C O M I N G SO ON ! This show will look into the lives of four single moms raising their children, work ing part and fulltime jobs, juggling the responsibilities of being single moms all while balancing and building their businesses and brands as entrepreneurs. These women meet with certified personal trainers to focus on the ir physical health and struggles with weight loss; as well as life coaches that assist in thei r mental and emotion growth of being single moms and the obstacles that come with it. They also meet with a financial advisor to ensure they are growing financially as business owners in Atlanta where business in booming in so many industries for entrepreneurs.
Ra l e i g h , N o r t h C ar o lin a ( 919 ) 4 1 0 - 6 8 1 2 www . di a mo n d d iv am ag .c o m WELCOME BACK DIVAS! Havi ng a bout with depression and Fighting to get my Happi ness back I have realized the importance even more on shin ning a light on women doing awesome things, still yet while they are alive! As woman we go through so much but we still continue to smile pass the the pain. Diamond Diva Magazine has always and will continue to be a platform to Empower and Uplift Women. Just like in years pass Diamond Diva Magazine is all about shinning a light on women doing great things in business, their communities and in ministry. Throughout this last year many changes have taken place and the magazine has began to evolve into something that is amazining and ever changing for the good of all women pressing their way in business and in life. As always these women are business women, mothers, women of God and tru ly Diamond Diva’s to the fullest defintion of the word. Thank you for coming back with us for another year and for your continued support, it really means alot to us both. Sheleta Renee’
Disclaimer: Diamond Diva Magazine is published monthly. Any reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission from the publisher prior to doing so. Diamond Diva Magazine does not accept responsibility for st atements made by individuals featured or advertisers. Comments concerning this publication should be submitted to the editor by email at info@ diamonddivamag.com Diamond Diva Magazine’s publisher, staff and other persons involved in the creation, production or delivery of the magazine (in whatever format) or it’s content, do not assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information provided in the magazine, nor shall they be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages arising out of the magazine.
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Wo m e n : L o v i n g Y o u r s e l f I s About More tha n L o o k s By: B ever l ey W . B o s e ma n
focus a n d ta k e a d e e p br e a th . Wome n s h o u l d t a k e t h i s t i m e t o t hi nk a bo ut a l l o f th e th i n gs th a t t hey l o v e a bo ut th e ms e l v e s o th e r t han ph y s i ca l tr a i ts . Ma y be th e y l ove th e f a ct th a t th e y a r e k i n d to oth e r s .
W o men loving themselves is very
im po r ta nt. Altho ug h sel f-l ove i s v e r y important for a woman’s h a p piness, some women have tr o u b le in tha t a r ea of l i fe. Many wo m en a r e no t sa ti sfi ed wi t h t hei r b o d i es, and they worry a great d e a l about how other people see t h e m. Before women can be fully lo ve d b y o ther s, t hey must fi rst l e a r n to love themselves. W h a t do es it mean t o l ove your se lf ? So me p eo pl e may t hi nk t h a t it means loving the way t h e i r bodies look. If this were the c a s e , most women would not lo ve them selves. Lovi ng yoursel f is m o r e tha n j ust l ovi ng t he way y ou lo o k . W o men shoul d l ook d e e p er inside themsel ves i nst ead o f f o cusing strictly on the outside o f t h eir bodies. It is what’s on the insid e tha t c o u nts t he most . W omen sho u ld ta ke a moment t o f or g e t a b o ut a ll t he t hi ng s t hey ha te a b o u t the msel ves. They s h o u ld quit worrying about the e x t r a p o u nds they may be carryi n g o r the freckles they may have o n t heir faces. Now, it’s time to
Perha p s t h e y h a v e a f e w s p e c i a l qualit i e s , s u c h a s b e i n g g r e a t wi t h ch i l d r e n o r h e l pi n g o th e r s . These a r e th e th i n gs th a t ma tte r t he m o s t. On ce w o me n d i s co v e r what th e y l o v e a bo ut th e ms e l v e s , they s h o u l d p u t t h o s e t h i n g s i n t o act i on by pa r ti ci pa ti n g i n a c tivitie s t h a t m a k e t h e m h a p p y , such a s jo i n i n g a ch o i r o r s i gn ing u p t o h e l p t h e n e e d y p e o p l e in the c o m m u n i t y . O n c e w o m e n st art e n jo y i n g l i f e , o th e r s w i l l n ot i ce th a t th e y a r e h a ppi e r . Wh e n wome n a r e h a ppy w i th th e m sel ve s , i t i s l i k e l y th a t o th e r s w i l l enjoy t h e i r c o m p a n y m o r e .
