In The Spotlight ...
Emmanuella Jean-Ulysse
General Studies Major
Class Of 2010
North Wales
Emmanuella chose the College because the tuition cost appealed to her over the similar, yet pricier, program at Temple University. After a successful first year, she was inspired to push beyond her own comfort zone to become engaged in the College community.
She began contributing to the College’s student newspaper, The Montgazette. As she developed as a writer, Emmanuella became increasingly interested in the campus life she was writing about. As a result, she opted to serve as a new student orientation leader for incoming fall semester students, and she soon took on the position of staff writer for The Montgazette.
Those experiences at the College led Emmanuella to service opportunities in her community, where she currently volunteers with the American Red Cross and Hospice Care.
Even as she balances volunteer work and 18-credit semesters, Emmanuella still finds time to work part-time at Language Services in Horsham, Pa.
“My life is a juggling act but I love it. Volunteering allows me to meet new people all the time,” she said.
Volunteer work has taught Emmanuella to organize her busy life, since she often is balancing her community service with at least five classes, her work with The Montgazette, and a part-time job. This balancing has taught Emmanuella to systematize her life via planner books.
“I am a persistent procrastinator, so for the past three years, I have been faithfully and meticulously writing everything that I need to accomplish or do. It helps and it works,” she said.
In addition to building organizational skills, she has built great communication skills from interacting with hospice patients, students, writers, administrators and other volunteers.
“Volunteering is the best thing I could have done for myself,” he explained.
In recognition of her dedication to the College and community, she received the Mr. & Mrs. Tom D. Genuardi scholarship award from the College’s Foundation. This award goes to a student who thrives in the classroom as well through volunteer and community involvement.”
In May 2010, Emmanuella will graduate with an associate’s degree in General Studies. She has been accepted to Johns Hopkins University where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Nursing in the fall.
Emmanuella acknowledges that she couldn’t have made this next step without the College.
“Montgomery County Community College has given me an experience of a lifetime,” she said.
