Leadership Development

Summary of Mentorship Experience

I have gained a lot of memorable experiences and valuable lessons upon completing the ACES program, but one of the most beneficial activities I was part of was the mentorship experience. Not only did I enjoy doing all of the different events and assignments with my buddy, but I also enjoyed getting to know another ACES member on a more personal level. My first year mentee was Gillian Gremling, and she is from Pataskala, Ohio. She is a Biology major with hopes of having a career working in a hospital or other medical center where she can work with children. Gillian is also possibly considering a related major in engineering, but for now she is continuing her program in Biology. Gillian grew up loving Ohio State, and having her older sister go to Ohio State definitely influenced her decision to attend. She also likes that OSU is not too far away from home so that she can still see her family and her cats.

Throughout the year I picked up on different things that Gillian and I have in common. An obvious similarity we share is our love for Ohio State and being part of the amazing Buckeye community. With that, Gillian and I both take our studies very seriously because we both have big plans for our future. While in different fields, Gillian and I both want to work with kids and we both have a passion for giving back to the community. As well, we both love our family and are obsessed with our pets. Gillian and I also both love ice-cream and had fun throughout the year talking about different flavors at Jeni’s and Graeters. I had a lot of fun getting to know Gillian and discovering the many interests we have in common. However, I also learned that there were some differences between us. While this in no way affected our relationship, I also enjoyed learning about the unique hobbies and characteristics Gillian shares that I do not. For example, a hobby that Gillian has is to draw. I myself do not draw, but I definitely wish I could. We are also involved in different things on campus, but I really enjoyed learning about Gillian’s different interests and how she still loves to make time for ACES.

From spending time with Gillian throughout the year, I saw significant growth in her between the first and second semester. First semester, Gillian was nervous about starting a new school year and how she would find her place. She was also nervous about making friends and fitting in. Come second semester, I definitely noticed that she was a lot more confident about her place at Ohio State and could not stop talking about how happy she was with the friends she made. This made me incredibly happy to hear because I know how hard the transition to college can be and was thrilled that she found a solid group of friends. When Gillian had expressed to me the different things she was nervous about her first semester, I helped her in terms of mentoring by giving organization tips, clubs she could get involved in that were centered on her interests, and academic tips – especially for Chem 1210. In terms of socialization and orientation, I shared with her my own personal experience of becoming really close with the members of ACES and getting involved in different clubs. Gillian followed my advice by getting involved with certain clubs, and she got to know the people living on her floor which is how she became so close with a lot of the ACES members. I was really glad I was able to help Gillian with this transition and offer her support in any way I could.

I would say that this mentoring program has many benefits. From the specific expectations of the program itself, I believe the program is great because it helped develop my leadership and mentoring skills. These are especially important traits I need to work on since I plan to have a career leading kids and being a positive role model. I also believe this program is very beneficial because it got me to be more involved with the ACES program and to get to know more ACES members. While I am very familiar with all of the ACES members from my class, being in this mentorship program not only helped me get to know Gillian a lot better, but I also got to learn a lot about the new ACES members. This program made me more passionate for ACES because by explaining my experiences in the program to my buddy helped me feel like I had a bigger part of the ACES program in general. The experiences, expectations, and people helped make this program very beneficial and I definitely recommend that it be continued in the ACES program.

I learned a lot by being a second-year mentor because of everything mentioned above, but it also helped push me outside my comfort zone a little more and take more initiative. This program helped me meet a lot more ACES members and be more creative in my leadership and mentoring skills. It helped me learn how to take on more responsibility and be a better role model. I really enjoyed this program, and if given the opportunity I would do it over again. My two years in ACES went by incredibly fast, and it is because of all the amazing memories and experiences I had which made it so memorable.

Explore Columbus – Second Semester

For my second “Explore Columbus” assignment with my buddy, Gillian Gremling, we decided to go to Cup O’ Joe coffee place located in the Lennox Town Center of Columbus. We also went with Lauren Mahoney and Lyndsay McLaughlin and their buddies. Our group did the Explore Columbus assignment together last semester as well, so it was fun to get together again as a group and check-up. This semester I was lucky and had a car to drive us. Unlike last semester where we had to figure out an Uber transportation, it was easy for me to just pick everyone up and head to the coffee place. The coffee place wasn’t too far either. Once I picked everyone up, it only took about ten minutes to get to Cup O’ Joe due to the traffic from construction. This was a benefit to choosing this coffee place because a lot of us had other obligations and homework to get back to, so it was easy to drop everyone back off once we were done.

None of us had been to Cup O’ Joe before, so it was fun to explore the setting and what the menu offered. While it is mainly a coffee shop, they also offer other smoothies, drinks, and fun deserts such as chocolate cake. I saw on the menu that they offered an iced chai latte, so that is what I got since it is one of my favorite drinks. Gillian and I had fun looking at the different drinks offered and deciding which one would be best. She ultimately picked a coffee drink as well, and we were both laughing because of how fast the Cup O’Joe staff was able to make our drinks. The overall environment of the coffee house was small but cozy. They had tables for people to sit and we noticed a few people in the shop either reading or doing other work. While it wasn’t an entirely quiet environment, it was very easy to talk and have good conversations.