A l i ttl e bi t o f pa m p e r in g is g r e at f o r w o me n . T a k i n g t h e e xt r a t im e to fix their hair or makeup can ma k e a r e a l d i f f e r e n c e in t h e way they feel about themselves. Women do not have to wear makeup and fix their hair to be pretty or love themselves, but it can help to make them feel more confident. A nice massage from time to time is great as well. This ca n h e l p w o me n t o r e lax an d u nwind at the end of a stressful day. R e me mbe r w o me n , lo v in g yo u rself is easier when you are not to o s tr e s s e d .
Now th a t w e h a v e f o cus e d o n t he in s i d e o f th e bo d y , l e t’ s f ocus o n th e o uts i d e . Y e s , e a r l i e r we ta l k e d a b o u t l o v e b e i n g m o r e t han jus t w h a t’ s o n th e o uts i d e , but n o w t h a t w e h a v e l e a r n e d the w a y s f o r w o m e n t o l o v e w h o they a r e o n t h e i n s i d e , w e n e e d t o add r e s s th e o uts i d e a s w e l l . Thi s d o e s n o t me a n th a t w o me n need to w o r r y a bo ut a l l o f th e i r flaws , g o o n c r a s h d i e t s o r g e t pl asti c s ur ge r y . T h i s jus t me a n s that w o m e n s h o u l d d o s p e c i a l thing s f o r t h e m s e l v e s i n o r d e r to ma k e t h e m s e l v e s f e e l b e t t e r . Regu l a r e x e r c i s e c a n m a k e a b i g differ e n c e i n t h e l i v e s o f w o m e n . Not on l y w i l l i t ma k e th e m h e a l th ier, b u t t h e y w i l l f e e l b e t t e r b o t h physi c a l l y a n d e m o t i o n a l l y . I t i s a great s t r e s s r e l i e v e r a s w e l l . Y o g a is a g r e a t e x e r c i s e o p t i o n t h a t can h e l p w o m e n b e c o m e m o r e in tou c h w i t h t h e m s e l v e s .
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T op Tips on F l i r t i n g f o r W o m e n
I f yo u wan t to k n o w how t o g e t a b oyf r ie nd or ev en t o get a ma n a t t ra c t ed t o yo u , yo u rea lly need to fl i r t. There is n o n e e d t o b e s c a r e d o f f l i r t i n g , b u t there are still many women who are terrified of it. It can be a lot of fu n a n d i t c a n b e e f f o r t l e s s t o o , p a r t i cularly if you do it right. It does not really need to be limited to those t h a t c a t c h y o u r e y e y o u e i t h e r . Y o u can flirt with older men and younger men if you wanted to. There’s n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h f l i r t i n g w i t h l a d i e s too. Knowing t h e f l i r t i n g g a m e i s q u i t e i m p o r t a n t f or a woman who wants to know how to meet men. It will get guys to n o t i c e y o u , p l u s i t i s l o t s o f f u n . B e f o r e we go forward however, I want us to spell out what flirting is. It i s no t h i n g m o re t ha n a g ood - hu m or e d a nd ha p p y t hing. I t do es no t nec essa rily signify gla ring attr ac tion. You c a n f l i r t w i t h j u s t a n y b o d y a l s o . T h e f ocus of the process must be on making the other person feel g r eat. It al so h e l ps you s e t up r a p p or t wit h s o meo ne. W hen yo u flirt , ju st b e self-a ssu red a nd d el i ghted a bout i t, n o n e e d to t a k e it s o s e r iou s . H ere a re so m e ti ps to he lp im p r ov e your f lir t ing. RELAX - la d i e s c a n b e v e r y a n x i o u s w h e n t h e y are just starting to flirt. I have a very simple advice for that, just relax . F l i r t i n g s h o u l d b e f u n . I t i s n o t a s i n k or swim scenario. It won’t matter is a guy does or doesn’t r es po nd to y o u r m o v e s . R e m e m b e r t ha t a nd mo st imp o rt a nt ly, b eliev e it . So w ha t if he igno r es y ou or gives you a d i s a p p r o v i n g l o o k ? Y o u s h o u l d n o t overreact or be all edgy when someone snubs you. Go on to the ne x t o n e an d s ha k e of f t he e x p e r ie nc e . I f yo u a re finding o u t a b o u t ho w t o t a lk t o men, f l i r ti ng can b e a gre at to o l , u se it t o you r a d v a nt a g e . SEND THE R I G H T M E S S A G E - T h i s i s w h e r e m o r e than a few women, and even men, go wrong. Your message has to be a c a s u a l ‘ S e e i n g y o u t o d a y h a s r e ally made me happy.’ It should never be like, ‘I really, really like you. P l e a s e r e a l l y , r e a l l y l i k e m e a s w e l l . ’ Keep things in the now, you don’t have to be anxious about where th i n g s g o a f t er w a r d s . J u s t h a v e f u n w i th what you are doing. It’s good if it progresses outside the flir ti ng. If n o t, l e t i t h a p p e n, a t le a s t you ha d fu n. BE YOURS E L F - T h i s i s i n c r e d i b l y s i m p l e a d v i c e, but it looks to have gotten lost somewhere. Women now a nd then fai l to re m e m b e r t ha t t he y ha v e t o be t hemselv es w hile t hey flirt . Y o u do n’ t need a new per s onality. Lea r n t o h a v e a g o o d t i m e w i t h w h o y o u are. There is n o t h i n g w r o n g w i t h f l i r t i n g , d o i t i f y o u want to. Unwind and be light and cheerful when you do it. Make sur e y o u s e n d t h e c o r r e c t m e s s a g e a n d just be you. Lea rn the art o f h o w t o g e t a b oyf r ie nd a nd h o w t o t a lk t o men.
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By: Sheleta Renee
A Queen with a voice and a huge vision is how we summed it all up for Tamia McCray. Mrs. Tamia is from Gastonia North Carolina by way of Atlanta Georgia. When we talk about a force to be reckoned with if you look in the dictionary you will find a picture of her lovely face. She is a well-rounded multifaceted career woman with a ton of hats that she rocks the heck out of. A graduated of NC A&T State University where she studied Psychology and was also granted her Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling where she practiced for many years in Atlanta, GA in the mental health profession. After being exposed to the entertainment industry through her husband’s business she took a strong interest in styling hair and event planning. Through this she was able to pursue her cosmetology career and open up her first of six salons, On Point Stylez and Cutz & Barbershop, Lawrenceville GA, Weave Express, Fayetteville NC, Weave Doctors Salon, Greensboro NC, WD Hair Bar, Charlotte NC, and Weave Doctors Salon Greenville, Greenville NC. Talk about an accomplishment as an Afro-American Woman. This Queen being more than just her hair she also owns A1 Events, Promotions and PR Firm where she works as lead event coordinator, coordinating concerts, small events as well as promotional and public relations where she services the east coast. As this wasn’t enough her list of accomplishments continued to grow with Second chance Coalition, a nonprofit organization servicing the community of North Carolina with resources and programs to give those in need a thrive and a second chance. Through this program she also provides programs with Mental Health, Mentorship, Women Empowerment, Health Resources as well as College Resources and Scholarships all much needed programs in our communities today. When asked what her greatest accomplishment has been since she jumped into the business world she stated, “In the salon business, I value that my salon has become a brand or household name in the community. My event planning business has created, executed and planned a concert at Greensboro, NC with Boosie, Plies, Young Dro and many more