Page 11 - Laker Connection 2014

More Than I Could Have Ever Dreamed...
Clayton State student Samantha Watson shares her academically empowering experience
Clayton State and its wonderfully encouraging faculty, staff, and de- partments have empowered me more than I could have ever dreamed.
Being an honors student has allowed me access to honors classes and exceptional faculty members. The enhanced classes, research opportu- nities, and invested faculty have empowered me to become a dedicated learner and have further pushed my interest of graduate programs.
Of all the professors I’ve had, Dr. Virginia Bonner has been the most inspiring. After four years of taking her classes and working with her, she has become a mentor for me. She has empowered me from day one by making me believe in my education and myself through her continual confidence in my abilities and reaching out to me with opportunities.
I also find empowerment through many other opportunities at Clayton State, most notably opportunities through the Department of Campus Life and the Department of Housing, Residence Life and Community Standards.
Being an AmeriCorps member in the spring of 2013 really empowered me to reach out on campus and in my community. The service program instilled humanitarian ideals and social consciousness in me. Also through Campus Life, I am in the Interfaith Leadership Ambassador Program, which empowers me through intensive education about dif- ferent faiths and religions and allows me to understand and respect dif- ferences in religion and work with diverse groups of people to complete service projects for our collective community.
Outdoor Adventure is also really pushing me to do things I wouldn’t normally do. It’s nice to have a balance between academics/intellectual growth and everyday life growth. After the Outdoor Adventure trips I feel physically invincible and wholly alive, not just intellectually strong.
Being an RA (Resident Assistant) has changed a lot about my campus experience and growth. I know many residents on a personal level and people feel comfortable coming to me with problems. This position not only helped me afford on-campus housing, but it is helping me become more confident in delegating conflict management situations as well as building my peer leadership skills.
by Samantha Watson
Watson
SPRING 2014 9