Horizons, Fall 2013
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F A L L 2 0 1 3HORIZONSSPOTLIGHT ON LATOYA PRICE 7 QUESTIONS GEOGRAPHY LESSONS BUILDING COMMUNITY
G R A D U AT EE D U C AT I O N
An Abundanceof RewardingCareers
T H E U N C G G R A D U A T E S C H O O L N E W S L E T T E R
F E A T U R E S T O R Y
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How ChangeBeginswith a Thesis
WHERE DOES CHANGE BEGIN? It’s a question we’ve all heard before and one that seldom has a conclusive answer. Change can happen anywhere. So perhaps a better question is: how does change begin? At UNCG, sometimes it starts with a thesis.
Latoya Price, a 2012 graduate of UNCG with an M.S. in Parks, Recre-
ation, and Leisure Studies, applied her thesis to a local cause. While
working in the Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation department,
she noticed that the city’s Hispanic population was not actively par-
ticipating in the Sprague St. Community Center’s recreational pro-
grams. At the time, none of her colleagues had a good explanation for
the lack of participation. Price decided to research the issue herself,
focusing on Hispanic youths between nine and fifteen years old. Her
aim was to discover why the city recreation programs were being ig-
nored by most young Hispanics.
Although her research found a number of areas for improvement,
it highlighted that programs intended for the Hispanic population
often lacked “clarity and/or implementation.” In addition, the city
often lacked the resources to sufficiently market and publicize com-
munity center events. Rather than focus on finger pointing, Price’s
thesis aimed to define the reasons for the problems and come up
with a workable solution.
Thanks in part to her thesis—and, of course, her hard work in the
department—Price is currently the senior recreation leader at the Bel-
view Neighborhood Recreation Center in Winston-Salem. Her goal,
she says, “is to help at least one person make a difference in their life.”
Her primary responsibility is to encourage the community to partici-
pate while maintaining “an enjoyable, safe and healthy atmosphere.”
“I hope to be the person who brings a different level of energy and
excitement to the recreation centers,” Price said. And that’s one way
change happens: through the sustained effort and passionate involve-
ment of an individual who sees a problem and works to find a solution.
Working for a community-based organization “opens a door to see-
ing a whole new world,” Price said. Opportunities include helping a
child learn to read and finding families a place to live, as well as pro-
viding positive recreational experiences and role models for young
people. Volunteers are always needed, especially “as the popula-
tion continues to grow and the world begins to change,” she added.
I HOPE TO BE THE PERSON WHO BRINGSA DIFFERENT LEVEL OF ENERGY AND
EXCITEMENT TO THE RECREATION CENTERS
Learn more… Learn more…Learn more…
More on the Parks and Recreation Management degree:http://www.uncg.edu/ctr/grad_index.html
P I X E L S
I
Dean: William Wiener, Ph.D.
Associate Dean: Laura Chesak, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean: J. Scott Hudgins
Director of Development: Melissa Staples
Managing Editor: Denise Sherron
Graduate Assistants: Matt Barrett, Katie Zimmerman
Photographer: Lorenzo Pedro
Print and Web Design: Fifth Letter: www.fifth-letter.com
Illustrations: Kyle Webster (BFA ‘99): www.kyletwebster.com
FALL 2013
HORIZONS
IMAGINE YOU’RE BACK IN COLLEGE. It is the first
day of class and your professor asks you to
come up with something—anything—that
is not influenced by Geography. Can you
think of an answer? That is the question Dr.
Christopher McGinn posed to his students
this semester at North Carolina Central
University in Durham.
A 2012 graduate of UNCG with a Ph.D.
in Geography, McGinn is an assistant
professor of Environmental, Earth, and
Geospatial Sciences at NCCU. “People
assume geography means learning about
maps, capital cities, and countries,”
McGinn said. “I challenge them to see how
geography affects their view of the world
and shapes their per-
spective. Everything
from the food we eat,
and the clothes we
wear, to our religion,
politics and culture is
a product of our geog-
raphy.”
In his introductory
class, McGinn enjoys
having his students
discuss the different candy bars and soft
drink products they grew up with, as well
as the different clothing styles that are the
norm in urban areas as opposed to more
rural environments. As another example,
students from France describe very differ-
ent attitudes and cultural
norms about drinking wine
than those students who were
raised in the South. “Geogra-
phy makes a difference,” he
notes.
