Greetings fellow Braves,
I'm Alyssa Brooks, a junior here at UNCP majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. As a proud member of the Lumbee Tribe from Lumberton, North Carolina, I'm thrilled to be serving as a Service Intern for Community Engagement. I contact our community partners and will be sharing the impact they have on our community on our blog on UNCP Serve. I'm also going to have other spotlights and content being posted on the blog, hence me typing this.
This semester marks the beginning of my journey with CCE, complementing my role as a returning Orientation Leader, a position I loved last summer and will be joining again this upcoming summer. I look forward to and love welcoming in new Braves, as they start their journey here at UNCP because I was once in their position.
Choosing UNCP was a familial tradition, with affordability and being close to home playing pivotal roles. The university is not just a campus; it's a part of my heritage. My family graduated from UNCP, and from the very beginning, I felt a sense of belonging and inclusivity. The friendships and connections I've created on campus have enriched my college experience.
Getting involved has been the key to my amazing and enlightening journey. Whether through campus jobs, clubs, or organizations, taking that first step can seem daunting, especially for introverts or freshmen. I discovered the transformative power of involvement during Summer Bridge before my freshman year.
I am in a few organizations myself on campus. I'm the treasurer-elect of the Native American Student Organization. I'm also a member of WOMAN, which stands for Woman Organization for Minorities Achieving Now. WOMAN aspires to help minority women to succeed in college and understand our self worth.
My advice: don't rush through college; savor every opportunity to connect and contribute. We're all humans here, so putting yourself out there is not as intimidating as it may seem.
Remember, your college experience is what you make of it. Embrace the community, get involved, and make lasting memories.
Go Braves!
Alyssa Brooks
