Posted by Martino Britt

I find myself saying this more and more as I am driving these days. According to the Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 300, Model Traffic Ordinance, Section 300.270 “The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign if required for safety to stop shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.”

Why is it then that few people obey these signs? These signs are clearly installed for safety reasons, yet few people actually YIELD when they approach a YIELD sign.

I come upon this thought because this is how many people live their lives today. A lot of people are zooming so fast through life they do not see it necessary to obey the YIELD signs they encounter. Sometimes, I am in line at the grocery store, and I hear people complaining about how slow the cashier moves. What is the rush? Wherever you are going will still be there when you get finished paying for your items, get in your car, and drive there.

This leads me to something else, the Holiday Season. I noticed the day after Halloween that some stores put up their Christmas decorations. Whoa, I guess retailers cannot afford to miss out on advertising any one of the 50+ days between Halloween and Christmas. This time of year used to be really special to me, now it is less so. People all ask one another what they want for Christmas.

I do not think that is what this time of year is about. We all should be thinking about ways in which we can help our fellow man. Maybe there is a family that needs help with their utilities or maybe even buying food. I think that is what this time of year is about—helping others. I wrote this post to emphasize that we need to slow down this holiday season and obey the YIELD signs in our life. Take a minute to think about the reason we celebrate this season and think about what He would want us to do.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/w00kie/332708046/

Posted by Martino Britt

Okay, school is back and it is in full effect. I remember last year on the first day of school and how prepared I was. This year it seems to have crept up on me. I was ready with my books and syllabi, but the first day of class still came out of nowhere. The first week was a little hectic for me, to say the least. I was actually looking forward to the first day of class and was very excited. As each new term starts, I am one term closer to obtaining my degree. I am taking two classes: one online and one on-ground.

After the second week I was back in my groove. Everything is going smoothly and as well as can be expected at this point. I am pleased with the fact that my classes complement one another. What I mean by that is that the topics covered in the two courses actually relate. I really enjoy when this happens because it broadens my insight into the subject. This helps when studying and with discussion. I cannot believe that the first fall term is almost over.

In two weeks the second fall term starts, and we will all embark on the next step in our journey. The first week back was rough, but it did not discourage me. It encouraged me to get it together and remember all of those study habits I developed and worked on last year. It was like turning the heat on for the first time on a cold night. It takes a minute to warm up, but once it heats up, you can put it on automatic.

I am excited about the upcoming term. I have been pondering changing my major again, but I am not totally sure about it yet. I do not want to change and change and change. Well, at least for right now, all I have to think about are the two classes I have going on and finishing them strong.

One thing I have decided is that I will not take the summer off again. I plan on going until I have reached my goal. I am glad to see some of my old classmates from last year and the new classmates as well. It is good to be back in class, and I would like to tell all of my fellow Billikens “Welcome Back!”

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryofnsw/2960116125/

Posted by Melanie Perry

I always wished I’d been able to complete my Bachelor’s Degree. I’d even gone as far as requesting degree and class details from different schools over the years.

But, once I sat down and counted up the credits I needed and thought about how long they would take me, I was too discouraged to seriously consider starting. It didn’t seem even remotely feasible.

Then I heard about a new educational initiative at work. At the kickoff, they held some informational sessions explaining how the program worked. They were going to partner with SLU’s School for Professional Studies, and we would take five compressed classes per year in order to get all of our prerequisites out of the way. That sounded far better than taking one class per semester at a traditional school, which would only get me three classes per year.

I was more than a bit scared at the beginning, because I’d never done all that well in school before. But, being able to take one class at a time with my coworkers seemed much less intimidating than striking out on my own. I told myself that I could do just about anything for nine weeks, so I could get through the class.

I spoke with my husband and told him this program would last a couple of years and would only get me part way, but we agreed that I’d never be able to finish if I didn’t start.

So, I signed up for the program through BJC. Then, I got through the SLU paperwork. Then, everyone’s favorite…we took Math and English tests to gauge our skills.

And I got through the first class…then the second one…and by the time I was close to the end of my first year, I’d realized I could do it. I could take classes at the University and even manage to do well.

Of course, then I realized that if I only took five classes a year, I’d be in school a lot longer than I really wanted.

Time to speak to my husband again! I told him I wanted to increase my course load. That meant a little less ‘me’ time to help out with the house and the kids, but it meant I could finish school in four years, rather than seven or eight, and he said he was willing to take on more of the load at home.

