F A L L 2 0 1 3HORIZONSSPOTLIGHT ON LATOYA PRICE 7 QUESTIONS GEOGRAPHY LESSONS BUILDING COMMUNITY

G R A D U AT EE D U C AT I O N

An Abundanceof RewardingCareers

T H E U N C G G R A D U A T E S C H O O L N E W S L E T T E R

F E A T U R E S T O R Y

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How ChangeBeginswith a Thesis

WHERE DOES CHANGE BEGIN? It’s a question we’ve all heard before and one that seldom has a conclusive answer. Change can happen anywhere. So perhaps a better question is: how does change begin? At UNCG, sometimes it starts with a thesis.

Latoya Price, a 2012 graduate of UNCG with an M.S. in Parks, Recre-

ation, and Leisure Studies, applied her thesis to a local cause. While

working in the Winston-Salem Parks and Recreation department,

she noticed that the city’s Hispanic population was not actively par-

ticipating in the Sprague St. Community Center’s recreational pro-

grams. At the time, none of her colleagues had a good explanation for

the lack of participation. Price decided to research the issue herself,

focusing on Hispanic youths between nine and fifteen years old. Her

aim was to discover why the city recreation programs were being ig-

nored by most young Hispanics.

Although her research found a number of areas for improvement,

it highlighted that programs intended for the Hispanic population

often lacked “clarity and/or implementation.” In addition, the city

often lacked the resources to sufficiently market and publicize com-

munity center events. Rather than focus on finger pointing, Price’s

thesis aimed to define the reasons for the problems and come up

with a workable solution.

Thanks in part to her thesis—and, of course, her hard work in the

department—Price is currently the senior recreation leader at the Bel-

view Neighborhood Recreation Center in Winston-Salem. Her goal,

she says, “is to help at least one person make a difference in their life.”

Her primary responsibility is to encourage the community to partici-

pate while maintaining “an enjoyable, safe and healthy atmosphere.”

“I hope to be the person who brings a different level of energy and

excitement to the recreation centers,” Price said. And that’s one way

change happens: through the sustained effort and passionate involve-

ment of an individual who sees a problem and works to find a solution.

Working for a community-based organization “opens a door to see-

ing a whole new world,” Price said. Opportunities include helping a

child learn to read and finding families a place to live, as well as pro-

viding positive recreational experiences and role models for young

people. Volunteers are always needed, especially “as the popula-

tion continues to grow and the world begins to change,” she added.

I HOPE TO BE THE PERSON WHO BRINGSA DIFFERENT LEVEL OF ENERGY AND

EXCITEMENT TO THE RECREATION CENTERS

Learn more… Learn more…Learn more…

More on the Parks and Recreation Management degree:http://www.uncg.edu/ctr/grad_index.html

P I X E L S

I

Dean: William Wiener, Ph.D.

Associate Dean: Laura Chesak, Ph.D.

Assistant Dean: J. Scott Hudgins

Director of Development: Melissa Staples

Managing Editor: Denise Sherron

Graduate Assistants: Matt Barrett, Katie Zimmerman

Photographer: Lorenzo Pedro

Print and Web Design: Fifth Letter: www.fifth-letter.com

Illustrations: Kyle Webster (BFA ‘99): www.kyletwebster.com

FALL 2013

HORIZONS

IMAGINE YOU’RE BACK IN COLLEGE. It is the first

day of class and your professor asks you to

come up with something—anything—that

is not influenced by Geography. Can you

think of an answer? That is the question Dr.

Christopher McGinn posed to his students

this semester at North Carolina Central

University in Durham.

A 2012 graduate of UNCG with a Ph.D.

in Geography, McGinn is an assistant

professor of Environmental, Earth, and

Geospatial Sciences at NCCU. “People

assume geography means learning about

maps, capital cities, and countries,”

McGinn said. “I challenge them to see how

geography affects their view of the world

and shapes their per-

spective. Everything

from the food we eat,

and the clothes we

wear, to our religion,

politics and culture is

a product of our geog-

raphy.”

