STARK VOICES STUDENTS SPEAK OUT
DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE
Feeling Disconnected at Stark State? By Angel Baker Do you ever feel that you are missing out on that big university experience? Do you attend your classes and just leave instead of meeting with people or feeling you are a part of something greater here at the college? Many students feel disconnected from the college experience here at Stark State. There are many opportunities for you to join in and make a difference here at the College. Meeting new friends, finding people with common goals, attending exciting events; why not join in and have that life changing experience while you further your education? Extracurricular activities and clubs can make your college career an exciting journey, and looks great on a resume! Stark State offers over 40 clubs and organizations you can join, no matter what your interests are. Cheri Barth is the Student Life Coordinator, and is ready to help you find the club that’s perfect for you! Our clubs range from Interfaith Ministries to LGBTS Global to clubs specific to your major. Barth’s message to all SSC students is, “Get involved! Studies have shown that students who are active in college organizations have higher grades, better retention rates, and a higher graduation rate.” She encourages students to check their Stark State email daily, as announcements and updates on upcoming events and club information is sent directly through your email. Information on all our clubs and organizations can be found online through the Current Students, Student….Continued on Page 2.
Feeling Disconnected at Stark State Welcome To The Edge Introducing LGBTS Veteran’s Day Welcome to Limbo Women of Color The Decline of College Enrollment
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STARK VOICES EDITOR: Angel Baker CONTRIBUTORS: Charlene Neal Jake Dungan Miles Purdy ADVISORS: Nicole Herrera Elizabeth Modarelli DEPT. HEAD: Beth Williams
Life tabs on the College homepage. You can also access information through MyStarkState under Announcements, and Campus News and Events. There is also information on student government and Student Leadership Academy. Brochures and information on clubs are located throughout the College at the Admissions office, Connection Central, and in Barth’s office in S302a. She encourages you to stop by at any time or call her at 330-494-6170 ext. 4237. Don’t let another semester slip away with the feeling of not being connected to the College, or feeling you are missing out on that big university experience. Take a moment to check out all the College has to offer, and how you can be a part of something greater here at Stark State. Being involved takes minimal time, but the possibilities and benefits are endless.
Welcome To The Edge By Jake Dungan While Stark State College may be a commuter school without fraternities, sororities or students living on campus at all, that doesn’t mean there’s no way for them to be part of a community outside of classes. Stark State hosts numerous extracurricular clubs and groups so that students can get more involved and feel like they’re part of something at the school besides academics. One such group is The Edge worship gathering. The group meets every Thursday at 1:00 pm on campus for the purpose of worship, Bible study and prayer and encourages not just Christians to attend, but nonbelievers and even followers of different religions to gather in a casual, non-judgmental setting. “Everybody and anybody is welcome,” explained founder Bethany Tell, who has been leading the group for over two years now. “It’s a place where there’s not rules or regulations. It’s open for anyone to come in and feel accepted and loved.” Since the group started, they have been able to draw in folks from outside the Christian faith and have successfully made them feel at home. “We’ve had atheists come, we’ve had pagans come and we’ve had people that have been Buddhists come and experience the love of God,” said Tell. The Edge actually started as an independent gathering on campus before becoming an official community group with the College. They encourage attendees to come and go as they please, a policy which they still uphold today. “I went and talked to a counselor and he just gave me a room here on campus,” explained Tell. “When the Student Life department found out, they were all for it and they made us a legitimate group and we’ve been going ever since.” The Edge meets every Thursday from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on the Stark State main campus in Room B103. For more information about The Edge, please contact Bethany Tell via email at btell511@gmail.com.
