Here at the HIGH Program, our office family is made up of a wonderful team of staff, interns, and volunteers. Each individual is a vital part of our operation, and we want to showcase those who have dedicated their time and efforts with the program!
Today's feature is someone whose time at the program is coming to a close, but has made a lasting impact. Alecia Burke joined the HIGH Program in September 2018 as our YouTube Specialist, creating videos on homelessness and other relevant topics for our digital signage around Wayne State's campus. She shortly transitioned to our Communications Specialist, using her phenomenal research and writing skills to create scripts and help develop the Go HIGHer podcast, a podcast focused on tackling issues commonly faced by college students. On top of this, Alecia co-lead the #SarnaikChallenge, creating a campaign to help the HIGH Program raise $25,000 in donations.
Here's what Alecia had to say about her time here at the program:
"Being a part of the HIGH Program for the last six months has taught me so much. I was mostly unaware of the issue of homelessness in college students before joining the program, but during my time here I’ve seen the staggering truth: not only do many students struggle day after day to afford their tuition, but many are forced to drop out do to the inability to afford basics like housing and food. It’s a terrible tragedy to think that so many students have so much talent and so many goals, but simply cannot finish their college education due to a lack of funds.
During my time at the HIGH Program, I saw that my work, and the work of my coworkers, had an immediate impact on the lives of students at Wayne State. There is no better feeling than knowing what you do during a work day is giving people the chance to transform their futures with the possibility of a completed college education. In fact, since 2013, 100% of the students the HIGH Program has supported have gone on to graduate with their bachelor’s degree. When I first started at the HIGH Program, I didn’t have much experience at all working in a more corporate environment, and I was afraid my work wouldn’t have much of an impact. For me, I like to be able to see results from the work I put in, and there was no better place for that immediate feedback and results than the HIGH Program. I got the chance to do research for YouTube videos, write podcast scripts, and to start a marketing campaign for the program to raise $25,000 towards students in need.
The HIGH Program has also shown me that you don’t need a stuffy office space to have a “professional” work environment; all the members of the HIGH Program not only care about our cause, but it is a wonderful group of people who all want to see how great an impact we can make when we work together. It has been a great honor to take part in a program that has helped me advance my writing and marketing skills, and has opened my eyes to the struggle of homelessness. The best thing I have learned from the HIGH Program, though, is that when you get a dedicated group of people together, you can make a lasting positive impact on your community."
From the HIGH Program team, we'll miss Alecia and wish her the best luck in her future endeavors!
Interested in interning or volunteering with the HIGH Program and creating your impact in students' lives? Visit our website to find out more!
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