Central Connecticut State University Pre-Collegiate and Access Services Winter Newsletter Winter 2014 Issue February 2014 ConnCAP Alumni Profiles Name: Ramyr Gonzalez-Patterson Education: BA in Human Development and Family Relation, UConn, 2001. Masters in Social Work, UConn, 2008. Career: As a social worker for an elementary school in New Britain, I work with children and assist them in meeting their educational goals. Student Advice: My advice for students would be the following: have a passion for the goal(s) that you set and keep yourself open to change and ongoing learning opportunities. In order to grow both personally and professionally, you have to be open and willing to learn and accept change. Name: Kamil Wojnowski Education: BA in English; minor in Creative Writing, Spring 2014 (expected graduation). Career: I am the managing editor of the Helix, Central’s literary magazine, and I’m an Editorial Assistant for 20-Something Magazine, an online-only publication. Student Advice: I’ve had to face many challenges, many of them beyond what a typical student might experience, like the muscle wasting condition I have, Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy. My advice to students, as clichéd as it may sound, is basically this: Work hard. Don’t give up. Don’t let your circumstances overcome your ability to achieve something. EOP Alumni Profiles Name: Elsa Saavedra-Rodriguez (right). Pictured with Cindy Cayer (left) and Cathie Jost (middle). Education: BA in Sociology; minor in social work, Fall 1980 Career: I work as the principal of Smalley Academy, an elementary school in New Britain. I am proud to positively impact the lives of young people in my home town. Student Advice: Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow and develop your potential. Accomplish your goals by believing in yourself, working hard, and persevering. Name: India Somerville Education: BA in Communication; minor in Sociology, 2008. Masters in School Counseling, Spring 2014 Career: I work with Educational Talent Search Trio Program at Anne Arundel Community College in Maryland, helping first generation college students transition from high school to college. Student Advice: Goals must be set; however, they can be extremely difficult to obtain, but if you keep those goals your main focus, you too can do any and everything you want...This girl did! Name: Marlon Virtue Education: BS in Business Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. Career: Owner and operator of Vendysnack, a local start up. Student Advice: Hard work is the key to success; stay focus and utilize your network to help you achieve your goal and dreams. Stay grounded and always remember those who helped you get where you are and those who will stand by you. Updates from the Director... Greetings! The Winter Newsletter focuses on ConnCAP and EOP graduates and their academic and professional accomplishments. These successful alumni demonstrate CCSU’s motto: “Start with a dream. Finish with a future.” They exemplify strong leadership skills and academic excellence. CCSU and PAS programs have opened up great opportunities for them. Awilda Reasco Pre-Collegiate and Access Services Copernicus Room 205 1615 Stanley Street New Britain, CT 06050 Phone: 860-832-1902 Fax: 860-832-0191 www.ccsu.edu/PAS WINTER 2014 ISSUE PRE-COLLEGIATE AND A CCESS SERVICES WINTER NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 College Planning Student Statistics! ConnCAP / EOP Student Recognized for Citizenship ConnCAP high school juniors and seniors visited Southern Connecticut State University in November. Students toured and researched several schools before sending out applications. Acceptance letters have arrived; decisions are being made! EOP and ConnCAP programs are proud to announce academic data. In EOP student Andrew Greene- EOP, 96% of Billie receives academic students advising from graduate have a 2.00 advisor Erica Rodriguez. GPA or higher, with 66% maintaining a 2.5 GPA or higher. Of the ConnCAP CCSU undergraduates, 73% have a 2.5 GPA or higher, with 96% maintaining a 2.0 GPA or higher. ConnCAP high school senior Guillermo Maldonado received the October 2013 “Superintendent’s Award” from New Britain Schools Superintendent Kelt Cooper. Guillermo’s dedication to his studies, his good citizenship, and his positivity make him a standout student. Guillermo sets high personal goals and values his education. He has been accepted into CCSU’s EOP Program this summer and will attend CCSU for the fall semester. ConnCAP Annual Potluck ConnCAP families and alumni joined Pre-Collegiate staff for the annual potluck parent meeting, which took place December 18, 2013 , at New Britain High School. Academy social worker. Idalia CrespoVillarini, School Counseling Director and ConnCAP alumna, also joined in the festivities. A great time was had by all in attendance. Families contributed to a raffle in order to support the student scholarship fund. Guest speakers included Mr. Mark Fernandes , Principal of NBHS, and Ramyr GonzalezPatterson, ConnCAP alumna and Smalley PAS Staff Awilda Reasco, Director Top: ConnCAP seniors Asfia Qutub and Jeremy Anderson studying in the high school ConnCAP room; Bottom: ConnCAP students visit Travelers Claim University. What’s Happening in PAS? Harry Pacheco, Associate Director Milly Velez, High School Site Coordinator Shirami Barceló, Middle School Site Coordinator Carmen Medina, Secretary 2 Erin Alicandro, University Assistant Thank you to Patrick Wilkinson, our student newsletter assistant! January Events:  ConnCAP Parent Meeting  ConnCAP Professional Development Staff Retreat February Events:  ConnCAP HS Parent Meeting  ConnCAP After School Program  EOP Recruitment Orientation March Events:  ConnCAP HS Parent Meeting  EOP Network Gathering  ConnCAP After School Program  ConnCAP Etiquette Banquet  Student Worker Appreciation Luncheon April Events:  ConnCAP Meet and Greet, Alumni Event