Beyond the Bell Tower – Season 3

What many identify as the “housing situation” and the plague of financial instability on college campuses, has led to alarming high rates of homelessness and food insecurity, even at NC State University. Dr. Mary E Haskett, a NC State professor in the Department of Psychology and Co-Chair of the NC State Student Food and Housing Security Initiative, reminds us on this episode of Beyond The Bell Tower, that these issues are NOT inevitable. Dr. Haskett shares her passion behind the work that she does to raise awareness for homelessness and food insecurity, as well as expresses the urgency for systemic change in students’ support systems. Dr. Haskett shares her call to action for reducing the number of students that feel they must sleep in their cars in order to graduate or go without food to survive their college experience, but she also challenges faculty and students alike to take active roles in transforming campus culture.

Follow Dr. Haskett’s other work https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article10877324.html , http://abc11.com/5903485/, and check out resources at https://dasa.ncsu.edu/pack-essentials/campus-food-resources/

Protests, parties, and petitions have all been the college trademark for many students, and on this episode of Beyond the Bell Tower, John Robinson-Miller IV, program coordinator for the African American Cultural Center, talks both systemic change and self-care. The burn-out in advocacy, as a young adult and especially as a member of a minority group, can have huge consequences on the social well-being of students. John Robinson-Miller IV, a self-identified queer,  an African American, a double NC State alumnus and staff member, speaks to the balance of fighting the long fights, addressing inequality in a way that is truly impactful, and remaining optimistic. John offers his perspective as a faculty member who is just as entrenched in student organization and student issues as students themselves.

Studying abroad can be expensive, it can be scary, and it can be life-changing; which is why it is only important that you do it ! On this episode of Beyond The Bell Tower, Citlali Rubio, a senior studying Political Science and International Studies, as well as French, describes what it’s like to be a globally conscious student. Citlali details how she managed to achieve a unique study abroad experience and even outlines the process for studying abroad for NC State students with tips and recommended scholarships. Citlali shares her best and worst memories of studying abroad alone. Citlali reflects on how her service break experience to an immigrant detention center challenged her personally and she encourages listeners to take advantage of all opportunities through the university to be socially active.

Live from the 2019 TRIO Fall Conference, NC State alumnus and economic intellectual, Ahmed Monley and senior undergraduate student, Esmira Poladova, talk financial investments, insecurities, and inspirations. Following Ahmed’s formal presentation, the two talk one-on-one with TRIO advisor, Sarah Wright,  to recap some major take-aways. They address the reality that there is no “get rich quick scheme” to sustain us all nor a single profession that can automatically grant us the wealth we wish to have. Ahmed and Esmira share some hard truths, as well as humourous adages, about managing the kind of money and financial stability that every TRIO student aspires to have. They also share how the TRIO Fall Conference itself, has given them the opportunity to reflect on similar experiences in their chosen career paths and given them a space to appreciate all that life has to offer as underrepresented individuals in the professional world. 

Jean Ferman, a third year student, double-majoring in Polymer and Color Chemistry and Human Biology with a minor in Nutrition, joins us right after the first general body meeting of his new student organization, F1RST. Jean describes existence on NC State’s campus for him thus far, how he got here, and the details of building a representative pool of resources for students. Jean uncovers personal struggles both with and beyond identifying as a first-generation college student, while also taking time to triumph on a few of his greatest accomplishments and memories as an engaged scholar. Despite discouragement, food insecurity, academic challenges, and often falling through the cracks of federal support systems, Jean has begun to pave the way for a successful future in dentistry with strong relationships, with familial values, and with the courage to learn from experience. Jean offers hope for helping other young trailblazers and inspiration for empowering under-represented students from the beginning of their college application process and throughout actual life on a large campus. 

Esmira Poladova joins Sarah Wright in this conversation, only a month after participating in NC State’s largest philanthropy celebration of the year. Esmira Poladova was one of the select TRIO scholars to share her story with NC State’s top donors. Beyond her role in this event, Esmira unfolds her life story from the lens of an immigrant refugee. She also talks about how she chooses to engage with the world and specifically other individuals on NC State campus, as an individual who has survived and witnessed things that the average person could not even imagine. From engaging in challenging academic conversations to humbly living in “the other world”, Esmira demonstrates that there is always more to an individual than their script, that she specifically is a human before she is ever an immigrant, and that all of her experiences have made for a resilient and wise graduate.