Room to Grow

I’m a big believer in personal empowerment. I feel we humans have limitless potential, although we don’t always see it in ourselves, or each other. Believing is often the first hurdle. Empowerment usually requires two believers, yourself and someone who believes in you.

That is where a good mentor comes in. I’ve had some wonderful mentors. Some probably never suspected they were mentors. Some of their lessons took years to sink in, but I am grateful to all of them. So, I do my best to honor them by being a mentor myself. That’s why I enjoy working with student organizations.

With student organizations, I get to teach them more than just textbook skills, like where to put a comma. When I serve as an advisor for a student organization like the FNC Student Government Association, I have the opportunity to really mentor.

Mentoring is a very delicate balancing act, though. As a mentor, those looking up to you are expecting guidance and I do my best to provide them with developmental opportunities. At the same time, empowerment requires room to grow: a safe environment to test these new skills. So at times, I make myself a little scarce, giving them the chance to figure it out for themselves. After all, that’s the true purpose of student organizations—to give students the opportunity to develop skills outside of the  classroom, to allow students to explore their own leadership abilities, and to inspire other students to do the same.

 

Florida National College has a new Library Director!

As of last week, the FNC Library has a new face – Aleksandra Pitner, our new Library Director. Aleksandra will lead the team of librarians at both the Hialeah Library and the South Campus Resource Room.

She is excited to be a part of Florida National College family! Aleksandra says “the library is more than just a place with books – stop by for a tour and you’ll see why!”

Aleksandra looks forward to hearing your library related suggestions and can be reached via email at apitner@mm.fnc.edu.

 

Welcome Back Students!

The Office of Student Services is thrilled that you’ve taken the time to check out the FNC Blog . Blogging is the fastest and easiest way for Student Services to keep you abreast of current events and information. Let me show you around.

You will notice a number of tabs at the top of the blog. Each tab will lead you to further information:

On the ‘About Student Services’ page you will find our Statement of Purpose and Campus Life.

By clicking on the ‘Activity Calendar’, you will find a schedule of campus and community events that may be of interest to you.

Check out the ‘Applause Award’ page for information on nominating your favorite FNC faculty or staff member.

The ‘FNC SGA’ page contains the by-laws of the Florida National College Student Government Association as well as the job descriptions and academic requirements for each office. (Elections for the 2008-2009 academic year will be held September 29-30.)

Finally, the campus organization page is ready and waiting for the development of future student organizations. The development of student organizations depends on the interest and participation of the FNC students. This is your opportunity to develop your organizational and leadership qualities. Stop by the Office of Student Services for further information.

 

Can You Build a Better Graduation?

College graduation is one of the proudest moments in your life. It should also be one of your happiest. You can help make it that way, and gain some valuable experience for your resume.

As the Office of Student Services starts preparations for our next graduation, we invite you to participate in FNC’s first student based Graduation Committee. The Fall 2008 Graduation Committee will influence important decisions concerning:

• Time
• Location
• Reception
• Salutatorian Speaker
• Valedictorian Speaker
• Commencement Speaker
• Music selection
• and many other important details

Participation is open to all active FNC students (graduating and continuing). Sign up at the Office of Student Services and voice your choice.

 

¿Puede Usted contribuir con una mejor Graduación?

Su graduación de College será uno de los momentos de mayor orgullo de su vida. También será un de los mas felices. Usted puede ayudar a realizarlo, y ganar valiosa experiencia para su resume.

La Oficina de Servicios Estudiantiles al comenzar con los preparativos para la próxima graduación, le invita a participar en el primer Comité de Graduación de FNC. El Comité de la Graduación de Otoño tendrá una importante influencia en la toma de decisiones con respecto a:

• La hora
• El local
• La Recepción
• El estudiante Orador con el Primer lugar entre los Graduandos
• El estudiante Orador con el Segundo lugar entre los Graduandos
• El Orador Invitado
• La Selección de Música
• y otros muchos importantes detalles

Invitamos a participar a todos los estudiantes activos de FNC (tanto graduandos como regulares). Pase por la Oficina de Servicios Estudiantiles e inscríbase para dejar contribuir con sus opiniones.

