This post comes a few weeks late but I have officially graduated. That is right… I now have a Master of Education degree in College Student Affairs. It is crazy…and I will also be starting my very first full-time job in the field/ever as a full-time Residence Hall Director at Northern Arizona University in a few short weeks!! That’s right this girl from the East Coast is moving way west to Flagstaff, AZ!! I am so excited and even though legally I have been an adult for years…I am about to take my first real steps as an adult and out of school!! I know this post was intended to…

This past week, my cohort members and I presented our culminating presentations for our grad program. Even though we are still taking electives that presentation signified us completing our work in the grad program. Even though the presentation day has came and passed…I am still processing the fact that this graduate journey is almost to an end. Immediately after our presentations a couple of classmates and I went and bought our graduation robes which furthered the realization of this moment. Still in shock but needed to comment, Rena Tilisa Gore

Happy New Year!! It is day 15 of this new year but since this is the first time I am writing in 2013 that statement still rings true! One of the best times about a new year is that it is almost a new start a chance to redo or try something new, reflect on the past and explore where you want to go. That makes this time of the year quite perfect in working on my culminating project for graduate school. At Rutgers in the College Student Affairs program our  big culminating project includes a 25 page learning narrative. The learning narrative essentially is a reflection of all my…

This past week I had the pleasure of celebrating in MACUHO’s 40th birthday for its annual conference!! This was my first time coming to MACUHO and boy am I glad that I went to this one. The conference this year was in Baltimore, MD and we stayed at the Tremont Plaza Hotel & Grand Historic Venue! This was the living room section of the suite that I stayed in. There was also a cute kitchenette! I was truly living the suite life on the 29th floor!!  This photo above is the hallway that connects the hotel part of the Tremont Plaza to where most of our sessions and activities were…

This past Friday I made a big step towards my future. I finalized my flight and hotel details for the ACPA and C3 conference in March. ACPA is American College Personnel Association. It is one of the national organizations for student affairs professionals which is what I am aspiring to be.C3 is the job placement conference associated with it. This coming year the conference is to be held in Las Vegas which is extremely exciting!! I have never been.  I am excited for the trip but nervous/anxious about what will come from it. Of course I am praying for a job so we will see what happens. When I first…

Hello, So I have not written in a while and there is probably much to catch up on but first let me state that this post is almost exactly a year later from my first post in this blog. I am happy to report that I am in the second year of grad school.I am quite unhappy to report that this is EHS (Exploding Head Syndrome) month and I am feeling all its effects. Since this is my second year I am involved in my program and institution, still have full time classes and an internship plus I have to begin the job search process as well as start working…

It is after 2 in the morning and I am sitting at an 24/7 Starbucks with three of my graduate friends all working on different assignments and papers. I needed a break from trying to write a lit review and a conduct program ….so I am writing a blog. Funny thing is I actually love and enjoy writing until it becomes assigned and academic. Especially in grad school with APA formatting…it gives me such an anxiety attack. Ok, I need to go back and focus because this is crunch time the semester is nearly over so let me finish off strong or nearly strong. Hope to write soon, Rena

It is near the end of my first year as a grad student. At this point of the semester there is so much happening and going on that I can barely keep track of the days. This semester has literally flown by and I cannot believe we are near the end of April already. It is so funny that as much time goes by two things relatively opposing ideas continue to remain true: So much has changed, while at the same time So much is still the same. A lot of the change that has occurred has to do with being in grad school and being a grad hall director. …

So as a grad student I tend to have a lot on my plate. Especially with the added bonus of being a grad student pursuing a degree in College Student Affairs. For anyone who knows anything about College Student Affairs your life will constantly be busy with different projects, committees, your students, and your other co-workers. Now combine that with being a student, a daughter, a sister, and just having a life of your own.While wearing all of these different hats many of them at the same time you tend to be juggling a lot of work all the time. I recently found this article that shares or highlights tips…

It is March 2012 already… I am more than 75% done with my first year as a graduate student.  Time is literally flying by. Despite the speed at which time is going my life has been jam packed with my work as a grad student, having an internship, and field experience, as well as trying to maintain a social life.  I wish I had a bit more to say but as I mention above time is flying and there are so many things I have to do. Next week is spring break and this Friday I have to close my building for the break so hopefully after I will have…