Welcome Tulane University Class of 2017!

13. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: 2015, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Office of Orientation and Parent Programs, Orientation Team Leader, Sophie Leonard, Tulane University

Hi there! It’s Sophie again. Since my last post, I have fully jumped into NOLA summer mode and I couldn’t be happier.

I’m writing this blog post from the front desk of Butler House, the freshman honors dorm, waiting for the members of the Tulane class of 2017 to begin showing up and checking in for New Student Orientation. This March, I was selected to be an Orientation Team Leader through the Tulane Office of Orientation and Parent Programs. I am a member of a dynamic team of eleven campus leaders who were selected to welcome first year students joining the Tulane community in the fall of 2013. When incoming students come for one of the nine New Student Orientation sessions in June, they look to our team of leaders to guide them through campus, facilitate discussions about Tulane and university life in general, and serve as a resource for making the transition to college as successful as possible. As Orientation Team Leaders, we are asked to represent Tulane in all that we do so that from the very first moment new students arrive on campus, they understand expectations, traditions, and the many ways to get involved and leave their mark on the university community.

During each session, I am asked to share what I think is the most important thing a new student at Tulane should know. Though the delivery is a little different each time, here’s what I’ve come up with to share with new students:

Though each student experience is unique, I believe that success at college begins with being comfortable with yourself and your decisions, past and present. Confidence in yourself eventually translates to comfort in your environment. In order to be comfortable with myself, I had to evaluate what I found the most enjoyment in and what I would rather not be involved with. You are the author of your own story, and thus you should be proud of your progress as a student, proud of the school and its values, and be proud of the New Orleans community and its traditions.
Sign up and apply for as much as possible early on, because you can always cut down on your responsibilities and campus involvements when you get a better sense of your schedule. Like-minded people will do the same, and eventually you will open yourself up to entirely new circles of friends, students, and professionals. Though I soon I found that my involvement in Newcomb Scholars and the Reily Center aligned extremely well with my values and interests, it took signing up for about 8 different clubs and applying for 3 different jobs to finally understand this.
Make sure it’s worth the autobiography. Though autobiographies are written in a number of ways and for a number of reasons, they usually all serve one purpose: to act as a reflection on the times that helped you learn a lesson, the times that helped you develop into the person you are today, and the times that were just plain fun. I have found that I am happiest when I say “yes” to experiences that I think I might want to include in my autobiography in the future. My first year was full of experiences like that, and all it took was me being brave enough to step outside my comfort zone and enjoy the little things in life. Believing in the mantra “Make it worth the autobiography” led me to a number of awesome, life-changing experiences, like joining Newcomb Scholars, being on the court of the Irish Channel St. Patricks’ Day Parade, running a half-marathon, and more.

Though this advice is by no means unique or special, I feel that it offers a certain amount of comfort for new students who may feel overwhelmed by all of the changes occurring around them. The process of welcoming new students to the Tulane community has been an incredible growing experience for me and it has absolutely reaffirmed my love for this school and this city. I love it!!

Until next time,

-Sophie

From the Desk of Tori Barry

13. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Internship Experience, Who We Are · Tags: 2016, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Tulane University, Victoria Barry

Hi!

My name is Tori and I am a member of the 2016 Newcomb Scholars cohort. Looking back, I can honestly say that joining Newcomb Scholars was one of the best decisions I made my first year. I could go on and on about the benefits of the program, but I thought I could focus on a few that are not so obvious.

One benefit that is really important to me is the guidance that the program provides. By making all of us aware of all the grants, programs, and clubs provided by the Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars has helped me realize that the NCI will be a great resource for me as I look for internships and other opportunities.

The other unique perk of being in Newcomb Scholars is that my cohort and I have gotten a great crash course on the history of Newcomb College. Even though Newcomb College is no longer its own separate being, I feel connected to its history. As an art history major, learning about the world famous Newcomb pottery was fascinating, and I feel lucky that I get to learn in buildings connected to such an important part of art history. Also it has made me realize how important the NCI and scholars program are for continuing the Newcomb College legacy.