special guests. All my businesses have derived from passions that I enjoy. I hope to grow each business so that my children will continue to profit and take over one day; I call them my Legacy Hustlers.” Desiring to dig a little further we wanted to know more about this thrill taker, what motivates her, what was her drive to keep pushing, who keeps her moving. Being with the love of her life for 20 years now and married for 15 they share a beautiful 16 year old daughter. She also has older sons that she has raised from young ages. She carries a huge void in her life at the loss of both of her parents whose lives were snatched 7 months apart from cancer. That in itself left her with a void that has made her focus on living more and never take anything for granted, “I do not hesitate to make a move, life is just way too short”. That inspiration we were looking for she states comes from her kids, “they look up to me and I have to always make them proud. I know failure is only the gasoline behind my drive but I don’t operate in fear”. Being such a busy bee you would think that she never has time for self, but surprisingly enough she makes time for those special little moments like watching TV cuddled up on the couch with her dogs, man’s now women’s best friend, gotta love them. She also has initiated a YouTube Live/Facebook Live Show called Trending in the Triad which she informs the community about current trends in news and pop culture as well as small business and Musical talent guest every week on Tuesday at 8pm. India Arie says I am not my hair, but knowing that so many women take pride in their hair, we wanted to know what was it about hair that peaked her interest to want to do others hair, “Honestly I have always loved changing my hair and people always ask who did mine. I started doing my friends hair and that led to me going to hair school and pursuing my dream in salon ownership”. Being a doctor in anything is a high title to carry. Hearing that Tamia was called the Weave Doctor I had to find out how and
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www.diamonddivamag.com why she was given that title. Tamia tells us that her husband was planning on opening up a barbershop named Head Doctors, having just sold her salon in Fayetteville and working on opening a Greensboro location which her husband named Weave Doctor Salon, she began working on her craft to master being the best Weaveologist in her area, which fueled the name, “honestly, you can’t carry a name like this without being truly the truth”. Being a Diamond Diva we are all about reaching back and helping someone else. We always ask what advice would you give to a young woman just starting out or have a desire to go in business but have no idea what to do with her hopes and dreams? Her response was simple, “Pray about it, ask God for direction and discernment. I would also say to her, to never be scared to fly or jump! It was truly amazing getting to know this Diva. In closing we wanted to find out was there anything in particular that she wanted to share with our readers that was not asked or that she really wanted our readers to know about her, she had this to say, “I Love to teach others how to WIN weather it’s my walk or mentorship”. Contact Info: Weave Doctors Salon 3008 W. Gate City Blvd. Greensboro, NC 336.621.1644 A1 Events Promotions and PR Firm 678.458.3755 Second Chance Coalition 678.458.3755 McCray Communications 4229 1st Ave Tucker GA McCray Bail Bonds 336.937.6504
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From C ol l eg e B ound t o Co l l e g e Re a d y w i th D ed r a E a t m o n B y: C or r et t a L. D octo r