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Introducing LGBTS By Angel Baker If you are looking for a club to support unity among all sexual orientations, LGBTS (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Straight) may be the club for you! No matter what your orientation is, LGBTS encourages harmony, support, and safety for all orientations. If you are looking for a safe haven, or you are ready to stand for up for human rights, LGBTS Global has a spot for you. Members meet on Thursdays, from 5-7p.m., in room G108. According to LGBTS Global, “The purpose of the group … is to promote harmony among all sexually diverse communities, end homophobia, provide a safe place for students to meet, support each other and talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, and work on educating ourselves and the broader Stark State College community about sexual orientation and gender identity issues.” The group offers support, counseling, and friendship for anyone who would like to join, or even just attend a function. LGBTS hosts many events to raise awareness throughout the college. The club has even taken trips to Washington, DC, to attend conferences teaching members how to help raise awareness and ways of promoting unity at SSC. Members are able to use the kitchen at New Vision United Church of Christ to bake all the goods for upcoming sales, and use the money to go to uplifting events such as Creating Change in Atlanta. The facility that oversees the quilt panels for the AIDS memorial quilt is in Atlanta, and our LGBTS members were able to visit this facility while on one of these trips. This year’s Creating Change Conference will be held in Denver. The advisor of our LGBTS club, Paul Schwitzgebel, would like to welcome everyone to come out and see the AIDS Memorial Quilt at the upcoming viewing. LGBTS Global facilitates the display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt at the College. The next display will be open Monday, December 1 in M100 for a week. The quilt is a memorial and remembrance of all those who have lost their lives to this horrible disease. The group hopes the quilt helps students and the community to know about the disease and be educated on the disease. If you are interested in helping the group attend this year’s conference, please help out by stopping by and purchasing some of their amazing baked goods during the bake sales. The money goes to a great cause, and the conference helps members to learn how to spread the word about LGBTS and educate others at the college to bring peace to our diverse community. Members are uplifted and given the correct tools to help bring about change and ensure the safety of all those who may seek solace and support. For more information on LGBTS Global here at Stark State, you can find flyers for the club on bulletin boards throughout the college, advertisements on the monitors, and updates on upcoming events are always available on the MyStarkState calendar. LGBTS Advisor Paul Schwitzgebel is always ready to help in any way, and is a wealth of knowledge for the group. You can reach Schwitzgebel in room C100, or by calling 330-494-6170 ext. 4906.
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Veterans Day By Charlene Neal
What would Francis Scott Key say if he saw the flags posted along the entry way of Kent State/Stark State? The row of red, white and blue standing out against the green grass. He would follow the flags to the main flag pole with Ole Glory on the top moving proudly with the wind. Who is Francis Scott Key? He is the author of our national anthem, “Star Spangled Banner.” There were volunteers from Stark State College and Kent Stark posting flags to get ready for the observation of Veterans Day. I was proud to be one of the many people placing small flags around Stark State and Kent Stark Campus. I was in awe as I walked down the midway from Frank Road. I saw the sea of American flags waving, and I felt an overpowering feeling of thankfulness and pride. I thought of all the men who served, were wounded, and died to keep this country free. From the minute men of the Revolutionary War to our brave soldiers that served in Iraq and Afghanistan, these flags are waving to show that we are grateful. Being a child of a veteran who served in WWII (under the well-known General George Patton), I heard many war stories. Sometimes my dad would stop in the midst of a story and his eyes would mist up with tears. I could feel his pain as he remembered the many men he saw die in front of him. I saw this proud grown man tear up whenever he saw the flags go by during a parade. Now, as I stood and saw all of those flags swaying, memories and pride overtook me for a moment. I knew friends that came home from the Vietnam War, totally changed. The horror stories from any war can create a tear from anyone who loves our America. Let’s remember our brave soldiers every day. If you see a veteran, or someone serving in the military, stop them and say; “Thank you for serving.” Remember the ones who have died defending our freedom. How quickly we forget the price that is paid for our independence. Hug your parent, or grandparent, that served in the Armed Forces. Let’s not let a day go by without remembering and honoring our valiant heroes that are risking, or has given their lives for us. Thank you to the people who were responsible for the display of our nation’s flags around Stark State and Kent Stark State. It was a great way to honor our veterans. Thank you veterans, students, faculty, and staff of Stark State College that are serving, or have served, in our military. We are proud and grateful. Stark Voices Page | 4
Welcome To Limbo By Miles Purdy Imagine driving in a blizzard during a road trip (without a GPS, mind you). You almost know where you’re going, you’re not quite sure where anything is, and the roads are unfamiliar. All you know is that you have to get there, wherever “there” is. This is what it can be like to be a post-secondary student. The post-secondary program is actually an excellent way for teenagers who have the gumption to get ahead in school. After all, why not do it, when we can get credits for high school and college at the same time? If the balance between high school and college can be achieved, it is a major bonus. Even so, it does leave us in a social limbo; not a college student, nor entirely a high school student either. Sure, this is a community college, with a highly diversified student base, and postsecondary students make up a decent chunk of that community. Yet there’s no real incentive for postsecondary students to be involved at Stark. Not only that, we`re still in high school, as well as have our own commitments to our schools too. I, for one, was excited to start at the College. The bases were all covered; teachers who would give interesting lectures, wanting and willing students to explore their curiosity (something that is null and void in high schools), and enlighten them. Who knew, there might even be a club I would want to join! Yet when I spoke with my new classmates, there was little interest in the College outside of the classes. And to be honest, I started treating the College like it was a more liberating version of high school. Sure, classes were harder, but at least we got to have open discussion with the teachers. The obvious “College credits without having to pay for them” motivation helped too. Besides, if