Year: 2019

My name is Ailyn Ayala and the during the fall semester of my junior year at Roosevelt I had the opportunity to study abroad in Seville Spain and it was the most unforgettable experience of my life! It was a long process for sure, but it was absolutely worth all the work/preparation that goes into it. I studied in Spain through Athena Study Abroad which is partnered with Roosevelt. In order to study abroad I had to work with advisors in the program and they were super helpful and resourceful throughout my whole experience before and once I was actually there. It took me a whole semester + the summer to get everything I needed ready before I left. If you are considering studying abroad, I recommend that you make sure that you give yourself enough time to get everything done especially because you must obtain a student visa, buy your flight, and submit the long list of required documents to both Athena and Roosevelt. The process was so long that when it was actually time for me to leave for Spain reality sunk in and it was so surreal that I was actually leaving.

I chose Spain because I am already fluent in Spanish and I wanted to make sure that language wouldn’t be a barrier for me to get the best educational experience out of studying abroad. Accordingly, it definitely helped me once I was there because it enabled me to enroll in more advanced courses and I definitely learned so much more because I knew the language. Spain is also not as expensive as the U.K or Germany to study abroad which was also a plus. Another piece of advice that I would give to students before they leave abroad is to make sure you have a bank that is travel friendly because those interest fees are a killer! I also suggest that you pack light because once you’re there you will want to purchase so many things and then not have enough room to bring them back home. I fell in love with the fashion trends in Spain and it was disappointing to be so limited in luggage space. On the other hand, one of the things that made Spain so unique to me was that every city that I visited felt like it was a whole different country. It was the craziest thing to note how much history and diversity is in each individual city. In Seville my apartment was a 5-minute walk from Christopher Columbus’ tomb! Being in Seville specifically also made my experience abroad less overwhelming because it’s not as crowded and intense as Madrid or Barcelona. Every weekend I would travel to either a different city within Spain or to a different country and because of that I was able to connect what I learned in class with actually visiting the places I was learning about.

The food in Spain took a long time for me to get used to. I am not a big fan of seafood which is something that Spaniards incorporate into most of their dishes. When I first got to Spain, although I speak Spanish, I literally could not understand their menu because everything is labeled so differently. I was lost for months before I actually started knowing what things were. Spaniards also compliment every dish with patatas aka fries. As you can see in the picture above, I would even have fries for breakfast with my eggs! The most common thing to eat in Spain are small appetizers called tapas. I really enjoyed ordering multiple tapas to share with my friends and it ended up being an economical way of eating out.

I cannot stress how much you benefit from studying abroad. Besides what you learn and the places you get to travel to, the friendships you build will always be a part of you. I went to Spain not knowing anybody and I made so many friends from all over the world. Someone that was once a stranger to me became the friend I was riding a camel with in Morocco!

I enjoyed and made the most out of my experience studying abroad. It was definitely hard to be away from my family for almost 5 months, but it was worth the sacrifice. Every day that I was abroad was a new learning experience for me. Getting used to the way of living and customs in Spain was a challenge but it definitely made me become more open minded and exposed to a broader range of issues going on in the world. If you are interested in studying abroad, I suggest you research, read blogs, and ask every question you can think of to your advisors before choosing where you want to go. And, of course, here is helpful information provided by Roosevelt.

On Tue. Oct. 22 you can attend an information session at Roosevelt about a study abroad trip in spring, 2020 to Europe!

 

 

EMAIL:

ldowney@roosevelt.edu

TEACHING:

I teach public administration, political science, and health science and administration.

HOMETOWN:

I have lived all over the world so no hometown.

COLLEGE:

I have gone to lots of colleges such as Lancaster University in the United Kingdom; Syracuse University; and the University of Illinois to name a few.

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

Medicine, Politics, and Philosophy

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

To paraphrase John Muir, when you tug at a single thing, “health,” in the universe you find that it is attached to everything. Health impacts every aspect of an individual’s life from education to family, community, economic, and global well-being. When we protect people’s health, we save lives and enable them to use the gifts they were born to give to the world.

