Year: 2019

By: Tatiana Sosa & Morgan Erickson

With the end of the fall semester, many of us will catch a breather and enjoy time with family and friends, or maybe even stay in bed all day watching movies. To that end, here are some of our favorite holiday movies.

“Elf”

A family friendly comedy classic starring Will Ferrell who plays the Elf that ventures to New York City in hopes of reconnecting with his real father. As he has been told by Santa himself, he was put up for adoption and now has to face barriers as he tries to fit in with his new family. This is our number one favorite holiday movie.

“ Home Alone”

Another great comedy classic to watch with the family. The main character in the movie, 8 year-old Kevin McCallister, is played by Macaulay Culkin who acts bratty the night before his family leaves for Paris for Christmas and he accidently gets left behind and is “home alone.” During his time at home, Kevin faces trouble with two con men who are trying to burglarize the McCallister home.

”Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”

In this film, Kevin mistakenly gets on a plane to New York City while the rest of his family is on their way to Florida for the family holiday vacation. He stays at the fancy Plaza Hotel and ends up meeting with the same two burgulars. What does he do? He tries to stop them from stealing from a toy store on Christmas Eve.

“The Grinch”

The Grinch is a newer animated version of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” The storyline remains the same – the Grinch in no fan of Christmas. After he steals Christmas from the people of Whoville, he realizes that gifts are not what Christmas is all about. Instead, being with family and friends is what is important. Cindy Lou Who invites the Grinch to Christmas dinner with her family and his heart is whole again.

“A Christmas Prince”

A Christmas Prince is one of our personal favorites. If you enjoy cheesy Hallmark movies, be sure to put this one on your list! (There are also two sequels: A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding, as well as A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby.) In the first movie, a journalist named Amber travels to Europe to write an article on Prince Richard. When she arrives at the royal castle, she is mistaken as the American tutor for the prince’s younger sister. Amber goes along with playing the part of tutor and she becomes very close with Prince Richard and the rest of the royal family. Can you guess the ending? We bet that you can!

More holiday movies to enjoy:

1. Home Alone 3
2. Polar Express
3. Four Christmases
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
5. The Santa Clause
6. Arthur Christmas
7. Bad Santa
8. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
9. Miracle on 34th Street
10. Jingle All the Way
11. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding
12. A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby

 

By Angelina Anderson, biology major and honors student

As the fall semester comes to a close and the holiday season is upon us, there is a lot to do in and around the Chicagoland area, especially if you are staying in town for winter break. Whether you’re from Chicago or not, you can definitely find something new and interesting to do in the coming winter months.

I recently ventured out to the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza for some hot chocolate. Even though I am a Chicagoland native, this was my first time visiting this famous spot and I was fascinated to see all of the booths with different ornaments, decorations, and handmade items.

Other attractions in Chicago are the outdoor ice skating rinks located throughout the city and  suburbs. Just two of my favorite rinks are the one in Maggie Daley Park on the ribbon walk way and the rink at McCormick Plaza. Whether you know how to skate or not, outdoor ice skating can be a blast. You can rent skates at many of these locations, too.

Another fantastic sight this time of year is Chicago’s Christmas tree lit up and decorated in Millennium Park. Each year a tree is picked to decorate Millennium Park and this year’s tree hails from Elgin, just west of Roosevelt’s Schaumburg Campus. And the Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Morton Arboretum are also known for their holiday decorations and fun.

Does the holiday season make you want to sing? Join in the fun at Caroling at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park. And finally, you can finish up the holiday festivities at Navy Pier’s Winter Wonder Market.

If you will be in the Chicagoland area for winter break, be sure to bundle up and try out some of Chicago’s winter holiday traditions and events!

For more information about winter events in and around Chicago, consult TimeOutChicago. (All photos courtesy of TimeOut Chicago.)

 

By Amy Holm, junior

Hi, my name is Amy Holm. I’m a junior transfer student studying the history of medicine. I’ve developed different study strategies over time that I would like to share with you.

1. Time management is hogwash.

This might be surprising to you, but if you concentrate on time management, all you’ll do is feel guilty about the time you’ve “wasted.” Don’t get me wrong, finding hidden time in your day to do your homework is great! If you can concentrate on studying while on a train or bus, more power to you. But if you’re stressing about how little time you have, then get rid of the time management mindset. In fact, try to forget time exists and focus simply on the task you have to accomplish.