Being a college student isn’t the same a s i t w a s i n 1 9 9 1 , w h e n D e d r a E a t m o n , P h . D . s t e p p e d on the cam pus of North Carolina Agri c u l t u r a l & T e c h n i c a l S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y ( A & T ) . D r . D e e , a nickname given by family and friends , i s a G r e e n s b o r o , N o r t h C a r o l i n a n a t i v e w h o h a d n o idea tha t her ed ucat i onal and profess i o n a l pa th w o ul d l e a d h e r to s ta r ti n g a co mpa n y gui ding students through the first year of c o l l e g e . W h i l e t h i s w a s n ’ t o n h e r m i n d a s a f r e s h m a n a t A &T , the see d s were pl ant ed when sh e r e tur n e d to h e r a l ma ma te r a l mo s t 2 0 y e a r s l a te r t o teach. It was at that time she began t o n o t i c e m a n y o f h e r f r e s h m a n s t u d e n t s f a c i n g s i m i l a r challenges each fall term and experie n c i n g v a r i o u s l e v e l s o f d i f f i c u l t y n a v i g a t i n g t h e i r n e w edu c a tio nal (and resi d ent i al ) envi ron me n t. Dr. Dee is a first-generation college stu d e n t h e r s e l f a n d r e m e m b e r s t h e t h i n g s t h a t s h e d i d n ’ t know how t o do when she first enrolle d a t A & T . “ I w a s s m a r t a n d w e n t t o a h i g h s c h o o l fo r bright students, so I rested on that for a w h i l e a n d d i d n ’ t e x p e r i e n c e m a n y o f t h e a c a d e m i c c ha llenges unt i l my major (el ect ri cal e n gi n e e r i n g) go t h a r d . H o w e v e r , I d i d n ’ t k n o w ma n y of the unwritten things that people ex p e c t o f y o u i n c o l l e g e . I w a s a d i a m o n d i n t h e r o u g h and had none of the polish that come s w i t h k n o w i n g h o w t o n e t w o r k , b e p r o f e s s i o n a l , a n d dress appropriately for different situat i o n s . I w a s s i m p l y a c o l l e g e s t u d e n t a n d I t h o u g h t t h a t wa s eno ugh . It wasn’t .” Lea r ning les sons t hroug h personal exp e r i e n ce i s pa r t o f be co mi n g a n a d ul t a n d w e ca n all look back at the numerous gaffes we m a d e i n o u r l a t e t e e n s a n d e a r l y 2 0 s . S e e i n g n o w what she didn’t know then and some t i m e s w o n d e r i n g h o w s h e m a n a g e d t o m a k e i t a l l t h e wa y to the d oct orat e, Dr. Dee arms fres h me n w i th th e to o l s n e ce s s a r y to ma x i mi ze th e i r college experience. Her road through a n d t o e d u c a t i o n i s a c o n v o l u t e d o n e t h a t b e g a n w i t h attending the NC School of Science & M a t h e m a t i c s i n D u r h a m . S t u d e n t s a t N C S S M l i v e o n c a mp u s a nd g et t he experi ence of bei n g a w a y f r o m h o me a n d ma k i n g i n d e pe n d e n t d e c ic o n t . o n pa g e 1 8
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Corretta Doctor is a daughter, mom, gr a n d mo th e r , l e ctur e r , l i f e c o ac h , a n d o w n e r o f a n i n te r n a ti o n al c o mpa n y ca l l e d T h e A Li s t Agen c y. S h e s pe n t 2 4 y e a r s i n a ca r e e r as a p r o fessional at the Executive level in P r o cur e me n t a n d S uppl y Ch ain M ana ge me n t a n d l i v e d qui te c o m f o r ta bl y w i th h e r 6 - f i gur e s a lar y. N o t only did she serve in the military for 10 years, she also has two degrees, multiple professional development ce r ti f i ca ti o n s a n d tr a v e l s a ro u n d t h e world motivating, and encouraging others. From the outside looking in, this Diva really has it together but w h a t pe o pl e d o n ’ t s e e i s h e r e m o tional struggle with depression and suicide. Al l i n o n e , h e r pe r s o n a l s to r y is e n gaging, confusing, disheartening, upl i