Q&A with Arashi Cogan

by Awa Konte

UMSL is known for its diverse student population, which ranges from residential to commuters, young and old, parent and non-parent, etc.

I had the opportunity to interview Arashi Cogan, a senior history major whose anticipated graduation date is May 2019. Before UMSL, Arashi, attended St. Louis Community College (STLCC) for two years and was an active athlete in tennis - a sport he has played for ten years. 

Below is a brief interview with him:

Q: Why did you come to UMSL?

A: The connections I made at STLCC allowed me to have an easier path to transition into a four-year university like UMSL. Given they have a base at STLCC, it was easy to access information, such as which credits would transfer, financial aid, etc. I also decided to stop actively pursuing colleges based on their tennis team, which then gave more reason to look at schools that were in-state.

Q: Most students during their stay here try to join at least one organization on-campus, are you involved with any organization?

A: No, I do not have the time for extracurricular activities since I coach part-time for tennis on weekdays and weekends.

Q: What are your plans after UMSL?

A: I am planning on going to graduate school in Japan. I’ve had this goal for a while now, so the closer to graduation I get, the more realistic it becomes. I’ve moved back and forth between Japan and the U.S., so it won’t be that different from how I’ve lived the majority of my life. I also want to improve my Japanese as well.

Q: As with any interview, I have to ask the classic question that everyone gets: if you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?
A: I would honestly just tell myself to go outside of my comfort zone. There were a lot of opportunities I passed up that would’ve definitely changed my college experience if I had taken them.

Looking to Get Involved? THIS is a Great Way!

It’s that time of year again, where students begin to fill the hallways and sidewalks of campus navigating their new class schedules and meeting new friends. With all of the excitement and buzz, a lot of students are looking for ways to get involved at UMSL and within the community. We have JUST the opportunity for you!

The UMSL Ambassador program is an award-winning volunteer organization at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Ambassadors are current students who want to represent the university, gain professional and leadership skills, and interact with community and university leaders. Ambassadors have the opportunity to meet students, staff and faculty from all over campus as well as prominent community leaders and alumi.

Ambassadors volunteer for three events during the semester as well as two fall and three spring commencement ceremonies (unless it’s their own graduation weekend). Monthly meetings are held with workshops for professional development, such as resume building, interview skills and networking.

Any student - from incoming freshmen to graduate level - who meets the minimum requirements is encouraged to apply by September 7, 2018 at 3 p.m.

The program gives students the opportunity to learn about the organization and the community, and to gain valuable skills which can be used throughout the remainder of their careers.

To learn more about the program, visit our webpage at umsl.edu/ambassadors and feel free to email umslambassdors@umsl.edu with any questions.

Easing Finals Stress at Mirth Week

by Michaela Browne

One of the most stressful weeks of every student’s semester at UMSL, and every other college, is quickly approaching: finals week. There are so many emotions towards the end of the semester. From crying to laughing to stressing out and/or pulling an all nighter, it is what finals week is made of. It is excitement because summer break is coming, but overwhelming because of all of the studying and homework due before then. Also, those who are part of the UMSL
ambassadors have to look forward to working at graduation coming up.

To ease these pre-final jitters, Mirth Week was celebrated this past week at UMSL. One of the most exciting events to attend is the Mirth Week carnival, which consisted of games, prizes, food, and rides, and best of all- it was all free. The rides are exactly what is needed to let out some tension with a few screams while you are spinning or dropping. The stress relief is instant on the first drop on the Vortex ride or the first spin on the tornado. Additionally, there was cotton candy and a taco truck. But, the best part about the Mirth Week carnival is that everyone with you is going through the same situation, give or take, so you relate on a whole new level. I can especially empathize with my colleagues in the ambassadors program, who have worked extra hard in volunteering for events throughout the semester. It was a delight to hang out with and see some of the friends that I have had the pleasure of being in ambassadors with at the carnival.

I would like to take an opportunity to encourage all of my fellow ambassadors and students through these last days of the semester. Do the best you can, because that’s all you can do. There is no need to panic or give up.

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” -Michael Jordan. We are almost done!