In his introductory

class, McGinn enjoys

having his students

discuss the different candy bars and soft

drink products they grew up with, as well

as the different clothing styles that are the

norm in urban areas as opposed to more

rural environments. As another example,

students from France describe very differ-

ent attitudes and cultural

norms about drinking wine

than those students who were

raised in the South. “Geogra-

phy makes a difference,” he

notes.

A native of Jackson, NJ,

McGinn earned his B.S. de-

gree in Geography at East

Carolina University—a field

he says he initially selected

because it did not require math or a foreign

language. After graduation when he began

working for the Pitt County Board of Elec-

tions, he realized how much Geographic In-

formation Systems (GIS) intrigued him and

how these systems

are used in politics

for redistricting and

understanding pro-

spective voters. After

moving to Greens-

boro, he decided to

pursue both his mas-

ter’s and doctoral de-

grees at UNCG.

McGinn’s doctoral

dissertation focused on the electoral geog-

raphy of provisional ballots in the 2008 U.S.

Presidential election. He is currently pub-

lishing his dissertation and researching at-

risk populations required to cast provisional

ballots and the demographics surrounding

the qualifying or disqualify-

ing of those ballots. “As you

might expect,” McGinn said,

“a higher percentage of young

and minority voters end up

casting provisional ballots.”

A natural debater who loves

to play devil’s advocate, Mc-

Ginn grew up in a politically

aware family where strong

feelings on issues were regu-

larly shared and debated. “My wife, Erin,

cringes when we invite friends over because

she knows I’m going to discuss either reli-

gion, politics, or both,” McGinn said. “I have

to bite my tongue more now; that’s how I

know I’m maturing.”

McGinn loves being in front of the class-

room and breaking down complex informa-

tion into manageable bites for his students.

“Ultimately I believe we’re here to provide

knowledge and insight to our students.

Learning to analyze and think critically is

what enables students to look at problems

from different aspects and find ways to

bring about meaningful change.”

Dr. McGinn lives in Greensboro with his wife, Erin, and

two children. His research on provisional and disputed

ballots is directly related to current political issues

in the state. Questions such as how the new election

laws will affect potential voters and the actual election

results will have a definite impact on North Carolinians.

A L U M N U S P R O F I L E

Mapping Critical Thinking

Horizons Online:http://grs.uncg.edu/horizons

SOCI

AL S

TUDI

ES

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respond quickly to new challenges for graduate study. http://grs.uncg.edu/give/

facebook.com/uncg.grs

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gradschoolblog.uncg.edu

Graduate School Website: grs.uncg.edu Graduate School Bulletin: http://grs.uncg.edu/bulletin

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

F

A L U M N A / S T U D E N T P R O F I L E

FRANNIE VARKER HAS A PASSION for recreation

and adventure-based learning. While earn-

ing a M.S. in Community and Therapeutic

Recreation at UNCG, she took an elective

class in Conflict and Culture that she said

“rocked her world.” While writing a philoso-

phy paper she realized how leisure and rec-

reation connected to community and peace

and wanted to find a way to combine both

interests.

Married, with two sons ages 16 and 17,

Varker is not your typical graduate student.

After receiving her M.S. in May 2013, she

began working towards an M.A. in Peace

and Conflict Studies. Her goal is to earn a

Ph.D. and teach at the university level. She

knows she is showing her sons that educa-

tion is important and a lifelong process:

“It’s not something that you do at a certain

age and then are done with,” she said. “I’m

modeling consistency, planning, and the

need to set goals and then achieve them.”

Varker is also following a lifelong dream

that she deferred after graduating from East

Carolina. At the time, she had an interest

in the Peace Corps, but first, her mother’s

illness and later, her marriage and mother-

hood, placed that dream on the back burn-

er. Now Varker is recapturing her dream

by working with the Center for New North

Carolinians (CNNC).

Established by the UNC Board of Gover-

nors in 2001, the CNNC is a resource to the

state university in immigrant outreach, re-

search, and training. Its mission is to build

bridges among immigrant populations and

existing communities throughout North

Carolina. With so many immigrants and

refugees living in NC, there is a tremendous

need for programs that facilitate their tran-

sition into a new culture. Varker serves as

a liaison between local community centers

and the university, helping recruit volun-

teers from local colleges including UNCG,

Guilford College, and Elon University.