f ti n g, un co mf o r ta bl e , an d e nco ur a gi n g. T o a l l o f th e w om an an d me n w h o s tr uggl e w i th n o t kn o wing who you are, where you came f r o m, o r w h a t y o ur pur po s e is h e r e o n e a r th , Ms . Do cto r s e e k s to e m p o w e r y o u a n d l e t y o u k n o w t h at y o u a r e n o t a l o n e . H e r l i f e s to r y i s s t ill u n f o lding but as a field advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, her main goal above all i s s ui ci d e pr e v e n ti o n f o r h er s e lf ( ye s , s h e s ti l l ba ttl e s th e s e e mo t io n s o cca s i o n a l l y ) a n d f o r o th e r fam ilie s in cr i s i s . Co r r e tta Do cto r w a s gi v e n u p f o r a d o pti o n a t 6 mo n th s o l d an d always believed her birth mother died when she was six years old. From her te e n y e a r s a l l th e w a y th ro u g h h e r thirties, she searched high and low f o r h e r bi o l o gi ca l f a th e r a n d h ad d ev e l o pe d r e l a ti o n s h i ps w i th tw o d if f e r ent men whom she believed could be her father. Then, the devastating tr uth w a s r e v e a l e d w h e n s h e w as in h e r e a r l y f o r ti e s . Ms . Do ctor le ar n e d th a t h e r mo th e r w a s n o t d e ad an d that in fact, the woman she knew as h e r a un t w a s a ctua l l y h e r bir t h m o t h e r . De v a s ta te d , co n f us e d , an d e xtremely hurt, Corretta realized that s h e w a s th e v i cti m o f f a mi l y lie s , s e crets and deceit. As a consequence, a l l o f th o s e th o ugh ts o f s ui c id e c am e raging back to her. Co r r e tta ’ s mo s t r e ce n t (a n d m o s t t r a u m a t i c ) a t t e m p t a t s u i c id e w a s i n July 2015 and that disturbing event was the biggest catapult for her to make important life changes and
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www.diamonddivamag.com b e c o me the woman that we see now. She has a ne w lea se o n lif e and i s worki ng on bui l d ing better r ela tio nshi ps wi t h her mot her and h e r d aughter. She said she is “cool with who I a m ” a nd sa y s “ I di d n’t fal l from g race...I just ste p ped do wn.” It ’ s a sl ow process but she is no lo nger emb a rrassed or ashamed and i s c om f o r ta b le with who she i s now. W h e n asked what advice she could share with o u r r eaders, Ms. Doctor encourages anyone w h o i s feeling depressed or despair to seek he lp . She k no ws t hat i t i s not easy but you h a v e to verbalize your feelings. If you decide t o s e ek professional therapy, it is ok to know tha t y o u m a y need t o meet wi t h a few d i f f e re nt c o u nselo r s unt i l you fi nd someone you f e e l comfortable with. Corretta believes that sta y in g a c tive in the fi g ht for your l i fe i s cri t i c a l a nd that can easily be done by simply sta y in g inf o r med. She encourag es our reade r s to f eel im p o r tant enoug h t o keep yours e l f a live and find someone who will help you k e e p t o ta l a c c o u ntabi l i t y for you. C o r r e tta Doctor is sharing her entire story in he r new b o o k entitl ed “Di scoveri ng Me” and i t w i l l be available for purchase in May 2016. Y ou c a n f ind a n excerpt of her book on her w e b s i te:www.correttadoctor.com Stay tuned a s D i amond Diva Magazine keeps up with this a m az i ng wo m a n a nd her st ory! D I D Y OU K N OW ?: In 2013 (t he most recent year f or w h ic h f ull da ta i s avai l abl e), 41,149 sui c i d e s were reported in the US, making suicide the 10th lea ding cause of d eat h for Americ ans. In tha t y ea r , someone i n t he count ry d i e d by suicide every 12.8 minutes. If you are in a c r isis, visitwww .asfp.org or cal l 1-800-273TALK.
