Making Friends

 

Starting the Bloomsburg University College Student Affairs (CSA) program, I didn’t know anyone. Not in the traditional sense. While I technically got my undergraduate degree from Bloomsburg in Technical Leadership, my program was online and I lived 63 miles away from campus (a two-hour drive, each way).

Before my first day of class as a CSA graduate student, I stepped onto the Bloomsburg campus only twice. First, to return a book on a dropped class, and the second time, for graduation.

Moving to Bloomsburg was interesting. Everything was the same but different. Learning the campus was a trip. It’s got your daily exercise built-in if you start down near Carver Hall and need to get up to the new Arts and Admin Building or the Andruss Library, up at the top of the hill. This might mean nothing to you right now, but come to campus, and you’ll understand. 

Honestly, six months later, I'm still learning the campus. Buildings I’ve never heard of, rooms that seem to move around, but the town feels like home.

— Lizz Matias Clammer, #SAPro. Clammer is pursuing her Master's in Educational Leadership through Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program.

Adult Student Housing

I had hoped to live in Bloomsburg by the time classes started in August 2021. Covid-19 and the mortgage industry had other ideas for me.

You see, I lived two hours away from Bloomsburg University. Not only did I live in Reading, but I also had a mortgage on my home. In comes the dilemma. Without selling my house in Reading, I didn't have the income to support two mortgages.

Now you’re thinking, why not just rent in Bloomsburg? The problem with that is ... I have a dog. A big dog! A Siberian Husky named Maverick. I would've loved to live on campus, but they have no pet-friendly housing. Even if they did, I just got married and don’t think we should've to pay double the rent because there happens to be two of us in the same space.

While Bloomsburg has made the move to allow service animals and emotional support pets; what about our pets? Must we surrender our dogs to live in campus housing? Colleges claim to be worried about our mental health, so why not let us keep those pets that help bring us peace?

Long story short, my husband and I found a cute little house in Bloomsburg on Summit Avenue. It’s outside the flood zone and has a decent view. Our delivery drivers probably don’t enjoy our steps, but we found a reasonably priced home and we love it.

— Lizz Matias Clammer, #SAPro. Clammer is pursuing her Master's in Educational Leadership through Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program.

6 years, 2 degrees, 1 home away from home. Thank you, Bloom!

When I first stepped onto campus in 2015 as a first-year student I never would have imagined the impact Bloomsburg University would have on me.

As I went through my four years as an undergraduate, I got involved, made connections that will last a lifetime, and most importantly I found my true self, my passion. As I look back, it was because of those experiences I was given and the connections I made that I was able to find my passion in education.

Bloomsburg gave me the opportunities to succeed in whatever I may do and has taught me that finding your path is the best path. As I entered my final year of graduate school, my final year at Bloomsburg, I reflected on how this university shaped me into the person I am today.

When I first got here as an undergraduate, I was nervous and full of uncertainty. It was not long after that I realized this place is more than just a campus … it is my home. I am now full of memories, opportunities, and people I call my family.

I began my time at Bloomsburg as a finance major and began to get heavily involved in the orientation program where I found my true passion. Education. It was not until my senior year I decided to continue my master's degree in business education. When deciding to go back to grad school there was no hesitation that I would stay at the place that has helped me get to where I am today.

Throughout graduate school I had the opportunity to be the graduate assistant in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions where I continued to grow both personally and professionally. During my final semester as a Bloomsburg University student I completed a student teaching experience at a local high school. Student teaching in the middle of a pandemic is not what most students think of or expect, however, I've never felt more prepared to enter my first year of teaching.

My student teaching experience did not look like the norm, the first day there were no students in their seats and no teachers at their desk. No this was not because of COVID-19, this was due to a three-day snowstorm. My first few days were spent at my desk at home with only online interaction. Shortly after I was able to enter the classroom but students were still virtual most of the week. Our classrooms may have been empty but they were still full of knowledge.

The day came where students were fully in person everyday of the week. It was the biggest celebration of the whole year. The nerves kicked in again. I was meeting most students for the first time, it was like the first day of school jitters. I quickly was able to build rapport with my students and became more than just a student teacher. I got to know each of my students, my cooperating teacher, and other teachers in the building.