As a volunteer coordinator, Varker works

with students to help them look past their

differences to recognize the strength of

Building Community—Finding Common Ground

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diversity. One activity she hosts is called

“Letting Go of Labels”. Students are given

random labels to wear on their forehead.

While others can see the label, the person

wearing it does not know what it says. The

label may say, “My parents are divorced,”

“I’m a head cheerleader,” or “I’m visually

impaired.” As the students interact with

one another, they begin to realize how they

treat others often depends on the labels they

attach to one another.

“I’m a hands-on person,” Varker said,

“and I’ve finally found a way to put together

all the different strands that interest me.

Recreation and leisure should be at the

forefront of creative and innovative ways to

connect people and build common ground,”

she said. “These same ideas can be used

with any community.” Both of her graduate

programs have given her the tools to look

at social structures and different cultures

and focus on achieving peace within a local

community.

Learn more…Learn more…

Learn more about these programs online:

http://cnnc.uncg.edu/

http://www.uncg.edu/ctr/

http://hhs.uncg.edu/wordpress/cps/

I N S I G H T S

W

Members serve for three-year terms. Pictured above from left are: Front row: Dr. Flo Durway, chair, of Raleigh; Mrs. Edna Rose Guy of High Point, Ms. Joanne Williams of

Greensboro; Second Row: Ms. Elaine Pruitt of Winston-Salem, Mr. William Guy of High Point, Mrs. Marilyn Parker of Winston-Salem; Third row: Dr. Mary Dalton of Jamestown;

Dr. William Allred of Burlington, Dr. Corinth Auld of Greensboro; Top Row: Dr. Karl Schleunes and Dr. Christopher McGinn, both of Greensboro. Not pictured are: Dr. Shirley

Haworth, immediate past chair, of Jamestown, Dr. Virginia Johnson of New Bern, and Dr. Jane Pfefferkorn of Winston-Salem. The Council meets again on Nov. 14, 2013.

Community Leaders Further Mission ofThe Graduate SchoolMembers of the Council for Advancement of Graduate Education

met on campus September 12 to hear updates from Dean

William Weiner on new programs at The Graduate School and

learn more about the University’s legislative agenda from Mike

Tarrant, director of strategic initiatives. Established in 2012, the

Council provides volunteer assistance for special programs such

as the Graduate Research and Creativity Expo, advises and assists

the Dean in obtaining financial support, and serves as a strong

advocate in the community.

projects by 2018 there will

be an 18% increase in the

number of jobs requiring a

master’s degree and a 17%

increase in jobs requiring

doctoral degrees.

This issue of Horizons fo-

cuses on employment out-

comes of individuals who

have completed graduate

study at UNCG. Many of the

concerns related to employment are dis-

cussed in an interview with Patrick Mad-

sen, Director of the UNCG Career Services

Center, which highlights the questions

typically asked by individuals considering

graduate education. This issue of Horizons

goes on to provide examples of the work re-

lated accomplishments of recent graduates

and of the contributions that they make

on a daily basis. As a 2012 Ph.D. graduate

of UNCG in Geography, Dr. McGinn helps

students in the classes he teaches at

North Carolina Central University under-

stand how Geography connects to such di-

vergent areas as politics and environmental

science. Frannie Varker is a graduate of the

master’s degree program in Community

and Therapeutic Recreation who is also

pursuing a master’s in Peace and Conflict

Studies. As a volunteer coordinator at the

Center for New Carolinians, she is putting

her knowledge and skills to work helping

immigrant populations acclimate to their

new surroundings. Latoya Price provides

an example of how her research within her

master’s program in Parks, Recreation,

and Leisure Studies has led to greater in-

volvement of the Hispanic population at

the Sprague St. Community Center. Now

as the senior recreation leader at the Bel-

view Neighborhood Recreation Center in

Winston-Salem, she strives to make a dif-

ference in the lives of those who the center

serves. It is clear from the stories in this

issue that graduate education has opened

doors for UNCG alumni and in turn they

are contributing much to our community

and our region.