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Fro m C ol l eg e B ound t o Co l l e g e Rea d y w i th D ed r a E a t m o n .... c o n t . s i o n s as 11th and 12th graders. From there s h e e n t e r e d a s a n e l e c t r i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g m a j o r , a d e g r e e t h a t s h e w a s ste e r ed to wa r d and had t he capaci t y t o d o , but d i d n ’ t l o v e . De s pi te th i s , s h e s tuck i t o ut, e a r n ed h e r b ac h e lo r ’s a nd went o n to Nort h Carol i na St at e Uni vers i ty to e a r n a ma s te r ’ s d e gr e e i n co mpute r e n gi n e e r i n g . It w as d u r in g t h a t time she was asked to teach for a Satu r d a y e n r i c h m e n t p r o g r a m a n d t h i s s p a r k e d h e r i n t e r e s t i n e d u c a t i o n . S h e wasn’t sure in which direction she want e d t o p u r s u e a c a r e e r a n d t o o k a j o b i n t h e i n d u s t r y a s a n e n g i n e e r in n o r ther n V ir gin i a, whi l e t eachi ng part -t i me a t co mmun i ty co l l e ge . S h e f o un d th a t e d uca ti o n w as m o r e g r at i f y ing f o r her tha n eng i neeri ng and d eci d ed to pur s ue th a t r o ute , s ti l l a ppr e ci a ti v e o f th e k n o w le d g e b as e an d r e la tio nship s she d evel oped t hroug h bot h e n gi n e e r i n g d e gr e e s . “ Al th o ugh I w a s l e a v i n g th e i n d u s t r y t o p u r s u e t h e doctorate at UNC (Chapel Hill), I was ta k i n g w i t h m e t h e a n a l y t i c a l p r o c e s s a n d l o g i c a l a p p r o a c h t h a t c o m e s f r o m working as an engineer. I wouldn’t tr a d e t h a t f o r t h e w o r l d . ” S h e f e e l s b e i n g a n e n g i n e e r a c t u a l l y m a d e h e r a better educator. Teaching high schoo l a n d c o l l e g e , s h e o f t e n s h a r e d s t o r i e s w i t h s t u d e n t s a b o u t h o w t h i n g s the y lea r ned a t th ose st ag es of t hei r ed ucati o n w o ul d be be n e f i ci a l a s y o un g pr o f e s s i o n a l s . “ N e cessity is the mot her of i nvent i on.” Wat ch i n g h e r f i r s t- y e a r s tud e n ts f a ce ch a l l e n ge s e a ch y e ar m o t iv at e d D r . D e e to b egin givi ng free workshops at t he l o ca l l i br a r y to a d v i s e f i r s t- y e a r s tud e n ts a n d th e i r p ar e n t s . He r g o al w a s for the knowledge and advice in her w o r k s h o p s t o m o v e s t u d e n t s f r o m c o l l e g e - b o u n d to c o l l e g e r e a d y . T he se wo r k sho p s became what i s now Tassel to T a s s e l , a co l l e ge r e a d i n e s s a n d n a v i ga ti o n pr o g r am f o c u s in g o n t h e first year that guides students through t h e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m h i g h s c h o o l t o c o l l e g e . T h r o u g h h e r w e b - b a s e d w e binars, videos, blog posts, and social me d i a c h a l l e n g e s , s h e g i v e s f r e s h m a n s t u d e n t s ( a n d t h e i r p a r e n t s ) t h e to o ls they need to have an awesome fi rst ye a r . Dr . De e h a s d o n e th i s i n f o r ma l l y a n d f o r ma l l y f o r ye ar s an d s h e is g o o d at it. She understands the big picture a n d i s l i k e t h e c o o l a u n t w h o c a n g e t t h r o u g h t o a c h i l d w h e n t h e y d o n ’t always liste n to their parents. Her wor d s , t h o u g h s o m e t i m e s t o u g h , a r e s a i d w i t h l o v e a n d a n u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t being amazing isn’t as easy as some pe o p l e m a k e i t s e e m . S h e a l s o p u s h e s s t u d e n t s t o b e t h e b e s t v e r s i o n s o f them selves a nd embrace t he uncert ai nt y th a t co me s w i th gr o w i n g th r o ugh th e co l l e ge tr a n s it io n . H a ving a gr ea t c ol l eg e experi ence i sn’t sol e l y a bo ut th e a ca d e mi c e x pe r i e n ce . I t a l s o i s n ’ t a l l s o c ial. A c c o r d in g t o Dr. Dee, it’s about prioritizing when to d o w h i c h a n d k n o w i n g t h a t w o r k i n g