3

FSA ID /FAFSA Remind-er

Page 4

New Program Coordina-tor

Graduation Certification

Page 5

Spring semester Prep.

Guatemala Study Abroad

Kudos

Page 6

Cultural Diversity: Des-sert

Page 7

Director’s Corner

Book Scholarship Re-quirements

Page 8

Workshop Calendar

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Page 1 THE PILLAR

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

TRiO Student Support Services is honored to spotlight Thi Nguyen, a graduating TRiO senior for our January 2016 news-letter. Thi entered the program as a Sophomore in Spring 2014 and will be graduating in Summer 2016 with a Bachelor of Sci-ence degree in Finance. Thi states “My college experience is filled with amazing memories, plenty of discoveries, and a little bit of anxiety. I remember driving to campus on the first day of school because I was too afraid to take the light rail. I also re-member driving in circles looking for parking because of all the one way streets, as well as the number of people I had to stop to ask for directions. After a couple of tries, I eventually made it to my first class in the North Classroom Building. The first activ-ity was an ice breaker game to get everyone to talk. It was

during that class where I met my best friend who is still my best friend to this day. Although this is just one example, all four years at the university were unforgettable at times, and terrifying at others, but definitely they have been years that have changed me for the better.” Thi states the following about her short term goals “My short term goals shortly after gradua-tion include landing a desirable job. I hope to find a job that will allow me to utilize my degree as well as the work and learning experiences I have had so far. Another of my short term goals is to become more active in the community. I want to take part in more volunteering services in the community, as a way to give back. Lastly, I want to travel to different countries and learn about the people and their culture. Currently, my top three places to visit are Santorini Greece, Bora Bora and Singapore.” Her three long term goals after graduation are continuing her education with an MS degree in Accounting, to purchase a home, and to start her own financial planning firm. She wants to accomplish these goals in the next eight to ten years. Thi shares, “My favorite memory I had in college would have to be when I won the scholarship to attend the Colorado Society for Human Resources Management (COSHRM) 2015 conference. The weeklong event was held in Keystone during the fall foliage. While there, I was able to network with some of the most amazing people as well as befriend many others. From attending the conference I was able to gain valuable knowledge as well as gain important insights into the professional world. Overall, I thought the trip was unforgettable.” She also expresses the following about the TRiO Student Support Services Program, “The TRiO Program has helped me tremendously. I remembered when I used to work at the Financial Aid office and overhearing some of my coworkers talk about the TRiO program. When I asked what they were talking about, they showed me where the office was and told me to stop by, so that’s what I did. I applied to the program shortly after my visit and got in not too long after. I re-member my first meetings with Teresa and Henry, as well as how helpful and caring they are. The TRiO program has helped me with creating a resume/cover letter, registering for classes, internships, jobs, and applying for financial aid and loans. I do think the TRiO office is one of the best resources on campus because the staff there really want to see you succeed. One piece of advice that I would give to other TRiO participants is to be honest with yourself, meaning only you know your capability and weaknesses. If you need improvement in certain areas, then you have to be willing to ask for help, because if you don’t ask, no one knows to help you out. Don’t be afraid to get help, it’s more efficient that way.” Thi’s hobbies and interests include staying active and going on adventures. She enjoys play-ing soccer, lifting weights, and swimming on a daily basis. By staying active, it allows her to mini-mize her stress level and live a healthier lifestyle. During her spare time, “I enjoy trying out new food from different cultures, whether that is sushi-burrito, shaved snow, or arepa reina pepiada,” she said. Thi’s favorite Quote is by Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior with-out your consent.” By: Mielat Asrat

THE PILLAR

A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF THE TRiO SSS COMMUNITY

“Helping Students Realize Their Full Potential”

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Page 2 THE PILLAR

Student Spotlight TRiO Student Support Services is honored to spotlight another

star student for our January 2016 newsletter, William Mundo. William

entered the program as a Sophomore in Fall 2013 as he had completed a

few college classes in high school through concurrent enrollment. He

will be graduating in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in

Public Health and Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies. William

states “My time at CU Denver has been a life changing experience. I

had an opportunity to find my identity, reframe my understandings, and

begin to push for positive change. Through my academics and extracur-

ricular activities I have been able to learn that my heart belongs to social

justice and health equity. My classes have been a mixture of the life

sciences and cultural experiences of other people. Throughout my time

at CU Denver I have had the opportunity to be involved with TRiO Student Support Services, the Educational Op-

portunity Programs, Student Government Association, and various other student organizations. I also had the oppor-

tunity to be involved in fellowships including the Undergraduate Pre-Health Program and The Puksta Foundation.

