Global Posts

The Social Identity Wheel

Age: 18

Gender Identity/Expression: Female

Gender: Female

National Origin: The United States of America

Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

Mental/Physical Ability: Physically able, struggle with mental illness

Race/Ethnicity: White

(ResearchGate)

Exploring Identities

The parts of my identity that help me grow as a person and connect me with others are the most important to me. My gender expression, female, connects me with lots of strong, amazing, and admirable women in a unique way that is central to who I am. I unfortunately struggle with my mental ability, as I deal (like many others) deal with mental health issues. While at times this can be disheartening, I feel that overall, my mental illness has helped me find more meaning in my life and identity. I want to continue to use these parts of my identity to help connect me with others and form new relationships, in addition to also developing my sense of self and purpose.

Identities & Self Concept

The female gender (including those who present as female) have a very supportive and uplifting bond that I benefit from every day. The women around me encourage and accept me in such a way that it improves my self-esteem and influences how I use my behavior to contribute back to other’s identities, too. By forming relationships with others who share this part of my identity, I not only feel a sense of belonging in the group but also form an understanding that I matter to those around me. Because these contributions from others mean so much to me, I always try to return the favor and uplift other women around me with kindness and love. I see supporting other women as an immense accomplishment, which then contributes to my self-efficacy. 

Mental ability can refer to a number of things, but to me, it reflects the role that mental health plays in shaping my identity. Mental illness can be debilitating, but I am fortunate enough to have countless friends and family members who support me through difficult times. Their support and kindness helps me rebuild and reinforce my self-esteem, which can sometimes suffer at the hands of mental illness. Although it is impossible to control one’s own mental health, I have created tools and strategies to help me through rough patches, which provides me with a sense of accomplishment and efficacy. Lastly, it’s no secret that mental illness can make a person feel isolated and unimportant. The relationships I’ve forged with others and how they help me in my times of need, however, shows me that I matter to them and in life.

Career & Identity

What have been some of my most meaningful projects or experiences in my life?

• Running an outreach program for kids from surrounding counties
• Running a book drive to give out free books to elementary and middle school students
• Attending the Governor’s School of Southside Virginia

What activities are so energizing to me that they make me lose track of time?

• Reading (my favorite genre is psychological thriller)
• Crafting
• Baking cupcakes, cakes, brownies, cookies, and more
• Watching Big Brother and other reality TV shows

How would my close family and friends describe strengths and skills?

• Kind and empathetic
• Resilient
• Outgoing
• Driven

What do others ask my help for? What can I teach others?

• Others come to me for support, advice, and to vent
• I am an advocate for others and especially those in need
• I can help others open their minds to learning and growth by doing so myself

Whom do I admire? Why?

• My parents: They show immense amounts of resilience and are always willing to grow
• My significant other: He always has an open mind, is strong in the face of adversity, and is always willing to give to others.
• My friends: They are all genuine, generous, understanding, and supportive of me and others.

What kind of impact do I want to have?

• I want to help people live a life that they love
• I want to reduce other’s suffering by providing them a safe, supportive space

What job roles or careers most interest me now?

• Clinical Psychologist
• Foster Mom
• Head of a non-profit

What is the coolest job I have ever heard of? Why is it so great?

• Children’s Museum Designer: A creative outlet that embraces child-like whimsy
• Interior Designer: Another creative outlet that allows you to help create someone’s dream home

My Job Factors Evaluation

*Scale of 1-10, 1 being of the most importance to me and 10 being the least

1. Job Function (Will you find the work meaningful?)
2. Culture and Values (Mission, values, vision)
3. Learning/Growth Opportunities (Advancement opportunities, building skills)
4. Time Commitment (Hours per week, weekends, after hours)
5. Compensation (Average pay, salary vs. hourly, benefits, etc.)
6. Organizational Size (What environment you’re best suited for)
7. Risk/Security (Stable position/industry)
8. Supervisory Relationship (How closely you work with your supervisor)
9. Industry (Does the industry matter more than what the job entails)
10. Geography/Remote Work (Specific state, hybrid, remote, in-person, traveling)

Works Cited

“Diversity Wheel.” ResearchGate, October 2017, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Diversity-Wheel-as-used-at-Johns-Hopkins-University-12_fig1_320178286.

It feels as if the semester just started—but it’s already time to get ready for fall break. Whether your student is planning to come home for the break or stay on campus, I hope this information will be helpful.

Fall break is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, through noon Sunday, Oct. 12.

If your student lives in Longwood-managed housing and plans to stay on campus during the break, they need to fill out an Intent to Stay form, which is available through the Student Housing Gateway.

