NORTHERN TODAY 11 FALL 2014 STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS The trip was organized and sponsored by Collegians In Christ’s Service (CICS), Lutheran Campus Ministry at NSU. Geist serves as the group’s director. The trip’s main purpose was to lead Vacation Bible School activities at the Bokenkamp Children’s Shelter, including songs and crafts in Spanish, and also to provide support and encouragement to the more than 120 youth at the shelter and its many staff members. The Bokenkamp shelter serves as a temporary home, school and safe haven for migrant children who are being trafficked or cross the border into the United States from Central America to escape extreme poverty and danger in their home countries. Other projects during the week included re-stringing guitars for use at the shelter, sorting 10 pallets of food donations for the Food Bank of South Texas, and packaging 1,050 meals for Kids Against Hunger in Corpus Christi. The week-long trip also included many learning opportunities, which included visits to the Texas State Aquarium; the USS Lexington-Museum on the Bay; the Art Museum of South Texas; the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and Technology; Sea Turtle Inc., a rehabilitation center for sick and injured sea turtles; the Selena Museum; and the Gulf of Mexico. Geist and Cusick both agreed that they were very glad to be a part of this trip. “We were so impressed by the students all week. They pushed through their comfort zones and crossed the barriers of language and culture to connect with and inspire the incredible youth and staff members at the shelter,” Geist said. “It was amazing to see the five students on the trip changing lives and thinking about their own world and future careers as educators in new ways. They represented NSU in the most positive, gracious way, everywhere we went.” Alumni lead service learning trip to Texas with CICS, Lutheran Campus Ministry Ashley Geist-Cusick, class of ’09, and Tony Cusick, class of ’06, led five Northern students on a service learning trip to Corpus Christi, Texas. When deciding on a college, Northern wasn’t originally his top choice – until he visited campus. “It was very personable,” Schukking said. “That’s really what I enjoyed.” Plus, NSU had a wide range of programs to choose from – which was helpful, since he was undecided on a major at that point. The best part of his experience at Northern has been meeting people and forming friendships. “You can make friendships with both professors and a lot of students,” he said. After graduation, Schukking intends to pursue a graduate degree in community and regional planning. His advice to other students seeking opportunities such as the world affairs conference is to pursue similar experiences: seek an internship, study abroad and get involved on campus. “You can just focus on classes… but you set yourself apart by working hard and making networking connections through these experiences both on and off campus,” he said. ABU-SIRRIYA was selected this summer by the internship program, where he is serving in the Office of Presidential Personnel for fall 2014. The Office of Presidential Personnel oversees the selection process for presidential appointments to U.S. departments and agencies. Presidential Personnel interns work with staff members to respond to candidates for presidential appointments, communicate with departments and agencies on personnel matters and ensure that personnel priorities of the president are being met. Interns also help recruit and research potential candidates. According to the White House Internship Program website, the assignments given to an intern can include conducting research, managing incoming inquiries, attending meetings, writing memos and staffing events. The White House Internship Program also provides interns with extensive learning opportunities. All White House interns attend weekly events that include a speaker series with senior staff members, discussions about presidential policies and offsite field trips. Interns also participate in service projects at schools and nonprofit organizations in Washington. “Jordan is a hard worker who is showing the results of taking one’s education seriously,” said Dr. Jon Schaff, professor of political science and AbuSirriya’s advisor. “Jordan is an intellectually curious young man who looks for opportunities to learn and take on new responsibilities. He has set clear goals for himself and is willing to do the hard work necessary to reach those goals. He should be an inspiration to all NSU students.” Abu-Sirriya will return to Northern State University for spring semester and is expected to graduate in May 2016. NSU senior selected to attend conference on world affairs continued from page 10 NSU STUDENT SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS WHITE HOUSE INTERNSHIP Northern State University senior political science and communication studies major Jordan Abu-Sirriya (Aberdeen) is currently participating in the White House Internship Program in Washington, D.C. Submitted by Ashley Geist-Cusick S E RV I C E L E ARN I NG
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