SHPE - Spring08 - (Page 38)

ADVISOR CORNER T By Leilani Rangel outgoing, friendly and helpful, but when it comes to academic performance, she gets down to business. “I understand that students have to work, but their main job is to apply themselves to their schoolwork,” she said. “Their schoolwork has to be their number one priority.” So, on a daily basis, whether her students pass by her office or she bumps into them in the cafeteria, Villafane takes their academic pulse with a few questions: “How are your classes?” “Are you having any problems?” “Is there anything you want to talk about?” As much as she helps the chapter to accomplish its goals, Villafane advocates for the individual success of each member. If they are struggling academically, she prescribes tutoring. If they are having problems with tuition, she makes referrals to financial aid officers. The key is prevention and early detection, as she encourages students not to wait until the last minute to take advantage of these services. “I take it as a matter of personal interest,” Villafane said. “I’m always happy to listen and they feel comfortable enough to talk to me.” As a result, PolySHPE’s strong members contribute to an active chapter. Most of the chapter’s activities center on professional and career development. PolySHPE collaborates with NSBE and Career Services at the university to organize the annual fall career fair, which attracts upwards of 75 companies. In preparation for these career fairs and SHPE conferences, PolySHPE alumni return to conduct résumé and interviewing workshops. In addition to The Retention Doctor For PolySHPE’s Villafane, Prevention and Early Detection Help Reverse ‘Sad Statistics’ E stablished in 1854 in downtown Brooklyn, New York, Polytechnic University is the second oldest private engineering school in the United States. This academic year, its chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers celebrated its 20th anniversary and its hard-earned reputation for professional development workshops, leadership training and community outreach – not to mention salsa lesson socials. PolySHPE’s co-advisor Carmen Villafane, an administrative assistant in the department of chemical and biological engineering, takes particular pride in the chapter’s history as well as its role in retention. “Many students start college, but after three years they feel that they are so far behind financially that they need to drop out and work,” Villafane explained. “SHPE helps them to finish what they start so that they don’t become a sad statistic. It helps them make connections and shows them that they can use those contacts to get job opportunities. It also helps them develop lifetime skills that they will need to use when they go into the work force.” Villafane’s avid support of SHPE began when she joined the university 18 years ago, even before taking the co-advisor position in 2004. “At the beginning, it was such a small group,” she recalled. “I wanted to show them that I was there for support, to be a participant, and if they needed something, I was willing to help.” Her support ranged from offering ideas and preparing flyers to cooking food for events. In all her previous positions, including one she held for seven years with the International Students Office, she directed students to SHPE both as a resource and for its strong sense of familia. “Carmen always attended events even if she wasn’t getting any credit for it in an advisory role,” explained Haang Fung, executive director of the Department of Academic Success and advisor since the chapter’s inception. As her responsibilities began to multiply, Fung knew Villafane would be just the one to assist her. “She’s been wonderful and I would like for her to have an even more active role, eventually taking over.” 38 Villafane has become a regular face at national and regional advisor roundtable sessions; and, it is here that Fung has most observed her growth. “She’s gone from being very shaky about introducing herself to bringing in articles with stats and trends about what is going on with Hispanic students,” Fung said. In these forums, advisors discuss issues that are important to their students, share their best practices and find practical solutions to retaining students. In all aspects, Villafane is a quick study. For example, when she learned about SHPE’s GPA Rewards Program, she quickly began the process toward establishing it at Polytechnic during the fall semester. She is also trying to organize a roundtable event at the university for all advisors in the New York metropolitan area. Students speak highly of Villafane’s “bedside manner,” describing her as SHPE members at Polytechnic University are proud to belong to an organization that provides stepping stones for their transition into the work force. SHPE R Spring 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Spring08

SHPE - Spring08 Contents President’s Letter Browser Letters to the Editor Calendar of Events The Magic of Thinking BIG Five Steps to Easier Fundraising Designing Women ¡Viva Verde! The Education and Training of Ramon Flores Breakthroughs in Mobile Military Communications The Retention Doctor Success at School Begins at Home STAR Nominations Do Good Things Come to Those Who Wait? Programs & Services Regional Roundup Advertisers Index

SHPE - Spring08

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