STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
One of the most impactful experiences during my journey through SPCC would be being a part of the SGA. I wasn’t very involved on campus during Covid, but in my junior year, I got a recommendation to consider joining it. I applied for the 2021-2022 Executive Board and was nervous because it would be a little risky since I had no prior experience. I was accepted to be the Parliamentarian, which only increased my nerves because this was a new position in SGA, so I had to figure it out as I went. SGA itself had a lot of opportunities to volunteer and talk to other students, which also helped me grow more confident in my social skills. I noticed a lot of growth in myself with becoming a better leader because I learned how to delegate and solve problems effectively. The one thing I am most proud of is learning to communicate and stand up for myself and others. I had always struggled with this, and I’m glad that SGA taught me to voice my opinions instead of hiding them. Joining SGA with a new position was a challenge, but I learned how to persevere through the hurdles, and it is now a significant part of my journey at SPCC.
I had a lot of fun being part of the E-board because the other members were so inviting and didn’t make me feel left out even though I had not been a delegate before. Around the end of my first month in SGA, we faced a certain issue that tested our teamwork abilities. I quickly felt like I was working with some of my best friends rather than other students on campus that I didn’t know that well. Also, since most of us were minorities, it allowed us to bond with each other and appreciate different cultures. This was probably the first instance in a long time where I felt like I could truly be myself. SGA helped me become more confident in my self-identity, which was a key component I was missing while navigating through life, and now I will always carry it with me.
PSYCHOLOGY HONORS PROJECT
When starting this project, I didn’t know I would discover a love for research that would open up an entirely new path. I started working with my Psychology Instructor over the summer of 2020 to discuss an honors project I wanted to do while taking that class in the fall. This was a massive risk for me because I had never done a project like this before, and I knew that it would be time-consuming. I spent a lot of time reading about the different topics covered in Psychology and decided to research Authoritarian Parenting and Its Effect on Teen Depression. I actually had a lot of fun reading through academic journals and previously conducted studies to gather the information I would need for a literary research paper. I’m glad I took the risk and didn’t give up on trying out this new opportunity because it was one of my favorite experiences during my journey with SPCC. At the end of the semester, I was also able to present my findings to the class, and it was a lot of fun to answer other students' questions about my research! I initially thought this would be a short-term experience while I learned to navigate South Piedmont, but it ended up being a long-term commitment I loved.
I enjoyed working with my instructor, who made it easy to navigate the research and helped me maneuver around any obstacles. Formulating all the information into a cohesive paper and creating a presentation was a little tricky, but I received assistance from the Academic Support Center. I learned a lot of valuable skills about the research process during this project, such as finding reliable sources, relaying information, and understanding how to read academic writings. This experience was the beginning of my journey with research, and it will definitely follow me as I work on future projects in my next adventure.
READING & REVIEWING
Nine times out of ten, you will see me bringing a book no matter where I go. I’ve always been a huge reader from a young age, and that has been one of the few constants as I grew up and started navigating my way through life. I discovered that SPCC had a book club in the spring 2021 semester and joined it immediately. Discussing books with other readers is so exciting because I get to hear other people's thoughts and even get reminded of things I may not have noticed. I’ve been a part of this club ever since, and it has been a permanent component in my expedition through South Piedmont. It has made me better at understanding underlying meanings within books and analyzing them on a deeper level!
Aside from this, I also read frequently in my personal time. Every year I create a short list of books and set a goal for the number of books I want to read. I let my creativity choose the path I take because it doesn’t matter how I reached the end, but rather that I got there in the first place. I’ve been doing this for the past few years, and so far, I’ve reached my goal every time! I enjoy writing book reviews and like to post them on social media platforms, allowing me to connect with other readers and authors. Sometimes, I even get sent advanced readers copies of books from authors to review their book before it gets published. I love doing this because I feel like I’m also helping other people get one step closer to reaching their destination!
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF LEADERSHIP AND SUCCESS
The first time I heard about NSLS, I was a little scared because the induction process to even become a member was quite lengthy. I wasn’t sure if I could complete induction because it required me to set a goal and actively work towards achieving it. Hesitation aside, I knew that this was a risk worth taking. It would provide me with so many opportunities that would be useful not only at that current moment but also when I was further along my journey. Navigating the induction process was difficult because there were multiple steps I had to take to reach the checkered flag at the end. I attended orientation, training days, and broadcasts while regularly meeting with a group to discuss the progress on my goal.
At the end of the short expedition, I was finally inducted, and I noticed that my leadership skills were much stronger than when I had started. Consistently working towards my short-term goal became habitual, which taught me that discipline is vital to a successful journey. I joined the executive board in 2022 because I wanted to further strengthen my leadership skills and help other students persevere in their short expeditions as well. NSLS is an organization that taught me what it takes to be a successful leader, and I will take those skills to every adventure I go on in the future.