A native of Jackson, NJ,
McGinn earned his B.S. de-
gree in Geography at East
Carolina University—a field
he says he initially selected
because it did not require math or a foreign
language. After graduation when he began
working for the Pitt County Board of Elec-
tions, he realized how much Geographic In-
formation Systems (GIS) intrigued him and
how these systems
are used in politics
for redistricting and
understanding pro-
spective voters. After
moving to Greens-
boro, he decided to
pursue both his mas-
ter’s and doctoral de-
grees at UNCG.
McGinn’s doctoral
dissertation focused on the electoral geog-
raphy of provisional ballots in the 2008 U.S.
Presidential election. He is currently pub-
lishing his dissertation and researching at-
risk populations required to cast provisional
ballots and the demographics surrounding
the qualifying or disqualify-
ing of those ballots. “As you
might expect,” McGinn said,
“a higher percentage of young
and minority voters end up
casting provisional ballots.”
A natural debater who loves
to play devil’s advocate, Mc-
Ginn grew up in a politically
aware family where strong
feelings on issues were regu-
larly shared and debated. “My wife, Erin,
cringes when we invite friends over because
she knows I’m going to discuss either reli-
gion, politics, or both,” McGinn said. “I have
to bite my tongue more now; that’s how I
know I’m maturing.”
McGinn loves being in front of the class-
room and breaking down complex informa-
tion into manageable bites for his students.
“Ultimately I believe we’re here to provide
knowledge and insight to our students.
Learning to analyze and think critically is
what enables students to look at problems
from different aspects and find ways to
bring about meaningful change.”
Dr. McGinn lives in Greensboro with his wife, Erin, and
two children. His research on provisional and disputed
ballots is directly related to current political issues
in the state. Questions such as how the new election
laws will affect potential voters and the actual election
results will have a definite impact on North Carolinians.
A L U M N U S P R O F I L E
Mapping Critical Thinking
Horizons Online:http://grs.uncg.edu/horizons
SOCI
AL S
TUDI
ES
Your generous financial support enhances the educational experience for all graduate students at UNCG. Please make your gift today! Your gift to The Graduate School helps us attract exceptionally talented students, provide unique learning opportunities, and
respond quickly to new challenges for graduate study. http://grs.uncg.edu/give/
facebook.com/uncg.grs
@UNCG_GradSchool
youtube.com/uncggrsvideos
http://tinyurl.com/grslin
gradschoolblog.uncg.edu
Graduate School Website: grs.uncg.edu Graduate School Bulletin: http://grs.uncg.edu/bulletin
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
F
A L U M N A / S T U D E N T P R O F I L E
FRANNIE VARKER HAS A PASSION for recreation
and adventure-based learning. While earn-
ing a M.S. in Community and Therapeutic
Recreation at UNCG, she took an elective
class in Conflict and Culture that she said
“rocked her world.” While writing a philoso-
phy paper she realized how leisure and rec-
reation connected to community and peace
and wanted to find a way to combine both
interests.
Married, with two sons ages 16 and 17,
Varker is not your typical graduate student.
After receiving her M.S. in May 2013, she
began working towards an M.A. in Peace
and Conflict Studies. Her goal is to earn a
Ph.D. and teach at the university level. She
knows she is showing her sons that educa-
tion is important and a lifelong process:
“It’s not something that you do at a certain
age and then are done with,” she said. “I’m
modeling consistency, planning, and the
need to set goals and then achieve them.”
Varker is also following a lifelong dream
that she deferred after graduating from East
Carolina. At the time, she had an interest
in the Peace Corps, but first, her mother’s
illness and later, her marriage and mother-
hood, placed that dream on the back burn-
er. Now Varker is recapturing her dream
by working with the Center for New North
Carolinians (CNNC).
Established by the UNC Board of Gover-
nors in 2001, the CNNC is a resource to the
state university in immigrant outreach, re-
search, and training. Its mission is to build
bridges among immigrant populations and
existing communities throughout North
Carolina. With so many immigrants and
refugees living in NC, there is a tremendous
need for programs that facilitate their tran-
sition into a new culture. Varker serves as
a liaison between local community centers
and the university, helping recruit volun-
teers from local colleges including UNCG,
Guilford College, and Elon University.