So, I filled out a FAFSA. I got a Pell Grant and arranged student loans (to cover the classes not covered by my employer).

Then, I went in to schedule my classes. I wanted to take two at a time. But, I only scheduled two at once when I could take one on the campus and one entirely online. Some semesters I only had one class, but the remainder I was taking two at once.

That’s a lot harder, I’ll admit it.

The terms when I have two classes are more tiring, more stressful and sometimes overwhelming, but I still feel like I’ve managed to process and retain the information. It’s not easy, but, it’s attainable. I take my quizzes or tests online at night after the kids go to bed. I write discussion group posts and papers during my lunch hour at work. And one night a week I’m in class with my peers.

Now, here I am, two and a half years into this experience. I’ve just started my 19th and 20th classes at SPS, and I hope to graduate with my Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and Technology at the end of 2011.

Looking back, I remembered how daunting the task in front of me seemed.

Along the way, I remembered how tired and occasionally frustrated I got.

Approaching the end, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I can read job postings I’m not quite qualified for and think how much closer I am to meeting their qualifications.

I can look at my kids and think of them watching me graduate and completing this great goal.

I can look at my husband and think how my greater income will improve our quality of life.

But, mostly, I can look at that mountain I was so daunted by a couple of years ago and realize that I’m on the downward slope, all as a result of having taken that first step.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29487767@N02/3166402789/

Posted by Sherry Wright-Gully

Whew! Hot summer days and online classes. What a combination… speaking of crash courses – now I know the true meaning of the expression. I completed two online courses over the summer, and at the end, I needed to escape to allow my mind to be free from my focused method. While each course was intense and packed with information, I learned a lot of valuable information.

I have never considered myself to be a history scholar, but I certainly feel like I can wear the title now that I’ve taken History 112. Oddly enough, it proved to be quite interesting especially in terms of what is acceptable in different cultures. Things that are taboo in one culture may be acceptable in another culture…such as prostitution. One would think that prostitution is wrong in every culture, but that is not true. I found that to be quite surprising!

Anyway, the biggest piece to each course is writing papers that are usually due at the end of the course. The thought of this throws me into panic mode. I stress out over them because they are always worth a large portion of your grade so I can’t let my hard work go to waste by submitting a poor paper. It’s challenging, to say the least. Nevertheless, I come shining through because the instructors do such an extraordinary job of preparing us for success with detailed information for completing each task.

At the end of each course, I find myself exhaling from the delight of receiving a high score and for having another course under my belt – putting me a step closer to graduation. With SPS you can’t lose with the stuff they give you. If you are a busy adult there is hope for a brighter future at SLU. Just enroll with SPS and start your journey to success. They build courses that have been designed specifically with you in mind. For example, online courses… they work great for me. SPS is ahead of the game because, in years to come, online courses will not only be a popular choice, but it will be a choice on demand.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rcsj/2504022678/#/

Posted by Martino Britt

Recently, I was having a conversation with a colleague who happens to be an adult student, and the topic of school came up. He goes to a local university (not SLU) and is not happy with what he is getting in terms of a quality education. That is because when looking for schools my colleague chose his school based almost solely on the fact that it provided him with the fastest route to a degree. I explained to him that while I did want to finish school as quickly as possible, that was not the determining factor in my choosing Saint Louis University. There were many reasons I chose SLU, and I let him know that.

Once I finally made my mind up that I was returning to school, I did my homework. The first thing I did was fill out my FAFSA application. While searching local school codes I came across something that amazed me. According to the FAFSA website, SLU has a 74% graduation rate and an 83% retention rate. Though I wasn’t searching for these numbers, they turned out to be very important to me. I visited three schools. Of the other two schools I visited, one boasted a paltry 43% graduation rate and a 66% retention rate. The other boasted a 55% graduation rate and a 62% retention rate.

Though I had already decided to attend SLU, seeing these numbers reaffirmed my decision. I looked at cost and, while SLU was not the least expensive, I do believe you get what you pay for. That is evident because my friend opted for the less expensive school, and he is getting exactly what he paid for.

I am not saying that because a school is less expensive than SLU, it is not as good of a school as SLU. I am saying that numbers don’t lie. If a school has a 43% graduation rate, that means something to me. Based on data from the FAFSA website, graduation and retention rates are described as follows:

“Graduation rate is the percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who complete their program within 150% of the published time for the program.”

