Diversity and Community Engagement
The University of Mississippi

Posts Tagged ‘Education’

Meet Shaddia Lee – OCE Area Coordinator for Youth Education and Community Development

Posted on: February 26th, 2021 by crpauley

“My name is Shaddia Lee, and I am a junior from Jackson, Mississippi.  I am pursuing a degree in public policy leadership with a minor in psychology. After graduation, I plan to attend law school.  My greatest passion is to help guide my friends and family through any situations they are experiencing. I also like to encourage others to be their best in life.

Within the Office of Community Engagement, I will be working with Youth Education and Community Development this year. I will have the opportunity to work with many different organizations within the community focusing on the youth of the LOU community. I could not be more excited to be working in this issue area within this community. Since the age of thirteen, I have been working with young children throughout daycares and community centers teaching them basic elementary and middle school curriculum. The opportunity to help these organizations and connect students to the LOU community is so worthwhile.

When not in class, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, watching Netflix, and playing piano. I am currently serving as the Community Service Chair for the Honors College Minority and Engagement Executive Board, and I am also an Ole Miss Honors College Ambassador, a member of the NAACP of the University of Mississippi, Sally McDonnnell Barksdale Honors College Student, Honors College Peer Mentor, The University of Mississippi Gospel Choir, Executive Community Chair Leader for Minority Engagement Club, Trent Lott Leadership Member, ESTEEM Women of The University of Mississippi, Black Student Union Member, Christians United Full Gospel Baptist Church Lead Musician, Ruffalo Noel Levitz Call Center Ambassador.”

If you are interested in working with organizations that focus on Youth Education and Community Development, get in touch with Shaddia by sending an email to engaged@olemiss.edu.

Meet Gianna Schuetz – OCE Area Coordinator for Education and Youth

Posted on: September 21st, 2020 by elpayseu
Gianna Schuetz Headshot

Gianna Schuetz

“My name is Gianna Schuetz, and I am a senior from Huntsville, Alabama. I am pursuing a dual degree in Managerial Finance and Theatre Arts with a minor in Entrepreneurship. Upon graduation, I plan to go work in financial management positions specifically for non-profit arts companies. My greatest passion is to help foster a financially accessible space in which people can create and experience art.

When not in class, I enjoy drinking large amounts of caffeine, watching cooking shows on Netflix, and eating chips and salsa. I am currently serving as the Treasurer for the Associated Student Body in my third term. I also am an Ole Miss Ambassador, College of Liberal Arts Ambassador, the Executive Director for Ghostlight Repertory Theatre, the chair of campus and community outreach for the UM Food Pantry, a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, Rho Lambda, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Alpha Psi Omega. In thinking about if I could have a superpower, I would want to have super speed. I would love to be in many places at one time very quickly; it would make my life very easy!

Within the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, my issue area that I will be working on this year is Education and Youth Development. I will have the opportunity to work with many different organizations within the community focusing on the youth of the LOU community. I could not be more excited to be working in this issue area within this community. For six years of my life, I worked as a swim coach during the summer for 4 to 6 and 9 to 10-year olds. Within the LOU community, I have previous experience volunteering at local elementary schools in promoting child literacy! The opportunity to help these organizations and connect students to the LOU community is so worthwhile.

The LOU community gives so much to the students at the University of Mississippi in the four (or five) years we are lucky to live here. In the first semester of my freshman year, a senior student gave me the advice that the best way to give back to someone or some place is through service. This idea of showing gratitude through service has been an important aspect of my few years as a member of the LOU community. I am grateful for this opportunity to work in the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement as I will be able to directly affect my community and help other students do the same. I hope I will be able to inspire my peers to give back and thank through service.

Personally, my favorite thing about the LOU community might be the food! Food is important to me, especially as I am a newly converted vegetarian. I mean, Oxford has four different Thai restaurants! I just love it so very much. Recently, I learned that there is a secret restaurant on campus behind Weir Hall. I have been a student on campus for over three years, and I had no idea! I will be on my way to get an Acai bowl very soon.”

As Area Coordinator for Education and Youth Development, Gianna will be working with local partners like Leap Frog, Lafayette County Literacy Council, and the Boy and Girls Club to provide the children of the LOU community with tutoring and extracurriculars to help them succeed in all they do. If you are interested in getting involved with organizations like these, please contact engaged@olemiss.edu to get in touch with Gianna.