As a volunteer coordinator, Varker works
with students to help them look past their
differences to recognize the strength of
Building Community—Finding Common Ground
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diversity. One activity she hosts is called
“Letting Go of Labels”. Students are given
random labels to wear on their forehead.
While others can see the label, the person
wearing it does not know what it says. The
label may say, “My parents are divorced,”
“I’m a head cheerleader,” or “I’m visually
impaired.” As the students interact with
one another, they begin to realize how they
treat others often depends on the labels they
attach to one another.
“I’m a hands-on person,” Varker said,
“and I’ve finally found a way to put together
all the different strands that interest me.
Recreation and leisure should be at the
forefront of creative and innovative ways to
connect people and build common ground,”
she said. “These same ideas can be used
with any community.” Both of her graduate
programs have given her the tools to look
at social structures and different cultures
and focus on achieving peace within a local
community.
Learn more…Learn more…
Learn more about these programs online:
http://cnnc.uncg.edu/
http://www.uncg.edu/ctr/
http://hhs.uncg.edu/wordpress/cps/
I N S I G H T S
W
Members serve for three-year terms. Pictured above from left are: Front row: Dr. Flo Durway, chair, of Raleigh; Mrs. Edna Rose Guy of High Point, Ms. Joanne Williams of
Greensboro; Second Row: Ms. Elaine Pruitt of Winston-Salem, Mr. William Guy of High Point, Mrs. Marilyn Parker of Winston-Salem; Third row: Dr. Mary Dalton of Jamestown;
Dr. William Allred of Burlington, Dr. Corinth Auld of Greensboro; Top Row: Dr. Karl Schleunes and Dr. Christopher McGinn, both of Greensboro. Not pictured are: Dr. Shirley
Haworth, immediate past chair, of Jamestown, Dr. Virginia Johnson of New Bern, and Dr. Jane Pfefferkorn of Winston-Salem. The Council meets again on Nov. 14, 2013.
Community Leaders Further Mission ofThe Graduate SchoolMembers of the Council for Advancement of Graduate Education
met on campus September 12 to hear updates from Dean
William Weiner on new programs at The Graduate School and
learn more about the University’s legislative agenda from Mike
Tarrant, director of strategic initiatives. Established in 2012, the
Council provides volunteer assistance for special programs such
as the Graduate Research and Creativity Expo, advises and assists
the Dean in obtaining financial support, and serves as a strong
advocate in the community.
projects by 2018 there will
be an 18% increase in the
number of jobs requiring a
master’s degree and a 17%
increase in jobs requiring
doctoral degrees.
This issue of Horizons fo-
cuses on employment out-
comes of individuals who
have completed graduate
study at UNCG. Many of the
concerns related to employment are dis-
cussed in an interview with Patrick Mad-
sen, Director of the UNCG Career Services
Center, which highlights the questions
typically asked by individuals considering
graduate education. This issue of Horizons
goes on to provide examples of the work re-
lated accomplishments of recent graduates
and of the contributions that they make
on a daily basis. As a 2012 Ph.D. graduate
of UNCG in Geography, Dr. McGinn helps
students in the classes he teaches at
North Carolina Central University under-
stand how Geography connects to such di-
vergent areas as politics and environmental
science. Frannie Varker is a graduate of the
master’s degree program in Community
and Therapeutic Recreation who is also
pursuing a master’s in Peace and Conflict
Studies. As a volunteer coordinator at the
Center for New Carolinians, she is putting
her knowledge and skills to work helping
immigrant populations acclimate to their
new surroundings. Latoya Price provides
an example of how her research within her
master’s program in Parks, Recreation,
and Leisure Studies has led to greater in-
volvement of the Hispanic population at
the Sprague St. Community Center. Now
as the senior recreation leader at the Bel-
view Neighborhood Recreation Center in
Winston-Salem, she strives to make a dif-
ference in the lives of those who the center
serves. It is clear from the stories in this
issue that graduate education has opened
doors for UNCG alumni and in turn they
are contributing much to our community
and our region.
