Stories of our student employees
NEED CAREER TIPS? Counselor gives advice p. 9
STUDENT PROFILES
The students who
WEAR MANY HATS
start on p. 3
p. 6
Spring 2017 | Issue No. 1
Learn & Work Magazine | Spring 2017, Issue No. 1 Table of Contents A Message from the Director | by Tosha Giuffrida ..................................................................................... 2 Student Profile | Front Desk ........................................................................................................................ 3 A mother’s loving advice has helped Lucero Barajas balance school, two jobs and pregnancy Student Profile | Supplemental Instruction ................................................................................................ 4 A veteran SI leader, Christian Cunningham, now serves as an SI mentor coaching other SI leaders Picture Page | Training................................................................................................................................. 5 Feature | Wearing Many Hats ..................................................................................................................... 6 Some students have worked in more than one area of the Learning Center. What’s that like? Student Profile | SupportNet....................................................................................................................... 7 Once on academic disqualification, Lauren Brackett now advises students in that same situation Student Profile | Tutoring ............................................................................................................................ 8 For Danielle Tanielian, sibling rivalry fueled her pursuit of everything from lecturing to sailing Guest Column | by Aleta Wolfe, Career Counselor .................................................................................... 9 Talking Points | Academic Success Workshops (ASWs) ............................................................................ 10
The Learning Center provides quality services and programs including tutoring, classes, workshops and consultation to the students, faculty and staff of the California State University, Fresno community. We promote student self-responsibility, academic success and lifelong learning.
Learning Center Professional Staff
www.fresnostate.edu/lc
SupportNet Coordinator: Mazie Moua SupportNet Advisor: Renee Cromer SupportNet Advisor: Jamaal Washington
fslearning
@fs_learning
fs_learning
fs_learning
Director: Tosha Giuffrida Administrative Support Coordinator: Belinda Munoz Administrative Support Assistant: Sonia Sanchez Student Success Analyst: Monica Quintero
Supplemental Instruction (SI) SI Coordinator: Mai Kou Vang SI Assistant Coordinator: Ko Yang
SupportNet
Tutoring Tutoring Coordinator: William Hardaway Academic Support Specialist: Tony Losongco
Fresno State Learning Center Cover photo: SupportNet interns Nancy Rosales, left, and Lai Lor in front of the printed resources available outside the SupportNet office Photos contributed by: William Hardaway, Tony Losongco, Monica Quintero, Sam Walker, University Communications. Articles written by: Tony Losongco. Layout and design by: William Hardaway, Tony Losongco.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR | Tosha Giuffrida
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he Learning Center is not just a place for students to learn, grow, and thrive, but it is an opportunity for our professional and student staff to develop, create, and share in the success of all of our students at Fresno State. We are integrally involved in high impact practices for student success and it is because of the quality services of our front desk staff, tutors, graduate assistants, Supplemental Instruction leaders and mentors, and SupportNet interns, which keep students coming back to the Learning Center. That is why quality is part of our mission – to provide quality services and programs. It is the foundation of our services and the thread which weaves us together. As part of the Learning Center team, know our expectation for your performance is set high. We expect the best, which is why we take a great amount of time to carefully screen and thoroughly interview each of you. As a selected member of our team, know you have exhibited the qualities which we hold high and have great expectations you will continue to serve our students with the care and compassion each and every one deserves. Also, know we recognize you are also a student. Your success as a student is just as important to us as your success as a member of the Learning Center team. We value your
time, which is why we carefully plan training to benefit you as a student, student worker, and future professional. The skills you will learn working in the Learning Center will provide you a lifetime of knowledge to be applied in your life after graduating from Fresno State. We know what it is like to juggle your schedule “Be a part of and prioritize your something time. It is something greater than we all continue to learn yourself. Your how to get better. impact on the lives of students Many of us in the is like throwing a Learning Center, inpebble in water. cluding myself, worked It will continue part-time or full-time to make a differduring our undergraduence in their ate, graduate, and lives, their famieven post-graduate aclies’ lives, and in ademic careers. Trust the community.” me, we understand! So if you are ever feeling overwhelmed and overscheduled, please reach out and let us know. As part of a valued member of our team, we want to be able to keep you as a part of our team and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. Thank you for making the choice to being a part of something greater than yourself. Welcome. Sincerely, Tosha Giuffrida, M.B.A. Director
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FRONT DESK | Lucero Barajas, Student Assistant
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hroughout college, Lucero Barajas has gone to school full time and worked full time. To achieve her educational goals, Lucero has used the Learning Center for tutoring, SI and SupportNet, and she has clung to her mother’s constant reminder: “If you really want it, you will get it.” The oldest of six kids, Lucero worked in fast food to support the family and became the restaurant’s youngest manager at age 19. “It has not been easy, but it has been worth it,” Lucero said of her balance between work and school. When she struggled with time management at Fresno State, a chemistry professor introduced her to SupportNet, and she began using the Learning Center for tutoring and SI as well. Last fall, Lucero got a job at the Front Desk and reduced her hours at the restaurant. “Being able to help students, it’s a reward as well, just because I know their struggle,” she said of the Learning Center. “I know how it feels to be stressed.”
