Graduate’s Voice
The State Programs Office never hesitated to offer me assistance; they provided me with a job, counseling, advice, and it was a place to get to know other H/EOP students. I also received funding from various departments to go to Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. COSEP/PSP helped me transition to the liberal and open college campus, it allowed me to take real college classes and get credit for them, and it also made me confident that I could succeed at Cornell. As a graduating senior I would advice new and continuing students at Cornell to: GO TO OFFICE HOURS (THEY ONLY HELP), Seize any opportunity you have to see new places and meet new people, Live off-campus at least one year.
—John Bruno, Class of 2007 ‘Arts & Sciences’
The “00″ courses, tutors at LSC, financial aid advisors were always helpful. My greatest personal growth period was when I learned to be independent. SPO was able to counsel me in my spending; they helped me not only financially, but personally too. I feel that SPO administrators were more to me, they were friends I liked talking to about my plans. My college associate was a great advisor. She guided me all the way; she also became a very good friend, who I went to visit for academic and personal matters. My Advise for new and continuing students is to: listen to their financial aid advisor, SPO Counselor, College Associate, and don’t hesitate to ask for help!
—Denise Guevara, Class of 2007 ‘Agriculture & Life Sciences’
Throughout my four years at Cornell, I felt the constant support, love, and care that the State Programs Office had for me and its other students. Whether my concern was academic, financial, or personal, I had someone to go to who would help me through. The SPO was truly my home away from home. At such a large university, its a blessing to have somewhere you can go where the staff will know and care about how you are and who you are. I will always hold a very special place in my heart for the SPO and its staff…thank you for helping me grow and for being a part of the best years of my life!
—Tiffany Southerland, Class of 2006 ‘Human Ecology’
Without the help and support of SPO and DPE (Diversity Programs in Engineering) I would not have been able to complete my degree in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering. The people and programs provided by these offices gave me all the advice and tools I needed to help me hang my Cornell degree on my wall!
—Juan Gasca, Class of 2006 ‘Engineering’
My SPO counselors supported me so much through my time at Cornell and with their help I was able to study abroad in Ecuador and find career-relevant jobs every summer. I will be attending Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Fall of 2007.
—Felicia Hercules, Class of 2006 ‘Human Ecology’
“As an SPO student, I always had not one, but an entire office of loving and dedicated people rooting for me throughout my college career. The staff provided me with the guidance and comfort I needed whenever I felt stressed or overwhelmed. As a student of color, it was wonderful knowing that there was a community of supportive staff that were always able and willing to help me with any academic or personally-related problems. I will always be grateful to the SPO office for helping me along the process of obtaining my college degree. I am now well on my way to the road of continued success.”
- Debra Cardenas, Class of 2006 ‘Arts and Sciences’