Meet Your Orientation Leaders
| Kevin Adams | |
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Major: Operations Management, Human Resource Management Advice for new first-year students: Don't stress about having your whole college career planned out. People around you may be talking about majors, but focus on that first semester. Get a good grasp on time management, and don't sweat all the small details, everyone around you is willing to help! Do what makes you happy, and don't be a “come and go” student; Get Involved! Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: Encourage your student to get involved first thing, but let your student make the decision on what they want to do, don't push them into an area they don't enjoy. This is their time to become an adult, let them make their own decisions and support them the whole time. What community means: Community is a group of different people from all different backgrounds, coming together to share a common goal. Community members interact and respect one another, while learning in the process. The University of Michigan-Flint community is growing constantly, and creating a bond unlike any other. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: The classes here at University of Michigan-Flint are challenging and interesting at the same time. It is a completely different experience from high school. Each professor treats every student with the same amount of attention as every other student, and they want to see you succeed and will do everything they can as long as you give the same effort back. Procrastination doesn't work here, buckle down and manage your time wisely! |
| Jared Arnold |
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Major: Chemistry Minor: Biology Advice for new first-year students: Get involved with school in every aspect. Get to know your professors and what events and clubs are on campus! Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: College is a new world for your student. Support them in whatever way you can but don't hold them back. This is a time for your student to discover who they are, so support them in their decisions. What community means: Community is a support system for any individual at any stage of life. Certain communities will help in your professional life while others will help you in your social life. These are very important in developing your own self. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: The professors here at the University of Michigan-Flint are amazing both inside and outside the classroom. They are always open to help a student inside and outside the classroom. |
| Albert Chang |
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Major: Finance and Operations Management Advice for new first-year students: College really is the best time of your life, it is a time to make lifelong friendships, gain a plethora of knowledge, and learn a handful of new skills. You can make the most of this by getting involved, utilizing the resources that are offered by the University, and setting goals for yourself. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: The college life is a time, where your student will start to become an adult and make choices on their own. Encourage them to make the right decisions while supporting them 100% of the way! What community means: The first thing that comes to my mind about community would be two words that form community, common and unity. And the University of Michigan-Flint has really shown me that, being a student from out of state, I have felt welcomed and included since the first day I set my foot on campus. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: The academics at the University of Michigan-Flint have and are still currently preparing me for the competitive job market today. Not only have the professors exceeded my expectations, but also approachable at the same time! |
| Brooke Chartrand |
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Major: Theatre/Psychology Advice for new first-year students: Get involved! I am a firm believer in what you put in to something determines what you get out of it and that includes your University of Michigan-Flint experience. There are a ton of clubs and organizations on campus and being involved in them will help you meet new people, have more things to do on campus, and have great things to put on a resume for future employers. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: Relax and realize that though your child is growing up and moving into a different stage in their lives, that they are still your child. Don’t be afraid to stay involved in their lives, especially during this transition, they may want you to more than you know. What community means: Community is the group of people that surround you. You may not be all the same, but you are all connected by something greater than yourself. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: I think the academic programs here are really good. What is unique about this campus is the small classroom size that really allows you to get to know your professor as a person and allows them to get to know you. |
| Ahmad Dandachi |
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Major: Honors Computer Science Minor: Mathematics Advice for new first-year students: Your experience at college is what you make it, so get involved and enjoy your time here. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: It is important to stay involved in your student’s life but allow them the freedom to make their own choices. What community means: Community defines a group of people who have something in common. They work together to improve their lives. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: Learning in a college environment is vastly different from what you may be used to in high school. Although the professors are very helpful and will do what they can to help you learn the course material, it is your responsibility to make sure you are completing the work and learning the information. |
| Tamera Dandachi |