“It has not been easy, but it has been worth it.”
Lucero continues to work full-time hours between her two jobs while going to school
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Class: Junior Major: Social Work Minor: Spanish Certificate: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Learning & working since: Fall 2016
full time. Many days, she attends class from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then works from 2 to 10 or from 3 to 11. When she became pregnant (she’s expecting a boy in August), Lucero decided to take next semester off from school. She sought the advice of her mother, who told Lucero that “a baby is a blessing” and motivated her to return to school next spring. “She’s never been discouraging. She’s been that person that you go to for comfort,” Lucero said of her mother. “I know I’m never gonna give up just because I’ve come so far. And my education’s everything to me.” Lucero is eager to earn a degree in social work and pursue a career helping people who deal with addiction. In the meantime, she provides customer service to her fellow Fresno State students. “Seeing students come in and utilizing these services makes me happy because I understand that many of these students have outside lives as well with handling jobs, families, and still coming to school,” she said. “Our services only make their situation better.”
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION | Christian Cunningham, SI Mentor
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hristian Cunningham has seen Supplemental Instruction from many sides: as a student taking SI classes, an SI leader and now a member of the SI “think tank.” Before being hired as an SI leader, Christian took SI classes in biology, chemistry and physics. “On the student level, I saw how it helped students grow as they transition from high school to college, as well as mastering areas that they may have previously struggled with,” he said of the SI program. Christian was an SI leader for three semesters until he joined the “think tank,” which is how he describes himself and his four fellow SI mentors. The SI mentors are former SI leaders who help train, observe, coach and evaluate the 55 SI leaders who work for the Learning Center this semester.
“Now you have to lead leaders instead of students.”
“As an SI leader, you really see the impact in your course. As an SI mentor, I get the opportunity to see the impact of SI in every course,” Christian said.
Class: Senior Major: Biology Learning & working since: Spring 2015
Christian’s unique role as an SI mentor was on display recently at the CSU Chancellor’s Office in Long Beach. He participated in a student panel and live SI session for administrators across the 23-campus CSU system. “Fresno State has developed a really highquality SI program, and it was great to see it showcased to all these other programs,” Christian said. When asked about his non-academic roles, Christian pointed to his marriage (his oneyear anniversary is in June) and to his upbringing “in the hills.” A native of the Shaver Lake area, Christian likes outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing. In many ways, Christian has noticed his transformation in SI – as a student, SI leader and SI mentor. “I know I did not come out being the same person I was going in,” he said. For example, Christian was pre-med when he entered college. But with one year left at Fresno State, he has decided to pursue a Ph.D. in microbiology instead. Christian works in a research lab but wants a career in teaching, not just research. “I really realized in SI that I love seeing people learn,” Christian said.
“Now you have to lead leaders instead of students.”
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PICTURE PAGE | Training
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raining is an essential part of student employment in the Learning Center. After all, “Learning” is in the name of the program!
area of the Learning Center, and student employees are routinely involved in developing, facilitating and evaluating the training topics.
About once a month, all Learning Center employees participate in some form of training. Staff coordinate training for each
But what does everybody do in their training? Look at these photos and find out.