Interview Skills

by: Jonathan Klunk

During the monthly meeting for April, the Ambassadors received beneficial, worthwhile information with respect to interviewing skills. In a workshop presented by Career Services at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, we determined how to effectively answer interview questions by identifying our competencies and strengths. We learned to prepare appropriate questions to ask employers at the conclusion of the interview as well. We also considered the importance of dressing professionally and demonstrating proper nonverbal communication qualities, such as making eye contact and facial expressions, maintaining good posture, and giving a firm handshake. Lastly, we evaluated the significance of thank you notes in order to remind the interviewer of one’s interest and qualifications for the position and express gratitude for his or her time and attention. With this newfound knowledge, the Ambassadors will be able to ace their interviews in the future and leave a lasting impression with the interviewer!

Using Your Privilege for Good

by Sydni Jackson

During our Ambassador Monthly Meeting in March we learned about using our privilege for good with Dr. Laura Holt from UMSL Counseling Services. We did an exercise to demonstrate privilege. In this exercise, some students were given masks to wear while the entire group was presented a problem to solve. Students with masks could only speak to the group to help solve the problem if they were told they could speak by someone else without a mask. After the exercise the people with the masks shared how it felt to have to be given

permission to speak. This exercise demonstrates that many times in our society some voices are valued over others. It is the responsibility of those (who by no fault of their own) may have more privilege than others to look out for others and make sure they are given spaces for their voices to be heard.

Having privilege does not make anyone a bad person and if someone is privileged it does not mean that their life will come without hardships. There are many different things in life that can make someone more privileged than others, and those things go beyond race, sexuality, and gender.

UMSL Counseling Services has a Social Justice Library on their website. It has articles and videos that deal with different aspects of privilege. You can further explore the topic of privilege and social justice on their website at www.umsl.edu/services/counser/SocialJustice.html

A Women's World

by Michaela Browne

Thursday, March 8, was an important day. It was a day of celebration of the strongest people on earth: women. This day is called International Women’s Day. It is a wonderful day of gratitude to all the women in our lives that help shape the world around us. It is a look back at the accomplishments that women have made throughout history.

I recently had the opportunity to volunteer for a speaker series event with Tessa Trelz on March 15, a week after International Women’s Day. Tessa is an attorney at Armstrong Teasdale. Tessa talked about inspirational women, how there is a silver lining in situations when life knocks us down, and how not to be afraid to seize opportunities when they arise. One of Tessa’s personal stories was that she was waitlisted for law school at Wash U and decided to go to SLU. Although at the time, she saw this as a bad thing, it ended up being good because she met her husband there. She mentioned inspiring women such as her mother, Sandra Day O’Conner, Madam C. J. Walker, and Elizabeth Warren, and how these women were able to claw and fight their way through adversity and obstacles that would detour many from achieving their goals. However, in doing so, they overcame with remarkable success stories. Her eloquent speech reminded all of us that everyone, including these wonderful women, have an element of self-doubt, which can be overcome through perseverance.

I am surrounded by inspirational women in my life including women in my family like my mom, women I have met through Ambassadors like Amy Beaman, Coordinator of University Events, Amanda Wilens, Manager of University Events, and Tessa Trelz, as well as some amazing professors, and so many more. I look up to all of these women and their accomplishments. I am grateful to be a part of speaker events like Tessa’s where women are praised and remembered.

It is important to let the women around you know how appreciated they are, not only on International Women’s Day, but when any opportunity arises. Today, I would like to thank the women in my life for inspiring me every day. I challenge everyone reading this to thank a woman in their life.

Ambassadors to Assist with World Ecology Award Presentation

by Jonathan Klunk

The Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center in the Department of Biology at the University of Missouri–St. Louis recognizes individuals who have contributed to the conservation of biodiversity within the environment with the World Ecology Award. This year on April 20th the Ambassadors will assist with the presentation of this honor to Dr. Edward O. Wilson at the St. Louis Zoo.

In 1955, E.O. Wilson received his Ph.D. from Harvard University and has since authored twenty–eight publications, established the disciplines of evolutionary psychology and sociobiology, and formulated the theory of island biogeography. He has served as a consultant for the American Museum of Natural History, the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and the New York Botanical Garden. Additionally, he has been bestowed with two Pulitzer Prizes, the National Medal of Science, and the Crafoord Prize of the Royal Swedish Academy. In 1995, he was selected as one of the twenty–five most influential Americans by Time Magazine. Today, E.O. Wilson is the Pellegrino University Research Professor Emeritus and Honorary Curator in Entomology at Harvard University, where he conducts research on the biogeography and systematics of ants.