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Campus News
CARDINAL FIRST PROGRAM NAMED ‘EXAMPLE OF EXCELENCIA’
Only baccalaureate program recognized out of 145 programs nationwide
Excelencia in Education, the nation’s premier authority on efforts to accelerate Latino student success in higher education, selected Cardinal First as a winner of its 2021 Examples of Excelencia award.
Excelencia announced four evidencebased programs, one in each of four categories—associate, baccalaureate, graduate and community-based organizations—as the 2021 Examples of Excelencia at its annual award ceremony. Each of the winning programs received a $5,000 award. Excelencia received 145 program submissions from 23 states and Puerto Rico. The four standout programs are models of culturally responsive, asset-based efforts with evidence of effectiveness in recruiting, retaining, graduating, and preparing Latino students for success in the workforce that others can learn from to more effectively serve their students.
“It’s an honor to have Cardinal First—and the success of our Latino students— recognized by Excelencia in Education,” said Julie Carballo, director of first-generation initiatives, veteran and military-affiliated student services. “The program’s commitment to advancing outcomes for all first-gen students is the result of the tireless and passionate contributions of so many student leaders, faculty and staff who’ve engaged with Cardinal First since its launch in 2015.”
-JULIE CARBALLO, DIRECTOR OF FIRST-GENERATION INITIATIVES, VETERAN AND MILITARY-AFFILIATED STUDENT SERVICES
The mission of Cardinal First is to provide a supportive and welcoming community for first-generation college students and their families; a campus culture that recognizes and celebrates first-generation student identity as an asset; and a program that intentionally connects first-generation students to faculty, resources, information, and experiences that promote academic and personal success from enrollment through graduation. “Going into college there were so many challenges being a first-generation student,” said Gregorio Alvarez ’22, a mechanical engineering major at North Central. “Cardinal First really set the foundation for me and unlocked all the possibilities to have a successful college career for which I can’t be more grateful.”
Examples of Excelencia was created in 2005 and is the country’s only national effort to identify, aggregate and promote evidence-based practices improving Latino student success in higher education. “Excelencia brings positive attention to people and programs making a positive impact for our Latino students,” said Sarita Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education. “Examples of Excelencia inspires leaders to implement innovations that can serve all students.”
To see the full list of the 2021 Examples of Excelencia finalists, visit edexcelencia.org/2021-examplesexcelencia-finalists.
Wis incorporates yoga into choral preparation
A unique approach to supporting students’ mental health and wellness incorporates yoga into choral rehearsals and non-performance courses. Ramona M. Wis, Mimi Rolland Professor in the Fine Arts, is using yoga in her work as conductor and teacher of North Central choirs. She shared her approach in an article published in Choral Journal, the official publication of the American Choral Directors Association.
Wis incorporates yogic techniques to help choral students individually and collectively in rehearsals for the Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, and Chamber Singers. She also uses yogic techniques in non-singing classes like Performance Music Methods and master’s-level courses.
As with many practitioners of yoga, Wis got started with the art to help with her own physical issues.
“Yoga quickly met those physical needs, but I soon found it to be applicable to every area of my life,” said Wis. “I eventually completed two yoga teacher certification programs.”
Wis began writing her blog, “The Conductor as Yogi,” on Choral Journal’s sister site, leading to a long-form piece for an issue on mental health. Wis sees this work as an important coping strategy for a stressful, volatile world: “Breath work can balance one’s mental/emotional state: from frantic or anxious to calm, or from lethargic or depressed to more enlivened and hopeful.”
She’s building a multi-layered curriculum on yoga in a choral setting, including an upcoming honors seminar that will incorporate mat work and reading of established scholarship on yoga. “Breath work … has increasingly taken a more central role in all of my teaching, leadership, and writing, as mental health has moved from an (always) important issue to a critical one,” Wis said.
Grace Nelles ’22 said that the benefits of yoga impact her life outside of choir rehearsals. “I’ve learned that I have power over myself through yoga,” Nelles said. “Dr. Wis reminds us that we always have the ability to take a breath or a moment outside of ourselves and the world around us. We have the power to choose how we respond to the stresses and pressures we face. It has truly made all the difference.”
Bry’Shawna Walker recognized as 2021 Lincoln Laureate
In recognition of her active leadership on campus and passion for serving others, Bry’Shawna Walker ’22, a political science major from Lake in the Hills, Ill., was selected as North Central’s 2021 Lincoln Laureate. Student Laureates are honored by the Lincoln Academy “for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.”
Walker credits her time at North Central for encouraging her to ask questions and lean on her emotional strength.
“There is strength in welcoming tough conversations, advocating for others, showing empathy and creating change,” she said. “There is no one way to be a leader or changemaker.”
Walker is president of North Central’s NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee; member of the women’s lacrosse team; student worker in the office of sports information, where she helped create the “Be The Change” social media campaign; ambassador for the office of admissions; representative on the Athletics Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council; and member of the Black Student Association. She is also a Leadership, Ethics and Values Fellow.
-BRY’SHAWNA WALKER ’22
Walker is completing an internship for Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois in Washington, D.C. She will be an organizing intern for Rep. Lauren Underwood’s reelection campaign January through March 2022. Her plans for the future reflect her commitment to public service. “Following graduation, I want to work on a campaign through election season and eventually transition back to Capitol Hill. I ultimately want to become a professor to inspire students as my professors have inspired me.”
