T H E S S S S C O O PNOVEMBER 28, 2019  |  VOLUME 15

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF TRIO SSS AT EGCC

TRIO SSS is 100% federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The 2019-20 award is $265,300.

EGCC students represented the college at the 10th Annual Collegiate Leadership Conference of Ohio. Pictured are Student ActivitiesDirector, Abbie Twyford-Wilson and SSS participants Amanda Whitlatch, Aaliyahia Spivey, Sheila Vasconcellos, Hanna Salonica, Lisa-Marie Foster, Jonathan Thomas, and Jeremiah Papa

Director's Corner &

Faculty Features- 2

Student Spotlight - 4

Carissa's Corner - 5

*Based on 2019-20 TRIO SSS Cohort

IN THIS ISSUE

First-Gen Student Day - 8

76%of TRIO SSS participants are

1st-Gen

THE SSS SCOOP, VOL. 15 |  PAGE 2

Faculty Features

Take ownership of your thinking. Guard against

passive thinking by investigating, and challenging

what you hear, read, or "believe to know".

Be curious and deliberate about how you interact

with new information. Don't take everything at

face value. Determine the difference between fact

and opinion and whether there's any value.

Question when you think there are gaps in

understanding, then continue to question if you

still don't understand.

Respond to what you hear in a responsible manner

with an honest intention to gain clarity

Critical thinking skills are important in college and in

life. Critical thinking requires one to understand

information at a deep level to gain meaning in order

to overcome gaps in understanding. Critical thinking

helps in problem solving, addressing inconsistencies,

and misperceptions.

In our daily lives, we need to use logic and reasoning

to help us make sound decisions. Start to build your

critical thinking muscles.

It is your responsibility to learn how to think

critically. If you master this important skill you will

be more equipped to successfully navigate college

and life.

TRIO SSS Licensed Counselor, Dr. Carissa Henry, started her college journey at EGCC. She celebrated herFirst-Gen status on First-Gen Day.

Streeter: How did you decide to study sociology?

And, when did you know you wanted to be a

college professor?

Dampha: Great questions… When I was in High

School, my intention was to study law. But, there

was no Law School in The Gambia. So, I decided

to apply for scholarships in Nigeria and the

United Kingdom. I was lucky to have a

scholarship to study in the U.K., but there was a

visa problem, so I decided, since I didn’t have a

scholarship to study in Nigeria and I couldn't get

a visa to study in the U.K., I would stay in my

country and utilize the limited resources I had

D I R E C T O R ' S  C O R N E R

EliyasaDampha Sociology

What Is So Critical About Critical

Thinking?

THE SSS SCOOP, VOL. 15 |  PAGE 3

there. One way of navigating that,

since I could not study law, was to

read more. I was always reading

and in the library. There was only

one public library. I never had

sociology when I was in high school.

I was aware of political science.

Streeter: And that makes sense in

relation to Law…some cross over

perhaps.

Dampha: Exactly. I studied some

things on cultural anthropology. I

started slowly getting there. I was

just generally reading everything I

could get my hands on since I was

not sure. I was reading philosophy,

political science, and all that until I

came across this great book called

The Sociological Invitation.

Streeter: The Sociological

Invitation

Dampha: Yes, yes, something like

that and I still can’t find that book

anywhere. And, I was fascinated!

But, then I was already admitted at

the university. I was studying public

health.

Streeter: Public health?

Dampha: Exactly! I wasn’t happy. 

Streeter: How did you get to public

health?

Dampha: Well, I was a liberal arts

student but also a science student,

so...it was sort of a combination. I

had the choice of going into liberal

arts or the sciences. I wasn’t really

fascinated with public health. It

was so dry. Fortunately, there

was a professor from the United

States. He is a Gambian. He was

teaching criminal justice and

sociology. I decided to go to his

class and that got me thinking, this

is what I have to study! I wanted to

understand conditions and how

society works, especially the

condition of women. I wanted to

understand why, for example, in

most of Gambian society men were

so oppressive toward women.

Streeter: You wanted to

understand the patriarchy?

Dampha: Yes, yes...

Streeter: Interesting. Why did you

care?

Dampha: I cared because I didn’t

want my mom to be treated that

way. That was the main

motivation. 

Streeter: That is very cool!

Dampha: There was a book I read by

C. Wright Mills called the

Sociological Imagination. Its basic

premise is that knowing things and

understanding how society works is

not enough. How can you change

things in society without knowing

the social factors that affect it? I

had this liberated belief as a young

master’s student...I can do

something about it!

Streeter: Activism?

Dampha: Yes! I thought I could do

something about those things

starting in the classroom. You

know, growing up in a society which

is quite patriarchal, it is very

challenging to go into a class and

talk about how society affects us. I

felt I could actually influence young

minds.

Streeter: So did you teach when you

were in Gambia?

Dampha: Actually yes. 

Streeter: Did you get any push back

from the culture...?

Dampha: Yes, yes, so much

resistance. In fact the first

resistance was religion. 

