WE ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH!!
Students from the SALT ’12 program taking notes in Summer class
GOSHEN, Ind. – This summer, 28 young aspiring college students are joining us on campus to participate in our 4th annual Summer Academic Leadership Training (SALT) program. The program began on June 10th and will continue to June 29th. Throughout this 3-week program, each student will be taking a 3-credit course. They will be incorporating the new Goshen College Core curriculum by offering the students either Academic Voice taught by Pat Lehman or a perspective course of Immigration Identity taught by Steve Nolt. They will be taking a Math and Science workshop being led by David Houseman, Dan Smith, and Jody Saylor, as well.
During this program, they will be learning skills such as leadership, public speaking, writing, and other skills beneficial to their college career. Every afternoon, there will be a proctored study time in which Mary Beth Schlabach will be assisting them. In addition to the course and workshop that they are taking, the students will partake in weekend field trips to the DuSable Museum of African American History and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago and Menno Hof in Shipshewana. After there first weekend trip to the Chicago Museums, Armando Nuñez said “We had tour guides at one of the museums who showed us around and talk to us about the art. It was a very educational experience!”
Worship is also incorporated into this program as there will be Worship time every Tuesday night. On Thursdays, Academic sessions will be held.
Sophie Metzger, Assistant Director of Multicultural Affairs, is the program Coordinator for SALT. In speaking about the goals of this program, Metzger said, ” Primarily, assisting [the students] in the transition from high school to college, for them to gain familiarity with the campus, professors and each other, and to gain 3 credit hours [towards their college career].”
Four current Goshen College students including Juan Carlos Diaz, Sonia Navarro, Marcelle Zoughbi, and Moises Ramirez, all Seniors, are Resident Assistants as well as tutors to the “SALTer’s.” These students are very grateful to be taking part in this program as well and feel thrilled to work with such a great group of students and are also on board with the programs goals. Navarro said, “ I am most excited about the academic excellence and great characteristics that Goshen College has chosen for next year. Our roles as mentors are to stay up to date with the students in order to keep the transition from high school to college a smooth one.”
“Goshen College is known for sending outstanding people into the world to make positive change happen. This is our first step towards transforming these young individuals into powerful leaders!” says Rebecca Hernandez, Director of the Center for Intercultural Teaching and Learning CITL. The combination of the students gifts, as well as the strong support they will be receiving from various people, promises to be another great and successful summer program!
~ By Lizzy Diaz