With their help and encouragement, I have been able to go above and beyond what I expected of myself.

As I continued my student teaching experience I was given the opportunity to be the school's assistant softball coach. This is the moment I was more than just a student teacher, I got to know my students but also others in the school. I got to know and become part of the community. By coaching I was able to enhance my experience and go above and beyond for my students.

I became an educator to inspire and impact my students, little did I know the impact and inspiration that they would have on me each and every day.

As I complete my final weeks at Bloomsburg University, I think back at all the strides I have made and the moments that will last forever. I started as a young first-year student and came out as a future business educator with a place to call my second home. These past six years were the greatest years of my life.

Through this journey I had the largest team of cheerleaders that stood by my side the entire time. I would like to thank the orientation team, admissions team, my family, and my roommates who became more than just someone I lived with, they became my family too. Without my support system I would not be where I am today. A special thank you to Bloomsburg University for giving me the opportunities to prepare me as I enter the next chapter of my life.

 
— Gianna Harris '19, a finance graduate who will soon earn a master's degree in business education. She is a native of Clifton Heights and was a student leader with the First Year Experience and Orientation office, as well as a graduate assistant with admissions.

#BloomOnward #HuskyUnleashed #HeyHOWLs

This is the future of higher education and student affairs

My heart hurts. It hurts for all the people who have been negatively affected by Covid-19 and the long-term impacts of this pandemic. My heart hurts for the Bloomsburg University faculty who have worked very hard to convert from in-person to on-line teaching in a matter of 14 days. My heart hurts for the undergraduate students whose lives have been upended and dramatically changed. But mostly, my heart hurts for the College Student Affairs graduate students whose lives are also disrupted and who are squeezed by additional pressures.

CSA students still have their academic responsibilities. For most, this is three courses but a few are enrolled in four courses. All are online…all have new approaches to learning, perhaps new assignments or replacements for class time, very different dynamics. But the learning work remains.

All CSA students now have “remote” graduate assistantships, which means they can complete their responsibilities (perhaps somewhat adjusted) without being on campus. Some are in apartments in Bloomsburg; some have returned home…to Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We are fortunate that the university is providing this option, that the financial support continues.

And who are undergraduate students turning to? Why, the CSA students who have graduate assistantships in 25 different departments across the university. Having developed relationships with undergraduate students since August 2019, CSA students are an integral part of the service network at Bloomsburg. Yet, this is another pull on their emotional state as undergraduate—as never before—need CSA students, need their support and insight, their guidance and expertise.

In addition, each CSA student has a life. They have family and friends who are affected by the pandemic. Take the student who is at home in the Pittsburgh area with three family members who are essential personnel. She is alone all day. When they come home, are they infected? Will someone get sick? Will she get sick? Or the student whose mother has been laid off. Will they lose their house? Or the student who is here in Bloomsburg while mother and grandmother are in NYC. Mom is essential personnel and grandmother is vulnerable to any infection. What happens if she is ill? Or if mom gets ill?

And yet…and yet…. My heart and my spirit are uplifted by their positive attitudes. Their drive to aid undergraduate students. Their concern for their faculty members. Their interest in assisting their GA supervisors as they collaboratively develop new ways of supporting and interacting with undergraduate students. They have not yet finished with their graduate education but are confronting challenges most seasoned professionals are not prepared for. But CSA students’ goals remain the same—regardless of location or technology or their own very pressing and difficult circumstances—to help students succeed in college.

I am humbled by Bloomsburg’s CSA students and the contributions they will make to higher education, student affairs, and college students’ experiences. This is the future of higher education and student affairs, and my heart sings.

— Denise L. Davidson, Ph.D., associate professor and program coordinator, Educational Leadership and College Student Affairs, #SAPro

A no right now, isn’t a no forever

It's that time once again in student affairs — interview season. Whether it be for graduate assistantships or for admission into a program, this time can be extremely stressful. As I write this, I'm sitting at my desk at a school that I was not planning to attend with a position I absolutely adore.

This time last year, I was set on one stipulation regarding graduate school: I wanted to get out of Pennsylvania. My other two choices were located out of state, and I applied to Bloomsburg University solely to soften the blow about wanting to move so far from home. I visited Bloomsburg before and thought it was a cute little place. However, as someone who has grown up in Pennsylvania, I wanted a break from bitter winters and all the snow.