Now for a little bit about myself. Like I mentioned earlier I am an Art History major from Racine, Wisconsin. This summer I am an administrative intern at the Racine Art Museum. I feel very fortunate to be working in such a beautiful building/office (with a beautiful view of Lake Michigan!), and so far it has been a great experience. As someone thinking about working in a museum one day, it has been interesting learning about the wide range of careers in art history. My main task is updating the files the museum keeps for each artist represented in the museum’s collection. The RAM is focused on contemporary craft art, so I have already learned a lot about a very unique part of art history.

I can’t wait to hear about how the rest of my cohort is spending their summers!

- Tori Barry

$tarting $mart

12. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Internship Experience, Who We Are · Tags: $tart $mart Workshop, 2016, AAUW, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, salary negotiation, Taylor Fox, Tulane University, WAGE Project

Hello people of the internet

I’m spending most of my summer in my beloved New Orleans, and this past weekend I had the opportunity to attend a workshop about salary negotiation for young women. This is definitely something I would not have heard about without being involved in NS, and it was FREEEEE!

I went with two other Scholars, Sarah Lohmeier and Alexa Schwartz. We took the streetcar up to a hotel on Canal and sat down. None of us quite knew what to expect, but I found it to be incredibly informative.

Pro tip: A little googling before the interview can make a world of difference. Using websites like salary.com or paycheckcity.com can give you some insight into a monetary range someone with your experience and education level can expect.

They also talked about the gender pay gap and how not fighting for the starting salary we deserve puts us several paces behind right from the start. This means bonuses, raises, promotions, you name it.

I definitely feel like sometimes as women, we want to be seen as agreeable or humble or some similar trait and because of that we can be uncomfortable with the idea of proudly asserting our capabilities. Always present your accomplishments the way your truest friend would brag about them for you!

I’m currently knee-deep in an assignment for my internship with the Domestic Violence Department at City Hall (more about this later!), but I’m getting caught up in this reverie of all of us as high powered executives. We’re leading meetings, doing yoga in our spare time to stay healthy and stress free, and we’re all rocking killer shoes.

Stay wonderful y’all,

Love,
Taylor

My First Blog Post!

11. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Who We Are · Tags: 2016, Amelia Bayroff, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Tulane University

Hey!

I am Amelia Bayroff, a member of the 2016 Scholars cohort, and this is my very first scholars blog post! As I sit here writing, I am overwhelmed with joy. Becoming a Newcomb Scholar, after all, was one of the greatest parts of my first year at Tulane and being able to express my excitement, as well as introduce myself, is something I have been looking forward to.

So, that being said, I think I am ready to begin. As mentioned above, my name is Amelia, I am from Roslyn, New York, and I just completed my freshman year, both as a student at Tulane and resident of fabulous New Orleans. Nine months ago, when I first started college, I was very confident regarding a lot of things. Always friendly and outgoing, I did not worry about making friends and developing strong relationships. A hard and determined worker, I was sure I could handle my course load. Absolutely in love with history, culture, and food, I was positive that Nola would be the perfect city for me to explore, discover, and, experience things that only exist in a place as spectacular as the Big Easy.

One thing, however, troubled me slightly. Growing up and throughout my education, I was always a very curious and eager student. A plethora of subjects intrigued me, and I was constantly finding myself wishing to know more, wishing to discuss topics in further detail, wishing to go above and beyond what a textbook or teacher told me and form my own opinions and ideas. While I knew that plenty of other students like myself existed, I was skeptical about both finding them, as well as the likelihood that such advanced learning could take place in an average college classroom.

My hesitations and concerns completely disappeared when I became a Newcomb Scholar. Newcomb Scholars presented me with exactly what I desired so greatly to find: strong-willed and passionate women like myself, all ready and enthusiastic to transcend the boundaries of ordinary classwork, and, perhaps more importantly, an open and supportive environment in which to do so. Though I have only experienced one semester’s seminar, I have no doubts that Scholars will exceed all expectations I may have. I look forward to growing as a student, a women, and a scholar, surrounded by the encouragement and passion of my fellow scholars and faculty.