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

Oxfam, UNICEF, Amnesty International (president), United Nations, Save the Children, Debate, ACT UP (high school and UG), worked on three political campaigns, CARE, pre health care, Medicins Sans Frontiers,  Live 8

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

To educate socially conscious citizens for active and dedicated lives as leaders in their professions and their communities.  And why I stay is because Roosevelt’s students have a global view that the actions of individuals, societies, global actors and nations’ behaviors affect the whole system. Their understanding of this interpersonal reliance equates to a responsibility to and for each other. They also bring an understanding of social justice which translates into a reciprocal obligation for everyone — no matter their age, race, gender, social class, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical abilities or sexual orientation — to have equal access to succeed in life. I am the adviser for three student organizations.

PHILOSOPHY:

First of all that we belong to and with each other. All lives have equal value. Secondly, that when we give people a chance to help improve the health and lives of others, one sees the best part of them. It is a privilege to be able to see people’s better angels working a multitude of ways on a daily basis.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?

Get an amazing education, and then use it to make your works an expression of your gifts. Those gifts that are given to you are not for you alone, or for our own self-improvement, but they are actually to be offered to for the needs of the community.

What advice would you give someone who wants to make a difference in the world?

The measure of our compassion lies not in our service of those whom may seem on the margins, but in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them. Find a way to connect your ideas to others even if it seems like they have nothing in common with you. Also, activism is not just raising an issue, but also requires involvement and engagement with working on policies to affect change.

What kind of world do you want to see in 2030?

A world where we all see ourselves as global citizens in an interdependent world, with a society where everyone has equal access to succeed in life, with an idea of diversity that respects and understands that each individual is unique and important – built on an understanding of universal human rights that belong to all people.

By: Nick Vasilevski, senior

(Photo courtesy of Northwestern Memorial Hospital)

Hi, my name is Nick and I am a histotechnology major at Roosevelt University. I am in Week 6 of my year-long required clinical portion of the program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. If you are considering one of Roosevelt’s allied health majors (diagnostic medical sonography; histotechnology; medical technology; nuclear medicine technology; radiation therapy technology; radiography ), my experience will give you an idea of what it is like to be enrolled in one of these rigorous programs.

I didn’t know much about histotechnology, until the program director from Northwestern Memorial Hospital visited one of my biology classes to talk with the students. I knew from that moment, that I wanted to become a histotechnologist. After having my interview and being accepted into the program, I was super nervous and excited to start. I didn’t know what to expect since I would no longer be attending lectures and labs at Roosevelt during the clinical portion of my program.

Once I was accepted, I had to order 6 pieces of scrubs (long sleeve, shorts sleeve, bottoms, zip-up sweater) at no cost. I had to have a physical and had to make sure that my immunization records were up to date. I then had to have a drug test (free of cost) at Northwestern and also had a mask fit.

First day:

I took the red line to the Chicago stop and from there the hospital was about a 10 minute or so walk. Day 1 was pretty relaxed. We went over the syllabus, the student handbook, safety protocols and met our fellow students (there were only 4 students in this selective program). We received our ID badges and we were given a tour of the entire hospital.

Current update:

Wow! I cannot believe that I just completed my 6^th week of the program. Time honestly flies by when you are busy and have a lot of work to do. There is a lot of work, but if you manage your time wisely, it is very doable. We spend a lot of time in the lab and the classroom. The projects are fun, and the homework is a very good study tool for exams and quizzes. The material is so interesting and really makes me enjoy coming to class every day.

My Schedule:

Monday:

Anatomy. The teacher gives us a week to learn the material and we are given an anatomy quiz the following Monday. There is a final project for anatomy due at the end of the semester (February), but you are given the assignment well in advance.

Tuesday-Thursday:

Histotechnology. These days we are learning all about histology and we spend a lot of time in the lab.