Streeter: Of course…(both laughing)

Streeter: How did you navigate

that? Did you just continue with

what you were doing, or did you

give up?

Dampha: No, no not really, because

in the end some of them started

thinking. You know, you are right.

Streeter: Who influenced you to do

this?

Dampha: I was actually brought up

by my uncle at a very early age. We

lived in a very rural area; but in

this particular area we had a

research center. I was kind of

influenced by my uncle and his co-

workers. Most of them had PhD's

and MD's.

Streeter: Have you ever had any

other jobs besides teaching college

and what were they like?

Dampha: Oh yes like I said back

home I was a high school teacher

first which got me thinking maybe I

could do something more...be a

graduate assistant, get a masters

and PhD to become a college

professor or something. When I

came to the United States, I did so

many things. It was very different.

I got a full scholarship coming to

Ohio University. My first job there

was as a part time graduate

assistant. Even with a scholarship

you can’t sponsor or help your

family back home, so my other job

was as a dishwasher in Nelson Hall.

"I had thisliberated belief...Ican do something

about it!"

continue on pg. 6

THE SSS SCOOP, VOL. 15  |  PAGE 4

Student Spotlight

Rebekah Hobbs

Rebekah Hobbs is a General Studies major. After graduation, she plansto transfer to the University of Akron and major in Statistics. She wasaccepted into TRIO SSS in Fall of 2018. TRIO SSS has helped me ... by their exemplary guidance, helping meto choose the right classes and make plans that I've been able to follow. The best thing about TRIO SSS ... is their compassion and attention todetail. Thank you TRIO SSS for ... helping me through the path to my dreamjob! In the last year, I am most proud of ... learning contentedness andhow to be happy despite my situation.

I am most proud of learningcontentedness and how to be

happy despite my situationImportant Dates

December 2-8Finals Week

December 8Fall Semester Ends

December 23 - January 1Winter Break - College Closed

THE SSS SCOOP, VOL. 15  |  PAGE 5

As you approach the holidays and final examsyou may be starting to feel stressed out. Youmay even start to feel as if you are out of

C A R I S S A ' S  C O R N E R

How To Catch Your Breath WhenLife Gets Crazy

Dr. Carissa Henry, Licensed Professional Counselor, M.A.P.C.C-S, D.Min.

Information found at:https://www.livingwellspendingless.com/how-to-catch-your-breath-when-life-is-out-of-control/

control with everything that is going on in your life. Your to do list is probably stacking up and you arebeing pulled in many different directions. So how do you catch your breath in the middle of this? Hereare a few steps from Ruth Soukup of how you can not only catch your breath, but also regain somecontrol.

You may have so muchgoing on that it is

challenging just to make itto the end of the day. You

do not even have a secondto think, you just react.

This, however, is the exacttime you need to take a

moment to step back andprioritize. Grab a piece of

paper, a pen and yoursmart phone. Set the timer

on your phone and onlyallow yourself 20 minutes to

begin writing downeverything you have to do.Then number every item on

your list.

Next, look at the items thatfall in the top 20% of your

list. For example if youhave 20 items on your list

only look at the first 4. Thistactic is part of the Paretoprinciple that says 80% ofour results will come from20% of our actions. Now,look at how you can maketime to get your top 20%done and do not worry

about the remainder of yourlist.

Once you have blocked outtime to get your top

priorities done then it istime to actually do them! Inthis phase you may need toremind yourself WHY theseitems are important. Whenyou execute try to work insmall chunks of time. Set

your phone timer if neededand remember to take

breaks. It is also importantto remain focused on the

task that you are doing anddo not let social media

distract you!

1 32Plan ExecutePrioritize

THE SSS SCOOP, VOL. 15  |  PAGE 6

During holidays I would work in

warehouses. 

Streeter: That's interesting. So now

that you are a college professor. How

do you define good instruction in a

community college setting?

Dampha: That’s a good one. I’ve

always been fascinated by what is

good teaching. I’ve read quite a

number of books, like...Paulo Freire,

Pedagogy Of The Oppressed and

things like that. I got a feel of what he

was talking about but unless you’re in

the classroom yourself and know the

students you are teaching, I don’t

think you can theoretically think

about what good teaching constitutes.

Streeter: Because it shifts...

Dampha: Yes, it shifts; it changes.

There are many different factors and

it’s very difficult to define. So it’s

relative...But, in essence the first

criteria would be to have mastery of

the subject that you are teaching and

since you are interacting with other

people...knowing your students

and relating with them through their

experiences. Especially in sociology...

making connections to their real life

experiences...or what they see around

them. You have to know them and

their learning styles.  You have to

create an atmosphere of

friendliness...a relaxed atmosphere.

Depending on the teacher, the

classroom can be very oppressive. No

one should be afraid to express their

views.

Streeter: You’re right! So, it can also

be democratic...

