February 2015 Dean’s Message Douglass Residential
Rutgers Future Scholars Program Hope, Opportunity, and Tuition Scholarship
College's commit-
SPOTLIGHT ON YAURIS HERNANDEZ
ment to advancing
Dean Jacquelyn Litt
women is enriched by
Every year, the Rutgers Future
the compelling stories
Scholars program offers more
of our students.
than 200 first-generation, low-
Douglass students
income, and academically talented middle school students
come from varied
backgrounds, bringing a richness of culture,
the promise of a college educa-
ideas, and inspiration to our community.
tion. For those who are accepted to and choose Rutgers Uni-
We're excited to bring to you this new Douglass
versity, all 4 years of tuition are
Now! 'Spotlight.' Each issue will highlight the
funded. One of these Scholars,
students and programs which form the remark-
Yauris Hernandez, is currently
able Douglass that exists today.
an ambassador for the program
In this issue, we feature our student Yauris
Yauris Hernandez
Hernandez. Her fortitude and passion for learning is an example of the strength of our students, and is a point of pride for everyone at Douglass and Rutgers. In conjunction with the Rutgers Future Scholars Program (also featured in this issue) Douglass provides unique
and a student at Rutgers’s University, adding Douglass Resi-
dential College to her undergraduate experience. Yauris, a sophomore planning to major in economics and minor in business, entrepreneurship, and international relations, aspires to work in corporate America - and one day establish her own international recruitment firm.
experiences for the next generation of women
Yauris first heard about the Rutgers Future Scholars program in 7th grade at Lin-
leaders so that students, like Yauris, will thrive
coln School in New Brunswick. Yauris explains, “College has always been a top
in in the rapidly changing conditions of the
priority in my family. As the youngest of three children, I’ve always had my older
twenty-first century global workforce.
brothers and parents explaining how important a college education is. The rea-
We hope that you enjoy this inaugural issue of Douglass Now! 'Spotlight' and look forward
son behind my efforts in middle/high school was to get into a great school— and I chose Rutgers.”
to sharing our stories with you and others who
We talked to Yauris to learn more about her experiences in the Rutgers Future
are who are committed to our mission of ad-
Scholars program as well as the benefits of being a Douglass woman.
vancing women.
Continued on Page 2.
-Dean Jacquelyn Litt
The Douglass Difference...Advancing Women’s Excellence
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The Douglass Difference...Advancing Women’s Excellence
Upcoming Events February 18, Lecture – Dr. Diana Reiss Join Douglass Residential College as we host Dr. Diana Reiss for an evening lecture on her work as a cognitive psychologist, marine mammal scientist, and professor in the Department of Psychology at Hunter College and the Animal Behavior and Comparative Psychology Doctoral program at The Graduate Center, CUNY. This event is sponsored by the Douglass Project for Rutgers Women in Math, Science, and Engineering. February 28, 2015 Victoria Dabrowski Schmidt ’42 Career Conference for Douglass Women This one-day conference will provide tools, resources, and networking opportunities for Douglass students to succeed in their transition from college to career. Panels will cover a variety of topics from networking, to careers in the medical field, to graduate school, to money management. March 9, Transforming Cultures: The Politics of Violence In commemoration of International Women’s Day, experts will review various policies related to gender-based violence in the United States, including, the Violence Against Women Act, Yes Means Yes Law, and Title IX. The panel will address the ways in which these policies impact women’s lives on campus and globally.
Q: What were your impressions of the Rutgers Future Scholars summer enrichment programs? At first, the summer enrichment programs were extremely fun. As we started approaching high school and during high school, we took more intense summer courses and I really got a sense of the college experience and academic workload. The summer enrichment programs prepared me in
many ways for college—I was on campus and the courses were taught by college professors. The program included visiting different companies (e.g., EY and Diversity, Inc.). We met with presidents and CEOs to discuss the program, our future goals, and they gave us suggestions for how to be in their shoes, one day. The opportunities given to me by the program made me realize that I wanted to become a business owner. Q: Why chose Douglass Residential College as part of your Rutgers experience? I selected Douglass Residential College for all the opportunities that it has to offer to women. I feel that Douglass together with the RFS program create the largest support systems on campus. It feels like a family. Douglass always has someone available to talk to me, whether it involves education or personal matters. I don’t see why any young woman wouldn’t choose to be a part of Douglass! Q: Did you have any concerns about starting college? Unlike many first-years, I did not have a lot of concerns. I’ve had the Rutgers Future Scholars program as a support system since 7th grade, which made Rutgers feel like home. I knew how hard I had to work my first semester in order to maintain a high GPA. I was fortunate enough to know where all my classes were due to the summer courses that I attended on campus prior to my first year of college. So, the Rutgers Future Scholars program made my transition into college easier than that of other students. I met the Dean and Associate Dean of Douglass during the summer, too, at
March 27, Women’s History Event: HERstory
the Barnes and Noble coffee shop. It was where I found out that I earned a
Join Douglass women as they regale in the HER-
full scholarship that would cover all expenses, including room, board, and
story of DRC for women’s history month. The event
supplies! I was so excited and honored.