Friday:

Lab Management. These days are more relaxed and yet are very informative. In this class we learn different management skills and how to become a better coworker and manager.

I also recommend that you take every opportunity to meet with Northwestern Memorial Hospital Clinical Program Directors when they visit the Roosevelt Campus.

And for information about applying for clinical placements, read my blog or contact me at nvasilevski@mail.roosevelt.edu.

 

 

EMAIL:

mjohnson112@mail.roosevelt.edu

ANTICIPATED GRADUATION DATE:

May 2023

HOMETOWN:

Cincinnati, Ohio

WHY YOU CHOSE ROOSEVELT:

I chose Roosevelt for graduate school because I was impressed by the level of dedication to social justice. I was also greeted with open arms by the Psychology Department faculty, and thoroughly enjoyed my time at my interview. When it came time to make a decision, I didn’t even have to think twice before choosing Roosevelt.

MAJOR/MINOR:

Clinical Psychology PsyD

WHY YOU CHOSE THIS MAJOR/MINOR:

At my undergraduate university, Ohio University, I was constantly being prepared for graduate school. For quite a while, I was dedicated to go to a Ph.D. program in clinical psychology, but I soon found that I enjoyed the Psy.D. practitioner-scholar model more than a traditionally research-focused program. In this program, I am being prepared to be the best mental health professional I can be, all while receiving a doctoral-level education.

DREAM JOB AND WHY:

My ultimate goal is to have a private practice in my home while also seeing clients at a local community mental health center. I hope to have a private practice in my home because I do want to be close to my family while I work. On the other hand, I also want to work part-time at a community mental health center to give back to the community that inspired me to do this work in the first place. There I hope to provide services to those who are marginalized and who desperately need it.

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

I work in the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office as a graduate assistant. I was recently given the opportunity to advise the college’s CASSAC student leadership organization. I will also be beginning my first therapy practicum in the fall at one of the City Colleges of Chicago.

STUDY BREAK GUILTY PLEASURE:

Netflix. Hulu. Repeat.

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT… :

In undergrad, I started out as a music therapy major with a focus on the piano. I ended up having a lot of pain in my hands after I graduated high school, and enjoyed the idea of starting something new so much that I decided to switch to a major in psychology.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS:

For undergraduate students:

Be in the moment and don’t wish away your experience here. Take in any and all experiences you are given while you are in undergrad, because you will learn so much about yourself and what you want to be in the future from it.

For graduate students:

Many students told me to engage in self-care, and would give examples that never fit my lifestyle, so find what self-care means to you and stick to it at least once a week. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help because everyone in your cohort is struggling and someone is always willing to lend a helping hand.

FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:

I really enjoy any of the parks in the loop area, but I also love the river walk when it’s warm out. I also spend a lot of time in Logan Square at all the local hang-outs and restaurants.

CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:

As a member of the Black community and a mental health professional in training, I am extremely passionate about changing the way we think about mental health in my community and others like it. This is one of the reasons I want to spend a significant part of my future working with disadvantaged and marginalized groups, because these groups are unlikely to seek treatment and even more unlikely to receive the treatment they deserve from clinicians that look like them.

EMAIL:

atrees@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science

HOMETOWN:

Lake Forest, IL

COLLEGE:

Princeton University

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

Religion

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

I wanted to explore the big questions.

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

I played on the squash team and was also part of the Press Club where I wrote for a number of newspapers, including The Washington Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

I am inspired by the University’s commitment to social justice and think the student body is fantastic and really fun to have in the classroom.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:

Book project—Forgotten Founders: Six lost stories that changed America

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:

I used to appear regularly on the Tyra Banks Show and the Today Show

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Vice

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM:

Chicago Cubs

WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:

Graduation comes sooner than you think, so enjoy all of the opportunities while you can.

By: Amiracle Williams-Anderson, junior psychology major

This past summer I had the opportunity to study at Michigan State University for a Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP). This opportunity was brought to my attention through the McNair Scholars Program at Roosevelt University. The Summer Research Opportunity Program is an intensive summer internship where students attend an institution and conduct research under one of their faculty members, either alone or in a team.