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Major: Anthropology, Sociology Minor: Spanish, Women's and Gender Studies Advice for new first-year students: Get involved! Your experience here is what you make it, and there is a lot more to experience when you get involved on campus in some way. There are a lot of different ways to be involved on campus from student clubs to undergraduate research, and anything you do can help to build your resume for the future. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: Stay involved with your students even as they are transitioning into the University, but be sure to give them space and freedom to make decisions of their own. What community means: Community is the group of people who have something in common. When the community is strong you know you can rely on the individuals in that group to be there for you and make you feel at home. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: Even though classes are longer than classes in high school, and require more time and commitment, it's really nice to be in classes that you are interested in. When I take classes toward my major I love going to the classes because the lectures and discussions are really interesting. It makes the material a lot easier to learn, and it's really exciting to take classes that pertain to what you're planning on doing with your life. In addition to this, the professors in each department can be a great resource when you're looking to apply for jobs or graduate schools because chances are, they've done it before. I've made some great connections at the university, and I have found these things really helpful as I begin to think about the transition out of UM-Flint and into the rest of my future. It's never too early! |
| Andrew Fink |
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Major: Philosophy Advice for new first-year students: Adjusting from being a high school student to a college student can be as easy or difficult as you make it. Being a good college student takes a lot of personal integrity. Just because you can miss class, doesn't mean that you should miss class. College is what you make it. Get involved in something that you enjoy! Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: Don't be afraid to let your student get involved. College is a time for a student to truly define who they are and what they want to be, so let them. Supporting your student's choices is the best way to help them through college. What community means: Community is people with common interest working together towards a common goal. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: My personal experience with academics at UM-Flint is that most of the professors truly do want to help you; you just have to ask. When I first came to college I sat in the back row, came to class, listened to the lecture, and then left class. I didn't realize how understanding the professors were, and how willing to help they are. Building a relationship with your professor can make a big difference in what you take from the class. |
| Samantha Foren |
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Major: Biology (Pre-Veterinary Medicine) Advice for new first-year students: Join clubs, check the campus calendar for events to attend, and participate in class. The more you put in to your experience at the university, the more you get out of it! Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: This is the time for you to let your student make some of their own decisions. Though your help is likely well-intended, it is in the student's best interest to allow them to figure some things out for him/herself. They still need your support, however, so remain understanding and be there for them while they enter this new chapter of their life. What community means: Community means belonging to a group (or groups) of people who look out for one another and a place where you feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: Professors really want you to learn and understand the course material. Many are open to questions and encourage students to contact them whenever they're stuck on something, whether it is with a visit to their office during their office hours, an e-mail, or a phone call. |
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Danielle Godin |
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Major: Honors International Business Minor: French Advice for new first-year students: Get involved! It’s great to learn time management, and you’ll make TONS of new friends! Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: It’s time for your student to grow and make decisions on their own. Be there to support your student, but let them learn to handle things by themselves. What community means: To me, community is a diverse group of people that live, work, or are unified in some way. It is a place where you feel safe and welcomed. Being a part of the community is what helps you to grow as a person and learn in a safe environment. It allows you to learn how to work with people that may be very different from yourself. In essence, community is what helps mold you into an adult. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: The academics at UM-Flint have pushed me to work harder than I have ever worked before. The professors have been extremely helpful with anything I need, whether it is class work or work for any outside project I’m working on. I have had professors grab lunch with me to talk about a project, and others have organized study days outside of class times to help study for exams. Because UM-Flint is still a relatively small school, professors know you by name and face, not by your student number. It’s a great feeling to know that your professors truly want to see you succeed and are so willing to help! |
| Shaquille Greene |
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Major: Elementary Education Minor: Math, Language Arts, Early Childhood Advice for new first-year students: Build your resume starting now by joining clubs, volunteering, and taking full advantage of all the resources on campus. Trust me; it will benefit you at the end of your academic career when you start applying for jobs! Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: I like to think of college as a sport. It’s your child out there playing the game and they need you to be there for love and support. I know it’s hard to just sit and not have any control over what’s going on but remember it’s their time to shine. Let your child experience the college experience. If they do well, cheer them on; if they bump their head, give them some words of encouragement; always remember to be their number one fan! What community means: A community is a place where everyone has a specific role they play so things can run smoothly. It is a safe place where you can meet new people and learn new things. It is diverse and accepting. It is the University of Michigan-Flint! Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: The academics here at the University of Michigan Flint can be tough if you try to do it alone. When I take time out to get to know the professors and show them that I care about their course, the class goes by much smoother. When I didn’t get to know my professors, I didn’t feel as comfortable to ask questions because I didn’t get the time to know them, but it never came off as if they didn’t want to help. There are many resources here that helped my academic experience go smoothly, but it was up to me to take initiative and get help. |