will feature an exhibit of artifacts from Douglass
Q: What kinds of tools or support has Douglass Residential College
College as well as networking opportunities.
given you in terms of leadership/relationships/success?
April 1, Zagoren Lecture with Maureen Ausura
Douglass has given me the opportunity to be a part of the 0.3% of students
'77
in the United States who do not worry about the cost of their education. I
The Zagoren Lecture honors Adelaide Marcus
am a recipient of the Jean O' Grady Sheehan Scholarship, which allows me
Zagoren '40, former Executive Director of the Asso-
to attend college without student debt for all 4 years of my undergraduate
ciate Alumnae of Douglass College. This year, join
study. I even got to study through the National Exchange Program where I
the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College in wel-
spent a semester in California – and it was funded by Douglass. Courses
coming Maureen Ausura '77, Chief Human Re-
that I’ve taken at Douglass have opened my eyes to feminism and what it
sources Officer of Lowes Home Improvement.
means to be a strong woman in society today. Continued on Page 3.
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The Douglass Difference...Advancing Women’s Excellence
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I’m making long-lasting relationships with other students, staff, and faculty that would only be possible here at Douglass. I appreciate the support—in all aspects of my life—that Douglass has given me. Q: Has the work ethic you developed as a young student prepared you for the academic rigor at the university level? Definitely! As a sophomore in high school I took “Intro to Expository Writing,” which is required for all students at Rutgers. Not only did I come into college knowing how to write and expecting the workload, but it also helped me get through my high school years. The program instilled a sense of confidence that was visible through my work. I was prepared for the academic rigor at the university level and not afraid to ask for help, if I felt at any moment I needed it. Q: How has Douglass changed you? What will you take with you as you go forward in life? Douglass has empowered me to become a stronger woman. With all these amazing role models on campus, Douglass leads by example and has shown me how women can lead. I take a lot of pride in knowing that I’m a Douglass woman and knowing that, in the future, I will impact other women just as I have been inspired by current and past Douglass women. Q: Overall, did the Future Scholar Program meet or exceed your expectations? The Rutgers Future Scholars program exceeded my expectations. When I first heard about the program I was aware that I was receiving a tuition-free scholarship but did not know that a huge, supportive family was coming along with it! I’ve been part of events such as award ceremonies on Wall Street that New Brunswick students do not usually experience and I am forever grateful for that. I was aware that I would be receiving college credits throughout the summers but I entered my freshmen year with 15 college credits, which exceeded my expectations. The Rutgers Future Scholars program has made me into someone I cannot imagine without them. Q: What would you say to young students and their families considering the Rutgers Future Scholars Program? Would you recommend that they add Douglass to their experience? Go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain! I recommend Douglass to young women who want strong role models throughout their college career. You gain family, friends, career opportunities, and academic growth. Who wouldn’t love that?
Spotlight on the Rutgers Future Scholars Program Supporting a Legacy of Access and Excellence The Rutgers Future Scholars (RFS) program introduces 200 middle school students that are first-generation, low-income, and academically capable to various opportunities at Rutgers University and in higher education. For the middle school students taking advantage of this incredible experience, their responsibilities begin in eighth grade and continue through high school. Throughout this time, students explore different careers, learn about college and higher education, practice academic achievement for college, prepare for the SAT’s, and complete their college essays and applications. Continued on Page 4.
