Each of Cabrini College’s Living and Learning Communities is structured to give first-year students the confidence to step into leadership roles as upperclass students.
This couldn’t be more evident in Academic and Career Exploration (A.C.E.) alumna Grace Meyer ’15.
When Meyer was in the A.C.E. Living and Learning Community, service work with local elderly communities was part of her Engagements with the Common Good course. This work included a memorable contribution to the oral-histories library at the Wayne Senior Center.
Students in this career-exploration LLC investigate their interests and personalities, reflect on what they learn, and link the knowledge to potential majors and career paths. At the end of their first semester, students give a presentation about a major of their choice.
Meyer used this research and guidance from her advisor to go from undeclared and undecided to a psychology major with a plan, but her experience didn't end at that decision.
During her sophomore year, Meyer served as a classroom coach for A.C.E. students in Dr. Hedtke’s Current Events course, advising students as they prepared for exams, oral presentations, and writing projects.
She supported the academic experience as someone who went through it, and she also found a niche for herself as an Orientation Leader, welcoming students during their first days at college.
She quickly made connections with the first-year students in her group and made their transition to college life easier. Many of those students later applied to be Orientation Leaders themselves, noting that they wanted to provide that kind of welcome for the next incoming class.
Anne Filippone, who oversees the Orientation process as Director of the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership, described Meyer as “a caring and devoted Orientation Leader who truly loves Cabrini!”
The confidence that Meyer developed during her first year allowed her to share her experiences and insights with incoming students.
The knowledge and skills that she acquired have prepared her for the rest of her time at Cabrini and for her career after graduating.