Until I resume school in the fall, I will be spending my summer lifeguarding and teaching campers to swim at the beautiful Ramah Day Camp in Nyack. Additionally, I will be cherishing my time with family and friends, enjoying summer weather, and, hopefully, eating my fair share of delicious strawberry (my favorite) ice cream.

Shalom for now y’all,

Amelia Bayroff

Summer in Dallas

10. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Internship Experience, Who We Are · Tags: 2014, Abirami Rajasegaran, Inc., Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Soup Mobile, Tulane University

Summer is by far my favorite time of the year. Aside from the obvious reasons – sunshine in my face, longer days, and enjoying various bodies of water, I love the summer because, for me, the summer has always been strictly my time – my personal three months out of the year to focus on myself and myself alone. Now, that may sound a tad bit selfish at first, but let me explain what exactly I mean/

During the year, all of us (and by that, I mean, students) prioritize academics, friends, and just trying to get through the year while attempting to master the all-famous school, social, sleep triangle. However, the summer is that time of the year that is literally empty, and you and you alone can decide how you would like to spend that glorious 90ish days (and more for those of you lucky ones!). Whether that’s being a counselor at the camp you’ve been a camper at since you were a kid, volunteering building homes in Haiti, or spending it at home on the couch with your dog whom you’ve missed so much, the possibilities are endless!

I’ve spent most of my summers in the past volunteering in hospitals, interning with healthcare organizations, anything to further my knowledge and experience in the health field, I’ve done! Part of that reason is because ultimately, I’d like to obtain both my Masters in Public Health and attend medical school, but also because I love working in the healthcare environment because it interests me while still giving back to the community as well!

This summer is no different with one major change in my plans. I’ve been taken completely out of my element. But first, here’s a quick about me! I’m originally from Malaysia and I immigrated to the United States when I was 10 years old. I’ve moved around throughout the country, but my family decided to settle in the Bay Area, California. Anyone who knows me even remotely knows my love for the bay, I’m a diehard ‘NorCal’ kid and still get into arguments about how San Francisco is NOT Los Angeles at all, but so much better! (No offense to all of you from SoCal!) When I decided to attend college in New Orleans, it was a big shock to my friends and family, but even more so for me. But New Orleans has treated me well, and I’ve had the best three years at Tulane, and cannot wait my undergraduate career with a bang next year!

But back to this summer – this summer I decided to do something a little different. I’m spending my entire summer in a little suburb outside Dallas. Yes, you heard right, Dallas, TX. What is a girl like me going to do in Dallas? Well I’m living with my aunt while interning for a wonderful organization that is not directly linked to medicine or healthcare. And that’s exactly why I decided on this internship! I’m the Social Media Intern for Soup Mobile, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission revolves around feeding and sheltering the homeless.

Its day three of my internship and I already the impact that I am making on this organization but more importantly, the impact the organization is imparting onto me. This summer, I wanted to focus on growing myself as a person by spending the summer rather than interning for the sake of building a resume or taking classes in an attempt to get ahead. So, apart from this part-time internship, I’ve decided to start doing the things I enjoyed doing before life got in the life. I’ve begun to take yoga classes and I’m going to the gym regularly, I picked up a book to read purely for enjoyment for the first time in years, and I’m spending quality family time with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. Not to mention meeting lots of new friends through my internship and just living in the Dallas area.

It’s only been summer for me for about 3 weeks, and I’m already dreading the end of it. But I know that the summer will end with me being rejuvenated and refocused to finish my last year as an undergraduate on a great not

Best,
Abirami Rajasegaran
Class of 2014 Cohort

Into the Wild

05. June 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: 2015, Alison Waterhouse, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Tulane University

Amidst the buzz of new summer internships, jobs, and trips abroad, I find myself unable to fully participate in the typical “summer plans” conversation. While my friends are making travel plans and working out elaborate commutes into Boston, I’ve been at home, content to have a break, but waiting for my actual summer to begin. This will mark the sixth consecutive summer I have spent at Pleasant Valley Camp in the woods of New Hampshire— my fourth as a counselor–and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Every year as rehiring deadlines approach the camp community, the debate over whether or not to return intensifies in every counselor’s mind. For younger staff—those just finishing high school or their freshman year of college—the decision to return can be automatic, unquestioned, and unaffected by anything but the desire to go back for another nine weeks. As one gets older, however, pressure to get a “real job” or connection-building internship mounts substantially and the decision becomes much more difficult. But for those of us who do return, the choice is always worth it.