All of these experiences have shaped and defined who I am and what I stand for. This involvement has resulted in

many honors and awards like the CU Denver Student of the Year award, Undergraduate Pre-Health Program Stu-

dent of the Year, Rosa Parks Diversity Award, and the Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Leadership Award.”

William’s short term goals are to first graduate, and then possibly begin a Masters certificate in Public

Health Science or do a fellowship in Washington DC as a policy analyst for health care justice. During this time, he

would be applying to medical schools for a spot to begin medical school in Fall 2017 His long term goals include to

graduate with a medical degree and a master of public health degree with a concentration on health policy and sys-

tems management. William’s ultimate goal is to work for Doctors With Out Borders to provide culturally appropri-

ate care and eventually work with the World Health Organization as Dr. World addressing health care justice with

health policy and reform, (Mundo in Spanish means world).

William shares, “My favorite memories I had in college were when I had the privilege to travel to Guate-

mala and the Navajo Nation with a group of amazing students and leaders. Both were life changing experiences that

I will never forget and changed me forever.” These travel experiences were made available to him through the Al-

ternative Break Program.

He also expresses the following about the TRiO Student Support Services Program, “I honestly do not

know where I would be if it wasn’t for TRiO. I have been able to receive financial and emotional support to get me

through my undergraduate career. It has been such a blessing to have been part of such a wonderful family that has

opened so many doors for me. This office is the foundation of my success as a low-income, first generation stu-

dent.” On another topic, he states, “If I had not chosen a career in medicine, I would have chosen a career in music.

I love to listen, play, and mix music. I am also interested in playing basketball and staying active. I have a fascina-

tion with the outdoors and what the wilderness and the world has to offer. I love to explore and take part in different

experiences that will allow me to engage in cultural exchange with various people from across the globe.”

William’s favorite quote is “Long live the Revolution!” by Pancho Villa. By: Mielat Asrat

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Page 3 THE PILLAR

FAFSA Reminder

2016-2017 Online Scholarship Application

FASFA

Application

Reminder for the 2015

-2016

school year.

The Free Application for Federal

Student Aid (FASFA) is available

January 1st of each year. Financial

aid is awarded on a first come/first

serve basis, so it is recommended

you apply as soon as possible.

On May 10, 2015, the FSA ID re-

placed the Federal Student AID PIN.

The PIN, which had been in use

since 1998, was a four-digit numeric

code used together with personally

identifying information (such as

Social Security number, name, and

date of birth) to log in to the FSA

websites. Because the FSA ID does

not require you to provide sensitive

personal information when logging

in, it is more secure.

The Federal Deadline Online applications must be submit-

ted by midnight Central Time, June

30, 2016. Any corrections or updates

must be submitted by midnight Cen-

tral Time, September 17, 2016.

Keep in mind some grant aid is

awarded on a first-come, first–serve

basis, so the earlier you apply (after January 1, 2016) the better your chances of receiving that aid, if you qualify.

Keep in mind some grant aid is awarded on a first-come, first–serve basis, so the earlier you apply (after Janu-

ary 1, 2016) the better your chances of receiving that aid, if you qualify.

Are you looking to increase your financial well being? If so, the 2016-2017 Online

Scholarship Application is now open to apply for scholarships for the upcoming

year. The campus deadline is March 1, 2016. Some deadlines may vary. It is im-

portant for students to read through all of the instructions to ensure that your appli-

cation is complete! This is a perfect opportunity to visit with the TRiO SSS professional staff and mentors to discuss

and fine tune your application so you can upload it into the online system that is located in your student portal.

Writing personal statements can be one of the most challenging tasks when applying for scholarships. Make sure to

read the essay prompt and follow the instructions carefully. You can visit with the CU Denver Writing Center to re-

view your writing or stop by the TRiO SSS Office. Make sure to give yourself enough time to submit a well written

essay. Best of luck in the upcoming application process.

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New Program Coordinator

Graduation Certification Celebration

Greetings TRiO community,

My name is Michael Mendoza, and I am the Interim Program Coordinator. I am a

former participant and peer mentor of the TRiO SSS program, and I graduated from

CU Denver with a Communications degree in December 2014. With my return to

TRiO, I am eager to work once again with students and fellow members of the CU

Denver community. Being involved in TRiO, I have found my passion for education,

student affairs, and service, and I would like to pursue further educational opportuni-

ties, including a Master’s degree, and explore various teaching prospects within the

United States and abroad in the near future. I am thrilled to be part of the TRiO

team, and I look forward to working with students, staff, and faculty at CU Denver!

