Building Bridges

Overhand method.

Underhand method.

I'm not sure this is a method, but I think he'd make a good salsa dancer!

This is the Director method...it didn't really pan out.

On his way to a new record!

Alexandra was working up a sweat collecting the fallen pencils on this game.

Check the cool concentration and the odd-shaped dice technique!

This contestant managed to catch the dice as they toppled.

Most of the time, dice tumbled everywhere and we had to search for them.

I love the look of satisfaction!  This is what Spring Carnival is all about.

If you've ever watched the animated movie "Nemo" then my title will make sense to you.  If you haven't, then you need to watch it.  I say this sing-songy line to myself sometimes when things get tough.  I also say it to friends and family when they are having a hard time and need a pick-me-up.  It's just so catchy!

The point (in the movie and in my message) is that when it seems like everything is going wrong and you're just too tired to go on....you need to "just keep swimming."  Even if it's in the silly, brainless way that Dory the fish does it.  The purpose is to keep moving forward.  Because, eventually, you'll end up in a different place, a better place.

I learned this lesson again this week.  I felt stopped in my tracks, at a dead-end, hopeless, frustrated, and overwhelmed.  But I just kept putting one foot (or fin) in front of the other toward the place I wanted to be...and eventually I made it through.  Everything that seemed to be holding me down was suddenly lifted and I felt much better.  I just had to stick with it long enough and focus on moving forward.

Admittedly, I can be a Marlin at times (the orange clown fish) and want to sit down and sulk, but I aspire to be a Dory.  I aspire to be hopelessly positive, living in the moment, and able to speak humpback whale.  Two out of three isn't bad, right?  Anyway, if you are going through some difficulties, whether they be personal or academic, I hope that this little clip makes you feel a bit better.  I hope it makes you chuckle and let go of a little stress.  If your life is just grand and everything is rosy, then you can enjoy this great clip and maybe sing along!

Pass it on.

Lindsey Shelley

Blub, Blub, Blub, Blub Alexandra Busk-- Student Ambassador

Mat-Su College Student Services has again welcomed a new batch of fresh-faced students to our campus.  This Spring 2012 orientation had more attendees than any previous Spring event!  And I'm proud to say that I think Student Ambassadors have really gotten this event down to a science.  While new students might not know this...orientation is designed, planned, and implemented by the Student Ambassador program.  And it has gone through some serious renovations in the past few years.  But I think we've finally arrived at something that works really well.  What do you think?

Making preparations for Spring NSO.

 

lists, lists, lists

We started our preparations back in November, guided by countless lists to keep us on track.  It's one of the biggest events done by the college, and maybe the only one facilitated almost entirely by student workers.  This year we conducted tours, set-up rooms, made arrangements with faculty and staff, sent out invitations, designed flyers and other media, and did a whole host of other duties.  Then we attend the event and guide groups of 25 students  through the three orientation sessions, assisting staff and faculty to provide a fun and engaging first experience at Mat-Su College.  This is MY favorite part.  And when it's all over, we clean up.

One of the best parts about New Student Orientation (NSO) is how it connects new students to other new students and to the people that make Mat-Su College great.  Attendees to NSO get to meet a lot of people and learn things they might not have ever learned by just going to class.  For instance, where can you go to get help choosing a major, creating a resume, or finding a career path?  If you answer Karen, career services, or student services you're right!  And if you attended NSO you would have met Karen yourself.

Amy and Karen check-in new students.

Talis Colberg gives the welcome at NSO.

And if you came to NSO you also would have gotten the wonderful opportunity to meet the head-honcho of Mat-Su College, Dr. Talis Colberg, and his number two in command, Bryan MacLean.  Their stories are not to be missed!

Delicious cookies being baked in the wake-up call cafe for NSO.

Move over Jeopardy...it's Student Services Presents!

And once the festivities begin, there's valuable knowledge to be gained.  But it's not "open your book to chapter 9" kind of knowledge.  At NSO we try to make it fun.  There's the gameshow session called Student Services Presents...and the speed-dating-esque Coffee Faculty Chat.

The faculty is the one with the bird hat!

In short, if you have attended NSO, we're glad you did and hope you learned a lot while having a good time.  That's our mission in the Student Ambassador program:  to connect you to your learning institution and to do it in an engaging way.  If you did not go to NSO then you can still connect to Mat-Su College by participating in other Student Ambassador events, or joining a club, or a study group, or by getting to know your professors and helpful college staff.  If you have any suggestions on how we can build more effective bridges...please let us know by commenting on our blog or telling Student Services. On behalf of the Student Ambassador crew, have a fabulous semester!

Your Student Ambassadors for Spring 2012.

Lindsey Shelley

We had such a great time sharing cookies with everyone last week!

The "Christmas Celery" was more of a hit than we anticipated.  Next year we'll be sure to have more.  Thank you to everyone who stopped by to decorate a cookie, sing a karaoke song, or spread some holiday cheer with us.  This event is all about students and giving you a chance to take a break from your hectic school lives to eat, drink, and be merry!  It's a chance for us to settle down for a little while and get to know other students as well.

How did you like the event?  Karaoke or no karaoke?  Which was your favorite frosting?  Smaller cookies next time?  More vegetables?  We'd love to hear your comments.

For now, enjoy a few snapshots from the Cookie Break.

Ambassadors Traci, Lindsey, & Kerissa

A cookie assembly line!

Karaoke with Mike!

Happy Cookie Day!

Have a GREAT CHRISTMAS holiday everyone!

As the fall semester ends and Christmas slowly creeps around the corner, promising what hopes to be a delightful and non-apocalyptic 2012, I can’t help but reflect on what this year has brought me. As a Student Ambassador, I have learned so many things about my fellow Ambassadors as well as the students around campus.  There has been a lot to learn over the course of the fall term, and to be honest, most of it has slipped my mind.  Now, In my defense, I am pregnant – and with pregnancy comes progesterone, which actually shrinks the size of a woman’s brain.  Due to this temporary disability (that’s how I see it anyway), women get what is known as the “Pregnancy Stupid’s.”