Front Desk: Five graduating seniors wear their Learning Center stoles while student assistants show awards they received from Belinda Munoz, left, and Sonia Sanchez, right, in categories such as “99% Perspiration” (going above and beyond) and “Duct Tape” (fixing everything). SI: Mentor Ben Akioyame guides SI leaders in a group discussion of goals and strategies as they anticipate an influx of students in their SI sessions at the end of the semester.
Tutoring: Cristian Sarabia, right, works with a group of tutors on a customer service activity. Tutors actively listen to each other’s experiences and write all their common experiences on cards. Cristian’s group won the activity.
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SupportNet: Advisor Jamaal Washington congratulates intern Michael Rostro for winning an elevator pitch competition patterned after “The Voice.”
FEATURE | Wearing Many Hats
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ome student employees have worked in more than one area of the Learning Center, such as SI and SupportNet, or Front Desk and Tutoring. Few ever work in two areas at the same time, but those who have worked in two areas have interesting perspectives on how the Learning Center operates.
What’s it like to wear more than one hat in the Learning Center? Does experience in one area sharpen your skills in another? We’ve compiled a list of current student employees who have worked in more than one area and asked for their perspectives about working in the Learning Center.
“Now that I do work for SupportNet, I know it consists of way more than just academic coaching.” -Anessa Lopez
Front Desk & GradesFirst *Natalie Moua
Front Desk & SI *Lance Aguilar
Front Desk & Tutoring
“I’m like this Swiss army tutor … always here for whatever you need me for.” -Shane Sauby
Stetler Brown
SI & SupportNet *Nancy Rosales *Michael Rostro
SI & Tutoring Jessie Brazil *Stephanie Izaguirre Kris Kapitzke Manu Romana *Shane Sauby
“Our ultimate goal is the same, but the perspectives and the processes are very different.” -Stephanie Izaguirre
SupportNet & Tutoring Lauren Brackett *Anessa Lopez *Maria Ramirez *Sam Walker
*currently working in both areas
In addition to these students, four current staff members have worked in multiple areas of the Learning Center:
William Hardaway (Tutoring & Probation/Disqualification) Tony Losongco (SI, SupportNet & Tutoring) Mai Kou Vang (SI & SupportNet) Ko Yang (SI, SupportNet & Tutoring)
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SUPPORTNET | Lauren Brackett, Academic Coach
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auren Brackett has survived what she calls a “journey of ups and downs, sideways, just everything.” She has been in and out of Fresno State – and in again. Now, Lauren helps other Fresno State students through a similar journey by blazing a trail of her own. In 2008, Lauren left Southern California and entered Fresno State. Her family had strong values around education, but she said sports were her main motivation in school. “I knew I needed an education,” she said. “I just didn’t know why I needed that education.” Feeling homesick and unmotivated, Lauren said she was kicked out of Fresno State after two years. She enrolled at Fresno City College and lived in her car until she could afford a place to stay. “Being a very proud person, I couldn’t just go back to my hometown,” she said.
“I’m not scared to share my story.”
At FCC, Lauren joined the track team, got back in good academic standing and gained her purpose through the help of a counselor who challenged her. “At that point, I knew that I needed to help students in the way that she helped me,”
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Class: Senior Major: Communication Learning & working since: Spring 2016
Lauren said. With the support of her husband, who is now a Fresno State senior, she returned to Fresno State and immediately pursued internships in academic advising. She applied to SupportNet, which typically hired only counseling graduate students as interns. In Spring 2016, Lauren became SupportNet’s first undergraduate intern. “I was just a girl taking a shot at life,” she said. In SupportNet, Lauren advises “PDQ students,” meaning they are on academic probation or disqualification. As a former PDQ student, Lauren sees the value in her shared experience. “I’m not scared to share my story,” Lauren said. “I feel like all of our students could benefit from advisors sharing who they are, because we were all them at one point.” While working another job as a store manager, Lauren has interned in both SupportNet and tutoring. In the process, she has paved the way for future undergraduate interns in SupportNet. Lauren is also completing her degree in communication and applying to graduate programs at Fresno State. “You’re the master of your own destiny,” she said. “You’re the only person holding yourself back.”