| Suzy Limberg |
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Major: Molecular Biology/Biotechnology, Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology Advice for new first-year students: Take your first semester seriously! Don’t get into the habit of missing classes or procrastinating. Some students find it very difficult to rebound back. You probably put a lot of hard work into getting here and it would be a shame if you weren’t getting something out of it. Also, get to know your professors. This comes in handy when you need a reference or help with your career choice. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: Let your student make their own decisions yet be there to encourage them throughout their entire journey! Be sure to keep in touch with your child. They will be happy to hear from you. What community means: A group of diverse individuals working with one another to bring about a sense of belonging. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: The professors at UM-Flint are here to help you grow intellectually and give you much advice for the future. They are a great resource so don’t hesitate to ask them questions or go in for help! Also, be sure to a lot time to study for your classes so you aren’t getting stressed out the night before a big exam! Yet, do not hide in your books; find a club or organization to join to optimize your college experience! |
| Nikaya Mahone |
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Major: Criminal Justice and Sociology Advice for new first-year students: My advice for first-year students is to stay focused and take the advice and information at orientation into great consideration; you receive a vast amount of information that will help you navigate through the university. Also ask questions if you are not sure, there resources available to all students which many incoming/new students aren't aware of when I was a freshman I took advantage of everything that came my way and it took me very far, the University of Michigan Flint offers tools and resources that can help mold you into an excellent student. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: This is your student’s first year and it is okay for you to be helpful, but you should at least give them space because this is a great experience and time for them to become independent, college is all about your student furthering his/her career, meeting new people, and establish new friendships, just try and let them handle things like the young adults that they are. What community means: A community is a place where people can come together as a whole to represent something bigger than life as well as being helpful, understanding, and motivating. UM-Flint is a big community that is supporting and helpful Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: The University of Michigan-Flint has many resources; there are many organizations and clubs that students can easily get involved in. I am involved in the Criminal Justice Club which is a pleasure but there are many clubs/organizations that are interesting. The professors are great and very reliable, many student come to college not knowing. During my freshman year I established great relationships with most of my professors. |
| Sierra Ruiz |
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Major: Theatre Design and Technology Advice for new first-year students: Get involved! There is so much more the university can offer you other than just a degree. The more involved you are the more rich your college experience will be. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: This is your student’s time to shine, let them choose the path they want to take whether it’s the classes they choose or the clubs they get involved with. They have already made the first step to getting a higher education, now is the time to see what they do with it. What community means: Community means a sense of belonging. Knowing that you matter in a large group; you are not just another number or student. Having support from fellow students and faculty is what community means to me. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: I’ve had a really great experience with the academics and my professors. You’re education is what you make it, if you take responsibility for it, the professors will be more than willing to help you succeed. |
| Erika Trigg |
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Major: Honors Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology, Biology Minor: Spanish Advice for new first-year students: Now is the time for you to explore your interests, so don’t be afraid to try something different! There are so many opportunities for you to learn about new things, about new people, and, most importantly, about yourself. Advice for a parent of a new first-year student: Don’t be afraid to let your student have a little wiggle room. This is their time to get out there, try new things, and maybe make some mistakes along the way. It’ll be your encouragement, as they try new things, and support, as they learn from their mistakes, that will allow them grow into a better person. What community means: Your community is made of up of the people that are there to support you, encourage you, and grow with you as you experience life. Personal experience with academics at UM-Flint: Take comfort in knowing that no matter what class you're in be it a 120-student lecture or a 24-student lab; you're not just another face in the crowd. The professors here are easy to approach and if you’re invested in your future, so are they. |
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