2. Multitasking is also hogwash.

Focus on one task at a time and the quality of your work will go WAY up.  You’ll get your work done faster and you’ll increase your productivity if you stop multitasking. If you task switch, your productivity goes down 40% according to this Psychology Today article. Start one task and finish it before going on to the next task. Multitasking also encourages forgetfulness, procrastination, and feelings of loss of control. Multitasking causes stress and can cause insomnia by putting your brain on overdrive.

3. The Pomodoro Method

This method is where you do your work in 25 minute intervals and take small breaks in-between. I generally use this method when I’m studying for an exam because only so much information can be absorbed in my brain at one time. My breaks are usually only 5 minutes; enough time to make some tea, use the bathroom, or clean my workspace. Then I go right back to work. But there is a small rule for the Pomodoro method: do not use your breaks to be on your smartphone. Using your smartphone does not represent a true break for your brain. Instead, stretch, meditate, or try one of my tips and then get right back to work!

4. Which is most important task?

Take a piece of paper and list all of the tasks you have to do. Then start categorizing them into four sections:

• Urgent and important.
• Urgent but not important.
• Not urgent, but important
• Not urgent and not important.

This method will help you determine which tasks you should concentrate on first.

5. Procrastination?

Verbalize your excuses and create the 5-minute plan. Only work on a task for 5 minutes and do whatever else you want to do. Usually it’s beginning a task that is the most problematic. Procrastination is where you’re so stressed out over a task that you ignore it completely hoping it will go away. My method is to just dig in to the task because otherwise my stress will become much worse. Once you start, you could very well forget that you were supposed to do it for only 5 minutes and end up completing the task.

6. Sleep

Do not do homework in bed and do not sleep at your desk! Otherwise you are training yourself to be awake in bed and to sleep on hard surfaces. Sleep is a lot more important than most college students realize. Everything you just studied? You won’t retain it without sleep. I would rather go over some material and go to sleep than try to cram everything in my brain and get no sleep. Avoid naps, no caffeine after 3 p.m., stop using technology 30 minutes before bedtime, and avoid oversleeping, too.

7. Caffeine

I also try to avoid caffeine as a way to stay awake. Caffeine can cause dehydration and one of the main symptoms of dehydration is fatigue. Large quantities of caffeine can induce behavioral depression, which results in sleepiness and decreased performance. Caffeine burns calories as it stimulates insulin production, leading to a sudden drop in blood sugar and feelings of lethargy.

8. Learn your learning style.

Some people can only learn when they move! Some are more visual learners; some are audio learners; and some can only really learn by reading. Some people have to have visual and audio to learn; some people can only learn things when they’re alone, while others learn best by group  study. Find out what actually works for you and find out the strategies that work best for the way you learn!

9. Trying to concentrate

Keep a concentration score-sheet. Whenever your mind wanders, check a mark on the sheet. This reminds you to get back to work and helps encourage self-observation. Find a location that is made for studying. It needs to be somewhere quiet and well lit. Put your smartphone out of sight and out of mind.

10. Ask for help!

If you do not understand a concept or if you are having trouble figuring out how to complete a task, go to your professor’s office hours; go to the learning commons; get a peer mentor. You can’t do everything yourself and that’s okay! People are there to help you succeed.

EMAIL:

rbuccola@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Professor of English and Chair of the Department of Humanities, Roosevelt University

HOMETOWN:

Louisville, KY

COLLEGE:

Bellarmine University

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

English and Journalism/Communications double major

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

To be a writer

EXTRACURRICULARS DURING UG (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.):

I founded the campus chapter of Amnesty International and served as the news editor and subsequently editor in chief of the campus newspaper, The Concord.

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

It reminds me a great deal of Bellarmine, actually, and I had a wonderful educational experience there. The low student-faculty ratio is a similarity, as is the opportunity for faculty to work closely with students both in and out of the classroom. Finally, the really amazing opportunities to hear from and meet cutting-edge thinkers and writers offered at both institutions is a major draw. By my senior year, I had had the opportunity to meet and interview Joyce Carol Oates and Norman Mailer.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:

I just finished copy editing an article on “marathon” productions of Shakespeare’s history plays for a new series called Cambridge Elements which will be published online by Cambridge University Press. Right now, I have a pile of books on my desk about Hamlet for a teacher workshop on the play at Chicago Shakespeare Theater where I will deliver the kick-off lecture. Next month, I start work as the dramaturg for The Shakespeare Project of Chicago’s production of Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker’s 17^th-century play The Roaring Girl (based on a real cross dressing woman in 17^th-century London, Mary Frith!).

