Brookhaven: A Vibrant Hub of Active Student Life
Brookhaven is not just a location; it's a thriving community where students actively engage in diverse activities, pursue higher education, and champion important causes. From award ceremonies and mental health awareness events to career fairs and accessible parenting resources, Brookhaven provides a rich tapestry of experiences that shape well-rounded individuals.
Celebrating Achievement and Blazing New Paths
Brookhaven values its students and celebrates their accomplishments. A recent awards ceremony exemplified this commitment, honoring students for their contributions and successes. The event, themed "Blazing New Paths," aimed to provide students with a glimpse into their future endeavors.
Paul Crawford, Coordinator for Student Life, emphasized the desire to create a different and memorable experience for students, aligning it with the overarching theme of innovation and progress. Instead of simply receiving a certificate, students were recognized with awards ranging from Student of the Year to the Fitness Titan Award.
Techchheng Tray, recipient of the Intercultural and Global Student Engagement Ambassador Award, highlighted the award's significance in symbolizing his dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. The evening was recorded to allow students, families, and staff members who could not attend in person to participate in the celebration virtually.
Aniya Robertson, a Dallas College student ambassador who volunteered at the ceremony, shared her initial nervousness about speaking on stage but quickly overcame it. The night culminated with students enjoying themselves on the dance floor, celebrating their collective achievements.
Read also: Benefits of Active Student Sunflower Initiatives
Prioritizing Mental Health and Fostering Open Dialogue
Brookhaven recognizes the importance of mental health and actively promotes open conversations about it. A powerful event, hosted by Dallas College Counseling and Psychological Services in partnership with Active Minds, brought attention to suicide prevention and mental health support.
The event featured a display of about 100 backpacks strewn about the Commons Courtyard, each representing survivors or lives lost to suicide. Blue backpacks symbolized hope, while yellow backpacks represented loss. Neff, an organizer, emphasized the importance of such events in encouraging students to talk more openly about mental health.
Eric Rockwood, who works with Active Minds, noted that many campuses still avoid conversations about suicide, highlighting the significance of bringing these discussions to the forefront. He emphasized that many individuals who struggle with suicidal thoughts feel unable to reach out due to stigma or a lack of resources.
Rockwood hopes students leave with a better understanding that help is available and that they don't have to go through their struggles alone. Amya Waldrop, representing the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), provided additional resources at the event. NAMI offers free, nonclinical, and peer-led programs in the North Texas area.
Waldrop has observed an increase in students seeking to learn how to support others, demonstrating a growing awareness and willingness to help those in need. For students who may not feel ready to seek help yet, Waldrop offered a message of reassurance: "I would say that's normal. Everybody is on their own journey."
Read also: Enrichment and Engagement
Connecting Students with Career Opportunities
Brookhaven provides avenues for students to explore career paths and connect with potential employers. Imagine a career fair with festival energy - employers ready to hire, career-building workshops, a headshot booth, good food, and unbeatable vibes. Such events provide students with opportunities to network, learn about different industries, and gain valuable career advice.
Supporting Student Parents
Brookhaven understands the challenges faced by student parents and offers resources to help them succeed. Adamaris Vazquez, a single mother and first-generation student, utilized Dallas College's resources, especially free child care, to pursue her degree in early childhood education and teaching. Her story exemplifies the support system available to student parents in Brookhaven.
Access to Diverse Higher Education Opportunities
Brookhaven is strategically located in the metro Atlanta region, providing easy access to a wide range of excellent and diverse colleges and universities. These institutions offer abundant higher education opportunities for earning a first degree and beyond, updating skills while working, or training employees on new technologies.
Oglethorpe University
Oglethorpe University, a private, four-year university in the heart of Brookhaven, offers a close-knit campus community with big city culture and opportunities. With over 60 areas of study and the option of an Individually Planned Major, Oglethorpe caters to diverse academic interests. Filmmaking is a growing academic area, attracting many types of productions to the distinctive campus buildings. In 2017, Oglethorpe received $50 million to create the Q. William Hammack, Jr. School of Business, which opened in Fall 2019.
Georgia Gwinnett College
Georgia Gwinnett College is the first public four-year liberal arts college to be founded in the United States in the 21st century. It emphasizes the innovative use of technology and active-learning environments. This approach, plus an average class size of 21 and strong faculty engagement and mentoring, provides enhanced learning experiences to its students.
Read also: The Power of Active Learning
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech is an international leader in scientific and technological research and education. Students earn bachelor's through doctoral-level degrees through a unique technologically-based education combined with experiential learning. Georgia Tech also pioneered a joint academic department with Emory University in Biomedical Engineering.
Georgia State University
Georgia State has multiple campuses throughout metro Atlanta that serve a large student body in numerous degree programs from associate through doctoral level.
University of Georgia (Atlanta / Buckhead Campus)
The University of Georgia (Atlanta/Buckhead Campus) offers the Executive MBA, Professional MBA, and Executive Education from the nationally ranked Terry College of Business. UGA's Executive MBA program offers mid- to senior-level managers leadership development, international experience, and an invaluable network of contacts in an intensive program.
tags: #active #student #life #in #brookhaven
