Saroj Thekkanath
Honored as Woman of Color

Saroj Thekkanath, director of Student Support Services (SSS) in the UW Oshkosh Center for Academic Support and Diversity, was one of 15 honored at the 2001 Women of Color in Wisconsin Higher Education ceremony at UW-Waukesha.

The annual ceremony recognizes a woman nominated by each of the 15 four-year and doctoral campuses in the UW-System. The UW-System Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Women's Studies Consortium began the event in 1994.

Saroj Thekkanath has been director of the UW Oshkosh SSS since 1996. She began as an adviser in the SSS program in 1984.

In 2001-2002, the UW Oshkosh SSS was among the top 10 percent of educational opportunity outreach programs nationwide to receive U.S. Department of Education approval for funding for a five-year period. It also got funding of $345,808 for 2001-2002.

SSS is funded to serve 300 students this year. Participants are selected first-generation/low-income and disabled students. Students served by SSS had an 81% retention rate in 2000, compared with an institutional retention rate of about 70%.

Saroj Thekkanath was member of the UW Oshkosh Task Force on the Status of Women that helped create a 10-year plan to address women's issues. She served on the Affirmative Action Council for six years.

She was recently appointed to the University's new Gender Equity Council, is treasurer of the Norma Shanebrook Multicultural Library at the Multicultural Education Center and chairs the committee that selects recipients for the University's annual Multicultural Achievement Award.

The Bulletin, UW Oshkosh, Vol. 23; No. 23, Feb. 7, 2002

Michelle Delaine Evans

"If I had to do it all over again, I'd choose UW Oshkosh." This from Michelle Delaine Evans, graduating senior at UW Oshkosh. The 21-year-old from Milwaukee will graduate with a Human Services degree with a minor in Spanish. She also applied for graduate school at UW Oshkosh and has been accepted. Counselor Education will be her goal. Michelle is accustomed to being busy. She deftly juggles extracurricular activities along with her studies, performing in, and president of, both the University Gospel Choir and Gospel Fellowship. She also has been instrumental in helping the Center for Academic Support and Diversity with numerous tasks and projects, something she has been doing since fall of 1999. This summer she will tackle a job in her hometown before heading back to Oshkosh. Does Michelle have time for hobbies? "Of course!" she says. Singing, having fun and styling hair are a few of the ways she relaxes. Michelle, we all send you a "chorus" of well wishes, and it will be fun having you back on campus in the fall!

Strive, Vol. 2; Issue 4, Mar. 2001

Martha Jimenez

Martha, soon to graduate in May 2001, is one of those students who lights up a room with her enthusiasm, smile, and love of life. Martha was born in Sheboygan to parents who emigrated from Mexico City before her birth. Raised bilingual, Martha plans to use her fluent Spanish skills to work as a corporate translator in Latin America.

As a first-generation college student, Martha will be graduating with a double major in International Studies and Spanish, impressively within four years. Since her first year of college, Martha has worked part-time as a student assistant for Judy Burton, the College of Letters and Science Examiner. Martha also works a second part-time job at a local restaurant. Supporting herself and her education financially is one accomplishment in which Martha takes pride.

As with most graduating seniors, the end of college life brings with it some question marks. Martha readily admits fear and doubt enter her mind at times, but overall she is confident in herself, and in the marketability of her skills. She credits Student Support Services for supporting her through her more difficult times as a student, but we know Martha deserves most of the credit. With a Fall 2000 grade point average of 3.3, it is clear that a lot of Martha's enthusiasm and hard work has been directed toward her studies.

Martha's love of travel has taken her to Spain, Mexico and Costa Rica, expanding her knowledge of the diverse Spanish cultures. Martha has tentative plans to return to Costa Rica to work this summer. She hopes to learn Portuguese, so that she has more freedom in working anywhere as a translator in Latin America.

The advice Martha offers to students comes from four years of hard-earned insight. She states, "As a college student, things will get rough and you'll freak out. But you are investing in yourself. In the long run it's the best thing you can do at this time with your time and money. Stay in school. It's going to pay off. "

We could not have said it better ourselves. We wish Martha continued success.

Strive, Vol. 2; Issue 4, Mar. 2001

Mai Vang Lor

The oldest of seven children and Elementary Education major, Mai Lor is truly a role-model for her younger brothers and sisters. Originally from Wausau, Mai now works part-time at the Media Center in Halsey Science Center while a full-time student. Mai, also involved with the Hmong Student Union and the Asian Student Union, assists with event planning and enjoys the newfound friendships she has made as part of a student organization.

Mai enjoys the UW-O campus, stating "You don't feel like you have to be someone else. There's no pressure to be anyone but who you are. I'm around very peaceful surroundings. I enjoy the people on this campus and the fact that people will return a hello, even if they don't know you."

Ladybugs jumped to Mai's mind when asked about the surprises at UW-Oshkosh. Large numbers reside in her dorm room, and are not a welcome guest! She also believes that the janitor in her dorm rises a little too early for work, and spends a little too much time cleaning the bathroom when she needs it most. Academically, she was surprised that the word "exam" her professors routinely use actually seem more like tests to her. She feels that professors should save the word "exam" to reflect a large final exam, not a "test" covering a few chapters of a text.

