Name
Shane

Major
Communication

Concentration
Inequality

Hometown
Waterville, NY

Describe your experience at CALS

I realized I was fortunate to be a student in CALS when, in July before coming to Cornell, I received a personal letter from my advisor in the Department of Communication, Jeff Hancock. After receiving that letter, I realized CALS' advising system was the best at Cornell. I had heard about it during CALS orientation and it made me feel proud to tell other peers who were having difficult times with their departments, colleges, and advisors that I had a smooth academic transition.

Advice to a prospective student looking at CALS

Be assertive! As a Cornell student, including as a student in CALS, you should be able to handle and understand what you need to know to graduate and to be successful (whatever that means to you) here. CALS is very good at offering support to students. Take advantage of that support and don't be afraid to ask questions. It's your future, your opportunity to utilize what's in front of you.

Activities

On-campus work: Community Programs Specialist Manager at the Cornell Public Service Center

Other activities: Project Coordinator for Into the Streets (Public Service Center, largest day of community service); Cornell Public Service Center POST (Pre-Orientation Service Trip) Team Leader; Cornell Tradition Fellow; Cornell Tradition Student Advisory Council; Cornell University Ambassador; Cornell Urban Scholars Program; CALS Transfer Buddy; Cornell Tradition Transfer Peer Advisor; New York Campus Compact Student Commission on Civic Engagement; Sphinx Head Senior Honor Society; PEHR (Peer Educators in Human Relations) Diversity Training Facilitator.

Hands-on Experience

Unfortunately I have not been able to take advantage of a lot of hands-on research or academically-based work outside of classes. I have, however, as is evidenced in my on- and off-campus activities, been very involved in public service. This past summer I was selected to and participated in the Cornell Urban Scholars Program, a dynamic internship program affording progressive-minded Cornell students the opportunity to study social justice and work in an innovative nonprofit in New York City.