Tonya Sanders - Graduated
Psychology
City, State: Maywood, IL

Out-of-class experiences: Ronald E. McNair Program, Unique Ensemble Gospel Choir, Coalition of African American Women, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, Student Advisor, and Scholastic Enhancement Experience Counselor, Student Worker in the Student Affairs Office

 
What factors determined your decisions about your out-of-class involvements?
If I had the spare time, found it interesting, and the other people that were doing it.

If you go back in time and change anything about your out-of-class involvements, what would you change?
I would get involved with APO, a service organization

What out-of-class experiences were most helpful in supporting your liberal arts education?
Attending some of the special guest lecturers

What out-of-class experiences were most helpful in supporting your education in your major?
Ronald E. McNair Program

How did your out-of-class experiences prepare you for your life after graduation (job, graduate school)?
It prepared me to do research and fine-tune my public speaking and leadership skills.

In what other ways do you believe your out-of-class involvements enhanced your undergraduate experience?
They made the time go by faster and made it more enjoyable.  Also they were a great source of support. 

What advice would you give first-year-students at Truman regarding out-of-class experiences?
Get involved early and stay involved. 

Amanda Bates - Graduated
French Major going into the MAE Program
City, State: Florissant, MO

Out-of-class experiences: Marching Band, Rugby, CCF, Church Choir,
Church Handbell Choir, Student Advisor, Walt Disney World College
Program, Hall Community Coordinator, Rock  Climbing Club

What factors determined your decisions about your out-of-class involvements?
When I first started here as a freshman, I was just mainly concerned with getting involved and finding my niche.  As time passed and I met people from different groups I chose to stay in those groups where I made really good friendships.  Now, my involvement is centered mostly around my job, which I love, and things that I've always wanted to do, like work at Walt Disney World.

If you go back in time and change anything about your out-of-class involvements, what would you change?
I wouldn't change one thing.  I feel that I've learned from every experience whether it was positive or negative.

What out-of-class experiences were most helpful in supporting your liberal arts education?
I think getting off campus and becoming involved at church has really helped me because it's a way for me to escape the 'college world' for a little bit.  I think that doing an internship at Walt Disney World really helped renew my motivation for academics and realize how many opportunities are out there for people with a liberal arts education. The position I'm in now as a Hall Community Coordinator is a great way for me to draw on the experiences I've had in the past four years and relate it directly to education.

How did your out-of-class experiences prepare you for your life after graduation (job, graduate school)?
I feel that I have learned how to relate to people better and learned how to interact with people better in a variety of situations.  My out of class experiences have allowed me to make connections all over the globe with people.

In what other ways do you believe your out-of-class involvements enhanced your undergraduate experience?
They've helped me to be a happier person as well as taught me about how to balance my life between school and play.

What advice would you give first-year-students at Truman regarding out-of-class experiences?
Try whatever you want to and don't let anything hold you back because you won't regret it.  And, if there isn't something out there for you at Truman yet, create it.

Kristen Barton - Graduated
Biology Major (Microbiology)
City, State:

Out-of-class experiences: Residential Living Hall Community Coordinator, Student Advisor

What factors determined your decisions about your out-of-class involvements?
I have always had to have a full time job during school, aside from being an SA and a HCC, so Ihave not had a lot of time for out-of-classroom involvment.

If you go back in time and change anything about your out-of-class involvements, what would you change?
I would probably participate in more activities.

How do you believe out-of-class experiences have prepared you for the life after graduation (job, graduate school)?
My involvement in Residential Living has given me experience with a plethora of job skills - communication, professionalism, teamwork, etc.

In what other ways do you believe your out-of-class involvements enhanced your undergraduate experience?
I found my Residential Living staff to be very supportive and encouraging, which has been very helpful over the last two years.

What advice would you give first-year students at Truman regarding out-of-class experiences?
Participate and get involved. Not joining campus organizations is probably my biggest regret about my college experience.

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