It’s important to note that any student who needs access to their residence between 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, and noon Sunday, Oct. 12, must fill out an Intent to Stay form—even if they won’t be on campus for that entire time.

The Intent to Stay form becomes available today, Monday, Sept. 22, and must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Filling out this form gives students uninterrupted ID card access to their housing (where applicable) and notifies Campus Police that they will or may be staying on campus during all or part of the break.

If your student asks, please let them know they should not cancel any academic or other personal obligations during the break period. Instead they can have continued access to their assigned living space by submitting the Intent to Stay form.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students planning to stay on campus in Sharp, Register and Stubbs halls during fall break should be aware that hot water will not be available during part of the break due to repairs and upgrades to the steam plant lines. Steam is expected to be shut off from late afternoon Wednesday, Oct. 8, at least through Friday, Oct. 10.

If your student lives in Longwood-managed housing and is coming home for the break period, they should be sure to do the following before departing campus:
—Remove all trash and perishable food.
—Thoroughly clean their assigned living area, including the bathroom and common spaces.
—If applicable, adjust their room thermostat to a low/medium setting. Apartment thermostats should be set with the fan in the AUTO position so that it will continue to operate during students’ absence. Apartment residents should NOT put the thermostat/fan in the OFF position. Adjust the temperature and the heat/cool settings based on the expected temperatures.
—Take valuables and important items with them (medication, eyeglasses, wallet, etc.).
—Shut down and unplug all electronics, except personal refrigerators or apartment appliances.
—Turn off all lights. Exception: Lancer Park residents should leave the porch light on.
—Close and lock all windows.
—Lower all window blinds/shades.
—Lock all doors.

If your student lives in Moss or Johns hall, you will be able to load and unload vehicles on Spruce Street for the break. Similar to the one-way traffic flow of August move-in, please be sure to access Spruce Street by taking Wynne Drive to Pine Street and then turn onto the sidewalk in front of the Fitness Center. Use Redford Street (McDonald’s intersection) only to EXIT campus.

Below is some additional important information about the break that has been shared with students.

• All residential communities will remain locked (24/7) during the break. Students who filled out the Intent to Stay form will continue to have access to their assigned buildings through the card reader(s) on their building (where applicable).
• No guests are allowed in university housing during the break.
• The dining hall will close after dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 8, and re-open for dinner on Sunday, Oct. 12.  Regular hours of operation resume on Monday, Oct. 13. Up-to-date hours and information for all other Longwood Dining-managed food venues can be found at https://longwood.campusdish.com/.
• Farmville Area Bus service (FAB) will end at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, and will resume at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. There is no bus service for travel to Lancer Park during the break period.
• Residence hall rooms and apartments are subject to entry during the break; limited work orders and/or facility safety inspections could occur.
• For general assistance from Campus Police during the break, students can call 434-395-2091. In case of emergency, students should call 911. Students who need help with a non-life-threatening medical issue can call the Nurse Advice Line at 805-858-3117.

—Sabrina Brown

If your student hasn’t filled you in about what’s happened so far this fall—or even if they have—you might enjoy seeing proof that there’s been plenty going on here since classes started in August. From one of Longwood’s most beloved traditions to the newest restaurants in town, here’s a generous helping of photos, videos and information to help keep you in the Longwood loop. You might even catch a glimpse of your student!

Convocation
With celebration and caps decorated to the max, Convocation marked the start of seniors’ final year. Everyone loves Convocation, and parents are invited!
See the photos
Watch the video
Read all about it

Family Weekend
Family Weekend brought laughter, “missed you” hugs, and families experiencing their students’ home away from home.
See the photos

Future Educators Pinning Ceremony
Our future educators received their pins, and they’re ready to make an impact—marking the next step in their campus-to-classroom journey.
See the photos

Involvement and Volunteer Fair
Longwood is built on connections. This event helped your Lancers find out the many ways they can get engaged and find their people. With 120 clubs and organizations, there’s something for everyone.
See the photos

What’s New on the Menu in Farmville
We’ve got some delicious new neighbors in town. Hear what students have to say about the fare at Farmville’s newest restaurants—from hot honey bacon pizza to roasted-right-here coffee. (Plus there’s a popular burrito chain on the way!)
Watch the video

First Friday Back
TGIF! First Friday Back was the perfect blend of campus spirit and community vibes for the entire student body!
See the photos

New Lancer Days
“Welcome” doesn’t even begin to say it all. Our newest students got their first taste of what it means to be part of the Longwood family.
See the photos

Want to See More Photos—and Download Your Favorites?
Longwood’s photographers take literally hundreds of photos at many student events, including the ones mentioned above. If you’d like to look through our archive and download your favorites—you can!  Just click here and enter the password lancers1839. If you see a photo you’d like to download, just click on it. Then look for the download arrow in the top right corner of the black area above (or to the right) of the photo. Click on the arrow, and the photo will download to your computer. Enjoy!

