News

Some of the most important learning can occur outside of the classroom. Examples of such will be given during the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) Midday Speaker Series, which began Monday, March 14. 

SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor) Department is presenting a speaker series featuring SIUE student leaders, according to Fannie Acoff, CORE T.E.A.M. program coordinator. The presentations, which run from 11:05 a.m.-12:05 p.m., will conclude Wednesday, March 23. 

“The purpose of this speaker series is for SIUE student leaders to share their personal experiences with Charter students,” said Acoff, “and highlight the benefits they received in being involved in various activities outside of the classroom. Some of those advantages include leadership development, hands-on learning experiences and networking for internships and full-time employment.” 

It is important for students to participate in extracurricular activities for their overall development. The experiences are important in high school and invaluable in college, noted Acoff.  

“Typically, high school students prefer asking questions about college of actual college students,” she added. “The collegiate students, in turn, enjoy sharing their experiences with high school students.”

“I was a sophomore when I transferred to SIUE,” said Jordan Washington, a senior majoring in public health and one of two presenters at the Midday Speaker Series on Monday, March 14. “I looked up different types of organizations in order to connect with people and make friends. When I joined the National Association of Colored Women’s Club, I made a lot of friends. I also decided to join Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. to not only be part of a sisterhood, but also to make connections and step outside of my comfort zone, because I am sort of an introvert.”

Washington’s campus activities also include being an ambassador for the Black Girl Health Association and a mentor for middle school students.

“My campus involvement has allowed me to network and gain connections,” said Christian McAfee, a junior majoring in integrative biology and the other student Midday Speaker. “For example, with my involvement with the Summer Success Program, I was able to learn about a research internship. As far as personal growth is concerned, it has allowed me to meet different people on campus, especially those who look like me.”

McAfee’s other campus activities include: LSAMP, Black Girls Rock, Sister Circle, Black Girls Do STEM, and resident assistant.

Other student speakers, their majors and affiliations are listed below in the order of appearance:

Tuesday, March 15
Nassem Nina
Business administration bachelor’s, college student personnel administration graduate student, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., ABSSW Marketing and Public Relations Director, The Hub graduate assistant 

Kaelyn Cupil
Nursing major, Student Nurse Achievement Program president, Black Student Union secretary, Gospel Choir president and Campus Tour guide

Wednesday, March 16
Kiyende Hunt
Sociology major, Sociology Club, Society of Human Resources Club, student assistant in the SIUE Human Resources Office, student assistant in the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Office 

Julia Goren
Sociology major, Women’s Studies, Sociology Club, Student Government-SDO, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gay-Straight Alliance, New Horizons president, Students for Reproductive Rights, Support the Girls vice president, Social Media manager

Thursday, March 17
Bridget Patrick
Public health major, SOPHE Collegiate Champion, Sigma Alpha Pi, Students Reproductive Rights, PH student ambassador, student events coordinator, AmeriCorps America Reads mentor, tutor, volunteer 

Ja’Cideah Nunnery
Psychology major, National Association of Colored Women’s Club co-secretary, SOAR ambassador, URCA, student employee

Friday, March 18
Mackenzie Richards
Psychology major, Student Government senator, Student Leadership Council, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, New Horizons, Psychology Club, Psi Chi, URCA, tutor 

Bryan Robinson
Computer science major, Emerging Leader, Legacy Leader, Cougar Guide, FST mentor, Black Student Union, GAME recruiter, Collegiate 100 treasurer, student worker

Monday, March 21
Rahmat Salau
Accounting major, Beta Alpha Psi vice president, Student Government, New Horizons, Economics Association, Honors, African Student Association, Muslim Students Association, SI Leader, Cougar Connector

Mahoggani Pickett
Criminal justice and psychology majors, Black Girls Rock, National Association of Colored Women’s Club, Springboard Orientation Leader, Study Abroad

Tuesday, March 22
Jerome Ukah
Electrical and computer engineering majors, National Society of Black Engineers, African Student Association vice president, SI Leader, URCA, IEEE vice president, Honors Program, International Student Council, Pro International Global Ambassador, Independent Study and Research

Wednesday, March 23
Mahlik Good
Social work major, Association of Black Student Social Workers president, Equity and Inclusion Ambassador program coordinator, student office assistant, Honors Program assistant, resident assistant intern, court volunteer

Carah Frazier
Speech pathology and audiology major, URCA, student employee, Summer Success Program

The Pre-Collegiate Program and the Summer Success Program (SSP) are part of the SIUE CORE T.E.A.M. Department. The Pre-Collegiate Program is a college preparatory program designed to assist high school students in their transition to post-secondary education upon high school graduation. This program assists first-generation high school students who are typically from economically disadvantaged communities by providing comprehensive college preparatory and social development skills. These skills play a crucial role in helping students excel both academically and personally in their respective high schools and prepare them to transition successfully to the college or university of their choice. SSP is a five-week program allowing students to take up to two college courses for free and involves a full range of social, cultural and recreational activities. Applications for SSP are now open.

Photos:
SIUE student leaders are part of the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School Midday Speaker Series.

L-R: First row – Kaelyn Cupil, Carah Frazier, Mahlik Good, Julia Goren and Kiyende Hunt
Second row – Christian McAfee, Naseem Nina, Ja’Cideah Nunnery, Bridget Patrick and Mahoggani Pickett

Third row – Mackenzie Richards, Bryan Robinson, Rahmat Salau, Jerome Ukah and Jordan Washington