OAAA main house
OAAA E-Weekly December 5, 2023
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, December 5
Courses end
Thursday, December 7 - Friday, December 15
Examinations (Go to Exam Schedule)
Sunday, December 10 & Wednesday, December 13
Reading Days
Friday, December 16
Winter Break
Quote of the Week
Success isn't what you've done compared to others. Success is what you've done compared to what you were made to do. - Lecrae
OAAA Alumni Engagement
Name: Alysa Triplett
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Year of Graduation: 2017
Major: Commerce
Current Occupation: Chief of Staff to the General Manager of Global Digital Sales, IBM
Wisdom / advice: Your community is your strength. Have the courage to follow what feels right for you, and trust that you will be supported by your peers, mentors, faculty, and staff on whichever path your passions place you.
Favorite OAAA memory: One random Friday, I and 4-5 of the other OAAA student organization leaders sat around a table in LPJ playing music, eating lunch (probably from Mel’s), and conversing for hours. We thought, “Why don’t we get others involved in this?” This is what spurred the creation of Black Fridays at LPJ to deepen the sense of connection and belonging in our community.
Hometown: Richmond, VA
Year of Graduation: 2017
Major: Commerce
Current Occupation: Chief of Staff to the General Manager of Global Digital Sales, IBM
Wisdom / advice: Your community is your strength. Have the courage to follow what feels right for you, and trust that you will be supported by your peers, mentors, faculty, and staff on whichever path your passions place you.
Favorite OAAA memory: One random Friday, I and 4-5 of the other OAAA student organization leaders sat around a table in LPJ playing music, eating lunch (probably from Mel’s), and conversing for hours. We thought, “Why don’t we get others involved in this?” This is what spurred the creation of Black Fridays at LPJ to deepen the sense of connection and belonging in our community.
Student Spotlight: Aniyah McWilliams
Aniyah McWilliams is a third year in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Cognitive Science with a Neuroscience concentration and a Data Science minor from Suffolk, VA. Outside of the classroom, Aniyah is involved in the Black Student Association (BSA) and serves as a Black Friday volunteer. Additionally, she pursued her passion for Data Science through current positions as a teaching assistant for Data Ethics and as a Center for Global Health Equity (CGHE) research assistant. Both positions allow Aniyah to better investigate ways in which collected data can be equipped to harm marginalized populations in unintended ways while encouraging more critical ways to look at data. Aniyah’s current post-graduation goals are to obtain a master's in data science and pursue a career as a neuroscientist that utilizes data science models to better comprehend the neural networks of human behavior and cognition.
OAAA Hoo-liday Refresh 2023
Studying 101: Study Smarter, Not Harder Vol. 14 12.5.23
FINISH STRONG
Remember maintaining your BLACK EXECELLENCE is a constant process.
Studies show that 73% of people quit before achieving their long-term goals. If you fail to reach your goal, it is not failure, for failure is your perception. The only failure is if you give up. Sometimes, it can feel as though you should give up because nothing is working out as you had hoped it would, but don’t. Never stop chasing towards what you want, for someday if you take constant action, your goal will come true. (A. Bonner, 2019)
1. REFLECT-
Reflect on how you are doing both academically and mentally. Consider the low points as well as highlights of the semester. Do not stress yourself overthinking about it, just take a deep breath and reflect. Take a moment and look at where you are currently. Make a note of this and don’t place any judgment on yourself if you are not where you had hoped. You are simply acknowledging where you are. I find journaling to be a helpful tool for this exercise. I can offload my emotions and feelings, what I observe about myself, the state of my current situation, and the impact it has on me.
Here are some questions to get you started:
1. What has gone well for me this week? Month? Year?
2. What can I improve on?
3. What has motivated me in the past to achieve my goals?
4. What has hindered or supported my process?
2. REFOCUS -
If you are struggling to stay focused, remember what you have learned to assist you thus far.
1. Set SMART Goals. Make them all clear with a time limit. Make sure it is attainable, realistic, and action-oriented.
2. Find a solution: If you hit a roadblock, do what you can to find a solution. Talk to a peer, family member, or counselor to help you resolve the situation. Answer the question, what is standing in your way?