While many schools offer summer research opportunities, I applied to and was accepted to Michigan State University’s program through the Big Ten Academic Alliance Application which focuses on Big 10 institutions. I worked with Dr. Kaston Anderson-Carpenter on his research dealing with risk behavior and stigma in gay Latino and Black men. This research was different from anything I thought I would ever work on because while I am a psychology major, I plan to specialize in developmental or child psychology. However, the knowledge I gained from this project can be applied to future research projects. I learned how to run statistical analysis on SPSS and Stata. I also learned how to code and look through a codebook from questionnaire data. The project had a lot of variables due to the questionnaire, and my mentor allowed me to choose what I wanted the focus to be.

Besides working with a faculty mentor, part of the program included professional development classes, GRE prep, as well as panels with professors, graduate students and alumni. It was interesting to see how much faculty and graduate students were willing to interact with the student researchers and help us with the journey. We also learned how to create research posters, effective PowerPoints and got to present at a conference.

The social aspects of the Summer Research Opportunity Program were also great. All the interns were in the same building, so I got to interact and bond with people from different stages and places in life. I got to see how research looked in different fields such as chemistry, history and political science, while also developing bonds and friendships with people I might otherwise never have met.

Despite the long nights and early mornings, my Summer Research Opportunity Program experience is one that I will never forget. The experience showed me that in a short summer I could improve socially and academically. And because of my experience, I am even more excited to attend graduate school.

By: Amiracle Williams-Anderson

MAIL:

mrung@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Professor of History and Director of the Center for New Deal Studies

HOMETOWN:

State College, Pennsylvania

COLLEGE:

BA: Oberlin College; MA, Ph.D. The Johns Hopkins University

UG MAJOR/MINOR: Major:

History  Minor: Religion

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

I had an engaging AP history teacher in high school, and then encountered similarly erudite, talented, and challenging history professors in college. Simply put, I loved taking their classes so it made sense to make it my major.  I also fell in love with research.  History has allowed me to do something I love, which is to read other people’s mail without fear of being arrested.

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

I played varsity field hockey (division 3); I lettered for four years in a row.  One January term, I did an internship in the House of Representatives with the congressman representing my hometown district.   In terms of jobs, my first on-campus job was to vacuum one of the dining halls after dinner.  The vacuum was approximately the same size as me.  It could suck up an entire biscuit or plate of spaghetti without missing a beat.  My next job was in the library; I was a shelf-reader.  I absolutely adored that job, in part because I am a huge fan of libraries.

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

I cannot answer the question briefly, because it’s actually a long and involved story that spans two years and two separate interviews.  Let me just say that I accepted the position because I study the Great Depression/New Deal/World War Two era and politics so Roosevelt University seemed like an excellent fit.  Equally important, I met with students during my interview and was incredibly impressed by them, especially their devotion to the university.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:

A book-length study of race, gender and labor relations in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, America’s “money factory” (it’s where currency and postage stamps are printed) from its founding in 1862 to 2000.

BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:

Coming of Age in Mississippi

PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT…:

I have five siblings.

ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

Take a class in a subject you know nothing about and/or one that you feel you may not enjoy.

FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:

My old office, AUD 476.  I loved that office and my office mate.

FAVORITE SPOT IN CHICAGO:

The lobby of the Santa Fe (Railway Exchange) building.

YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY:

Honestly, I don’t have a single person.  I look up to a lot of people and have been fortunate to have had many role models—parents, siblings, fellow academics, and so many of my students, who have persevered with grace in the face of enormous obstacles.

CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:

Economic justice and public service because these were causes near and dear to the hearts of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and I firmly believe that you cannot have a healthy democracy without both.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Alone in Berlin

WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:

That you don’t need to be rich to study abroad.