I hope everyone finished the semester well! Thank you everyone who helped make the Fall Cultural Celebration and

Awards Ceremony a great success. It was wonderful having Dr. Carmen Vandal as a guest speaker. For those of you

who do not know Dr. Vandal, she is an alumnus of the TRIO SSS program and CU Denver alum of both the downtown

campus and the AMC. Despite her challenges she faced as a first-generation student, she obtained her medical degree in

2014 and she is very interested in staying involved with TRiO SSS and helping other students working at getting into

medical school. Talk to Teresa if you are interested in getting in contact with Dr. Vandal. As a recap, Dr. Patricia

Larsen received the Outstanding Contribution to Student Success Award from TRiO SSS and the LRC. In addition, the

LRC students who received the CRLA certification and graduating TRIO SSS students were recognized. Last but not

least, congrats to the active participants of the Society of TRIO Students Club! Thank you all for coming and we hope

to see all of you at next semester’s Graduation/Certification celebration!! By: Kevin Li

Page 4 THE PILLAR

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Page 5 THE PILLAR

Preparation for Spring Semester

Guatemala Study Abroad

Every time a new semester begins, we have to look at our habits and examine how they are changing. Sometimes

these habits change for a good purpose, but often times they don’t change and cause people not to do well in their

classes. In order to be ready for the spring semester you have to mentally prepare yourself for what is to come. Visu-

alize the finish line and set your goals that you want to accomplish over the semester and make sure every day you

are working towards those goals. Here are a few tips on how you can better prepare for the Spring Semester:

Using a calendar to set up your schedule. It may help to use outlook, icalander, or any other software that is a

calendar so you can have a visual of what you will be

doing throughout the semester. I have found that it

helps me to color code my responsibilities and meet-

ings on my calendar. Below is a picture of an exam-

ple of what I mean and what I use.

Set up your to do list and write down important dates

that you will have throughout the semester. You can

use apps or other software that allows you to put

down important deadlines. Usually what works for

me is that at the beginning of the semester I compile all the syllabi that are given out for my classes and I write

down exactly everything that is due for that class in my to do list.

Finally mentally prepare and make sure you take care of your-self. Take some time to do what you enjoy doing

and recharge your battery.

A new semester means a new you, so don’t be afraid to try out different study techniques throughout the semester.

This will help you find different ways to study that will improve your time as a student and truly maximize your per-

formance.

Please join us in Guatemala for Maymester 2016! This is our 6th year working

with the Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation for our 3 credit international ser-

vice learning course. Rigoberta won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992. With her

Nobel prize money she started her foundation that works on indigenous peo-

ple’s human rights, educates them to the responsibilities of citizenship and

helps them maintain their rich cultural identity in the 21st century. We have

the opportunity to spend two weeks in San Lucas Tolimán on beautiful Lake

Atítlan serving at the Pavarotti Education Center where we work with middle and high school age children. It is a

deeply rewarding way to earn 3 credits! For more information contact Dr. E.J. Yoder at: ej.yoder@ucdenver.edu or

during walk-in office hours—Tuesday & Thursday 12-3PM or Friday via phone, e-mail or Skype 9-11AM.

KUDOS This section is dedicated to creating an encouraging environment by highlighting the achievements, accomplishments,

and awards that TRiO SSS students have received. Congratulations to all of the following TRiO students:

Jeff Dang secured a full-time, well paid position at Oracle.

William Mundo scored a 103 on his Social Determinants of Health Final

Shubheksha Shrestha and William Mundo were invited to the chancellor’s reception, where they were able to say

good-bye to the outgoing Chancellor and welcome the new Chancellor, Dr. Dorothy Horrell.

Keylana Wheeler received a scholarship to study abroad in Denmark.

Have an accomplishment? Please tell TRiO about it. Inside the TRiO office, there is a sheet of

paper for you to write and share your accomplishments and awards you received.

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Page 6 THE PILLAR

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Holiday Dessert

Denver Free Days

The holidays at the end of the year are celebrated reli-

giously, but just as there are several religious denomina-

tions, there are a plethora of ways to celebrate the holidays

that are influenced by all the diversity in the cultures we see

around the world. One thing that everyone does during these

times is feast! There are a variety of desserts and sweets that

are considered staples for the holidays, such as eggnog during

Christmas time in America. Desserts are a part of every holi-

day festival and they all have their own uniqueness to them

no matter the country it comes from. Below are a few exam-

ples of the common desserts you’ll see at holiday celebrations

around the world. By: Dina Elfadli

Around The World Holiday Greetings

French: Bonnes vacances South African: Xhose Irish: laethanta saoire sona

Arabic : أعيادا سعيدة Portuguese: Boas festas Spanish: felices vacaciones

Hebrew: שמח חג Italian: Buone vacanze Lativian: Lai-mī-gu Jau-no Ga-du

Swahili: likizo furaha Chinese : 节日快乐 Ethiopian: Mel-Kam Be-Al

Learn how to say “Happy Holidays” in 12 different languages! You can also listen to them at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty74a0i2IVI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lITeNZs6V1o

