SHPE - Fall 2007 - (Page 55) that draws more people who could possibly offer help on various homework subjects. The committee also polls members to find out which will be their hardest finals and then finds teachers’ assistants or someone knowledgeable in the subject to give a review session prior to the final. During the spring semester, the chapter organized a book exchange in its office so that students could access the books and notes of other students to help prepare for their tests. SHPE-ASU also has a mentor program that pairs an underclassman with an upperclassman in the same major. Once a month they meet to discuss the underclassman’s academic progress, the teachers he or she should take and which classes work best when taken together. As a result, the chapter has raised its average GPA by 0.2 over the past semester. While Aroz is reluctant to take credit for his contribution to the program – constantly redirecting the spotlight to its diligent leaders – SHPE-ASU Past President and current Treasurer Ellie Ziems recognizes the important role Aroz has played in the chapter’s success. “He’s definitely taught me that the best way to lead is by example,” she said. “In the past we’ve had a lot of presidents who end up failing because of their involvement. Manny always gave us that push to be academically focused, to make sure that our grades were good, to go to class and study. Over the past couple of years, our whole executive board has been academically inclined.” She added that last year, most officers had grade point averages at or above a 3.0. By making themselves examples, the leaders were prepared to face the challenge of shifting the rest of the chapter away from its social focus toward an academic one. “It’s been difficult trying to get members to accept that change and to be involved in it,” Ziems continued, “but when they do, they see that being an academic organization is more fun because you get to do the academic and the social.” According to Cordero, SHPE-ASU’s drive toward academic improvement coupled with its community outreach distinguishes it among Region II’s strongest chapters and sets it as role model for other chapters. “The growth of the student side of our organization is bound to the efforts of our advisors,” Cordero said. “It’s imperative www.SHPE.org R Fall 2007 Manuel Aroz’s involvement in the GPA Rewards Program is a key example of how advisors are making a greater impact on academic excellence, a key element to achieving the Society’s mission. that we start engaging the advisors in something in which they can really make a difference, and GPA Rewards is one example.” He noted that participating chapters have advisors that are more likely to serve as coaches and mentors in helping students remain focused. They also are more likely to assist with chapter plans and ensure that chapters stay strong from year to year. “At community colleges where there is high turnover and universities where whole classes of SHPE members graduate, the only person to carry on what has been done in the past is the advisor,” Cordero continued. “In the future, we need to focus on how to keep advisors engaged in the chapter for stability. ASU’s advisor is a great example of how others can do that.” I 55 http://www.apogen.com http://www.apogen.com http://www.SHPE.org
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