Dampha: Yes exactly! You can create

many things that can enable a

student to learn properly in a

democratic fashion. And one of the

conditions that can create an

atmosphere of warmth and openness

is with jokes. Laughter connects

people. It helps them to…

Faculty Features

going to school because I had a full

scholarship.

Streeter: Plus you lived on campus…

Dampha: Exactly, I wasn’t

commuting at all; I was right there.

Being at a community college there

are different demographics, and

social classes. It’s tough. I think

there is a need to always understand

where people are coming from. If

they miss class it’s usually for an

important reason. 

Streeter: So, It’s important to be

flexible?

Dampha: Yes, very much. If you’re

not flexible you won’t enjoy the

lessons yourself. And, you won’t feel

like you are contributing much to the

students’ lives. 

Streeter: What do community college

students need most from their

instructors?

Dampha: Well, like we said,

flexibility. But, also they need your

time! Be there for them. You have to

have an empathetic ear. Anyone that

is in [works for] a community college

generally, it is not for the money. I'm

always happy to assist other

people...I’m just waiting at home to

receive that email. I sit an wait

saying "Oh, there it is!'

(both laughing)

Streeter: What about your role brings

you joy?

Dampha: Giving back! I’ve received

so much from other people. The

scholarship that I received from Ohio

University... most are from

contributions from other people that

I've never even met to enable me to

travel all the way from Africa to

enjoy that scholarship. So when you

are in that position, I think it is

important for you to give back.

Streeter: To let their guard down?

Dampha: Yes, let their guard down.

You should start with those kinds of

things. Other things you could do is

instead of coming in like ‘this is a

lecture’, listen to the students. The

students come first. Let them tell

their stories. Our lives are all about

narratives. So what you are going to

talk about...you should be able to

connect with your teaching.

continued

"No one shouldbe afraid to

express theirviews"

Streeter: How do you adjust your

style to the less-motivated or under-

prepared student?

Dampha: Well, it’s a very tough thing

to do. Like I said, listen to your

students, even online students. Ask

them questions about their learning

styles. Have a mixture of different

presentations. If someone is a hands

on learner, give them activities in

class. In other words, make sure it’s

not a one-dimensional way of

learning...have multiple methods. It’s

not easy to do. It comes with planning

your lessons. 

Streeter: That’s tough because

planning takes time.

Dampha: Yes it does. It takes a lot of

time. 

Streeter: What do you see as the

major challenges of this role and how

do you meet them?

Dampha: One of them is student

attendance. I’ve learned to

understand that I was kind of

privileged not to have to worry about

work when I was in school as an

undergraduate. I didn’t have to worry

about balancing work while I was

" They need yourtime...Be there forthem"

End Interview

THE SSS SCOOP, VOL. 15  |  PAGE 7

TRIO SSS students Lisa-Marie Foster and Lauren Hawkins were among the EGCC students attending thePropel Ohio Collegiate Leadership Summit.

Propel Ohio is a leadership programthat promotes civic engagement andinspires undergraduate students togrow into civic leaders in Ohio. Theone-day leadership program featuresSenator Brown, keynote speakerMonica Ramirez, founder of Justice forMigrant Women, guest speakers andworkshop facilitators who activelyengaged students on issues affectingOhio. The summit also included anengagement fair. Each of Ohio’s two-year, four-year public and privatecolleges and universities and regionalcampuses are invited to appointundergraduate students and anadministrator to attend the program.

The Collegiate Leadership Conferenceof Ohio is held each November atColumbus State Community College.The annual conference is hosted byStudent Engagement and Leadershipand the Student AmbassadorLeadership Program. Collegiate Leadership Conference ofOhio's objective is to reach out tocollege students across Ohio and teachthem leadership skills that can be usedin their daily lives and in their futurejobs. It is a way to network with othercollege students who are just aspassionate about leadership as a wayof life.

THE SSS SCOOP, VOL. 15  |  PAGE 8

Summer Honor Roll

What is TRIO SSS?

The TRIO SSS program assists eligible EGCC students achieve their academicgoals by offering services to increase college retention and graduation rates.

Who's Eligible?

First Generation Students,Income Eligible Students, or Students with aDocumented Disability

Steubenville: Marybeth Jones mjones@egcc.edu

Contact Us

Youngstown: Tiffany Streeter tstreeter@egcc.edu

https://www.facebook.com/EGCCTRIOSSS/ https://www.twitter.com/EGCCTRIOSSS https://www.instagram.com/egcctriosss/

We Are First!

EGCC and TRIO SSS

celebrated First-Generation

College Student Recognition

Day on November 6th

In 2017, the Council forOpportunity in Education(COE) and the center forFirst-generation StudentSuccess launched theinaugural First-Generation CollegeCelebration! Given theoverwhelming success ofthis event, COE and theCenter will partner tomake this celebration anannual event. TRIO SSS had a table ateach campus and gavefirst-generation students asticker to proudlyproclaim their first-generation status. Therewas a poster for studentsand staff t sign and TRIOSSS also held photobooths with 1st Genprops for EGCC studentsand employees to takeselfies .