3. Reward yourself for your WINS! Whether they are big or small celebrate with whatever you truly enjoy that may be a movie night or a massage, but you pick and indulge it!
4. Set your schedule. Outline your day and times that you want to get things done and stick to it!
Answer these questions to help you refocus:
1. What will motivate me to achieve my goal?
2. What actions can I take every day to get closer to my ultimate goal?
3. Who will hold me accountable?
4. If you have been successful, what moves will you make next?
3. REFRESH
Set aside time to relax and engage in activities that provide you peace of mind!
1. Meditation
2. Going for a walk or hike
3. Working on an art or DIY project
Make this year the year you decide to take care of you and not just continue with the status quo. You are resilient and you have all you need inside of you to give that extra push to excel academically, mentally and emotionally. Understand the importance of giving yourself time to refocus on what is truly important.
Your progress is our success”
Dean Kelly
As exams are quickly approaching, make sure to utilize OAAA spaces (OAAA Main Building – 4 Dawson’s Row and LPJ – 3 Dawson’s Row) to study or to take a break in between exams. We are here for you!
Schedule a Meeting with a Dean
In addition to the cultural programs we host, each Dean is available to meet with students to provide one-on-one support (i.e., academic, social, and emotional) to all our students.
Opportunities with Deadlines
Spring Scholars Grant:
If you’re an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences and plan to conduct research in the spring of 2024, College Council welcomes you to apply for our Spring Scholars Grant. The application can be found here or on the College Council website under the funding tab. Please be sure to submit your application by 11:59pm on December 18th. Students from all fields of research, including the humanities, are encouraged to apply. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. We look forward to reading your applications! Questions can be addressed to College Council’s Grants Chair, Julia Yu.
2024 Global Health Case Competition
2024 GHCC Registration Deadline: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The UVA Global Health Case Competition challenges all UVA students to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, contributing their insight, problem-solving skills, and disciplinary perspectives to addressing complex global health issues. The competition promotes understanding of the structural and social determinants of health, incorporates faculty mentorship, and focuses on under-served settings. It provides an avenue for students to design real interventions that they may go on to pursue as full-scale research projects. Learn more about the Global Health Case Competition!
2024 Center for Global Health Equity University Scholar Award
Application Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024
The Center for Global Health Equity University Scholar Award fosters interdisciplinary global health research and engagement by supporting immersive, faculty-mentored research, at global sites, including Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, as well as UVA. CGHE provides funding for travel, living expenses, and modest project support. The award is open to UVA students from all Schools and disciplines and is available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Explore current research opportunities with UVA faculty mentors via GLOBAL Opportunities, Research, and Funding @UVA, Learn from the 2023 CGHE Scholars about their work and additional opportunities to build, and book at advising session with CGHE staff or peer advisors. Now is the time to learn about the 2024 CGHE University Scholar Award, find a mentor or a project, and prepare to APPLY!
Upcoming UVA Events, Learning & Services
'The Ecology of Nations'
Friday, December 15, 11am-12pm, at the Miller Center and online
Constitutional self-government and authoritarianism are in a worldwide contest—and it is not going well for democracy. Miller Center Faculty Senior Fellow and Taylor Professor of Politics John M. Owen IV engages with experts to discuss open liberal internationalism and what comes next for "The Ecology of Nations," the title of his latest book. For more information: https://millercenter.org/news-events/events/ecology-nations, Contact: Brielle Entzminger, [email protected]
Improving vocabulary is a valuable skill that can benefit communication, reading, and writing. Here is one practical way to enhance one's vocabulary:
Keep a word journal: Write down new words, and interesting words, and review them regularly to reinforce learning.
auspicious
adjective [aus·pi·cious]
- showing or suggesting that future success is likely
Remember, building vocabulary is a gradual process, so be patient and consistent in putting forth the effort.
A Moment in Black History
Claudine Gay has made history as Harvard University’s first Black president, a milestone in the prestigious institution’s nearly 400-year history. Prior to becoming the university's president, she served as the Edgerley Family Dean of Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Wilbur A. Cowett Professor of Government and of African and African-American Studies. Gay's research addresses American political behavior, including voter turnout and politics of race and identity.
Hello all! This is Ms. Carter with the affirmation of the week:
“I’m allowed to take up space.”