Daily—9 am to 5 pm

Hudson Gardens

6115 S Santa Fe Dr., Littleton, CO 80120

http://www.hudsongardens.org/

January 8th, 9th, 21st, and 31st

Denver Zoo

2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205

720.337.1400

http://www.denverzoo.org/

Monday, January 25, 2015

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

2001 Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80205

303.370.6000

http://www.dmns.org/about-us/scfd-free-days/

KUNAFEH

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Page 7 THE PILLAR

Director’s Corner Hello TRiO students,

Welcome back! It will be great to see all of you, hopefully healthy and rested and ready to begin the semester

with new energy and optimism. We have been pulling grades recently to see who made the book scholarship require-

ments. We hope to get that list to the Scholarship Resources Office early next week so those of you who get it will

have it as part of your award package when you start the spring semester. If it isn’t there right away, wait another cou-

ple of weeks before checking in with us, as it may take the FA office some time to disburse those funds.

As you will see on the calendar, we have some financial literacy sessions scheduled for early January, so you can

get that requirement out of the way before the spring semester begins, if you like. We also have some really good

study skills and preparation workshops scheduled for the last part of January. It is always to your benefit to complete

your workshop sessions early so that you can be more assured of making all your requirements for the book scholar-

ship this semester. We will begin the Financial Aid workshops in February, so be on the lookout for those sessions in

the next newsletter.

The criteria for completing the book scholarship requirements in spring 2016 are listed below. As you know, one

of the requirements is to complete a Financial Literacy session. For those of you who registered last semester in Mon-

ey 101 under the UCD TRiO SSS 2015-16 group, you will not need to join a new group, you are already in the

group. You can go in at any time and complete a session. For those of you who have not yet joined the group, I will be

sending out invitations after the semester starts. Please respond to the email from me and join the group. If you

are unsure how to join, ask a mentor to help you with that process. Remember, some of the financial literacy sessions

in Money 101 have two parts, a head and heart section. For those sessions, you must complete both parts to get credit

for completing a financial literacy session. For those of you who completed all the online Money 101 sessions, you

can complete the Book Scholarship requirement by attending a Financial Literacy session in class, (or for anyone who

prefers an in-class session) look at the monthly calendars for the times they are offered, as mentioned above, there are a

few offered this month. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

-Teresa De Herrera

Book Scholarship Requirements

CRITERIA FOR TRIO

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES BOOK SCHOLARSHIPS

To be awarded 2 times per year to active SSS students (Fall – Spring). Up to $350.00 per semester will be

awarded to each active participant (exact amount awarded is dependent on the number of students who qualify

each semester). To qualify, students must meet the following minimum criteria:

GPA Requirement – Minimum of a 2.50 GPA each semester for full scholarship, not cumulative but se-

mester GPA. However, must also have a minimum of a 2.00 cumulative GPA.

Full-time students may be awarded up to the maximum amount listed; part-time students will be award-

ed based on the number of credits completed. Must be enrolled and complete at least 6 credit hours

to be considered for scholarship.

Must be an active participant in the TRiO SSS Program meeting the following minimum participation

requirements:

Attend 2 SSS workshops per semester.

Attend one workshop by Friday, March 11, 2016.

Meet with the Director, Program Coordinator or Academic Coordinator at least 2 times per semester.

Complete one meeting by Friday, March 11, 2016.

Meet with a Peer Mentor or other student staff at least 3 times per semester.

Meet with a Peer Mentor at least two times before March 11, 2016.

Be enrolled and complete at least six credit hours.

Complete one Financial Literacy session per semester.

Must be completed by 5/6/2016.

All students must meet these requirements by May 6, 2016 to be considered for the Book scholarship to

be awarded in Fall 2016.

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Page 8 THE PILLAR

Workshop Calendar

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

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1Student Loan Repayment

SC, Suite 1007 3:00 pm—4:00 pm

7

1Student Loan Repayment

SC, Suite 1007 3:00 pm—4:00 pm

8

11 12 13 14 15

18

Martin Luther King Day

*No classes

*Campus Open

Last day to drop from all classes via UCDAccess and

receive a refund of the $200 advance

payment

19

First Day of Classes

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22

25

No course adds permitted today

26

Time Management SC, Suite 2000

12:00 pm—1:00 pm

From Jan. 26 - Feb. 3, you will need instructor

approval to add via UCD Access.

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College Survival SC, Suite 2000

10:00 am—11:00 am

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Procrastination SC, Suite 2000

3:00 pm—4:00 pm

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Welcome

Back!

1CU Denver Financial Aid Office: No RSVP necessary.

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be

written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”

~ Melody Beattie