NEWSLETTER

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Featured above are five students trying Korean food at

the Sobahn Restaurant as part of an IS Course offered

this summer through SSS. 23 students participated in

the course, which used food as a tool to better

understand the diversity of the human experience.

Students described the course as giving a "new

perspective on different countries, different cultures."

Another student shared: "I enjoyed my time and also

sharing the experience with some friends."

Students sampled two local restaurants trying Ethiopian

and Korean food, wrote a research paper and blog posts,

and completed a group presentation. Restaurant

attendees experienced the etiquette of eating in different

cultures and learned to use bread as silverware, handle

chopsticks, and share food on a spinning glass table!

Are you interested in completing a core class for free?

Watch for the next class to be offered in summer 2018.

Welcome back!

IS SUMMER COURSE

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

IN THIS ISSUE

1

PAGE 1IS SUMMER COURSE

PAGE 2SUMMER BRIDGE NEW SSS STUDENTS UPCOMING DATES ANNOUNCEMENTS

MEET THE STAFF

SCHOLARSHIP INFOCAREER CORNERDEAN'S LIST STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

PAGE 3

PAGE 4

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SUMMER BRIDGE

WELCOME NEW TO AVILA SSS STUDENTS!

Destiny Benson: Blue Springs, MO Natalie Brown: Lindsborg, KS Shelby Brown: Kansas City, MO BreLande Edmond: Peculiar, MO Danielle Fisher: Nixa, MO Manual Hernandez: Kansas City, KS Tristen Hulsey: Boss, MO Erin Jackson: Kansas City MO Riley Justus: Kansas City, MO Mallory Kremer: Linn, MO Shi Lee: Liberty, MO Hanna Ly: Kansas City, MO Peyton Milstead: Olathe, KS Asyiah Ozburn: Osage Beach, MO Thomas Patton: St. Louis, MO Alex Pena: Kansas City, KS Jaysha Pittman: Kansas City, MO Katherine Sarmiento: Merriam, KS Isabel Seiter: St. Joseph, MO Alyssa Sipes: Fenton, MO Kelly Ulrich: St. Charles, MO Ashlin Vasquez: Kansas City, MO Nick Williams: O'Fallon, MO

UPCOMING DATES

Featured above are Brelande Edmond, Jaysha Pittman, and Ashlin Vasquez as they finished a tour of the Kauffman Foundation and KC local business, Dimensional Innovations. Not only did they see local career options, but explored some of the Kansas City heritage left by Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman.

These three participated in Avila's first ever SSS Summer Bridge Program for three weeks in August, which included not only trips like the one featured, but the opportunity to take Math 120 for free with Dr. Nick Haverhalls. It was a busy summer! Outside of class time, bridge participants traveled to Wayside Waifs for a community service activity, participated in career development activities, and completed college preparation workshops.

These students were joined by other first time to Avila students who moved in a week early to participate in college preparatory classes, career services events, and take trips to the arboretum and WWI Museum as an effort to prepare themselves for college courses and begin to establish a network in KC and at Avila.

These students are part of a large group of new SSS students - both first time to Avila and transfer students joining the SSS program. We look forward to welcoming all students who are new to the program!

Connect with an alumni mentor in your major to learn more about your field, get resume feedback, and start building your network! Contact Elizabeth McKinley to find out more.Check out updates to the website: you can find links to scholarship information (under helpful links) and schedule an appointment without even sending an email! FAFSA, FAFSA, FAFSA. Did you know that some FAFSA funds run out if you do not apply early? FAFSA applications open October 1 (we will be having a FAFSA workshop on October 3 and 4 with assistance from Financial Aid). Apply online at https://fafsa.ed.gov/ Change is in the air! Come see the new office decor including a comfy couch and an anatomical model and explore the updated Facebook page (Avila University SSS: Inspired to Achieve)- follow us for updates.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AUGUST 31Cultural Event: Chiefs Game

SEPTEMBERWorkshops: -Time Management -Financial Literacy, Bank of America -Career Planning: Goals and Visions -Positivity and Anti-Anxiety OCTOBER

NOVEMBERCultural Event: Rock Climbing Workshops: -Scholarship Session -Enrollment Party -Linked In

Cultural Event: Kinky Boots Workshops: -FAFSA -Alumni Career Presentation -Note Taking and Reading Tips -Zumba

DECEMBERWorkshops: -Drumming for Stress Relief

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Meet the Staff

DR. VALERIE MENDOZA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SSS

REGAN BAKER ACADEMIC COORDINATOR

ANNA MCDONALD DIRECTOR OF TRIO

EVA COLLINS TRIO OFFICE MANAGER/CAREER

SERVICES SPECIALIST

Originally from Kansas, Dr. Mendoza received her Ph.D. in history and has served as a history professor at various universities specializing in 20th Century US history and Latinx studies. She’s written a book manuscript on the history of Mexicans in Kansas City. She loves eating popcorn and watching movies with her dog and daughter. A self-professed self-care expert, she is a dedicated yogi and practices mindfulness daily for stress relief. She’s happy to share her tips and tricks!

