Inspiring college enthusiasm, readiness, and persistence

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College Positive Corps Members

Taylor Chustz   I was born and raised in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana.  I go to Mount Holyoke College and will be graduating in December.  I am an International Relations major and Educational Studies minor.  In my free time, I practice Naginata (a traditional Japanese martial art for women where I was co-captain this past semester), participate in the Roosevelt Campus Institute (focusing on policy related to education), Amnesty International, work in after-school programs, volunteer, read, and listen to music.  In regards to service, I have volunteered in various capacities, from an AmeriCorps year to child care to education policy.  I wanted to join the College Positive Corps because I have worked with children in urban, suburban, and rural areas and saw the differences in education, especially focusing on a child's goals.  When a child is motivated and exposed to different backgrounds and scenarios, he or she strives for higher goals.  I recognize the privilege I was given in my life by my parents who took me to museums and different states.  I want students and youth to experience the diverse world we live in and see what they can do to help and change it.

Kelley Correia I grew up in Brockton, MA but my parents are from Cape Verde.  I am currently attending Stonehill College.  I am majoring in the health sciences because I want to become a nurse practitioner.  I will be graduating in 2013.  At Stonehill I am an ALANA-A sister, which is a leadership program that aids in building personal connections and a support system for students of color, international students, and diversity allies in a college setting.  I am also a member of RISE (Radiant Inspirational Sisters Empowered), which is a focus group for women of color where we discuss common issues regarding race, ethnicity, and diversity on campus.  I was also a Big Sister and I enjoyed being a positive role model for the youth.  I decided to join the College Positive Corps because I view myself as a resource for the youth since I have already been a child and learned from my mistakes.  I am deeply interested in education, youth, college access, and college success because all of these things can be attainable with the proper tools.  From my experiences I have seen the realities of not obtaining a college degree.  We must help the youth and make a foundation for their success.

Janine DiLorenzo   I grew up in Weymouth, MA and graduated from Stonehill College with the Class of 2011, where I studied Early Childhood Education and Visual & Performing Arts.  I have been involved in local community service opportunities since freshman year, and during my senior year I served as Student Co-Director of Stonehill's community service office (Into the Streets).  In this position I was responsible for maintaining relationships with over 30 community partners, and connecting our campus to the outside community through service opportunities.  I am excited to take this organizing and service work further as an AmeriCorps*VISTA, particularly with the focus on the College Positive Corps.  As a future educator, I am passionate about setting youth up for success, which is what being "college positive" is all about.  I am particularly conscious about how the early years set the foundation for future academic performance, and how it is so important to be "college positive" all along the K-16 pipeline.  When not teaching or participating in community service, I enjoy being outside, going to concerts, and indulging in ice cream!

Sherline Dorcelus  I was born in Boston and grew up in Brockton—the City of Champions and home of the Brockton Boxers.  I am currently going into my sophomore year at UMass Dartmouth.  I was studying to get a degree in Business but I have recently had a change of heart and have decided to become Liberal Arts major until I figure out what field I want to focus on.  I have always been part of local organizations in my community, such as the Big Sister Big Brother Program and the Boys and Girls Club in Brockton.  One program that influenced me in particular was the C5 New England program.  The program inspired me to get even further involved in my community and become a more active voice for kids my age.  I always knew that education was my way out of a life that I didn’t want, and this program helped me build the future that I wished to see.  By working hard, I accomplished my goal of getting into college.  I am proud to be a part of the College Positive Corps because I want to influence youth the way that I was as a young person.  I want them to know that college is always an option regardless of any situation you find yourself in.  If you work hard and have that drive to succeed, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.  It is your attitude not your aptitude that determines your altitude.  I believe that positive attitude will always result in positive outcomes.

Danielle Dowling  Danielle grew up in Duxbury, MA.  She is a rising junior at UMass Amherst and is majoring in Management.  At UMass Amherst, Danielle is the chancellor of the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi.  She also volunteered through a CSL education course at the Homework House in Holyoke, MA, and worked closely with two second grade girls.  Danielle wanted to join the College Positive Corps so she could continue working with children.  Danielle says, “I know the difference I am making may seem small, but to them, it is everything.”