Mai 's words of wisdom reflect her down-to-earth and practical insight. She believes students should get to know at least one other student in each class. Mai adds, "If you have questions but are shy like me, ask the professor after class." She also believes it to be a good idea to do your homework ahead of time--not to put it off. When prompted for anything she would have done differently, Mai stated she would've applied for more scholarships while in high school. We wish Mai a fun-filled and productive academic year!

- Melissa Schmidt
Strive, Vol. 2, Issue 2, Nov. 2000

Rodrigo Vega

Rodrigo Vega is a sophomore transfer student majoring in Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Although too young to remember, Rodrigo is originally from Kingston, New York, but has lived most of his life in the city of River Falls, Wisconsin. When asked about the one thing that surprised him most about the Oshkosh campus, he said the "helping hand of the Center for Academic Support and Diversity staff and the readily available information they provide for students."

In his spare time Rodrigo enjoys playing soccer and has won three state championships with the Minnesota State Youth Association (MSYA), a summer soccer league. Although Rodrigo arrived on campus too late this year to join the university soccer team, he plans to participate next year.

Before coming to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Rodrigo attended Columbia Union College, located in Tokoma Park, Maryland. When asked about the biggest difference between Columbia and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Rodrigo replied "the population of students," and "the wide range of course curriculum." Although Rodrigo misses the diversity of Columbia, he is ecstatic that there are no curfews here.

Rodrigo has had an opportunity to meet new friends through the Hispanic Cultures United student organization and while eating at Blackhawk Commons. The advice he would give to new students like himself would be: "Whatever your interests are, make sure you don't hesitate to get involved." We wish Rodrigo a very successful academic year at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

- Demond Stewart
Strive, Vol. 2, Issue 2, Nov. 2000

"Recipe for Success"
Please meet Vieng Xiong

Talk about "doing it well!" Vieng balances work, school, and personal time for his own "recipe for success." He is a junior at UW Oshkosh, majoring in secondary education with a math emphasis, and has been a manager at Pizza Hut for the last three years. He is also in charge of their rapidly expanding employee newsletter.

In order to maintain this balance, Vieng stays focused and keeps "play time" to a minimum, emphasizing quality activities he enjoys. He takes advantage of limited time with short half-hour activities such as biking. When he has more time, he also enjoys traveling (he's hoping to get to the southwest this next summer) and Great Lakes trout and salmon fishing.

While carrying 12 credits, he spends several hours per day on homework, about 25-30 hours per week at Pizza Hut, and only "goes out" about once a month. Vieng keeps track of important appointments with a write-on/wipe-off board at home.

Staying focused for Vieng involves a conducive environment and self-motivation. He believes a location that allows you to concentrate, along with a good mind set, is important For instance, if he is tired, he doesn't dwell on it. If he focuses on the class or work at hand, he begins to feel better.

Center for Academic Support and Diversity counselor/advisor Imelda Druke is impressed with his honesty and commitment to work, and is excited about his future involvement with the Hmong Student Union. She sees Vieng as someone who will persevere and who is already "a success."

Vieng has an easy laugh and a calm demeanor, indicative of the way he leads his life. His one piece of advice to anyone who asks is something he lives by: "No matter what happens, be patient, give it your best shot, and it will work out well in the end." It seems to be working out well for Vieng.

-Strive, Vol. 1, Issue 2, Oct. 1999

Experience of a Lifetime
Summer 2000 Internships

For many students who are pursuing their higher education at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, summer is the time to gain valuable experience, enhance professional skills and network with others who are working in the field. During summer 2000 Multicultural Retention Programs facilitated many internship opportunities for students. Many students took advantage of the Summer Affirmative Action Internship Program (SAAIP) and InRoads Wisconsin. In this issue we highlight two students who successfully completed their internships during summer 2000. We will feature other student internship profiles in future issues of Strive.

Maikou Heu
Family Nutrition Educator Intern

Maikou served as a full time summer intern at the UW-Extension Family Nutrition Program (FNP). As part of her assignment, she taught a wide range of food and nutrition topics to food stamp recipients and low-income youth using nutrition and EFNEP/4-H curriculums. The Appleton Post Crescent published an article titled "4-H Program Reaches Out to Children in the City" on July 1, 2000. The article features a picture of Maikou at her internship site. During the summer of 2000, Maikou had the opportunity to enhance her professional skills, reach out to the community and make a difference in the quality of life of community members.

Steve Jeffries
Gardening Educator/Coordinator Intern

Steve accepted an internship as Gardening Educator/Coordinator at Racine County for summer 2000. He worked directly under the supervision of horticulture professionals and collaborated on a variety of projects. His main project focused on teaching at risk children and teenagers between the ages of five (5) and seventeen (17) about the basics of gardening. The program took advantage of unused lands that are located in inner city neighborhoods. Steve taught the children in the neighborhood about taking care of the land and the basics of gardening and growing vegetables. In addition, he recruited and coordinated volunteers to work in the Racine County Community Garden. The program allowed the children to take home the vegetables they grew in their neighborhood gardens. Vegetables that were grown in the Community Garden were donated to local food banks and soup kitchens. The experience turned out to be an enriching and rewarding experience for Steve, the children and the community this summer.

Steve Jeffries (back row, center) participated in an urban gardening education program in Racine County during summer 2000.

-Strive, Vol. 2, Issue 1, Sep. 2000