When I was offered an interview at my top choice, I was elated. I was walking back to my apartment when I got the email and I audibly squealed, scaring the poor young man walking past me at the time. I felt like everything was falling into place. The time came for my on-campus interviews and while I was excited to be there, in the back of my mind I knew that this was not the place for me. To this day, I am still very thankful I didn't get an initial offer, because I would've gone simply because I was offered a position.

At the time of my on-campus interview for a graduate hall director position at Bloomsburg, I already been accepted into the College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program. I didn't think there was anything wrong with Bloomsburg, I just didn’t want to live in Pennsylvania. I was completely blown away by Bloomsburg residence life and the campus, and even during my interview, I ran into the chair of the CSA program. I left campus completely in love and confused. I hadn't heard back from the other school I applied to, but I felt like Bloomsburg was such an amazing fit.

I was offered the GHD position roughly a week later, and I hesitated. I asked for more time to decide since I was waiting to hear from one other school. I called my parents. I talked to my friends. I prayed. I then called back roughly 20 minutes later and accepted the position and confirmed I would be attending the program.

I say all of this to say, that no matter how daunting and overwhelming interview season is, what's meant for you will not miss you. Sometimes a no is a blessing in disguise, because greater is coming. You can prepare for interviews as much as you want, but if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn’t. Regardless of where you are in the interview process, remember to breathe. That a no right now, isn’t a no forever.

Every journey into higher education is different, so take time to breathe and don’t sweat the little stuff. Life has a funny way of working itself out.

— Danielle Jones, #ProfessionalU #SAPro

Jones is pursuing her Master's in Educational Leadership through Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program.

I'm becoming the person I never truly believed I could be

The first semester of grad school comes with plenty of worries and pre-conceived notions. If you’re anything like me, then you've asked dozens of questions about the actual school part and graduate assistantships. I have *officially* survived my first semester of grad school and, as I write this a week before spring classes begin, have started my GA work for next semester already (oh yeah, that’s a thing), and now understand what this beast called grad school actually is.

If you’re a potential graduate student and are wondering what you may be getting yourself into, read further: this is for you.

Everyone says the first semester is the worst. If you ask current grad students, it’s the one thing they all seem to agree on and mention with the same overwhelmed look. Now that I have one semester complete, every inch of my being hopes this to be true.

The first semester is full of challenges and transitions and it truly reminds you what it was like to be a first-year college student. Study habits and the tips and tricks you learned during undergrad may not apply here. Syllabi are lifesavers but are also daunting.

During my undergrad I adored my planner and wrote everything down in it and that’s how I stayed on top of my schoolwork. Last semester, I had to have a daily to do list with a weekly assignment list in my phone. My planner was still great, but I needed to break assignments down into manageable chunks.

Readings. Readings. Readings.

As an undergraduate, I could get away with skimming or just pulling key points from readings. Grad school requires you to read and read and read and read. You have to be prepared and ready to articulate your thoughts on what you read and thought about. It’s not just regurgitating information; it’s making meaning of the information and applying it to real life.

It may seem like I’m whining—and believe me I did A LOT of that during the first semester. But while I’m hoping the first semester was the worst, I’m sure it will also remain the best. I am surrounded by incredible individuals who know the kind of difference Student Affairs professionals can make. They have brilliant minds and are compassionate beyond belief. Beyond my cohort members, I have an amazing friend group. The bad days suck less with them. I have coworkers and supervisors and professors who are supportive and who require me to be the best version of myself. I'm becoming the person I never truly believed I could be.

If you’re wondering what you have gotten yourself into by choosing to go to grad school, it’s a journey. It is a difficult journey with devastating moments and some of the most remarkable , amazing and uplifting moments. It can be exhausting and feel impossible, but it is beyond worth it.

— Danielle Jones, #ProfessionalU #SAPro

Jones is pursuing her Master's in Educational Leadership through Bloomsburg University's College Student Affairs (M.Ed.) program.

Time to graduate, am I ready?

A few years ago, I was a freshman and now I am a senior. Time feels like it blew by so fast …

I literally cannot believe this is my last year of college and will be graduating next semester.