Each year during our week of staff training, we’re asked to reflect on why it is we work at camp—why we do what we do. One of the great things about Pleasant Valley and its brother-camp, North Woods, is that our staff is nearly entirely home-grown. With very few exceptions, every counselor was once a camper there him- or herself. And that’s why we do what we do. We come back to camp because we remember the positive influences of our own counselors. We come back to camp because it was an indelible part of our experience growing up that informs so much of who we are today. We come back to camp because we recognize that it’s our turn to give back to the place that’s given us so many incredible memories, and to create those memories for someone else. We come back because despite what the outside world often views as a waste of a potentially productive summer, we know how important our jobs are as leaders, role models, and friends.

I’m thrilled to be the director of the Leader-in-Training program for Pleasant Valley this summer, which works with campers who are fifteen and have applied to the program, expressing interest in becoming staff the next year. I get to live with two groups of sixteen incredible girls for half the summer each, working with them to give them leadership training and all of the skills they need to make the tough transition to staff next summer. The ultimate goal, however, as with all things camp, is to have fun and create memories that will last a lifetime. I’m shipping out on June 13^th, and it can’t come soon enough! I can’t wait to see camp, my friends, and my campers from last year who are now our brand-new counselors-in-training.

~Ali Waterhouse

Under the Oaks 2013

20. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Uncategorized

Here is a link to some great photos from the Under the Oaks ceremony on May 17th!

2013 Newcomb Scholars Senior Dinner

13. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: 2013, Alexa Schwartz, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Ralph's on the Park, Tulane University

On May 9th, 2013, the 2013 inaugural cohort of Newcomb Scholars (and some of the Newcomb College Institute staff) gathered at Ralph’s on the Park to celebrate their graduation and to enjoy each other’s company. The food was delicious, and it was a lot of fun to hang out before the craziness of graduation and the various events/ceremonies going on during the next week. We also had two different types of Newcomb Scholar superlatives, one type that the cohort selected and another type that Meagan and Tory created, with very humorous results. Check out the lists below!

I consider myself lucky to have been able to get to know all of these amazing women over the past four years, and I know that they will all go on to do amazing things. I miss you all already!

The Official 2013 Cohort Superlatives – “Most Likely To..”
Haley Ade: Live abroad
Mariah Bullock: End up on reality TV
Gisele Calderon: Have a Tulane Building named after her
Julia Chen: Be a Renaissance Woman
Rebecca Chen: Find the cure for cancer
Amelia Conrad: Best All-Around Scholar
Briah Fischer: Travel around the world
Taylor Geiger: Own her own business
Nicolette Guillou: Make an appearance on the Rachel Maddow Show
Melanie Harris: Most Artistic Scholar
Meagan Knowlton: Be an absent-minded professor
Kelsey Moran: Stay in New Orleans
Frances Roche: Be arrested for protesting
Katherine Ryan: Most difficult Scholar to track down in 5 years
Jackie Schornstein: Scholar with the Best Smile
Alexa Schwartz: Most Tulane Spirit
Grace Sprehn: Be the first one to get her Ph.D
Tory Troeger: Make you laugh out loud
Katie Weaver: Write a book
Alexandra Yarost: Have a start-up Internet company and retire by age 30