“Retention rate is the percentage of a school’s first-time, first-year undergraduate students who continue at that school the next year.”

Along with the impressions each school left with me after my visit, these data helped me to choose the right school for me. I know that each student will not thrive in the same environment, but, once again, numbers do not lie.

I also told my colleague that the instructors at SLU are excellent and are even accessible to you once your class with them is over. That is another thing he is not getting at his school. I have had questions on several occasions and have needed to reach out to past instructors, and they always respond within a day or two. This is extremely important; it lets me know that my education is always important to the instructors at SLU.

He finally asked me how I felt about the racial incidents that made the news last spring at SLU. I told him that I understood his point. However, SLU is a pillar of the St. Louis community. Not only do I know many people and families who have benefited from SLU’s generosity, I myself have benefited directly from SLU’s generosity.

I also explained to him that we cannot blame the institution for a few misguided comments or the actions of a few. If that were the case, then there would be no such thing as progress. I also told him that while I do not blame SLU for the students’ behaviors, I do expect SLU to keep these types of events in check. It affects me deeply when anyone experiences discrimination. It doesn’t matter what form discrimination takes because it is all wrong.

I must admit that I was very upset by the incidents and the thought of changing schools did cross my mind. Then I realized that if I leave SLU, I would be giving any bigoted person exactly what s/he would want. It was more than that. I am truly happy at SLU. I have enjoyed all of my classes, I have met wonderful students and instructors, and I write for this blog. These are just a few of the positive experiences for me since coming to SLU.

I love SLU, and I am very happy to be a member of the SLU community. I know I chose the right school for me based on my experience and the experiences of people I know who attend other schools. There are a few things I hope get better before school picks back up for the fall (likes sometimes a classroom is too cold and never seems to get fixed).

Overall, though, I am pleased with my SLU experience, and I would not change it for anything. SLU has given me what I need when I need it. I have even suggested to my colleagues that they transfer to SLU so that they can get the best education for their dollar. I knew this before I saw the email pertaining to SLU being the only Missouri school this year in The Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_olson/61056391/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Posted by Alyssa Owens

I was driving to work one morning and heard a commercial for adult education on the radio. The students in the commercial were talking about their person responsibilities and how they had a desire to obtain a great-quality college education. When I first heard the beginning of this commercial, I was saying “SLU SPS!!! SLU SPS!!!”

Now, there are several other colleges that promote their adult education program, but none of them have students who promote it. It’s just a boring announcer who reads the positives of the program. However, this radio commercial with the adult students was really talking about SLU SPS! I laughed when I heard that it was actually SPS, and I started to feel really proud. I was thinking, “Two kids, full time job, and the desire to get a college degree from a great university – yep! That’s me!”

The great thing about SLU SPS is that it is truly for working and busy adults. The students on the commercial really put a good word out there for anyone looking to go back to college to obtain that degree, but what I find is most important with the process of obtaining my bachelor’s degree is that SPS has given me the tools to be able to better communicate my thoughts and ideas and a way to really enhance my self-esteem.

Speaking of better communication, I can’t tell you how SPS classes, students and professors have expanded my thought process. When I am in class, and we are asked for our opinion, we get to think about what WE think, and it’s not just about what the textbook says it is. We get to discuss things that maybe we hadn’t thought about before. SPS has shown me that my way is not the only way, and I can change my mind on a particular subject after I hear the opinions of my classmates and professors (hmmm, I’ve never thought of it that way!).

Although I am totally swamped and missing massive amounts of sleep as a I go through each term, I am proud to be a SLU SPS student! It is worth all of the missed sleep, all of the research and paper writing, all of the things I would have been doing had I not been taking classes. It is so worth it!

Never had I thought that I could be as successful academically as I have been here so far at SPS. It is also quite amazing that now I am excited about the possibility of obtaining more schooling! Who would have thought that ongoing education could be liberating and fun and something to look forward to?

The Department Head of the Criminal Justice and Security Management Program and I met for some conversation about the possibilities available to me after I graduate from SPS. There are so many options, and instead of saying “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up,” I can now say, “There are so many options and avenues that I can take because I will have a SLU degree!” Now, I just have to figure out which avenue I want to take!

