Student Affairs: Student Spotlight

Melony Varnado
Communications major
Eleanor Roosevelt College
Hometown: Los Angeles, California

UCSD career highlights:

• President, Black Student Union
• Student Initiated Outreach and Recruitment Commission (SIORC)
• Roosevelt Residence Life (ERC resident advisor, Programming at ERC)
• Marshall-Spelman College exchange program

"I turned down 7 schools in favor of UCSD. I could appreciate how UCSD converted a large university into 6 smaller, more intimate communities. I knew I could carve out a niche in my new environment and contribute to the development of a more diverse campus.

"My involvement at UCSD shaped my perspective on how important it is to stay involved and to encourage others to become involved. Not only have I had the chance to develop leadership skills, but I've had the opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many others, creating a unique collage of experiences.

• My involvement with the Black Student Union has given me a sense of purpose at UCSD. I'm here to help other students make a successful transition into UCSD, and I believe that's what student organizations provide.
• My involvement with Residence Life allowed me to really plug in to UCSD. Not only did I get the opportunity to meet new people, but I was able to make connections within the university that I've maintained throughout the course of my time here. Coordinating programs and events allows you to discover what the university and surrounding community have to offer.
• Working with the SIORC Summer Summit was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had at UCSD. I had the opportunity to mentor a group of girls from diverse backgrounds who were full of life and talent. Over the course of the weekend, I was able to become more than a mentor. I became a friend.

"After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in public relations and marketing, and eventually pursue an M.B.A., and perhaps a Ph.D in communications."

Congratulations to Melony on her recent graduation from Eleanor Roosevelt College!

Do you know another outstanding UCSD student whose experiences would inspire prospective and current students? Contact Cynthia Davalos, Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor - Student Affairs.