Anna is a Nebraska native who is in her 6th year at Avila working in TRIO. From a triple major that included secondary education at Midland University in NE, she transitioned into Upward Bound. Now she has her master's at Avila in Organization Development and Project management and spends her free time traveling, kayaking, hiking, biking, and watching sci-fi thrillers and horror movies (we in the TRIO office are looking forward to her promised screen writing of something called Rock-o-dile).

Originally from Chicago, Eva has lived in California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Indiana, before moving to Kansas 3 years ago. She loves meeting new people and exploring cities. Her career path has included outside sales, account management, training, and career development. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, and living a healthy lifestyle. She loves to travel and visits her children that live in Connecticut and Wyoming as often as she can.

Regan Baker started this May as an academic coordinator. Her position will be working closely with Juniors and seniors, coordinating tutoring opportunities, co-teaching First-year seminar, and working with our Living Learning Community in Wiley Hall. She is a proud dog owner (meet Dino, featured above) and works freelance as a copy editor, so feel free to ask her to look over writing assignments or resumes.

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CAREER CORNER

SCHOLARSHIP INFO

Due in August: AFSA Second Chance Scholarship Date: Aug 30 Amount: $1,000 Eligibility: All citizens (random drawing)

Custody X Change Giving Program Date: Aug 31 Amount: $500-$1,000 Eligibility: Primary physical custody of a minor, 3.0 GPA minimum

Student Scholarship from Noplag! Date: Aug 31 Amount: $3,500 Eligibility: Top 10% of class, leadership, character

Due in September: Scholarships4Moms Date: Sept 15 Amount: $10,000 Eligibility: Mom pursuing a degree

GE/LNESC Scholarship Date: Sept 28 Amount: $5,000 Eligibility: Minority, sophomore in fall, 2.5+ GPA, business or engineering major

Active Life for Financial Literacy Date: Sept 30 Amount: $1,000 Eligibility: All current college students

DEAN'S LIST

Career management is a process of exploration and discovery. That is why we strive to provide many opportunities for you to get the education, experience and exposure needed to succeed in your career goals.

We can help you with: +Paid Internships +Resume Development +Work Study Positions +Networking with Alumni +Dressing for Success – Free Suiting and More !

Events and career information will be posted in Canvas.

Congratulations to SSS students who made the Dean's List for the Spring 2017 semester!

Logan ArcanoTony BakerCollin BaumannBrandon BrewsterKennedy BrightMackenzie ConnaughtonStephen ConwayJuan DeHaroTraneece DickersonJessica DunnBethany ElliottChelsea EspinoJordan FarmerPenny FennKali Gotts-TrefyAllie HornbostelJacob JoerszAraceli Juarez

Do you want more information? Check out the changes on our website for a full list of scholarships, scholarship requirements, and links to applications.

Ty Larsen Ariana Linnenbrink Kateri Lovell Hannah Masters Sydney Meers Mckenna Mendenhall Abigail Morris Indra Mursid Anna Nguyen Yessica Ramirez JJ Russell Ryan Sanchez Hazem Tariq Grace Tibbetts Matthew Truong Kyler Tusay Alex Wahlbrink

Due in October: Study Abroad: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program Date: Oct 3, March 6 Amount: $5,000 Eligibility: Pell-grant eligible, applying to study abroad for at least 4 weeks

La Unidad Latina Foundation Date: Oct 15 Amount: $5,000 Eligibility: Latino, GPA above 2.8, sophomore or above

Due in December Girls Who Illustrate Awesomeness Date: Dec 1 Amount: $750 Eligibility: Woman of color, 3.0 GPA minimum

Custody X Change Giving Program Date: Dec 31 Amount: $500-$1,000 Eligibility: Primary physical custody of a minor, 3.0 GPA minimum

Scholarship Zone Date: Dec 31 Amount: $10,000 Eligibility: All citizens (random drawing)

I’m originally from Phnom Penh, Cambodia but I have lived in the United States almost all of my life. I’m a senior majoring in Art Therapy and minoring in Women and Gender Studies. After I graduate from Avila, I plan to get my Master’s in Art Therapy in hopes of helping veterans. My passions lie in traveling, social justice issues, and promoting mental health awareness. I also enjoy watching tv shows, listening to jazz, and drinking coffee. My favorite thing about Avila University is the numerous opportunities to travel domestically and abroad.

Spotlight:Indra Mursid