 

Support through Student Organizations

Although Florida National College has traditionally served as an urban commuter college since its inception, we recognize the importance of providing our students with more than just a bare bones academic experience. According to our mission statement, FNC “strives to prepare the students for employment in their chosen career or advanced studies through the acquisition of the required skills and knowledge” (College Catalog 11).

In our attempt to uphold this mission, the Office of Student Services is working hard to develop co-curriculum that supports “the acquisition of required skills and knowledge.”

According to the Center of Student Involvement at Florida University, students who become involved in non-program activities:

• receive better grades
• are more successful in their academic program
• are more likely to stay in school and graduate timely
• feel more satisfied with their college experience
• are more marketable when job searching and applying to grad school.
• develop valuable leadership and interpersonal skills

I can personally attest to the advantages of student involvement. As an undergraduate, I worked as a writer/photographer for my college newspaper and served as the Chair of Public Relations for the Student Programming Council.

Being part of campus organizations certainly did make my college experience more enjoyable (like the time I jumped out of an airplane in pursuit of a skydiving story), but it also helped me prepare for the future.

Many of the professional skills I use today where first developed as a part of these co-curricular activities. As a member of student organizations, I had the advantage of developing important skills within a supportive environment. I also had access to knowledgeable mentors who often served as advisors.

As the Office of Student Services moves forward with the development of these co-curriculum activities, I sincerely hope you will join us.

 

Phi Beta Lambda: Get the Competitive Advantage

How would you like to:

Win Money! Travel! Learn to Lead! Develop Friendships! Gain Experience! Earn Recognition!

You can with the local FNC chapter of Phi Beta Lambda.

What is Phi Beta Lambda? It’s the post secondary division of the Future Business Leaders of America, the oldest and largest national organization for students preparing for careers in business leadership. Phi Beta Lambda prepares students for “real world” professional experiences.

Phi Beta Lambda also takes you to major business centers throughout the United States where you attend conferences and meet people from across the nation. PBL members can also compete on the local, state and national levels in over 40 different event categories including Web site development, marketing, business plan, public speaking, programming, and job interview.

Become a Phi Beta Lambda officer and put your leadership skills to the test. Applications for chapter President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Reporter are now being accepted.

For more information on Phi Beta Lambda: visit http://www.fbla-pbl.org/ 

To join the FNC chapter: visit faculty advisor Dr. Harvey Weiss or stop by the Office of Student Services for an application.

 

Phi Beta Lambda: Adquiera Ventaja Competitiva

Publicado por fncstudentservices on June 5, 2008

¿Cómo le gustaría…

…ganar Dinero? …viajar? …aprender a Dirigir? …desarrollar Amistades? …ganar Experiencia? …ganar Reconocimiento?

Usted puede! Con el capítulo local de FNC de Phi Beta Lambda.

¿Qué es Phi Beta Lambda? Es la división post-secundaria de Futuros Lideres Empresariales de América, la organización nacional más grande y antigua para estudiantes que se preparan en carreras de Liderazgo de Negocios. Phi Beta Lambda prepara a los estudiantes para experiencias de la vida profesional en el mundo real.

Phi Beta Lambda también le lleva a los mayores centros financieros de los Estados Unidos donde usted puede asistir a conferencias y encontrarse con personas de toda la nación. Los miembros de PBL también pueden participar y competir a nivel local, estatal y nacional en eventos realizados en más de 40 diferentes categorías que incluyen las áreas de: Desarrollo de Paginas Web, Marketing, Desarrollo de Planes de Trabajo, Presentaciones en Publico, Programación, y Entrevistas de Empleo.

Hágase funcionario de Phi Beta Lambda y ponga a prueba sus habilidades de liderazgo. Las aplicaciones para Presidente del capítulo, Vicepresidente, Secretario, Tesorero, y Periodista están siendo aceptadas. Para más información de Phi Beta Lambda visite http://www.fbla-pbl.org/

Para formar parte del capítulo de FNC: visite al Profesor-Consejero Dr. Harvey Weiss o pase por la Oficina de Servicios Estudiantiles para que complete una aplicación.