EMAIL:

rmartire@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Rubloff Professor of Public Policy & Public Administration and Executive Director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability

HOMETOWN:

Stratford, Connecticut

COLLEGE:

Indiana University

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

History Major—I then received my JD from the University of Michigan.

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

The study of History requires delving into many different disciplines, such as economics, political science, religion, philosophy and anthropology. I found this cross-disciplinary approach to understanding the human condition stimulating and quite frankly fun.

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

I worked full time during undergrad at various jobs from pizza cook to janitor and manager of a phone marketing organization. I interned as a speech writer for a Member of Parliament in London, England (then MP David Trippier, who is now a member of the House of Lords), and volunteered on numerous political campaigns.

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

The University’s commitment to social and economic justice made it stand out to me—given that my other job is serving as the Executive Director of a think tank which has a mission focused on promoting social and economic justice through adequately financed public services that are designed to comport with best practices and satisfy demographically driven needs.

WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON:

A study of how the Illinois state tax system actually worsens the growth in income inequality that the private sector has produced over the 1979-2015 sequence.

BOOK YOU’D RECOMMEND READING BEFORE GRADUATION:

“Hard Ball-How Politics is Played by One Who Knows the Game,” written by Chris Matthews

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“No matter where you go, there you are” by Buckaroo Bonzai

ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

Broaden your horizons by taking elective courses in areas unrelated to your major, because you never know what great things that could lead to.

FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:

The Auditorium Theatre.

YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY:

I have three—Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Dawn Clark Netsch.  All three of them epitomize what a public servant and involved citizen  should be: brilliant intellectually; informed on the substance of issues; passionate about social and economic justice; devoted to making real, systemic change happen; and possessed of the courage to fight for what’s right even when it is not politically popular.

CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:

Eliminating structural racism in public policy systems generally and K-12 education specifically. The why is simple: if the American Dream means anything, it is that the circumstances of a person’s birth should not dictate limits for what he or she can make out of life. Public policy systems ought to be designed to level the playing field and provide everyone in America access to the opportunity to succeed, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or income class. Period.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

Bad Times at the El Royale

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM:

New York Yankees

WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE GOING TO COLLEGE:

Too many items to list!

EMAIL:

tcao02@mail.roosevelt.edu

ANTICIPATED GRADUATION DATE:

May 2021

HOMETOWN:

Kansas City

WHY YOU CHOSE ROOSEVELT:

I chose Roosevelt because of the social justice mission and I stayed because of the dedication of my professors to my academic journey

MAJOR/MINOR:

Philosophy/Pre-med

WHY YOU CHOSE THIS MAJOR/MINOR:

I believe philosophy plays a large role in making decisions in the medical field, and emergency medicine is the ideal field for me because it is hands-on and fast paced.

DREAM JOB AND WHY:

An FBI profiler because I watched Criminal Minds once and I love over analyzing things.

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

CASSAC, volunteer at Rush University Medical Center and Village Leadership Academy, and I do jiu jitsu for fun.

FAVORITE COURSE TAKEN AT ROOSEVELT AND WHY:

Organic Chemistry. It is a very humbling and challenging class.

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

Countin’ Up by Rico Nasty

STUDY BREAK GUILTY PLEASURE:

No breaks. The grind never stops.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“oh god oH GOD” – Big Sean (the way he says it comes off chaotic and I feel that energy)

ADVICE FOR INCOMING STUDENTS:

Don’t compare your progress to other people’s progress, because everyone moves at a different pace. You might have to take a class twice. You might fail an exam. Don’t let that discourage you because at the end of the day, persistence is what gets you places. Also, celebrate your successes!

CAUSE YOU’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY:

Firstly, I am an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, but I am honestly passionate about any cause that betters the quality of life of those who experience trauma in general.

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM:

THE ROYALS. WOO! LET’S GO ROYALS!!

Jordan Fierst, second from right, with fellow Roosevelt students on a private tour of Soldier Field.

