"Goals keep me going"

By Eileen Pearsall


Osagie Afe

A student ambassador at Raritan Valley Community College, Osagie Afe credits his academic success to his family, his 8^th grade teacher and his ability to focus on his goals.

As a high school senior, Afe couldn’t afford a four-year college.  His guidance counselor recommended RVCC. 

Now in his second year studying Business Liberal Arts, Afe believes, “The important thing about college is not about what classes you take, but about what you do, who you meet, and the experience you create.” 

“I decided to apply for the RVCC student ambassador position because I felt that the more activities I do, the more I learn about myself,” Afe explains.  “It was something I planned to do six months prior, so it was a goal."   Another part of his motivation was that his grandfather was an ambassador who once met the Queen of England.

Only six students per semester with a GPA of 3.0 or better are chosen as ambassadors.  They work six hours per week conducting tours and assisting with various activities including recruiting and public relations.   If successful, they receive 12 tuition credits the following semester.

“It was a unanimous decision,” says Alaysha Walker, Student Activities Coordinator, about choosing Afe for the job.  “He’s been a great help and asset to the program.”  She lists the characteristics that make him a good ambassador:  a wonderful smile, a magnetic personality, a welcoming attitude and a deep sensitivity to other people.  “When he talks, he lights up the room,” Walker adds. 

Prof. Bill Black taught Afe financial accounting and says he is a top student.  “Comparing him to a lot of similar age students in my classes who are American born, he far outpaces them in terms of the maturity he brings to the classroom.”

Afe wasn’t always academically inclined. As a child growing up in Nigeria he was told he was dyslexic.  His teachers told him he should drop out and work with his hands.  His grandma always supported him and tried to raise his low self-esteem, but he chose to believe what his teachers said.

“Coming to the U. S. [at age 10], I had a speech problem.  I was unable to speak well,” Afe remembers.  “My mother is very well spoken because of her extensive travels with my grandfather.  She always enforced good grammar.”

Afe reached a turning point in 8^th grade.  His teacher expressed great confidence in him and even told him that he made teaching “fun” for her.  At the end of the year he won an award for the most improved student.   This fed a new ambition and motivation which continues to make him very competitive.

Before Afe came to RVCC, he thought he wanted to be an accountant.  Then, Prof. Black shared his career story explaining what accountants do and how they fit into the business world.  Afe decided accounting is not for him. 

He hasn’t yet chosen a new field, but Afe’s current goal is to raise his GPA even higher to qualify for a scholarship when he transfers to a four-year school.

Interview footage

Incredible Alaysha

By Surrayya Kapri 


Alaysha Walker

 

In her office on the second floor of the College Center, Student Activities Coordinator Alaysha M. Walker is busy working on RVCC’s capital campaign to raise funds for a new building, the Ray Bateman Center for Student Life and Leadership or the new Student Center.

“I’m really excited for our new home. It’s a $5.5 million project, the college will raise half the money and rest will come from Somerset and Hunterdon Counties,” said Walker.

“My goal is to empower all students, help them develop into future leaders and young professionals and to leave a legacy that inspires students from all walks of life to reach their greatest potential,” said Walker.

Corey Adams is one such student who sought her assistance while applying for the position of student ambassador, “she is a sweet understanding person who offers good advice. She prepared me for the interview for the position of Student Ambassador; I found her busy on many occasions but she still made time to help,” said Adams.

Walker feels that she becomes a mentor, pseudo mom, friend, advocate and spiritual guide to many students who seek her assistance, in short a pleasant and agreeable role model.



Dianne Lemcoe at work



“Alaysha has been very helpful in the absence of a director for Student Activities at present; she has kept a lot of the activities going… all plates up in the air so to speak,” said Dean of Student Services, Diane Lemcoe.

Walker joined the RVCC family 12 years ago in HR; she started to work as Coordinator of Student Activities four years ago and thus began “her dream job” which included being chair of many initiatives or committees.

“She has a lot of energy, has many great ideas, relates well with the students,” said Lemcoe.