h a r d a n d h a v i n g f u n d o n ’ t h a v e t o be mutually exclusive. They can co-exis t , b u t i t t a k e s t i m e . “ T h e f i r s t t h i n g s s t u d e n t s h a v e t o l e a r n i s h o w t o le a r n. T hey a lso have t o d evel op new habi ts . S tud y i n g a s a co l l e ge s tud e n t l o o k s ma r k e d l y d i f f e r e n t f r o m w h at stu d ents k no w a s st ud yi ng when t hey were i n h i gh s ch o o l , r e ga r d l e s s o f ba ck gr o un d . I t’ s r e a d i n g f o r u n d e r s t an di n g , attending all class meetings, asking for h e l p , m a k i n g o u t l i n e s a n d w r i t i n g s e v e r a l d r a f t s o f p a p e r s , a t t e n d i n g o f f ic e ho u r s, stu dy g roups wi t h ot hers who ca n f i l l i n ga ps a n d o th e r th i n gs th a t ma y f e e l n e w . It ’s a n e w b all g am e, a dif f er ent worl d , i f you wi l l .” The bi gge s t ch a l l e n ge i s th a t th i s mus t h a ppe n w h i l e s tud e n t s ar e le ar n in g to be go o d stude nt s and are al so maki ng d e ci s i o n s a s a d ul ts f o r th e f i r s t ti me . T h e r e a r e a n umbe r o f r e s o u r c e s o n e v e ry campus that are underutilized becau s e s t u d e n t s , m a n y o f w h o m w e r e e x t r e m e l y s u c c e s s f u l i n h i g h s c h o o l , p r e viously had no need for them and don’t k n o w h o w t o b e g i n t o a c c e s s t h e m w h e n t h e y n e ed h e l p . T a s s e l t o T a ssel gets them t here. T a s s el to Tassel is all about college succes s , f r o m e v e r y a n g l e . S t u d e n t s w h o w o r k w i t h D r . D e e k n o w h o w t o c o mfortably have conversations with their p r o f e s s o r s a n d a d v i s o r s a n d t h e y k n o w h o w t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e r e so u r c es tha t ex i st on t hei r campus wi t hout h e s i ta ti o n . S tud i e s s h o w th a t i n ma n y i n s ta n ce s co lle g e g r ad u at io n c an b e p r edic ted from t he number of hours s ucce s s f ul l y co mpl e te d d ur i n g f r e s h ma n y e a r . T h i s m e an s t h e b e t t e r a s tudent’s f r eshman year, t he l ess money i s s pe n t o n r e pe a t cr e d i ts , th e mo r e l i k e l y th e y gr a d uat e o n e t im e . He r stu d ents a lso b ecome more confi d ent and e mpo w e r e d be ca us e th e y k n o w h o w to n a v i ga te a c ad e m ic , p r o f e s s i o n al, and personal situations. They are b e t t e r p r e p a r e d t o p a r t i c i p a t e i n r e s e a r c h a n d i n t e r n s h i p s a n d b e g i n t o t hink about graduate school. Once aske d i f T a s s e l t o T a s s e l w o r k s w i t h s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h g r a d u a t i o n , D r . D e e r e p li ed “ No . If a s t ud ent st i l l need s me at t h a t po i n t, th e n I h a v e n ’ t d o n e my jo b. ” T h e go a l i s f o r s t u d e n t s t o g r o w into their indep end ence and whi l e abl e t o ma k e th e i r o w n d e ci s i o n s , d o s o i n a w a y th a t i s i n th e ir b e s t in t e r e s t . “ I g i ve them a b oost and t hey t ake i t t he re s t o f th e w a y . ” D r. D ee lef t her posi t i on as associ at e d i recto r o f a n a ca d e mi c s uppo r t pr o gr a m f o r s ci e n ce ma j o r s at M ic h ig an S t a t e University to move back to the east c o a s t a n d b u i l d T a s s e l t o T a s s e l . S h e i s c o n s t a n t l y d e v e l o p i n g c o n t e n t f o r Tassel to Tassel and finding new platform s t o a d d r e s s t h e n e e d s o f s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h t h e c o l l e g e t r a n s i t i o n . T o f in d o ut m o r e a b out her servi ces and offeri n gs , v i s i t h e r w e bs i te (w w w . ta s s e l to ta s s e l . co m), ch e c k o u t h e r F ac eb o o k page or send an email (info@tasseltot a s s e l . c o m ) . W i t h h e r g u i d a n c e y o u c a n g e t c o l l e g e r e a d y ! - E N D -
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