— William Wiener,

Graduate Dean

WE SOMETIMES HEAR THE

question being asked, “Is it

worth the time, effort, and fi-

nancial commitment to earn

a graduate degree?” This is

a question that has surfaced

because the “great recession”

has cast doubt on the ben-

efits of a graduate education

in relation to its cost. With

undergraduates amassing a

combined loan debt of a trillion dollars and

individual borrowers averaging $26,600

in debt, many wonder if it is wise to take

on additional loans to earn a master’s or

doctoral degree. Adding to this doubt is

the perception that graduate students are

unable to find employment after gradua-

tion. The facts, however, point to a very

different picture for holders of a graduate

degree. Those with graduate degrees find

increased opportunities, career mobility,

higher life-long salaries, and rewarding

careers that contribute to the well-being

of our society. In many fields, a graduate

degree is fast becoming an entry-level re-

quirement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics Phot

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Graduate Education Opens Doors

Career Advice? Start Early and Bring Your Passion!

I N S I G H T

http://grs.uncg.edu/horizons

Learn more…Learn more…

Learn more about UNCG’s Career Services Center

at http://csc.uncg.edu/

DDR. PATRICK MADSEN is the Director of Career

Services at UNC-Greensboro. He holds a

bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North

Carolina State University, a master’s degree

in Counselor Education from East Carolina

University, and a doctorate in Organizational

Leadership/Student Affairs from Nova

Southeastern University. Madsen studies

and presents on topics in counseling and

student development, leadership and fol-

lowership, and organizational communi-

cation. Prior to joining UNCG, he was on

staff at Johns Hopkins University, where

he served for the last seven years as director

of Career Services and director of Programs

and Education in the Carey Business School.

He has also served as assistant director of

Career Services at both Nova Southeastern

University and East Carolina University.

Madsen has significant teaching experience

as well as knowledge and experience in in-

ternational issues. He was recently selected

as an international expert on career services

and higher education for the Fulbright Spe-

cialist program.

Visit us online for more exclusive onlinecontent, including a calendar of events.Visit us online for more exclusive content.

Dr. Patrick Madsen, Director, UNCG Career Services Center

7Q U E S T I O N S

The Graduate School

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

241 Mossman Building

1202 Spring Garden Street

Greensboro, NC 27412

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1 In this economy, is it possible to land a job

just after graduation?The key is doing the work to be able to make that

happen. Building a strong career brand and powerful network can take you many places in your career.

Waiting until the last minute will hardly ever produce what you were hoping for from your job search.

2 How would you describe the job market

for recent graduates?I tell all candidates that our marketplace is an

“employer’s market” – this means that there is a greater pool of candidates to choose from and employers can

take their time and find the JUST RIGHT person for them. This forces the candidate to PROVE their worth even

more than what they had to do in previous times.

3 How early should graduate students

connect to your office?Students who want to be viable candidates should

think about connecting with our office on day one. Run through our website to learn about services, schedule

that first appointment to begin understanding your professional brand, use everything we have. IT’S FREE!

4 Do graduate students utilize your office?

What is one thing you wish all graduate studentsknew about the paths to employment?

In the last academic year, about 30% of our business was graduate students (UNCG graduates make up

about 25% of the total student body). The one thing graduate students need to realize is that education opens doors – your experience, passion, and career

brand get you THROUGH those doors.

5 What prevents some students from being hired?

Lack of passion and energy. Experience, salary, andopportunity are not just handed to you – you haveto WORK for it. Show employers that you have an

interest, motivation, and self-responsibilityand you will go VERY FAR!

6 What characteristics are most important

to convey in an interview?Passion, excitement, energy, ability to communicate,

professional image, writing skills.

7There is much talk about choosing a program where a built in market for employment exists, but this is a challenge for those who find their passions in the

humanities. Do English majors get jobs?Everyone can get a job if they put in the work.

“Built-in markets” is just a term that people useto try to make sense of the world of work – it’s

almost like picking stocks. People buy particularstocks because they had a HISTORY of success.

People do the same with career paths. Move towards a career path that you are passionate about. Research

shows that the more passion/happiness you havefor a career – the more money you will make and the

higher you can progress in your career!