Page 9 - Laker Connection Fall 2012

the way, Yaacoub became president and founder of Clayton State’s International Stu- dent Association, a DEEP Peer educator, a member on the Student Fees Committee, a member of the Financial Club, a dean’s list student and an attendee and presenter at sev- eral scholarly mathematical conferences throughout the Southeast, and the winner of the William A. Watt Award and the Mathe- matics Outstanding Senior Award from the College of Information and Mathematical Sciences.
If that’s not enough inclusion, Yaa- coub capped his time at Clayton State by being named the Homecoming King in Feb- ruary 2012.
Engagement
Education at Clayton State is more than in- forming students, it’s about engaging stu- dents in a dynamic learning experience and preparation outside the classroom that chal- lenges them to develop a depth of under- standing, both inside and outside their fields of study.
For example, engagement at Clayton State is the Non-Traditional Student Organ- ization putting on a “Welcome Back to Your Dream” meet and greet, to allow non-tradi- tional students, a group that often has diffi- culty becoming engaged with the college scene, to mingle and get to know each other.
Engagement in learning is about Christina Gardner being offered a computer
science major’s dream internship for the summer of her senior year as a full-time em- ployee at United Services Automobile As- sociation’s world headquarters in San Antonio, Tex., thanks to the networking and opportunities available through the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Comput- ing conference she attended in Atlanta.
Supportive Community
Finally, Clayton State is a supportive com- munity. There is a sense of support, and of student-centeredness that’s hard to miss. That support starts with the efforts of the First-Year Advising and Retention Center, and continues throughout the student’s Clayton State career, including the careers of graduate students. It includes student services like financial aid, career services,
FALL 2012 7
The Clayton State Women’s Forum Scholarship I received paid for the majority of my summer classes, which were essential for me to stay on track for graduation. I will always be grateful to them for their support in making my dreams real and will readily support them.
Christina Gardner
DREAMS. MADE REAL.