DECEMBER 2016

Director’s Corner

After a couple of mild winters and beautiful fall, the recent snow storms and cancelled school days are a reminder how quickly things can change. The Student Success Center has also undergone some changes and sadly said goodbye to Bonnie Weisz, TRIO’s Director since June 2014. Bonnie has moved to Aber-deen and we wish her the best.

I’m excited to join the SSS/TRIO team as the new Director and work with an amazing and talented staff. I’ve been part of the UMary community since September 2013 as an Academ-ic Advisor and Freshman/Transition Seminar Instructor. My higher educa-tion experience includes working at Bismarck State College as Student Accessibility Coordinator and Veter-an Certifying Official. My undergrad-uate degree was obtained through Dickinson State University and Mas-ters of Educational Leadership de-gree through North Dakota State University.

The SSS/TRIO team strives to create a community for students where they can grow personally and aca-demically. I’m thrilled to be part of this team.

—Brenda Nottestad

Student Support Services

TRIO

‘Tis the Season!

As part of the De-Stress

activities planned this

week, students got into

the Christmas spirit with

an art project making

Christina McMillon, and Elizabeth

Wagner

Cory Dixon

Ariel Geffre

Caroling and Crafts at St. Gabriel’s Community Center

Follow TRIO on our new So-

cial Media pages!

Twitter: @UMary_TRIO

Facebook? UMary Trio

On Dec. 13, SSS/

TRIO visited St.

Gabriel’s Commu-

nity Center to sing

carols and partici-

pate in crafts with

the residents.

Congratulations to TRIO student, Taylor Mendez, who has been accepted into the Masters of Edu-cation program

On Nov. 22, TRIO students had a blast at Game Night

Game Night

January workshops:

“New Year, New You!” Friday, January 13th at

10:00am Topic: Time Management

Financial Literacy Jeopardy! Wednesday, January 25th at 7:00pm Topic: Financial Literacy

TRIO participated in the Etiquette

Dinner held on campus Nov. 15.

Tea Time in Kenya

A TRIO cultural event

was held Nov. 8. The

presentation on experi-

encing Kenya also includ-

ed authentic African

Kristi Wanner, Matthew Wermerskirchen,

and Theresa Sauer.

10 Things You Should Do Over Holiday Break

While there is some value in getting shuteye, there’s only so much rest necessary and, to be fair, you do have other, much more important things to do.

While you’re on break over the holidays, it’s easy to get into a lazy mode where you sit around doing nothing with your days, letting them mesh into one long continual nap fest.

While there is some value in getting shuteye, there’s only so much rest necessary and, to be fair, you do have other, more important things to do.

Like what, you ask? Don’t worry! We’ve compiled a handy list of helpful suggestions of things you could, should and will likely want to do over your holiday break. So, make the most of every moment – you’ll be happy you did once you’re back into the swing of second semester! 1. Apply for scholarships and internships. If there was ever a time to apply, it’s now! You don’t have to spend the entire break applying for scholarships, but even if you devote a few hours to your scholarship applications; it will make a world of difference in your search After all, it only takes one to win!

2. Bake. What better to get you in the holiday spirit than baking a pie? Your home will be filled with a delicious aroma and you’ll have a great gift to take to a holiday party or share with any house guests that stop by. 3. Catch up with old friends (and stay in touch with new ones). Pretty much everyone you went to high school with will be off school for the holidays. You can use this time to catch up, relive old times and get the gang together to reminisce about the good ol’ days.

4. Exercise. Stay healthy and combat the holiday bulge by keeping up with a regular exercise regimen. You’ll look – and, more importantly, feel – better.

5. Plan next semester’s schedule. It’s time to get a jump start on planning next semester while you have time and there’s no time like the present! Additionally, you should start creating a game plan for next semester now, before you get too busy to do so later.

6. Revamp your resume, cover letter and/or essays. Whether it’s a job, internship or college application resume, cover letter or essays, updated documents are always good to keep on hand at all times – after all, you never know when you might need them!

7. Catch up on your reading. What we’re suggesting here is the kind of reading you actually enjoy – not your required read-ing for school. Seriously – when was the last time you read a book that you didn’t have to? Pick up a book because it looks interesting, cozy up and get lost in it. Enjoy – you’ll be happy you did! 8. Spend quality time with family. You love them and they love you. No matter how much you hate to admit it, you miss them terribly. Why wait until the holidays to catch up with family? 9. See a movie. Some of the best films of the year are released during the holiday season and, since you have a lot of free

time on your hands, it’s a great opportunity to take advantage! Ask a friend, family member or longtime crush to join and, perhaps,

splurge on sharing that jumbo popcorn.

10. Volunteer. The holidays are a great time to volunteer. There are so many options out there, with something suited to everyone.

Hoyt, Elizabeth. “10 Things You Should Do Over the Holiday Break.” FastWeb, 5 Dec 2016, http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/the-10-things-you-should-do-over-holiday-break

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Student

Spotlight

Genny Say

Major: Nursing

Why you joined student government: To have the ability to communicate the needs of the University from a student’s point of view.

Goal for student government: Increase school spirit and campus communica-tion

Hobbies: Taking naps

Other activities/organizations involved on campus: Residence Life, Nursing Students Association, and Chapel Choir

Dream job: Be an OR Missionary Nurse in a 3rd World Country

If you could meet anyone who would it be and why: Mother Teresa because I just want to be in her joyful presence of self-giving love.

Superpower you wish you had: Stop Time—so that I can take a snapshot of my favorite moments and memories

Other random facts: I love wearing pajamas.

Changes to the FAFSA Process for 2017-2018

This year, students were able to submit a 2017–18 FAFSA

as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1,

2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent

change, enabling students to complete and submit their

FAFSAs as early as October 1 every year. (There is NO

CHANGE to the 2016–17 schedule. The 2016–17 FAFSA

became available Jan. 1, 2016.)

USE EARLIER INCOME AND TAX INFORMATION: Beginning

with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students will be required to re-

port income and tax information from an earlier tax year.

For example, on the 2017–18 FAFSA, students (and par-

ents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income and

tax information, rather than their 2016 income and tax

information. More information can be found at:

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/fafsa-changes

Below is a summary of key dates for submitting the

FAFSA depending on when you plan to go to school:

Have a

Merry Christmas

and a

Happy New Year!