Summer Heat!

A lot of our current student’s really seem to think that we admission counselors don’t work in the summer since they know that they and their faculty are not on campus (unless taking/teaching summer classes). On the other side of this, the university still needs to function whether it is summer, fall, winter, or spring. The few of us who do work in the summer get to spend some quiet time around town. Since we don’t have a lot of students here, it is also a great time for those staff members to take some vacation time. So, if your admission counselor is out vacation and you really need to have a question answered…no worries! There is always someone here in our office Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm EST that can help you, so give us a call at (513) 529-2531. As for me, I am headed to my hometown of Brownsville, Texas in two days to visit my family and friends and to get married in nearby South Padre Island, Texas (please keep your fingers crossed for no rain or hurricanes).

What will you be doing this summer? Staycation? Any vacations?

My Miami Experience

For the last two days, I have been at a seminar on Privilege and Allies on campus here at Miami. Although we talked about many different types of privilege, including gender, religious, sexual orientation, and class, the seminar really centered on issues of race. The issue of race and privilege is actually the reason that I decided to work at Miami, and so this was a great experience for me to remember why I am here.
Let me give you some context: as a White woman, I never really expected to feel so passionately about racial oppression. But once I came to terms with the reality that oppression that doesn’t live in the hearts of individuals, but in the systemic inequities, there was no turning back. I knew that the rest of my life would be full of conversations about this concept we call “White Privilege.” As I said before, there are so many different ways that a person can have or not have privilege. Students of color are one of many demographics that have to think about things that the average Miami student doesn’t. For example, Black students are sometimes the only member of their race in any given classroom.
Although this topic is much too deep to delve into in this context, I am proud to say that I work at a university that holds seminars just so that we can get together and talk about what it means to be privileged and what it means to be oppressed. And we generate conversation about how we can be better allies as we continue to educate our constituents.
Miami is a university that continues the conversation about inequity. When it came time for me to choose a job, I knew Miami was a good choice because of opportunities like this one. When it comes time for you to choose a college, I hope you remember that Miami is a university that values education that will help change our students and our world.

Miami: My Two Worlds

Miami University is a great college choice, and it’s also a great place to work. I’ve done both! I graduated from Miami in 2009 with the bicentennial class, and I had the opportunity to join the admission staff shortly after graduating. I was excited to spend an extra year at my home away from home, and it’s been a wonderful experience seeing Miami in two very different ways. When I was a student, I would get up and head to class or begin studying. Instead of throwing on something casual, I had to get used to dressing up a little more and head to the office after grabbing a bowl of Special K. I’m still on Miami’s campus, but it is a much different atmosphere in the professional world since campus is no longer my home. Throughout this past year, I’ve made a lot of connections with parents, students, guidance counselors, and colleagues, and I have also enjoyed doing some travel for the university. Choosing the right college is certainly not an easy process, and I have enjoyed helping students find the right fit. My time at Miami is now drawing to a close as I am preparing to move away for graduate school, but I want to give a shout out and welcome the incoming freshman class. I also wish everyone the best of luck finding the right college!

How is Miami like Disney World?

Last week I went home to Tampa, FL to spend some time with my family. After a long admission season, it was really nice to relax for a whole week! While I was home, I took a trip to Epcot: one of the four theme parks that make up Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. I hadn’t been to Epcot in over ten years, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was definitely surprised at what I found! Most theme parks I’ve been to are focused on entertainment and exhilaration, but Epcot provided an educational perspective that many parks lack. From the “Spaceship: Earth” ride that highlighted the influence of technology on innovation, to the “Living with the Land” ride that emphasized the importance of sustainability on farming, my brain was full of appreciation for the human spirit. These rides were all part of the “Future World” section of the park. The other side of the park is called “World Showcase” for a very good reason: it’s made up of eleven pavilions that represent different countries of the world. Each ‘country’ has components that allow visitors to gain a sense of the culture: clothing, rides that detail the history of the country, dances, music, and of course, FOOD!

After a full Moroccan meal, I thought about how my Epcot experience was really similar to a college experience. One great part of college is that you learn new things all the time, and you get a better understanding of things that you already knew. But, in my opinion, the better part of college is the exposure to so many different people and cultures. And the best part? That you get to teach your friends about your family’s killer mac’ and cheese recipe, or the Dutch Dance you do every year, or your practice of Bhakti Yoga. These interactions are what make college such a profound and life-changing experience, and these are the things that you have to look forward to!

Proud moments

Last Friday night I celebrated my son’s high school graduation. Yesterday, I attended the First Year Orientation with him here at Miami University. I was impressed with the advising staff who took time with each new student and family to provide information and share available resources to help start their journey into college. Today, I am so proud of my son’s success and proud to welcome him to the Miami Family! Check out our Miami advising and majors below to begin your future plans.

Links with information about advising and majors at Miami University: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/advising/index.html http://www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/majors-minors/index.html

Macy’s Day Parade

I know what you’re thinking…its June, why am I blogging about the Macy’s Day Parade now? Well, we just got word that our Marching Band will be marching at the parade this year, which I think is amazing. As a former band member (both marching and concert), I know how much of a major accomplishment this is and I will finally be able to proudly say: that is OUR marching band out there and cheer them on from my comfy couch at home. This is definitely going to be one more thing added to the holiday lists of “to dos.” Are you going to watch?