One of the best student-support services offered at Roosevelt University is the Professional Mentoring Program where Roosevelt students are matched with a professional currently working in their field of interest in the greater Chicago area. After my first year in the Professional Mentoring Program at Roosevelt, I could not be more appreciative of my experience within this program and I encourage all Roosevelt students to consider joining this program for the five reasons I list below.

1. It forces you to step outside of your comfort zone (an essential tool moving forward in the professional world) and eventually feel comfortable doing so!

Upon applying for the Professional Mentoring Program and soon after finding out I was matched with a mentor, I remember feeling excited. However, that excitement soon morphed into nervousness when I realized I would have to actually meet this person and form a professional relationship with him over the course of the year. As someone who is very shy, I thought: What am I going to say to him? How do I act around someone I admire and whose experience is so impressive that it is somewhat intimidating to me as a college student? But after our first meeting for coffee, I realized that my mentor was a person, just like me. We had a great conversation and my mentor truly took the time to listen to what I had to say. Had I not had the courage to step outside of my comfort zone when I first applied for the program, the unrivaled skills and experiences I gained from my involvement in the program would never have happened.

2. Through hands-on learning and experience, you are able to learn about the diverse array of professional opportunities available to you upon graduation.

After getting over the fear of meeting my mentor for the first time, we were able to come up with a list of goals for the year. One of the main goals we discussed was the opportunity for me to learn more about potential jobs I could hold once I graduated from Roosevelt with my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Sustainability Studies. Since the Professional Mentoring Program matches you with a mentor whose experience matches what you hope to do, this goal was easily met over the course of the year. My mentor is the Director of Strategy and Sustainability at the Chicago Park District, so I was able to attend numerous sustainability meetings at Chicago’s City Hall as well as receive a private tour of Soldier Field to learn about the sustainable initiatives taking place there. Having the opportunity to attend these meetings reaffirmed my decision to become a Sustainability Studies double major earlier this year. Hearing about environmental and sustainable issues throughout the city from a diverse array of organizations, truly opened up my eyes to all the routes my double major could take me to after graduation. Had I not attended a City Hall meeting focused on the accessibility and safety of bike routes throughout Chicago, I may never have found out that I was genuinely interested in making the city more accessible to bikers through the development of new bike routes. These experiential learning opportunities truly aided me in delving more into what post-graduation life might look like for me.

3. Membership in the Professional Mentoring Program will help you expand your professional network and connect you with professionals you may not have had an opportunity to meet.

Perhaps one of the biggest assets of being matched with a mentor through Roosevelt’s Professional Mentoring Program is all of the people your mentor will be able to connect you with. Before and after the meetings at City Hall, my mentor always introduced me to his colleagues. My mentor went out of his way to make sure I met these professionals and provided me with the space to engage them in conversation and to ask them questions. And not only that, but when I told my mentor I was thinking about going to law school after graduating from Roosevelt, he put me in touch with a colleague who recently graduated from law school and who also happens to be the Director of Operations at Soldier Field. Establishing these connections before I graduate is crucial, as they may help me when I start applying for jobs and law school after I graduate.

4. Your mentor will provide you with a new perspective and truly cares about you and wants to help you succeed in any way.

In addition to the many wonderful services provided by Roosevelt’s Career Development Center, a professional mentor can also provide resume and interview advice and can discuss career options. My mentor’s perspective has given me a new outlook on my own future, and the professional relationship with my mentor is one I anticipate will extend beyond graduation. It is so great to have someone who supports me in my professional endeavors and who is willing to guide me towards success.

5. This is a relatively small commitment with a massive reward.

The Professional Mentoring Program at Roosevelt is very flexible and understanding of a student’s busy schedule during the academic year. In order to be a student mentee, you are expected to meet with your mentor for just an hour every month. As someone who is president of two clubs on campus, a member of the women’s basketball team, and who works during the school year, I promise you that this is doable. And it is so worth it! This experience has opened so many doors for me and is, in my opinion, one of the most worthwhile opportunities offered to Roosevelt students. Professionally, I’ve grown to feel more comfortable embarking on post-graduation life because I have had these experiences and have formed these connections through the Professional Mentoring Program.