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Don’t dream it. Be it.” – The Rocky Horror Picture Show

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:

I was painfully shy as a child. Now, if you walk into an elevator with me, I 100% guarantee that I will talk to you.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

The answer is “yes.” Take advantage of all of the incredible opportunities that will be offered to you at Roosevelt, and in the surrounding city.

FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:

The Sullivan Room

FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:

The lakefront – anywhere along the entire length of it. It is amazing to live next to an inland sea, with its own weather and eco-systems.

CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:

Social justice which, for me, right now, means fighting for women’s rights to equal pay and to control of their own bodies, and working to address the effects of climate change, which will become catastrophic in our lifetimes if we do not take drastic action now.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Christopher Strong (1933) – I have a thing for pre-code films, and this one stars a young Katherine Hepburn as a pioneering pilot who flies around the world.

WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:

Incremental crises (like paper assignments or exams that don’t go as well as you’d hoped) fade very quickly into the background. Employers don’t really care what your GPA is. They care about what you know, the skill sets that you bring to the table, your level of commitment to the work that you do, and the generosity of spirit that you bring to the communities with which you interact. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Take care of figuring out who you are, what makes you tick, and what makes you happy. The rest will fall into place and come into focus around you.

By Phylicia Richardson, senior psychology major

After talking to fellow transfer students, I realized we all have different reasons and stories for why we decided to transfer to Roosevelt University. This is my experience.

Why did I transfer?

The institution I transferred from is a community college in Miami, Florida. I graduated from that institution with my Associate of Arts degree with a major in psychology. In my final semester, I knew I wanted to continue my education and receive my bachelor’s degree at a university.

How did I choose Roosevelt University?

I initially thought it was best to remain in Florida. So I originally only looked at in-state universities. But upon further consideration of what I wanted and what was the best learning environment for me, I took a risk and applied to intuitions outside of Florida that had strong psychology programs. I found Roosevelt during my search and I am glad that I did.

How did I know Roosevelt was the school for me?

When I received my acceptance letters from the different schools, I decided to research the history of those institutions. After learning more about the history of how Roosevelt University was founded, I knew Roosevelt was the place for me. Diversity has always been a research interest for me and I knew what it meant to me to attend a university whose foundation is rooted in manifesting diversity, inclusion and equity. Knowing that if I had wanted to attend Roosevelt University when it first opened in 1945 that I would have been allowed to attend means a lot to me. Seeing the photographs in the hallways of the Auditorium Building of the early students are constant reminders of Roosevelt’s moral beginnings and why I am proud to walk these halls.

What have I gained in transferring?

 I have gained so much during my time at Roosevelt. I have made life-long friends by getting involved in student life, including the College of Arts and Sciences Student Advisory Council (CASSAC), the Student Board of Conduct, the McNair Scholars program and Alpha Phi Omega.

                  

Was it hard settling into a new city and university?

Change is always hard. Being away from my family and my best friends was a first for me. The beginning of my first semester was a little lonely. Thankfully, Roosevelt welcomed me with open arms, I was able to find people I connected with and began to form a new type of family. I really took #ChicagoIsOurCampus campus to heart. Every chance I get I try and explore different parts of the city. My favorite part of living in Chicago is the duality of nature and the urban landscape that exist here.

EMAIL:

nbaldwin01@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology & Director of  the MA in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Program

HOMETOWN:

Bowling Green, OH

COLLEGE:

Bowling Green State University (BGSU)

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

Psychology, BS

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

Interested in understanding human behavior.

EXTRACURRICULARS DURING UG (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.):

Animal Behavior Assistant , APhiO, Kappa Alpha Order, IFC, RSA,

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

I believe in Roosevelt’s mission for social justice and I want to be a part of defining that in a modern context.

BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:

“The Social Animal” by David Brooks

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Knowledge is essential to understanding, and understanding should precede judgement” – Justice Louis Brandeis

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:

My first paid job included slicing rat brains.

FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:

The “Bean”

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Ant-man and The Wasp

EMAIL:

jfine@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Lecturer, Paralegal Studies

HOMETOWN:

born in Evanston, IL; grew up in Appleton, WI (ages 7 – 18)

COLLEGE:

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Northwestern University; DePaul College of Law

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

US History/English (BA at UW); English/Sociology (MA at Northwestern); DePaul University (JD)

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

The history of most things is what I’ve always found the most fascinating part of our culture. I also believe that we do need to understand what happened to get us to “NOW” and why it happened so we can make better choices going forward.

EXTRACURRICULARS DURING UG (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.):

Wrote for The Daily Cardinal the University of Wisconsin student newspaper covering news, sports, and cultural events; Did draft counseling through the American Friends Service Committee (Quaker organization) during the Vietnam War. Participated in folk music concerts to raise money for various educational and anti-war causes.

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

Having spent almost a decade as a high school history and English teacher, I wanted to continue teaching after law school. In particular I wanted to teach Law and the opportunity presented itself in 1983 through the Paralegal Studies Program (then knowns as the Lawyer’s Assistant Program_. Also, I really was drawn to Roosevelt because of the history behind the founding of the University and the ideals of diversity and cultural and gender inclusion.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:

An autobiography my daughters asked me to write.

BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:

or after graduation – 11/22/63 by Stephen King.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde;

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison when asked about inventing the lightbulb;

and, since 2016

“On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” – H.L. Mencken

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT:

I had dinner with Muhammad Ali.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

Put away your cell phones, make eye contact, and think about what you can add to every class you choose to take. Think adventurously!

by Evi Arthur
Senior, Journalism Major

Over the summer I interned at St. Louis Magazine.

Desperate for an internship and sick of the lack of response I was getting from all the other publications I’d applied to, I emailed one of the editors of the magazine asking about an internship program and sent along a resume, a cover letter, and a few clips.

She responded within a day letting me know that they’d be happy to have me—the best response I had gotten from my entire internship search.

That whole summer—instead of spending my time lying on the beach or going to the mall with my friends (I’m not exactly sure what other college kids do in their free time)—I spent my Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays writing articles, interviewing sources, fact-checking information, and keeping up with the weekend events in the city.

And I really loved it. I felt like I wasn’t wasting my summer by doing silly things like relaxing (kidding) and making new friends (half-kidding), I was making myself more marketable to employers after graduation. And isn’t that what summer break is really all about?

Although the internship was a wonderful experience where I grew as a writer and a journalist, I also learned that writing for a city magazine wasn’t the field I really wanted to go into after all. This is the hidden value of an internship – by doing the job, you might learn that you want something different.

I always saw myself working for a city magazine after graduation. I saw it as a great jumping off point into bigger, more-prominent magazines, —and I still do—but interning at St. Louis Magazine helped me to realize that this wasn’t the type of jounal I  wanted to write for. It was fun, but I felt like I wanted to be able to write about more serious, non-local news and working at a city magazine wouldn’t allow me to do that.

And that’s, frankly, one of the best things I think an internship can teach you. I’m happy to have been able to figure that out myself before being on my own and needing to find a steady job and being uncertain about what I want.

This summer I learned a lot about being proactive and the power of experiential learning. If I had not been proactive and emailed the editor, I probably would not have gotten the internship. And although I learned through it that I didn’t want to go into this particular area of journalism, I think that was a very valuable conclusion to come to and it has been helping me narrow down my options for next semester’s internship search.

So always strive to find those out-of-school experiences that will teach you something valuable that you might not learn in class. It could save you some time and confusion after graduation.

EMAIL:

tmccoy@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice

HOMETOWN:

Black Springs, Arkansas

COLLEGE:

Sam Houston State University

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

Sociology/Political Science

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

I actually wanted to major in political science but transferred to a new college and majoring in political science would have taken another semester of courses to graduate. Fortunately, sociology was a great fit for me and the combination paired wonderfully.

EXTRACURRICULARS DURING UG (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.):

I played college basketball so I had little time for anything else. The experience was invaluable though. I made friendships that have endured to this day AND my education was completely paid for!