All of us ended up staying for a while and had a fun time talking about various things. We talked about academics for a while and whether or not our buddies felt prepared for finals. My buddy Gillian told me she is most worried for her chemistry final because it is her hardest class. We have talked about Chemistry throughout the year and I’ve given her some advice since I myself took the course my freshman year. Gillian told me she is managing it well and has done well on past midterms so she isn’t as worried as others. She told me she knows it is only going to get harder from here on out, as her major requires her to take rigorous science courses such as Organic Chemistry. However, she told me she is good with managing her time and knows how to ask classmates and teachers for help when needed. Gillian and I also talked about how fast we felt the year went by. She said she can easily remember move in day and cannot believe that she has to move out so soon. She said she had a great freshman year experience and made a lot of really good friends which she wasn’t expecting to do given it was her first year of college. Gillian and I had a nice, long chat about college in general and how we need to cherish our time here because there are so many memories to be made in only a short amount of time. As a group, we also talked about school and different things going on within ACES. Our buddies in particular were talking about the different events they have done to get volunteer hours in and whether or not they had found a consistent place to volunteer yet. Me, Lauren, and Lyndsay all offered advice on how to complete hours and also suggested places we knew and to check the ACES website. Our buddies also all agreed that they enjoyed their first year in ACES and are looking forward to next year because they know more people in the program and have a much better idea how the program is run. They all shared their favorite ACES activity of the semester and shared what they hope to do next year in the program. After everyone finished their drinks and we talked a little more, I drove everyone home and we decided to meet as a group again at the ACES banquet to take a picture. I have had so much fun with this Explore Columbus assignment because I’ve had the opportunity to get to know my ACES buddy better, the ACES community in general, and I’ve had the chance to find fun places to go around Columbus. I would definitely go back to Cup O’Joe and I would recommend it to a friend because it is a relaxing, sweet environment that offers good drinks and the space to have good company.

Second Semester Check-In

When I met up with my mentee, Gillian Gremling, for our second interview, it went really well and we talked a lot about ACES and how she was adjusting to her second semester of freshman year. We first talked about school, and whether she was enjoying the classes she was taking this semester. She told me that she is mostly still in Gen Ed’s this semester, but is also taking a Spanish course because she hopes to minor in it. I then asked her the interview question: Are you enjoying your major? She told me that she hasn’t gotten in directly associated major classes yet, but is enjoying her Biology class and her Chemistry class. However, she also told me that her Bio T.A. is making the class frustrating at times because he doesn’t know how to help with questions, and Chemistry can also be frustrating at times because it is a difficult course. Overall though, she said things are going well academically this semester and that she is studying hard and getting good grades. Gillian is still a Biology major, as she was first semester as well.

After talking about school, we then talked about how she has gotten involved on campus since the start of freshman year. She told me it’s been hard for her to commit to any new club or organization right now just because her work schedule is so crazy. So, I asked her the interview question: How do you manage your time between involvement and academics? She then talked to me again about her crazy work schedule, saying she works about 20 hours a week and has no control in what days and times she is working. She said this is frustrating because she hasn’t had a lot of time to actively volunteer between her work schedule, ACES, and her classwork. However, Gillian told me despite her busy schedule she manages her time by working around her work schedule and being flexible with when she gets different things done.

After I gave Gillian some tips on how to manage stress and time management, we then talked more about ACES. She said she is still really enjoying ACES and is excited to see what more we will be doing this semester. I then asked her the interview question: How was your first semester in ACES? What surprised you about the program? Gillian first told me that she enjoyed the seminar a lot because she enjoyed the discussions and topics of each seminar. She also enjoyed doing the film project because she found the films to be very interesting. As well, she has enjoyed the people in ACES and has made some good friends throughout the semester from living in Smith Steeb together. As for what surprised her, Gillian told me she was surprised with the social aspect of ACES and how much she has enjoyed being with the members of ACES. She said this was a pleasant surprise because she wasn’t expecting this as much with a scholar’s program.

We then talked about school again, so I then asked Gillian the question: Have your career plans changed since first semester? She told me that she still wants to study in the biology field with the hopes of becoming a pediatrician or a pediatric neurologist. If not those specific professions, she wants to have a career that deals with working with children and medicine. She said that while she has been discouraged at times worrying that she will not be capable of attaining all of the scientific knowledge, she still has hopes for her future and may even consider exploring career options associated with engineering.

Finally, I conducted my interview with Gillian by asking her: What was your favorite memory from last semester? She told me that her favorite memory was when she and her roommate were super hyper one night and decided to stay up the entire night watching horror movies and then ending the night watching the Hannah Montana movie. She said she had a lot of good memories from first semester because she really enjoys her friends and her roommate.