Christophanie Julien  I was born and raised in Boston, and later I moved to Brockton.  I currently go to Massasoit Community College and I’m a sophomore.  I am studying Liberal Arts and plan on transferring to Lesley University.  At Massasoit, I participated in the Hearts 4 Haiti Club and the Women’s Resource Center Club.  Outside of school, I am a part of the Brockton Youth Council and Most Beautiful Future.  I’ve participated in a variety of service events including the 3rd Annual Opportunity to Serve at the Boys & Girls Club of Brockton, MLK Day of Service & Leadership at Northeastern University, and the Mentor Recruitment Rally in Brockton.  I joined the College Positive Corps because I want to help my community to grow in a positive way.  I am interested in youth and college success because I can provide the youth with guidance.  I can help the youth find tools that are essential to being successful.

Lauren Laster   I grew up in Attleboro, MA with my mother and my older sister who were both very supportive.  My mother always spoke to me about going to college and I knew that that was something that I wanted to do, so I always received high grades and participated in extra-curricular activities that would lead me to my ultimate goal.   During high school I played field hockey and basketball and graduated in the National Honor Society.  I have recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth with a degree in English communications, and currently I am working on my education degree.  During my time at the university, I worked with America Reads and the College Access Corps.  My ultimate goal is to better prepare myself for teaching and making connections with students.  I am very passionate about helping the surrounding communities become more educated about college.  I am excited about showing children and their parents that college is possible!  Unfortunately, many children do not have all the essential resources and support they need when it comes to education and I want to be a part of supporting a child.  I want to be at least one child's resource for applying to college!

Melissa Lau  Melissa is from Wayland, MA.  She is a rising junior at UMass Amherst where she is pursuing a B.S. in Computer Systems Engineering.  Melissa has a variety of interests.  She has built 10 PC computers, written a science fiction novel, played flute and taught music lessons, sewn her own clothes, and enjoyed doing other arts and crafts projects.  In talking about her interest in service, Melissa said, “I really love to help people learn.  One of the greatest feelings is when you have helped someone understand or do something that is difficult, and to see them enjoy learning like I myself enjoy learning.”  Melissa joined the College Positive Corps so she should could “share knowledge with those who have not had an inspiring presence in their lives.”

Ashley O’Donnell   I grew up in Brockton, MA and graduated from Stonehill College this past May with a double major in English and communication with a media concentration.  I have been participating in service since I was eleven.  During my time in college I participated in three alternative spring break trips to New Orleans, Tennessee, and California to volunteer but also to learn about social justice issues.  I also volunteered at My Brother’s Keeper, a Christian organization that delivers food and furniture to those in need without prerequisite while also bringing hope that someone cares about them.  I wanted to join the College Positive Corps because of my belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to have an education regardless of background.  I want to pursue a career in higher education, possibly in admissions.  I feel it is important to understand some of the obstacles prospective students might encounter to fully understand a career in the higher education field.     

Jenny Scott I grew up in a few different towns in eastern Massachusetts.  I have lived in the Pioneer Valley for about 8 years, where I graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in February of 2009 with a B.A. in Linguistics and Psychology.  I am currently attending graduate school at UMass Amherst and working toward getting my Masters of Education with a concentration in School Counselor Education in May 2012.  I wanted to join the College Positive Corps because it focuses on providing knowledge and access to students regarding college and leadership opportunities.  In my work as a school counselor, some of my main priorities are making sure students have positive adult role models that they feel comfortable talking to and exploring future possibilities with.  Specifically, I am dedicated to working with students in the Holyoke area where the program I am creating is taking place.  I have worked with students in the after-school program there and plan to continue to do so in the future.  In addition, I completed a pre-practicum internship for School Counseling in Holyoke and will continue by doing a full practicum there this fall.

Dan Tyulmankov  Dan was born in Russia and grew up in Stamford, CT.  He is a rising sophomore at UMass Amherst where he is pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.  Dan has been a swimmer for many years and in high school was an assistant swim coach.  Dan described his interest in the College Positive Corps as follows, “Working with kids who may have not had much exposure to electronics will be a benefit for both them and me.  An earlier exposure to electronics will encourage more kids to enter the field when they get to college.  [The College Positive Corps] will give me the opportunity to provide to younger students the peek into ECE that I never had.”

Jasmine Villanueva   I am originally from East Boston but I grew up in Revere, MA.  This fall, I will be a junior at Lasell College, and I am pursuing a Bachelor’s in Fashion Design with a minor in Studio Art.  As far as extracurriculars go, I am an RA and I am a board member of Lasell College Radio as well as a DJ.  In the past two years I have been a tutor for the America Reads program at Lasell and a member of the Fashion Service Society Club.  I decided to do the College Positive Corps because I love children and I love helping children learn.  I enjoy helping children develop skills and thought processes they can use to further their learning through the years.