TUTORING | Danielle Tanielian, Math Tutor
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anielle Tanielian could have viewed her sibling rivalry and family life as a source of stress. Instead, she credits her family as a source of support to try new things. Her brother Ben, one year older than her, was a chemistry tutor in the Learning Center before graduating last year. Danielle still remembers Ben after his first day of kindergarten. “I couldn’t wait to be able to read alongside him,” she said. After Danielle’s first day of kindergarten, “I ran back to my mother’s car in tears all because I didn’t learn how to read on the very first day.” Danielle considered herself shy when she was young, but she enjoyed family activities such as road trips to national parks.
“Without their support, I don’t think I would have gotten as far as I have.”
“Those trips always opened my eyes to the world around me and made me realize how little I knew about everything,” she said. With family support, she developed a pursuit of learning that extended into her high school and college years, even as Ben seemed to learn everything just a little sooner than her.
Class: Senior Major: Biomedical Physics Learning & working since: Fall 2014 Among her experiences, Danielle has been a college math lecturer, amateur kickboxer, medical volunteer, swing dancer and sailor (“with an actual sailing license,” she said). For three years, Danielle has worked as a math tutor, which has been yet another learning experience for her. “As a tutor, I gained more confidence being able to speak my mind,” Danielle said. “It’s always just giving them that confidence that they can do it, so that when they get to the test they won’t freeze or choke up.” Students do not have to be naturally smart to excel in math, she said, but they do have to work hard. “Instant success is more of a failure,” she said. “I wanna help them be long-term successful instead of short-term.” As graduation approaches, Danielle is already gearing up for her next new experience: medical school. In July, she starts an accelerated three-year program in Pennsylvania. Her father will drive there with her for one more road trip. “Without their support, I don’t think I would have gotten as far as I have,” she said of her family. “It is because of them that I have the courage to try new things and push myself to achieve my dreams.”
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GUEST COLUMN | Aleta Wolfe, Career Counselor
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arlier in this publication, Tosha Giuffrida stated, “The skills you will learn working in the Learning Center will provide you a lifetime of knowledge to be applied in your life after graduating from Fresno State.” Tosha is referring to transferable skills. Transferable skills, sometimes referred to as soft skills, are those critical strengths, talents, qualities, and personal attributes that go beyond the job-specific skills. These skills can be: • Acquired in a variety of different settings, both on and off campus • Developed from coursework, projects, internships, work experiences, involvement in clubs, activities, interests, hobbies, sports, volunteer and community service experiences • Qualities, talents, and attributes that you naturally possess Transferable skills are very important in helping you communicate your value to an employer when they are reviewing your resume and cover letter and when they are talking to you in the interview.
“Start thinking about your transferable skills, highlight them on your resume and be ready to articulate them in an interview.”
Even when you are applying for a position that is not directly related
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to your major or previous work experience, you will want to connect your transferable skills to the job description. Each year, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) surveys employers across the country and asks them to rate the top qualities and skills they seek in new college grads. Here are the top transferable skills employers seek: • Leadership • Ability to work on a team • Written communication skills • Problem-solving skills • Verbal communication skills • Strong work ethic • Initiative • Analytical/quantitative skills • Flexibility/adaptability • Technical skills Depending on the desired transferable skills that an employer has listed on the job description, write accomplishment statements that highlight how you have that skill. Here are a few examples: • Goal-driven leader, who confidently motivates and coaches team members to meet high performance standards • Personable professional whose standards include cultural sensitivity and an ability to build rapport in multicultural settings • Innovative problem-solver who can generate workable solutions and resolve problems All the best! Aleta Wolfe, MA Fresno State Career Development Center Thomas 103 • fresnostate.edu/careers
TALKING POINTS | Academic Success Workshops (ASWs)
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cademic Success Workshops (ASWs) are SupportNet’s series of student support presentations. This semester, students have really appreciated the ASWs.
97% said they received at least 3 academic strategies from their ASW
WHY DO STUDENTS FIND THE ASWs SO HELPFUL?
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his spring, SupportNet interns and staff made several efforts to increase attendance and quality: Two new online workshops Outreach to new groups, including athletics Promotion through social media and website Collaboration with other departments on campus, including college advising centers More interactive presentations
WE’VE MADE A DIFFERENCE Thanks to SupportNet’s efforts, ASW attendance this spring has doubled compared to two years ago.
Spring 2015
Spring 2017
270 545
Source: SupportNet
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Congratulations, graduates!
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