I wanted to be involved in something, I was already in organizations outside of the college, so why make my time all that harder to manage? Over time, the experience at the college for post-secondary students is not necessarily the “college experience,” and leaves one wanting for something more. Getting involved in any way other than attending class and getting good grades starts to slip the mind. Just visiting the Stark State website, one can see over fifty organizations that exist at the college. And I, as a post-secondary student, had never felt the need to join any of them, until my College Composition teacher recommended I write for the paper. And isn’t that what`s really an important part of the college experience? That feeling of being a part of something beyond yourself? Then by that reasoning, there should be more post-secondary students involved in organizations at the College. Yet the student organizations’ presence is barely felt by us post-secondary students. It took a connection I had made with a teacher to even consider getting involved at the school. And perhaps that is what needs to be done with other students. Some form of program that would allow for connections to be made, regardless of age or other factors, which would help us figure out what we should focusing on/involved in. Like a student counselor, but someone a student can relate with on a more personal level. The place post-secondary students are at resembles the point of life we are at; caught between two places, still living our teen lives, but also participating in college. The expectations of us to succeed are the same, if not greater than most students. With our attention split between the college, high school and our own social lives, it makes it difficult to commit to the college. Without any incentive to be involved at the college, it is unsurprising participation is so low. Getting the word out to postsecondary students about being involved at Stark, whether in student organizations, volunteering or other mediums is essential for us to be involved. Stark State`s diverse student body can make connecting with each other challenging at times…Continued on Page 6 Stark Voices Page | 5
The world is not stagnant either; people aren`t all carbon copies of one another, and that can be seen clearly in our diverse student body. Overall, it is the quintessential simulation of the real world, and even with the disconnect that currently exists, it too can change, just as the outside world does.
Women of Color By Charlene Neal
There is an organization for every type of student at Stark State College. Being a part of an organization can help you feel like you are a part of the school. You can broaden your social horizon by meeting new students. All of our organizations are great; there are quite a few to select from. I chose to explore the organization known as “Women of Color” My investigation started with interviewing Angenita Daniels, a truly dedicated member of this organization. Daniels is an employee of Stark State College. You will see her smiling face in our Admissions Department. Women of Color originated in the fall of 2011, when founder and former director of the organization, Robin Tyler, became interested in starting an organization that could help women of color stay enrolled in Stark State College and graduate. She recognized that statistics showing students actively enrolled in extracurricular activities are more likely to stay in school. “Her objective was to increase retention and student participation” Daniels told me. Daniels became a member after strolling by a room where the organization was holding a meeting. She noticed the women were actively participating in a conversation about art. This piqued her interest. Then she noticed Robin Tyler involved in the conversation. Tyler encouraged Daniels to enroll at Stark State College in 2004. Daniels had tried attending large academic institutions several times before, but Tyler convinced her that she would succeed at Stark State College. Angenita Daniels graduated from Stark State College in 2008 with an Associate Degree in Human and Social Services. There are twenty members on the roster, and ten actively attending on a consistent basis. Women of Color is made up of Stark State College faculty, staff and students. It is open also to people outside of the college. The members outside of Stark State College are called allies. The officers are Marilyn Laster as president, Mahogany Coward as vice president, Tiffany Ford as secretary, and Daniels is currently holding both the treasurer and staff advisor positions. She said that the organization is currently transitioning new members due to students graduating. To become a member of Women of Color you just need to show interest, complete an application and agree to the terms of WOC Constitution & Bylaws…Continued on Page 7 Stark Voices Page | 6
The meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month in room S204/205 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. The dues are $5.00 per year. The organization does not have a SSC website at the time; however, one is currently in the making along with a Facebook page. “Women of Color is an opportunity for the college to spotlight diversity and to support student participation in group activities,” Daniels said. “I see this as a learning and developmental opportunity for students. As women, sometimes it is complicated to work with other women, but this group encourages and supports one another’s goals and achievements. I do see the organization growing. We are getting more new members who bring great suggestions and ideas to the group.” WOC holds fundraisers during the year. You may have seen them with their delicious bake sale items in front of the bookstore. Their next fundraiser seems delightful to me. It is a fashion show titled “Out of the Bag.” Models will be wearing clothing that is pulled out of a bag that was purchased from a secondhand clothing store, or from area clothing giveaways. Wow, I can’t wait for that! I sure could use some tips on how to effectively wear my acquired clothing from my favorite secondhand store. This fundraiser will take place November 21, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the ATC building. They are asking for volunteers to model. If you are interested, contact Angenita Daniels at 330-494-6170, ext. 4627. You can also email her at adaniels@starkstate.edu. Before I ended my interview with Angenita, I asked her if she wanted to include anything about the organization. She stated, “I am very pleased with this group and its growth. I would like people to know that you do not need to be of color to participate as a member. We look forward to having you attend a meeting or event.” After interviewing Daniels, I became so impressed with this organization. It is said that students will acquire experiences from club participation in college that will transcend to the community they will be a part of. The benefits of being a member of this organization will not only give you experience, they could transform you. Women of Color is encouraging women to become productive citizens of their community. They are setting goals that are good for them, but also they are giving to their community now. This is a great organization that will encourage any woman. Let’s give a hand and standing ovation for Robin Tyler for pioneering this great organization.