The Douglass Difference...Advancing Women’s Excellence In addition, students are encouraged to study different subjects such as the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, law, business, criminal justice, economics, humanities, and performing arts. If students complete their responsibilities within the program – including summer program and year-round enrichment, Rutgers University will provide them with scholarships and federal grants to receive full tuition for all four years of their undergraduate education at the university. The goals of the RFS program are twofold. First, to increase the number of low-income, academically promising students from the Newark, Camden, New Brunswick and Piscataway communities who complete high school and both apply to and attend postsecondary educational institutions, including Rutgers University. The RFS program also aims to develop a replicable model to incite peer institutions in-state and nation-wide to partner with school districts to identify, support, prepare and offer tuition scholarships to low income, promising middle school students. Students participating in the RFS program benefit from mentoring, academic support, team-building seminars, college preparation, and more throughout the duration of the program. Rutgers Future Scholars students are members of a close-knit and high achieving community – an environment like Douglass Residential College. Courtney McAnuff, Rutgers University Vice President for Enrollment Management explains, “The Rutgers Future Scholars program has had noteworthy impact in our four communities throughout the state as well as on our own Rutgers campuses. RFS is proud to have over 23 of our Scholars now as Douglass women. The support provided by Douglass for our Scholars has been very meaningful for these students.” Both programs seek to empower students through education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities. Layered support systems within large public research institutions, like Rutgers University, have produced students that go on to achieve academic and personal goals post-graduation. Together, the individualized groups and unique college traditions at Douglass Residential College foster connections among students that they carry for a lifetime – these connections are built through programs like The Global Village Living-Learning Communities, career development, peer and staff mentoring, leadership opportunities, and the foundational women’s leadership course at Douglass. To read more about the Rutgers Future Scholars program, visit http://futurescholars.rutgers.edu/.
Spotlight on DRC Volunteerism Douglass Women & International Service-Learning Service learning and community engagement at Douglass Residential College has a long and successful history. From trips to South Africa, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and within the United States, the impact of Douglass students has been felt around the world through Douglass’ nationally recognized Global Village. The Global Village is comprised of “houses” that are Living-Learning Communities which have different themes - to develop language skills, intercultural appreciation, global awareness and a sense of community among students at Douglass Residential College. This unique residential environment combines curricular and co-curricular activities designed to enhance each student’s overall college experience; the most significant experience within the global village is the service-learning component. Students connect with others, world-wide who share their passions and cultivate their inter-cultural understanding. Most recently, two houses traveled during the winter break for service learning: the Spanish house worked in Mexico and the Africana House travelled to the Dominican Republic. In this spotlight, we feature the African House. Twelve student from the Africana House travelled to the Dominican Republic, where they spent time working in the Bateyes (impoverished communities that are scattered in the vast sugar cane fields of the Dominican Republic). Continued on Page 5.
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The Douglass Difference...Advancing Women’s Excellence
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Deans Jacquelyn Litt, Ellen Lieberman, and Gwendolyn Beetham with members of the Africana House in the Dominican Republic in January.
In Monte Coca, Douglass women worked on building a home for a single mother and her family, from the dirt floor, up. They also taught school-aged children math, English, and art, and songs at the village’s community center. The students spent ten days experiencing the culture in the Dominican Republic, learning about the structural and systemic hardships that community members face and exploring issues related to the house mission – all while engaging in sustainable service learning. Brianna Holman, the Peer Academic Leader (PAL) in the Africana House reflected on her time in the Dominican Republic with the Global Village, “The trip was incredibly empowering, and also very humbling. Meeting women and children at community centers, building houses – mixing cement and laying cinderblocks – we’re going to use those experiences to continue to try to make a difference, here at home.” Peer Academic Leaders are student mentors who work in the Global Village communities, where they offer leadership guidance and develop programming and events related to the unique mission of their particular Global Village house. “Being a PAL in the Africana House has taught me a lot about leadership, and how important it is to engage in leadership opportunities in college. I feel incredibly lucky to have a community like Douglass Residential College that supports my conviction to be a leader.” In the Dominican Republic, Douglass students left an impact that will have lasting effects on them and those they touched; worked alongside members of the community mixing cement by hand, creating the walls of a family’s new home, helping to make soup by hand for a local women’s cooperative (in a nearby community) and teaching children. Dean Jacquelyn Litt said about the trip, “To see our students selfless and passionate in their work and their commitment to others means that Douglass women will meet their careers and ambitions with the confidence and conviction they need to succeed in the world.” Douglass prepares women to lead.