Roosevelt students may apply for the Professional Mentoring Program by September 13. For more information, contact Kristy Kotek, Director of Professional Mentoring, at kkotek@roosevelt.edu.

By: Jordan Fierst

Don’t have a car but want to explore Chicago? No problem, the U-Pass will let you do it all for free! When you first start at Roosevelt University, visit the Registrar’s office to obtain your U-Pass. The U-Pass offers unlimited rides on any CTA bus or train during the Fall and Spring semesters for full-time students (12 credit hours or more).  Students pay $153 per semester, compared $100 per month for typical CTA riders.  It is a fantastic deal, considering the U-Pass can get you anywhere in the city!  Roosevelt is in the loop and accessible to many lines, here are some places the U-Pass can take you on the red line:

Jackson– The Art Institute of Chicago

• Everyone needs to visit the Art Institute of Chicago at least once in their lives! This can be fun with a friend, a group of friends, or even by yourself. The Art Institute has so many beautiful pieces to enjoy.

Monroe– Millennium Park / The Bean

• Everyone knows about the bean in Chicago. Go and take a picture in front of it and enjoy the amazing views of the city from the bean. During Christmas time, the giant Chicago Christmas Tree is put up and decorated beautifully in Millennium Park. Enjoy rock climbing? Visit the Maggie Daley Park Rock Climbing in the summer months and the Ice Skating Ribbon in the winter.

Lake– AMC Dine-in Theaters Block 37 / Chicago Theater

• Enjoy $5 Tuesday movies at AMC Dine-in Theater!
• Visit the Chicago Theater for concerts, musicals & plays!

Grand– Shopping on Michigan Ave

• Retail therapy! Enjoy stores like: Forever21, H&M, Sephora, Loft, Zara, and many more!

Chicago– Sprinkles ATM cupcake / Water Tower Place

• Craving a cupcake? Sprinkles is the place to go! They have an ATM cupcake machine outside their stores that gives you fresh cupcakes the same way you’d pull cash out of an ATM machine! My favorite flavor is the chocolate chip cookie cupcake!

By: Nick Vasilevski

 

 

EMAIL:

mpivarski@roosevelt.edu

CAREER:

Associate Professor of Mathematics & Department Chair, Mathematics, Economics and Actuarial Science

HOMETOWN:

Just outside of Pittsburgh, PA

COLLEGE:

Carnegie Mellon

UG MAJOR/MINOR:

Math major, Computer Science minor

WHY YOU CHOSE THE MAJOR/MINOR:

I fell in love with math when I took a baby analysis class in my freshman year.  It was amazing that you could show why all of mathematics fit together.  I also greatly enjoyed the ideas about how computer programs fit together; algorithms in particular felt like solving puzzles in a very fun way.

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

Math and computer science tutor/grader, summer math research (REU) at William and Mary and at Mt Holyoke, lots of study groups with friends.

WHY YOU CHOSE TO WORK AT ROOSEVELT:

I wanted to help students learn about how awesome math is!  When I interviewed at Roosevelt, my notes to myself are on how collegial the faculty was and how the students were enthusiastic.  My notes were correct– I’ve been continually inspired by how wonderful the students and faculty are here! As a bonus, Roosevelt is in a fantastic location (and relatively close to Fermilab, where my husband works).

ADVICE FOR INCOMING/CURRENT STUDENTS:

Make friends– your community here is essential! Plus learning is more fun when you can explore ideas with others.

FAVORITE SPOT AT ROOSEVELT:

The 10^th Floor Learning Commons has a wonderful feel to it!  But anywhere people are doing math is a fun place to be!

YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY:

Mr Rogers! Everyone loves Mr Rogers; he took the time to connect to people without just telling them what they wanted to hear.  He also advocated for the kind of friendly neighborliness that the world can always use, especially now.

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED:

My Little Pony: The Movie (Why yes, I do have a kindergartener.)