—Sabrina Brown

Brandon Hathaway

brandon.hathaway@live.longwood.edu

Major: Criminology Minor: Enviromental Science

I would like to work somewhere rural

My current career aspiration is to become a CPO (Conservation Police Officer)

Hello, I’m Megan McConnell. I am a Senior with a Psychology major. I live in Farmville, Va and I would like to geographically work in Richmond, VA.

My email to contact me is Megan.mcconnell3@live.longwood.edu

Welcome to Longwood Blogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

About

1. Ella Washington
2. Ella.Washington@live.longwood.edu
3. Undecided
4. From home, or hands on work
5. Social Work, or Interior Design

Coursework

SOCL 220

Identity Portfolio Part 1

1. Race: Black, white and Thai
2. Ethnicity, Heritage and Culture: Thai, white, and black
3. Class + Economic Background: Middle Class
4. Gender + Gender Expression: Female
5. Romantic + Sexual Orientation: Straight
6. Age: 18
7. Faith: Christian
8. Physical + Developmental Disability: ADHD and Anxiety
9. Mental + Emotional Disability: None
10. First Language: English
11. Nationality + Birth Place: United States

1. My 2 identities are Race and Economic Background. For my race, being multiracial helps me feel more connected to different cultures. It also helps me feel more connected to people with the same backgrounds as me, making me feel accepted. But with this, I don’t always feel accepted everywhere I go. Sometimes I feel like I dont fit into certain groups of people, feeling like im being judged which can affect my self-esteem.
2. For my economic background being in the middle class has given me many opportunities that most aren’t able to have. Like access to a stable home, and a good education. In most situations I feel like I belong, but going to a private all girls school I definitely felt out of place and was self-conscious of the things I had. But again I knew I was lucky for the way I grew up knowing many people had nothing like this.

1. Having multiple cultural backgrounds can help me connect with a future career because I have an understanding of different cultures and experiences. This can help me connect with people who feel misunderstood like being a teacher, therapist, or even a social worker. Coming from multiple backgrounds that have faced discrimination, I believe I have an understanding of how to deal with it if were to come up in a professional setting. Coming from the lower-middle class family, I really value hard work because thats all my parents did. I also value humbleness, and a stable environment. I believe this this identity could help me possible be a social worker, business owner , or even help with doing community service.

Get tickets here: https://la1.glitnirticketing.com/laticket/web/login.php?ret_link=%2Flaticket%2Fweb%2Fwportal.php&type=notLogged

Come Sept. 12 it will have been about three weeks since you moved your student into their residence hall or other housing on campus or in Farmville.

Are you missing them? Are they missing you?

If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, then think about taking advantage of Family Weekend, Sept. 12-14, to check in, see how your student is doing and get a hug. Lots of other parents and families will be heading to Longwood, too, so you’ll also have the opportunity to connect with them.

Registration deadline is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7. The cost is $25 per adult and children 6 and up. (Children 5 and under and Longwood students attend free of charge.) Register here.

Another great thing about Family Weekend is that so much is going on that weekend. Almost all events are free or included in your registration. For the full Family Weekend schedule, click here. Here’s a sampling:

            Friday Evening

            5-8 p.m. Opening reception for the latest exhibits at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. The Fishin’ Pig will provide complimentary hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and other beverages! free 
            6-8 p.m. Farmville Fridays in Riverside Park featuring live music and local food trucks. free admission
            8:15-10:15 p.m. Game Night in Upchurch University Center’s Soza Ballroom. Can you say “BINGO!” OR head to Stubbs lawn at 8:30 to watch Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning under the stars (free popcorn and beverages; bring your own blankets and lawn chairs). included in registration

            Saturday

            9 a.m.-4 p.m. The Heart of Virginia Festival offers crafts, children’s activities, fair food favorites, live music and more, much of it taking place right on Longwood’s front doorstep. free admission
            1-3 p.m. Hands-on pottery class. Create your own ceramics piece under the guidance of a Longwood art professor. (separate pre-registration and additional fee required; 30-person capacity)

             Saturday Evening

            8 p.m. Mentalist Tom Kennedy will astonish you, make you laugh and keep you on the edge of your seat—all in a family-friendly format. included in registration

Now is the time to register and make your plans! Hope to see you the weekend of Sept. 12-14!

—Sabrina Brown