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| 5/6/2009 | Email this article • Print this article | First Group of I-LEAD Scholars to Graduate
Submitted by Diane Hageman
Director of Media Relations Col. of St. Benedict
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| (Left to Right) Top Row: Chakong Thao, Somy Xiong , Joal Reeves, Robin Posey, Antonio Nava Jr., Gaonyia Vang. Bottom Row: Mary Deputie, Panyia Cheng, Theodore Hoglund, Raquel Gudiel, Mai Moua and Bibi Abdalla. Missing: Maria Pena. (Media Relations, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University) |
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Graduation day conjures up images of beaming faces, flowing robes and graduation caps being tossed in the air. It's typically one of life's most joyous occasions.
This spring when the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University send off 930 graduates into the world, there will be a unique group of 13 men and women who will have even more reason to celebrate: they are the first group of CSB and SJU I-LEAD scholars to graduate. Among this group are five Hmong students from the Twin Cities area (4 from St. Paul).
I-LEAD, which is short for Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development Fellowship Program is a leadership and support program geared to first-generation college students from diverse, urban high schools. For many of them, college was just a far-off dream.
"To me I-LEAD is about building relationships with a group of people who are similar, yet different, in our experiences and backgrounds, said Mai "Nanoo" Moua, I-LEAD senior. "I-LEAD helps to build that support, so that we may all help one another in our time here at college. We are a family that works on making a difference in our world, community and our own lives."
Of the 10 CSB and three SJU graduates, 11 are from the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area and two are from Bell High School in Los Angeles. They come from many different backgrounds and cultures and are recog-nized leaders in their schools and community. These I-LEAD Scholars have bene-fited from a $9,000 scholar-ship, personal mentoring, student workshops and enhanced campus experiences that support emerging leaders.
"This graduating class will always hold a special place in I-LEAD because without them, the program wouldn't be as strong as it is today," said BernaDette Wilson, director of the I-LEAD program. "They have been role models for all three younger cohorts and have set a very high bar for those coming after them."
The results of this initiative are impressive. The graduation rate is 87 percent (15 started the program). This is significantly better than the national four-year private college graduation rates of 50 percent. In addition, all of the graduating seniors have taken on leadership roles and become very involved in campus activities.
All are busy planning the next steps in their lives and careers. Four have plans for graduate school, six are looking at teaching positions (four in Korea, Japan or China) and three are pursuing employment or volunteer opportunities in the United States.
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I-LEAD Graduates and Their Future Plans
• Bibi Abdalla, political science major from St. Paul, Minn., accepted nine-month Coro Fellowship in St. Louis, Mo., followed by graduate school.
• Panyia Cheng, individualized study major from St. Paul, offered two positions teaching English in Korea.
• Mary Deputie, elementary education major from St. Paul, summer internship followed by student teaching.
• Raquel Gudiel, political science major from Los Angeles, interviewing for Spanish teaching positions in China.
• Theo Hoglund, art major from St. Paul, accepted position teaching English in Japan.
• Mai Moua, psychology major from St. Paul, conducting job searches and researching psychology graduate schools.
• Antonio Nava, physics major from Bell, Calif., accepted into the University of Denver physics program, plans to pursue Ph.D.
• Maria Pena, psychology major from Brooklyn Center, Minn., applying to master's programs in psychology.
• Robin Posey, communication major from St. Paul, interviewing for AmeriCorps position in Missouri.
• Joal Reeves, peace studies major from Bloomington, Minn., finalist for Teach for America position.
• Chakong Thao, accounting major from Brooklyn Park, Minn., pursuing a financial position in the Twin Cities.
• Gaonyia Vang, communication major from St. Paul, accepted position with Admission Possible, a college prep program based in St. Paul.
• Somy Xiong, psychology major from St. Paul, accepted position teaching English at Southwest Normal University in China.
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St. Paul, MN
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