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The Decline of College Enrollment By Charlene Neal All across Ohio the enrollment for community colleges has been on the decline. Stark State College is no exception to this fact. It is true that Stark State is one of the largest community colleges in Ohio; however, it is not immune to the dilemma of declining enrollment. This past summer, Stark State College started an aggressive and effective recruiting operation. Student workers, along with Stark State employees, were on the phones everyday setting up appointments for possible new and returning students. I was one of the student workers on the phones. It was a great learning experience for me as I talked with many new prospective students. As I spoke with the students, I learned that this could be a great way for me to express the benefits of Stark State College and the many great programs that is offered. Some students did not realize the many opportunities that are available here. After talking with new possible students, I wondered what the main reason current students decided on Stark State, so I began to interview some students on campus. My question was: Why did you choose Stark State? There were many different answers, but the main ones were:
Less expensive Specific classes for their major Close to home Easy way for a quick degree to receive a job Small campus Smaller classes Great for older students Personal help in classroom Good for students who work Nice for getting main classes out of the way Good programs being offered
A couple of the students said that Stark State College had a great reputation within the community and surrounding area. A respiratory program student stated that students from Stark State College were more sought after. Every student I interviewed gave good remarks about the college. I asked myself, “Why is the enrollment down?” After interviewing some students, I realized that Stark State College, along with other community colleges, does not have the same type of student that attends typical large institutions. According to the Stark State College website, the average age of a Stark State student is 28. The majority of students also work. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, when the economy seems to look brighter, the older students will return to the workforce. This could be one reason why our enrollment is down. I spoke with one of our admissions counselors, Monica Womack, and we agree that Stark State College is made up of more non-traditional students. I interviewed Womack to get an idea of our current recruiting methods…Continued on Page 9 Stark Voices Page | 8
She told me one method is recruiting at area high schools. Once she went to an area high school, and she was there with colleges like Case Western Reserve, the University of Akron, and Kent State. We both agreed that Stark State is a different type of college than these institutions. Students interested in these types of colleges are generally not interested in community colleges, except for maybe getting their prerequisites. Our marketing strategy is going to be different than colleges like Case Western Reserve, the University of Akron, or Kent State. There may be some students that will attend Stark State right out of high school, but it seems those numbers are small. According to the American Association of Community Colleges: •
57% of students attending community colleges are between 22 and 39
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41% are part-time students working full-time
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40% are full time students working full-time
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36% are first generation to attend college
After looking at these numbers, it is common knowledge that most community college students, including Stark State College, are not your archetypal student. After my interviews, and some research, I have come to a conclusion that maybe we need to come up with a distinctive, yet broad recruiting method to recruit many styles of students. The answers I received from interviewing some current students can be used for marketing new prospective students. Stark State College is an excellent and reputable college. We understand this, now we just need to sell our exclusive distinctiveness to everyone outside of the college.
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Meet the Stark Voices Staff! Editor- Angel Baker Angel is a Technical Communications major and single mother of 5. She will be graduating in May 2015 and seeking a position with a major publication. She enjoys singing and acting and hopes to be able to use these talents in her profession.
Assistant Editor- Charlene Neal Charlene is a Technical Communications major and will be graduating this January. She is a nontraditional student at Stark State. She has enjoyed every class, but is looking forward to graduation. She loves to write, read and communicate and she loves animals. Her goal is to take her associate’s degree and use it to be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Assistant Editor- Jake Dungan Jake is a Technical Communications major hoping to work in the field of sports journalism. He is currently a freelance baseball columnist and after graduation, plans to work in Major League Baseball as a writer/reporter for either a local or national media outlet.
Advisors- Elizabeth Modarelli and Nicole Herrera Department Head- Beth Williams
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Stark Voices Page | 10