College Steps will be hosting student Shadow Days starting on March 28th! Join us on campus for a first-hand, personalized experience. Check out our EVENTS page for more details!
Liam's Race to Support College Steps - THANK YOU!!
Eric’s Story & Green Goddess Cafe!
Close collaboration between the College Steps program and Lamoille County Mental Health Services have helped Eric successfully graduate from Northern University’s Johnson campus with the skills needed for self-sufficiency both in the workforce and to live independently.
Eric enrolled in College Steps, a campus-based academic support service. When it was time for Eric to do an internship as part of his college plan, Waterbury’s Stowe Street Cafe brought him on board where he started in the kitchen and worked the front of the café. College Steps staff, the café owner, and Eric worked together in shaping opportunities for him not only to learn job duties but to also the soft skills all employees need.
Eric graduated from Northern University with a Certificate of Higher Learning. Eric’s increased confidence and social skills acquired during his two years in College Steps resulted in his becoming employed at the Green Goddess Café in Stowe. Work at this popular spot was challenging at first, as busy lunches and large crowds could be overwhelming.
College Steps and Lamoille County Mental Health’s Supported Employment staff assisted the owners and Eric in problem solving both on and off the job. Job support was helpful, but Eric’s growth and success arose largely from his own determination to do well at the Green Goddess. Eric accomplished this by using the problem solving and social skills he learned during college. The owners say Eric is hard working and are glad to call him their employee.
Eric’s home provider and service coordinator worked in unison to assist Eric to continue his journey and accomplish his dreams for employment, his own apartment and further education.
Eric has kept his dreams alive by enrolling at Community College of Vermont while maintaining his job at the Green Goddess. Eric’s evolution has enabled him to sustain his college studies using only natural supports, while living independently in his own apartment. The culmination of Eric’s hard work, perseverance, and long-term vision will be his graduation this spring when he receives his Associate degree.
Eric’s response to his progress and accomplishments? “You can’t begin to fathom how much hard work, perseverance, and a little help from the people around you can really pay off in the end… because in the end, the payoff from overcoming your own obstacles leading up to this point weighs as much as all the gold in Fort Knox.”
Sharing knowledge about Graphic Design/Marketing
At our NOVA Loudoun program, Rose Pleskow has been studying graphic design and marketing. Learning to use the design software applications, like Illustrator and Photoshop, take a lot of practice and patience. Taylor, Loudoun’s Program Coordinator, linked Rose and Kim, College Steps Community Coordinator on a Google Hangout to talk about a few struggles Rose was having using Illustrator. With a few tips and short keys recommendations, Rose practiced and quickly figured out the issue she was having! Way to go Rose. :)
NVU Johnson Student Interns at Sequist Animal Hospital
NVU Johnson Student, Paul Marcoux, has begun an internship at Sequist Animal Hospital in Morrisville, Vermont. Paul says “I really enjoy working animals and their families. I also help out with the merchandise. Everyone is very nice. Also, if the timing works out they will let watch the x ray machine, shots and dental work!” Paul looks forward to helping continue to merchandise and sit in on animal patient visits.
Mentor of the Month: Caleb Locke
Mentor of the Month: Wynter Early
Have You Heard About ADVANCE?
What Is ADVANCE?
ADVANCE is an exciting new partnership between Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and George Mason University (Mason) that gives NOVA students targeted, personalized support to complete their bachelor's degrees in a timely manner and save money.
Who Is Eligible?
ADVANCE is available to all new and current NOVA students with 0-30 degree applicable credits earned, who plan to transfer to Mason to pursue a bachelor’s degree in any of the programs offered.
What Programs Are Offered?
ADVANCE offers degrees in some of the most in-demand fields in the Northern Virginia region, filling critical workforce needs and preparing you for success in your career.
Learn more by clicking here.
Poise Under Pressure
Jack Clark is a first-year student at Johnson State College in Northern Vermont. He is passionate about sports and is currently taking classes in sports management.
For several years, Jack has served as an announcer at high school hockey games, and this past year launched his own sports talk show on the campus radio station 90.7 WJSC.
But a couple of weeks ago, Jack’s producer had to cancel on him at the last minute. Determined to get his show on the air, Jack reached out to College Steps peer mentors Erik and Ally who were happy to come manage the soundboard while he hosted the show.
Great work under pressure Jack, and thank you to Erik and Ally. To check out Jack's sports blog visit: https://blog2614.wixsite.com/jackclark
Mentor of the Month: Ali El-Araby
Meet Ali El-Araby, our College Steps May/June Mentor of the Month. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Ali recently graduated from Northern Virginia Community College and will continue his education at the University of Virginia this fall where he will study kinesiology.
College Steps Program Coordinator, Taylor Bryant, was eager to nominate Ali for this recognition, noting his professionalism. “Ali always pays great attention to detail. All of his mentor journals are turned in on time and are very well written, and he is one of the first mentors to step up if I need help covering a shift,” says Taylor.
She also noted Ali put in extra time at the end of the semester with a mentee who needed support preparing her psychology paper and studying for her final.
When asked what he most enjoyed about being a mentor, Ali says it was seeing his fellow students grow and develop both socially and academically.
"What stood out to me working with the students is the amazing transformation in character and performance that they showed as the year progressed,” he explained. “Some students were extremely shy, reserved, and seemingly overwhelmed at the start of the academic year. Others had it in them to perform well academically, but they never had the right tools to achieve that. It was heartwarming to see them get the results they put the effort for, and it's a real pleasure that they are now our friends for life. Being part of College Steps was an experience unparalleled by any other."
Thank you, Ali for going above and beyond to help your fellow students and mentors. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