— William Wiener,
Graduate Dean
WE SOMETIMES HEAR THE
question being asked, “Is it
worth the time, effort, and fi-
nancial commitment to earn
a graduate degree?” This is
a question that has surfaced
because the “great recession”
has cast doubt on the ben-
efits of a graduate education
in relation to its cost. With
undergraduates amassing a
combined loan debt of a trillion dollars and
individual borrowers averaging $26,600
in debt, many wonder if it is wise to take
on additional loans to earn a master’s or
doctoral degree. Adding to this doubt is
the perception that graduate students are
unable to find employment after gradua-
tion. The facts, however, point to a very
different picture for holders of a graduate
degree. Those with graduate degrees find
increased opportunities, career mobility,
higher life-long salaries, and rewarding
careers that contribute to the well-being
of our society. In many fields, a graduate
degree is fast becoming an entry-level re-
quirement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Phot
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Graduate Education Opens Doors
Career Advice? Start Early and Bring Your Passion!
I N S I G H T
http://grs.uncg.edu/horizons
Learn more…Learn more…
Learn more about UNCG’s Career Services Center
at http://csc.uncg.edu/
DDR. PATRICK MADSEN is the Director of Career
Services at UNC-Greensboro. He holds a
bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North
Carolina State University, a master’s degree
in Counselor Education from East Carolina
University, and a doctorate in Organizational
Leadership/Student Affairs from Nova
Southeastern University. Madsen studies
and presents on topics in counseling and
student development, leadership and fol-
lowership, and organizational communi-
cation. Prior to joining UNCG, he was on
staff at Johns Hopkins University, where
he served for the last seven years as director
of Career Services and director of Programs
and Education in the Carey Business School.
He has also served as assistant director of
Career Services at both Nova Southeastern
University and East Carolina University.
Madsen has significant teaching experience
as well as knowledge and experience in in-
ternational issues. He was recently selected
as an international expert on career services
and higher education for the Fulbright Spe-
cialist program.
Visit us online for more exclusive onlinecontent, including a calendar of events.Visit us online for more exclusive content.
Dr. Patrick Madsen, Director, UNCG Career Services Center
7Q U E S T I O N S
The Graduate School
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
241 Mossman Building
1202 Spring Garden Street
Greensboro, NC 27412
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1 In this economy, is it possible to land a job
just after graduation?The key is doing the work to be able to make that
happen. Building a strong career brand and powerful network can take you many places in your career.
Waiting until the last minute will hardly ever produce what you were hoping for from your job search.
2 How would you describe the job market
for recent graduates?I tell all candidates that our marketplace is an
“employer’s market” – this means that there is a greater pool of candidates to choose from and employers can
take their time and find the JUST RIGHT person for them. This forces the candidate to PROVE their worth even
more than what they had to do in previous times.
3 How early should graduate students
connect to your office?Students who want to be viable candidates should
think about connecting with our office on day one. Run through our website to learn about services, schedule
that first appointment to begin understanding your professional brand, use everything we have. IT’S FREE!
4 Do graduate students utilize your office?
What is one thing you wish all graduate studentsknew about the paths to employment?
In the last academic year, about 30% of our business was graduate students (UNCG graduates make up
about 25% of the total student body). The one thing graduate students need to realize is that education opens doors – your experience, passion, and career
brand get you THROUGH those doors.
5 What prevents some students from being hired?
Lack of passion and energy. Experience, salary, andopportunity are not just handed to you – you haveto WORK for it. Show employers that you have an
interest, motivation, and self-responsibilityand you will go VERY FAR!
6 What characteristics are most important
to convey in an interview?Passion, excitement, energy, ability to communicate,
professional image, writing skills.
7There is much talk about choosing a program where a built in market for employment exists, but this is a challenge for those who find their passions in the
humanities. Do English majors get jobs?Everyone can get a job if they put in the work.
“Built-in markets” is just a term that people useto try to make sense of the world of work – it’s
almost like picking stocks. People buy particularstocks because they had a HISTORY of success.
People do the same with career paths. Move towards a career path that you are passionate about. Research
shows that the more passion/happiness you havefor a career – the more money you will make and the
higher you can progress in your career!