Before I know it I will be ready to enter the workforce or graduate school. Some of my friends that graduate in the spring have already started looking for jobs and had interviews. I haven’t started looking for jobs yet, but I have been building my resume, cover letter and LinkedIn account.

By senior year it is important to have these things done so you can start your job search right away.
My freshman and sophomore year, I was not worried about resume building, cover letters or personal portfolios. I thought college was all about having fun and partying, but as I got older I learned how important it is to use the resources that Bloomsburg University offer to the students.

The Center for Professional Development and Career Experience can help with cover letters, resumes, professional attire for events, and LinkedIn. They also hold several workshops for these topics. I recently attended a workshop at the Center for Professional Development in the Student Service Center where they looked over my resume and gave me pointers. I also talked with them briefly about graduate school and their thoughts of the MBA program at Bloom.

The Center for Professional Development and Career Experience also does mock interviews. I didn’t get a chance to do a mock interview, but I know it will be very helpful and can help build my interview skills and become more familiar with the type of questions they HR mangers ask.

As an upperclassman speaking, I wish I would have taken advantage of these opportunities when I was a freshman.

— Khalil Daniel, senior communication studies major #HuskyLife

Hey Dad ... I got a job!

When I decided to apply for graduate programs the last thing on my mind were the feelings I would have upon completion.

Five semesters, hundreds (literally) of days spent in the library, and a handful of emotional breakdowns later, there I was. I stood in front of a filled auditorium with only one person in mind, my dad. My father is a simple man and having never attended college, he does not understand student affairs work. Knowing my dad has absolutely no personal experience with university lingo, imagine him trying to wrap his head around my explanations and descriptions of my classes, assistantships, and overall program.

He did, however, become very adamant to ask me weekly—when and if I would get a real job. A real job, to my dad, means a steady income, job security, and fringe benefits.

He could not fully grasp my daily work so I told him stories about being a first-year graduate assistant with the Living and Learning Communities (LLCs) throughout my first year of the program. I tried to tell him about the planning and facilitating I did and students I worked with each day.  Just when he began to understand, I, of course, switched it up.

I moved onto to my second graduate assistant position working specifically and intensely with the Compass Living and Learning Community, which is dedicated to helping undeclared students navigate their transition from high school to college. As the Compass GA, I was blessed to supervise six upperclass student mentors and 20 first-year students, facilitate trainings and activities, and research and assess the impact of LLCs on first year participants.

Then, just when he started to understand what in the world I was talking about, CURVE BALL: “Dad, I’m moving to Pittsburgh for an unpaid internship!”

I spent the spring of 2016 working with the fraternity and sorority life at the University of Pittsburgh while being supervised by a Bloomsburg faculty member for course-related learning.

Not only did this allow me to work at a different institution size and type but immersing myself in the culture of the city of Pittsburgh was an irreplaceable experience. Even though I know the impact of those three and a half months on my life, it seemed that still, all my dad could ask about was if or when I would find a real job.

So, while in Pittsburgh I took up the hobby of applying for real jobs. I call it a hobby because it took up a LOT of time, and when I say jobs I mean EVERY job.

After five months of applications and phone, Skype, and on campus interviews, I found my match at a small public university in South Carolina with a position in student activities and fraternity and sorority life! I was offered the position three days before graduation and thought, what better way to tell my dad I finally got a real job than at graduation!

In the two years spent in the College Student Affairs program at Bloomsburg University, it was not until I was about to walk onto the auditorium stage that the full understanding of what was about to happen really enter my mind. I was not only a first generation college student and the first person in my home community earn a master’s degree, but I was also about to tell my friends and family, my dad included, life changing news!

The feelings of accomplishment and pride overcame me! So I walked out onto the stage with my head held very high, because in that moment I was finally able to show my dad exactly what he had wanted to know throughout my entire graduate school experience. Now dad, I now have a real job!

I am still pretty positive that he does not fully understand what college student affairs is, what I have done in the last two years, or even what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life, but he can rest assured knowing I am employed! I will be starting this adventure mid-June and cannot wait to share with you, and my dad, my experiences of being a new professional and how impactful the CSA program will be during the beginning my first real job.

— Jill Franklin, M.Ed., college student affairs #EducationalLeadership #ProfessionalU