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

I loved the idea of being involved in a criminal justice program that was in its earliest stages of development. Also, the ideal of social justice captivated me. Coming from the South, all of the universities I had contact with had more of a law and order orientation. Perhaps most important was the city of Chicago, a cultural smorgasbord  that I had craved since childhood, growing up in a place with virtually no religious, ethic, or racial diversity. It’s been a fantastic fit for me and one of the greatest experiences of my life.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:

The impact of county conservatism on detaining girls who are charged with status offenses.

BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:

Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America. Also, The Rich Get Rich, The Poor Get Prison by Jeffrey Reimann

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“My conscience won’t let me go shoot my brother, or some darker people, or some poor hungry people in the mud for big powerful America. And shoot them for what? They never called me nigger, they never lynched me, they didn’t put no dogs on me, they didn’t rob me of my nationality, rape and kill my mother and father. … Shoot them for what? How can I shoot them poor people? Just take me to jail.” —Muhammad Ali, 1967, protesting the Vietnam War

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:

I witnessed an actual execution in Arkansas. It only increased the intensity of my opposition to capital punishment.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

Get to know your professors personally. Stop by my office. Tell me more about you, where you grew up, your family, and career goals. I love really getting to know my students. You will feel more connected. Establishing a personal connection with a professor has one of the strongest influences on the likelihood a student will continue college.

FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:

Second floor Fainman Lounge overlooking Grant Park.

FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:

It was crossing the bridge over the Chicago River on Michigan Avenue but that was before the Trump Tower. Now, I would have to say driving north on Lake Shore Drive, south of the city at night.

YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY:

Muhammad Ali. He was willing to risk everything fighting for his political, religious, and social beliefs. Also Bob Dylan—wow, where do I begin? Basically, he changed the course of history through his music. He’s a poetic genius.

CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:

Defeating Donald Trump because innumerable civil liberties are in jeopardy should he be reelected.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Wonderboys starring Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Robert Downey Jr. Tobey MacGuire, and Katie Holmes. I’ve actually seen it before but find it worth revisiting. It follows the existential crisis of a pot-smoking college professor in love with a married administrator at his university.

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM:

Chicago Bears

WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:

It’s important to go to class!

By Jessica Melnik, junior transfer student majoring in Paralegal Studies.

SURPRISE…not all Roosevelt students live on campus. Many commute to campus like I do. Here are the “A to Z” tips  that each commuter commuting student can use.

A:  Anticipate delays while traveling to class, so leave a few minutes early each day that you commute to campus.

B:  Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid texting while walking and make sure everything is zipped up in your pockets and bags.

C:  Check your email before heading off to campus. Nothing is worse than commuting 30 minutes or more only to discover that class was canceled the night before.

D: Don’t get discouraged about commuting! You have commuting perks such as saving money, sleeping in your own bed each night, and having your own bathroom.

E:  Eat healthy by packing healthy and nutritious meals to eat while at school. Avoid eating fast food and food from vending machines.

F:  Find a quiet and relaxing place to study and do homework while you are on and off campus.

G:  Get involved in student organizations to stay connected with your peers. Just because you are a commuter student doesn’t mean that you can’t be involved in student activities!

H:  Have a guilty pleasure…mine is coffee. It gets me through a long day of commuting.

I:  Invest your free time and energy in something productive such as a part time job which helps you save money for future needs. Volunteering is also something very productive and looks great on your resume.

J:  Just breathe…commuting to school can become hectic and overwhelming, but remember that commuting to school is only temporary for a few years.

K:  Know alternative routes to school in the event that your main travel route is not an option.

L:  Learn to say thank you to the family members and friends that may drive you to the train station, bus station or even all the way to campus.

M:  Memorize your class schedule to avoid confusion. You don’t want to arrive for a 9:00 a.m. class on Monday, when that class actually meets on Tuesday!

N:  Never make eye contact or speak with commuters who are acting in an odd or potentially dangerous manner. Stay near other fellow commuters.

O:  Organizers or planners are a great way to keep track of assignment due dates, work schedule, student activities, and campus events.

P:  Prepare everything you need the night before your commute. Gather your books, chargers, umbrella, food, etc. together so that you aren’t hunting for them in the morning.

Q:  Quick feet are productive feet. Walking is good for your mental and physical health.

R:  Read while you take the train or bus to campus.

S:  Schedule your classes around the same time or even on two or three days a week. That way you’re not commuting Monday through Friday.

