Text Box: Claiming that one day she will be a “starving artist,” Sara Campos can’t be farther from the truth if her college career is any indication of her future. An English Writing major and McNair Scholar as well as CSTEP Buddy, Sara belongs to IBS, the English Honorary and is a Presidential Diversity Scholar as well as a frequent visitor to the Dean’s List. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, Sara took advantage of the Study Abroad program and spent the spring semester of ’04 in London. She then spent eight weeks this summer completing a McNair research internship project with her menText Box: tor Paul Graham wherein she researched about the history of Cuba and her family’s Cuban roots. She wrote chapters for her future first book about her findings too. She and a brother eventually want to create a documentary on the subject. During her colloquium presentation, Sara shared a video of her interview with her grandmother, and the story was so poignant, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. She titled her research: - “A Cuban-American History: His-story, Her-story, Our-story.” Prior to the summer’s research, Sara had done a communications internship right here at SLU with Neal Burdick. Of the experiences she says, “I am now a published Text Box: writer in National Publications, and I’m only an undergraduate. I couldn’t be happier that I did it.” Sara’s immediate plans are to join Americorps for two years and then go to graduate school. She felt her summer research internship was “incredible.” It gave her a chance to prepare for the GRE’s and to live “the writer’s life.” Crediting Natalia Singer for inspiration that made her be herself, Sara offers some wisdom to her peers. “Take advantage of every opportunity you can. Here at SLU you are surrounded by people who want to help you.” Text Box: Congratulations to Sahiry Rodriguez who is a new CSTEP Group Leader. Besides meeting alumni Adrian Jones and Manulito Loman at Buffalo, I heard from or got emails this month from the following alumni: Kim Eady, Sara Morrison, Andy Pitoniak, Debbie Henry, Ohene Cornelius, Vanessa Dri, Sydney Seifert, Travis Babcock, and Fehmida Lakhi. Kim was looking to Text Box: McNair and CSTEP welcome new members. In addition to the names listed in the last newsletter, the following students have been accepted into these programs: Akintunde Akinmade, Emily Bordeau, Melina Cruz, Kendall Landers, Eddie Molina, Jana Morgan, Mikinee Moses, Candida Olmo, Sahiry Rodriguez, Alena Severin, Joseph McKay, Steve Peraza, Randy Olivo, Brandi Welch, Messan Agboussoumonde, Jessa Davis, Candina Harmer, Marlisa Hernandez, Crystal Fuerte, Kadine Hamliton, Michael Seaman, and Yussif Shehata. Text Box: start a new position at Montifiore Hospital; Sara is finding the Ph. D. work can be challenging, but she is still enjoying it; Andy took his GRE and is applying to several graduate programs in the state; Debbie is enjoying her graduate school program and wanted Alena to know more about it; Ohene was seeking some information about his GRE exam; Vanessa sent an email about breast cancer; Sydney was looking at Text Box: SENIOR FEATURE: SARA CAMPOS Text Box: MEMBER/ALUMNI NEWS BRIEFS Text Box: SENIOR FEATURE: CHRISTINE RANNEY Text Box: Page 2

WASSup?
Text Box: Graduate programs out west but has since returned to NYC where she started a new job. Travis is keeping everyone updated on the election scene; and Fehmida is applying to medical schools and working to prepare for the MCAT before her spring wedding. It was great to hear from or see you all!!

McNair Scholar Christine Ranney exudes passion and lights up whenever she is given a chance to talk about issues that deeply affect her. An English and Philosophy double major, Christine is also very interested in equity in education. As a recent Tanner Fellowship recipient, she will research equity issues in the Bronx, New York, this winter. That topic is closely associated with her McNair summer research project entitled “Implementation and Re-Integration: Charter School Education as a Remedy for African American Inequities in an Urban Context.” Christine was mentored by Dr. Ron Flores in completing that research project and found inspiration for her research interest from Jonathan Kozol’s book Savage Inequalities.

Christine has had several internship/research experiences. In 2003 she interned with the Department of Education in Massachusetts in the Charter School Division. She also taught for the Summerbridge Program (a national non-profit devoted to educational equity) in Manchester, NH and New Orleans, LA; and she also received an Asian Initiative Grant to do independent research in Hong Kong after her McNair Summer program this past summer. Needless to say, she is focused and energetic and willing to work very hard to prepare herself for opportunities ahead.

Born in Germany and coming to SLU from Manchester, New Hampshire, Christine fills her down time on campus as an admissions tour guide as well as VP for the SLU Democ

rats. She hopes one day to be an Urban Educator/Policy Maker.

Christine has immediate hopes to apply to Teach for America and intends to go to graduate school afterwards. She also is considering Peace Corps work before graduate school.

Reminding peers that having academic passions is vital, she says: “ I would encourage students to find a professor that they can connect to and make an effort to develop that bond. The conversations I have had with my advisor are invaluable and have only fueled my academic passions.”

Sara Campos

Christine Ranney

DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 2!!!!!!!!!!!!