Her greatest joy was serving as club Advisor to Club Unity in the past.  Currently she also assists student leaders from the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Student Government Association and a variety of clubs.

 “She is good at her job; students and staff like her a lot,” said Adams.

Walker feels that RVCC has provided her with so many opportunities to develop professionally, academically and personally.

“My best moments include the time I spend working with our bright and talented students,” said Walker.

Student Life Office: Always Ready to Help

By Surrayya Kapri


Design of the new Student Life Center

The number of student clubs at RVCC has increased since the enrollment has gone up.  To alleviate the problem, the Office of Student Life & Civic Engagement aka Student Activities is currently working on raising funds to build a new Student Life Center next to the gym.

Alaysha M. Walker is the Student Activities Coordinator as well the Acting Director for this office located on the second floor of the College Center.  She is assisted by her team consisting of Mary Wicklund, Department Assistant, and several student workers.

“The general perception among the student body is that the Student Activities Office just makes IDs,” said student worker, Kirrah Clark.

“The Student Activities Office assists many student organizations,” said Wicklund. They include:

• Student Government Association (SGA)
• First Year Experience (FYE) Department
• Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)
• International Honor Society ( the leadership seminars )
• Helping students to start clubs
• Planning events

One such event, the Welcome Back Student Picnic or RVCC Spirit Day at the beginning of every semester is very popular since there is free food.

“We arranged the picnic at the beginning of fall 2010 and ordered sodas, burgers, ice cream, chips and much more for over 1,000 people,” said Walker.

The popcorn for the picnic was donated by Hillsborough Cinema for just $10 “which is very generous of them,” said Wicklund.

Sometimes, events do not go as planned. The Shwayze Concert turned out to be disappointment.

“We sold over 500 tickets and approximately 150 people stayed when they learned that Shwayze himself would not be performing, so the college had to give out over 350 refunds,” said Walker.

Alaysha Walker( right) & Mary Wicklund (left) with student workers

The Student Activities Office also helps to schedule events. “We order the equipment needed, order food if the club tell us to do so, help arrange for tables and chairs needed through our liaison with the housekeeping department,” said Wicklund.

When there is a fundraiser arranged by one of the clubs, the Student Activities Office provides assistance by keeping the money safe.

“We deposit the money with the Finance office, keep track of the records until the clubs request the check at the end of the fundraiser or a bake sale,” said Wicklund.

Clubs also get assistance with flyers. “They send the drawing to Alaysha and she checks and approves them and has it printed in color or black and white,” said Wicklund.

The office will soon have a new director which is “essential to set policy,” according to Walker.

“Until then we follow the precedence set by the previous director,” said Walker.

Record-breaking enrollment strains student services

By Eileen Pearsall

The Academic Support Center at Raritan Valley Community College is struggling to cope with a dramatic enrollment growth trend--28% over three years and nearly 36% over the last five years.

	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	5  Year   %Change	3  Year   %Change
Total RVCC Enrollment	6,408	6,629	7,110	7,888	8,484	35.7%	28.0%

 “We’re bursting at the seams,” says Annette Skov, Assistant Coordinator of the center.  "Student visits have increased 6% just since July.”

Information desk - Academic Support Center

“Most students are looking for help in math and English,” explains Debbie Weiner, Director of Tutoring Services. “Before exams, every seat and every computer is taken.   The center is never empty, even during what used to be slow periods.”

To handle the overflow, the center has added six more tutors and now offers on-line academic support. SMARTHINKING.com allows students to connect with live tutors for math, science, business or writing questions.

The center is open 54 hours per week with 36 tutors covering 200 disciplines.  The large open space has 25 computer stations and more than 100 study spaces at tables.

With its high ceilings, large windows and spacious layout, the center attracts even students who don’t need a tutor.  “It’s the best place on campus to study,” says Carlos Gonzalez, a second year Web Development student.

RVCC created the center five years ago when all departmental tutoring offices were torn out to create the current space.  The Academic Affairs department took over all tutoring to ensure consistency and eliminate overlap of services.