T:  Time management is your best friend. If you arrive home early from school, don’t watch your favorite TV show. Instead, get some work done so that way you can enjoy your commute-free weekend.

U:  Utilize your perks. At Roosevelt, students get a discounted CTA Ventra card which includes unlimited rides on the “L” each semester. Also, student parking discounts are everywhere.

V:  Venture out of your comfort zone and take the long way home when you’re feeling the need for a change.

W:  Winter season can be a drag when commuting, so invest in warm apparel to make the season bearable… it’ll be worth it.

X:  Xenia is a Greek word that means “Guest Friendship,” in which people who are far from home show courtesy to others who are also far from home. Be nice to your fellow commuters. Tell them if you see that their bag is unzipped. Let them know if they drop something.

Y:  Yield to cars. Even though pedestrians have the right of way, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Z: Zzzzz Get your rest, especially on a night before commuting.

 

EMAIL:

kevans@mail.roosevelt.edu

ANTICIPATED GRADUATION DATE:

Fall 2019

HOMETOWN:

Chicago

WHY YOU CHOSE ROOSEVELT:

I came here last minute. I stayed for the amazing professors!

MAJOR/MINOR:

English w/ a Creative Writing Concentration, minor in Philosophy

DREAM JOB AND WHY:

I’d love to own a publishing company someday because I’d have the ability to produce stories by underrepresented cultures and groups in literature.

EXTRACURRICULARS (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC):

Alpha Phi Omega, RU Proud, SPEED, The Blaze, CASSAC, and Sigma Tau Delta.

“GOING TO CRUSH THIS EXAM” PUMP-UP SONG:

“Chun Li” by Nicki Minaj

STUDY BREAK GUILTY PLEASURE:

I always end up stopping two play guitar for like 2 hours.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Time you enjoyed wasting was not wasted.” -Misattributed to John Lennon

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Sorry to Bother You

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM:

Womens’ National Soccer Team/Chicago Red Stars

EMAIL:

nrobinson13@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Lecturer, Criminal Justice

HOMETOWN:

Justice, Illinois

COLLEGE:

University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

English (Major), Spanish (Minor)

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

I have always enjoyed reading and writing so whatever career I chose, I knew my English major could help me.  As it relates to my minor, I believed that speaking Spanish would open up a world of opportunity for me to be bilingual and study abroad.  It was also the language that I knew I could use the quickest and the most as some of my friends were Spanish speakers.

EXTRACURRICULARS DURING UG (CLUBS, ORGS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS, VOLUNTEER WORK, ETC.):

Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Voices of Soul (Member and Conductor)

I worked as a Resident Assistant my senior year of college. Prior to that I worked as a summer camp counselor for University of Iowa Sports Camps for three years and a counselor for Upward Bound for one year during a summer.

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

I wanted to mirror my practical experience as a criminal defense attorney with my love for education, the classroom and the comprehension of the theoretical and academic side of criminal law. I also enjoy working with college students as those were my favorite years.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:

I am working on developing an internship program for criminal justice majors and minors here at Roosevelt.

BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:

“Native Son” by Richard Wright

FAVORITE QUOTE:

I have two: “To thine ownself be true” (Shakespeare) and “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” (Malcolm X)

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:

I can walk into a room and spot an insect in a few seconds.  It’s not something I advertise but for some reason, since I cannot stand insects or rodents, my eye is always on the lookout.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

Trust the process.  We tend to overthink and underthink.  Trust that whatever comes, you will be able to handle it.  And if you can’t, find people who will handle it with you.  You will experience exponential growth through the trials, in addition to the triumphs.

FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:

10^th floor library reading a book facing the Lake

FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:

Anywhere there are tacos, a lake view, and great conversation over drinks

YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY:

My mother (she’s a trooper, a fighter, and has shown me how to balance grace with getting your point across)

CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:

I am so very passionate about teaching the law and exposing legal careers to our young people, particularly high school age.  Even if they do not go into a legal career, improving their ability to read, write, speak and think critically are lifetime skills for which they will use over the course of their lives. Also, it is important for them to have positive interactions with those in law and you can’t be what you ain’t seen, connections are everything!

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Captain Marvel

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM:

‘85 Bears

WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:

I wish I was more financially astute.  Credit cards are meant to be a tool, not a weapon and I could have avoided a lot of debt had I been more proactive in financial literacy.