We, as students, have completed a few surveys about the different aspects of SPS that need improvement. There are several sections on the survey that ask about our opinion of the academic advisors, the degree paths, and the professors and department heads. I am a firm believer in our SLU SPS program, and so during the survey, I marked all of these as excellent. I made some comments on the surveys as well, but these comments were of absolute praise for all of the SPS people who offer a helping hand, who are understanding, and who are so encouraging to all of the students. I couldn’t have asked for better people to experience my undergraduate years with, and I enjoy working with all of them!

My point to this blog is not to boast about SLU SPS (although I really could!), but to praise SLU SPS for all of the different ways that the faculty and staff work to encourage and help all of the students. There are so many resources here at SPS that every student should utilize. SLU is a great place, and SPS is even better!! With all of the diverse backgrounds and positive goals to be achieved, SPS is the greatest place to come together and fulfill our learning and growing goals!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/firma/2057704317/

Posted by Francesca Zanti

Earlier this year, I received an email from my advisor, Mary Schmelter, stating that she was having a small informal breakfast gathering for her students. She would be providing coffee, orange juice, and donuts. I was excited about this, because I had only met her once on my initial enrollment to SPS. I communicated with her regarding guidance for my next class through email.

The breakfast turned out to be more than just refreshments. Many in our group struck up conversations with one another. We discussed some of the experiences we had with our classes and our professors. I was excited to see a friend from a current class. I had no idea we also shared the same advisor.

Mid-way through, Mary broke in and asked us to take turns introducing ourselves. We also had group discussions on what challenges we were facing, and ways to problem solve them as a group.

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, and it will always be one of my favorite memories in my SPS career. I didn’t just participate because of free refreshments. It was an opportunity for me to get to know my advisor and my fellow classmates. In my opinion, it was a great idea for Mary to arrange the get together.

Since that Saturday morning, I have come across some of the students that participated in the group. We reflect on how much fun we had that morning.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/saucydragonfly/226474314/

Posted by Martino Britt

What do I do with the time? I could have never imagined myself missing school. Though the summer is half over, I find myself missing the hustle and bustle of going to and from class. I am looking forward to starting my second year as an SPS student, and I am excited about what the new school year is going to bring. Over the past year, school became such a big part of my life; it was strange when I realized I did not have an assignment to do or any reading I had to get done.

Do not get me wrong! I enjoy the free time, but I really miss school. Going back to school gave me a great sense of purpose, as well as a great feeling of accomplishment. School also helped me to realize that I have a lot more time on my hands than I used to think. I would often decline invitations to do things during the week because I just felt like there wasn’t enough time in the day. For years I convinced myself not to return to school because I felt I would be too busy to spend time with my children. I have since found that to be untrue.

One thing school has helped me to do is make the best use of my time. My boys and I have been enjoying an array of activities this summer, and we are definitely making the best use of our time. I decided that this year my children and I would all try new things. We will travel to new places, eat at different restaurants, and visit attractions we might not otherwise visit.

Learning to make the best use of my time is one of the best things I could have learned. I used to be content with sitting in the house a lot, now I like to make use of my time. I feel like there’s always something new to do and experience. I do enjoy peaceful days at home relaxing with my family, but I also like to get out and go now. In fact, my family often jokes that they used to always know where I was at, but now they never know. I must say, I am quite pleased with my new time management skills.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/riot/3395820823/

Posted by Sherry Wright-Gully

What is mentoring? Traditionally defined, it is an interpersonal relationship between two individuals known as the mentor and mentee or protégé. In organizations mentoring is a vehicle used to cultivate and grow employees. Simply put, it is a higher ranking employee who has advanced in organizational experiences and knowledge and is committed to providing guidance and support to protégés. Mentoring can be a formal or informal attribute. At an organizational level, some companies have formal mentoring programs, which means they have organizational or managerial mentors. On a more personal level mentoring is considered informal, which means it is a peer relationship that happens spontaneously.

Mentoring relationships fall into one of four categories or stages that include orientation and initiation, cultivation, separation, and redefinition. In order for mentoring to be successful, a mental contract for learning must be in place between the mentor and dependent party. This is known as the orientation and initiation stage where the mentor and protégé select each other and begin relationships that will last 6 to 12 months. The cultivation stage is a rewarding 1-5 year relationship for both the mentor and protégé. The third stage is the separation stage, which can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as retirement, relocation, or different interests to name a few. The fourth stage is the redefinition stage and depends on the nature of the separation.