The “Unofficial” Superlatives

Haley Ade: Become a secret agent
Mariah Bullock: Become a famous clothing designer
Gisele Calderon: Cure cancer
Julia Chen: Become a rap star
Rebecca Chen: Be Super Woman
Amelia Conrad: Own a llama farm
Briah Fischer: Jump out of a helicopter onto Mt. Everest and ski down
Taylor Geiger: Create an Internet sensation
Nicolette Guillou: Burn all her bras by age 30
Melanie Harris: Come into contact with alien life forms
Meagan Knowlton: Have at least 20 dogs at the same time
Kelsey Moran: Become a famous TV chef (for healthy food, of course)
Frances Roche: Be quoted by Time Magazine
Katherine Ryan: Have her own “Horse Whisperer” TV show
Jackie Schornstein: Have a mansion on St. Charles Avenue
Alexa Schwartz: Win a taco-eating contest
Grace Sprehn: Get lost in the Amazon rain forest for two years and then come out as a frog mutant
Tory Troeger: Become a pirate
Katie Weaver: Get a “chili pepper” rating on Rate My Professor
Alexandra Yarost: Make millions

A Scholar AND An IronWoman!

25. April 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Uncategorized · Tags: 2013, Gisele Calderon, Ironman New Orleans, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Tulane University

You’re now reading an entry from an IronWoman…well at least half of one. On Sunday, April 21st, I completed my first triathlon which just happen to be the 70.3 Ironman New Orleans. Might as well go big for my last year in NOLA! For my age group, I was in the lead for the swim, but I fell back with my bike and running legs. Exactly 6 hours and 25 minutes after I dove into the Lake Pontchartrain, I crossed the finish line with a nice chocolate milk to greet me and a surprise announcement that I was fourth in my age group! So now I have a fancy medal to commemorate this crazy decision I made to put myself through six and a half hours of pain. Though, the feeling of accomplishment running through my veins right now trumps the pain. I am so grateful that my legs carried me through to the end because I now get to enjoy eating entire pizzas and Milkbar milkshakes for at least a week without feeling guilty.

As I near the end of my time here and look forward to the future, I can’t help but think of all that I have been blessed with here at Tulane with preparing me for my next steps. The city and the university have been so good to me, and I am anxious to give back and make them proud. Next year, I’ll be conducting research in Lausanne, Switzerland with a Whitaker fellowship. I’m so excited to continue doing what I love all while embracing a new culture. And I finally get to put my French to practice which I know will make my mom happy!

From The Desk of Taylor Fox

22. April 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Uncategorized, Who We Are · Tags: 2016, Newcomb College Institute, Newcomb Scholars, Taylor Fox, Tulane University

Hello to everyone who has stumbled into this blog! Whether you are looking for a great school to attend, looking for brilliant potential employees, or even if you’re just hoping to feel like you’re not the only one who still happily embraces being a super-nerd, you have come to the right place!

To introduce myself a little bit, my name is Taylor Fox, I’m in the 2016 cohort and from Boca Raton, FL. It seems like I’ll be double majoring in Philosophy and Gender and Sexuality Studies. If all goes according to plan, I will be graduating a year early, and then attending law school. In addition to being a part of Newcomb Scholars, I am in the honors program and am heavily involved in Greenwave Ambassadors, the program on campus that gives tours.

Being a Newcomb Scholar has absolutely been one of my favorite parts of my experience here thus far. I actually
heard about the program from my track leader in the NOLA Experience (a week before the official start date Tulane hosts several students who get the privilege of being immersed in the beautiful culture of New Orleans- and I highly recommend applying!). She told me all about her experiences as a Newcomb Scholar, and ultimately three of us in that track are now members!

The application process was intense for me. I went to an information session and realized how important is was to me to have a support system of smart and ambitious women. The interview was nerve-wracking. They split the phone invitations for interviews into two days, so some of us heard back before others did. This created quite a bit of stress, but getting that official invitation to the program was more than worth it.

I’m almost done with my first seminar, and I’ve so enjoyed the opportunity to have academic discussions with this other brilliant ladies. However, what I’m most excited about is this upcoming summer. I got an internship with a domestic violence attorney here in New Orleans. I actually just submitted my application to Newcomb for funding. Newcomb is fantastic about helping students accomplish research or internships by making them financially possible. I am really looking forward to this opportunity to get deeply involved in something so important to me.

I’ll be sure to give an update with how the internship is going!

-Taylor