Mentors are like teachers who demonstrate and explain situations and/or topics to protégés who are looking to learn more about a particular topic, task, or interest. For an organization to have a solid mentoring foundation it should have five components: deliberate learning (as the cornerstone), the essence of both failure and success (powerful teachers), a leader’s need to disclose stories, active development that matures over time, and the acknowledgement that mentoring is a joint venture. In detail, these components are necessary to employ a successful outcome.

As mentioned above, deliberate learning is comprised of the mentor’s ability to promote knowledge through learning. This is done through experiences that impart knowledge and promote direction and advice. Mentoring comes with benefits and limitations. Just like any other relationship, a mentoring relationship, too, can become dysfunctional. For example, mentors can become threatened by their protégés and feel that their protégé has become a competitor. When the mentor feels that the protégé threatens one’s job or personal image, it can cause the separation stage of the relationship especially in competitive fields and industries.

As a writer of theatrical productions I found myself faced with a situation that caused a separation after several years of advice and direction from a mentor on a personal level. He responded to my success with accusations that I befriended him for all of the wrong reasons – mainly to meet his musician, who, by the way, is for hire. Failures and success stories are noted as being powerful teachers because they include experience – experience that is proven to be either effective or ineffective. Whether good or bad, experience offers results that will determine direction. Bad experiences teach us that this is not something that we should continue. Good experiences motivate us to cultivate and continue that practice and allow us to have the ability to analyze realities.

Mentors are more effective when personal stories are shared. Not only will these stories offer priceless information, they also offer memorable insight. Likewise, they increase credibility by demonstrating how the mentor reached a particular level of expertise. Further, these stories show how experience can be an ongoing process that matures over time. Mentors who share their wisdom and experiences on an ongoing basis usually serve as trusted confidantes. When done on a personal level, mentoring is often done for FREE. This is rewarding for mentors because they have a desire to “give back” to society in some way with no hidden motives. For them it is risk-free with nothing to gain other than the sense of giving back. A good mentor is genuinely interested in someone else’s growth and can be found in all types of organizations especially education.

Now that you know what a mentor is and how mentoring operates, you may realize that you have mentors at the School for Professional Studies. Faculty are genuinely interested in the growth of their students. They are experts in their field and have no hidden motives. They sometimes offer personal stories to help students learn. Because they have a desire to “give back,” they use deliberate learning as they promote knowledge through learning.

They demonstrate and explain topics to students who are looking to learn, and they fit into all four categories of mentoring relationships (orientation and initiation, cultivation, separation, and redefinition), but in order for mentoring to be successful, a mental contract for learning must be in place between the mentor (Professor) and dependent party (student). SPS has is all, great programs and outstanding mentors offers a great learning experience to all of its students. SPS rocks!

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplesolutiontech/4430991227/

Posted by Julia Jean Jackson-Fowler

Old dogs have nothing on cats or the adult brain.

The saying goes, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” I have a doddering old Yorkshire terrier and, alas, the idiom is true.

However, I have a cat-”Hermie”-and an adult brain (not pictured). I am happy to report that both have overcome their respective aversions to learning new things. This has not been easy. Lessons can be confusing, even painful, and some of us seem destined to learn things the hard way. Just ask Hermie.

In July of 2005, Hermie was arrested for violating the City of Chesterfield’s leash law. He was in the back seat of the police car, when I pulled into the driveway.

An unidentified female neighbor had called police after Hermie jumped up and caught a wild bird – in mid-air – in the woman’s back yard. Unfortunately, the woman was feeding the wild bird as this happened. She was understandably traumatized, because Hermie unabashedly ate his victim on the spot.

Hermie was released to me, but I was ordered to appear in court to answer for the violation.

In the intervening weeks, my husband and I taught Hermie the most difficult lesson of his entire first-of-nine lives: how to stay in the yard. We purchased a shock collar, just like the collars that kept our dogs behind their Invisible Fence.

There are few experiences more bizarre than teaching a cat to negotiate an invisible barrier. It was a painful period for all involved.

When I stood before the judge – who was laughing hysterically – I was able to show him photographic evidence that Hermie was indeed reformed. Case Dismissed!

Hermie still catches birds in midair, but he is ever mindful of the property’s edge. He has taken to climbing trees.

The analogy breaks down, because my brain has found adult learning tremendously “liberating.” Life and work experiences enhance my lessons, which in turn enhance my life and my work. I enjoy seeing the forest AND the trees.

There is no boundary!