Overall, Gillian is doing well and she still enjoys her time with ACES and is excited with how her college experience is going!

Explore Columbus

As a way to “destress” a little during the upcoming week to finals, I decided to take my Buddy to the ice-cream shop Jeni’s, which is located down high street in the Short North of Columbus. We decided to go to Jeni’s because my buddy, Gillian, had never been there before and we because we both enjoy ice-cream. When I told her about the unique, interesting flavors they have, she was excited and eager to try it out. Before we went, I told Gillian about some of the flavors Jeni’s has and of course, my personal favorites. I am from Chicago, and back home we do not have any Jeni’s, so I explained to her that every time I go I try and get a new flavor so I can try as many fun flavors as I can while I am here in Columbus. While I have been to Jeni’s multiple times and tried a lot of new flavors, my all time favorite is the
“Salty Caramel”, which I like to pair with their dark chocolate ice-cream. Gillian told me that my flavor combination sounded really good, but she was eager to see if they had any cheesecake flavors or any birthday cake flavors. I informed her that Jeni’s has a ton of diverse flavors, so I’m sure she would find something she liked!

Because neither of us has a car on campus, we decided to Uber to the Jeni’s in the Short North. Before we went, we decided to go with two other ACES pairs, so all of us took an Uber together. It was fun for all of us to drive there together, because we got to talk together as a group before hand and especially talk about what flavors we were excited to try. Our Uber driver was playing some fun music on the way there, so that also made it a fun experience to share before we arrived at Jeni’s.

Once we got to Jeni’s, it was not that crowded because it was in the evening in the middle of the week. The Jeni’s in the short north is relatively small compared to other ice-cream shops, so even though it was just our group it felt kind of crowded at times when we were all looking at the ice-cream flavors. Before any of us chose what we were going to eat, we all sampled some flavors to see which one was the best. Gillian and I both tried the “goat cheese” ice cream, which I had never tried before and really liked. I also had Gillian try my favorite flavor, the salty caramel, just to see if she would like it as much as I do. While she did like it, she admitted that it was not her favorite. After some samples and touch ice-cream decision  making, I decided on my favorite flavor of the salty caramel, and Gillian chose the goat cheese ice-cream mixed with blueberry. After our entire group purchased our ice-cream, we sat at a table in Jeni’s so we could all eat our ice-cream and talk together.

I had a lot of fun talking with our little ACES group, because we talked about a wide range of stories and different things going on with our lives. Gillian and I specifically talked about the upcoming finals coming up and how she felt going into them. We especially talked about Gen Chem 1210, because she is enrolled in the course now and I took it my first semester freshman year as well. We also discussed how she is liking her first year at OSU, and she told me she is really enjoying it a lot and feels comfortable and happy here, which made me very glad to hear. We also talked about how we are excited to go home for winter break to see our pets and sleep in our beds. While we both agreed that OSU is an awesome school and we are happy to be here, we are looking forward to going home and getting a break before the next semester.

Going to Jeni’s with Gillian was a fun experience, because not only did we get to eat really good food but we also talked a lot about how we are living at OSU and what is going on in our personal lives as well. As a group, it was also fun to talk to everyone about how we are feeling with classes, friends, and everything else that is going on. I am glad I took Gillian to Jeni’s, but I’m also glad we got to experience this Explore Columbus event with other ACES pairs as well because it made the event even more entertaining and fun. Gillian and I both agreed that we would definitely come back again and get a new flavor, since there are so many awesome choices to choose from. Gillian also told me that she would definitely be back here again with some of her other friends, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to have amazing ice-cream!

As for exploring Columbus itself, I was glad I was able to experience this with Gillian, because while she is from Ohio she is not from Columbus itself, just like me. We both learned that there is a lot of entertainment, culture, food, and experiences that Columbus offers; it’s all about going out there and finding it for yourself. It was fun to see more of Columbus outside of what we see every day being on campus, because it showed us the many opportunities and advantages that are all around. Gillian and I agreed that in order to learn about a new city, simply go there and walk around and you are bound to have the experiences and fun come to you. I am looking forward to doing “Explore Columbus” again with Gillian, because we both realized that there are endless possibilities for adventure when it comes to exploring Columbus!

Explore Columbus at Jeni's

Mentor/Mentee Interview Assignment

My buddy is Gillian Gremling, and we had a nice chat where I learned more about her and how she is doing so far at OSU. Gillian is a freshman studying Biology, and I asked her five different questions related to school, ACES, and her plans for the future. The first question I asked Gillian was related to academics. I asked her how she decided on the major she chose, which is Biology. She told me that she knew she always wanted to do something with kids and pediatrics since she loves kids and helping people. She chose Biology because she loves science and also so she could be on the pre-med track. The next question I asked Gillian related to involvement. I asked her what kind of involvement she is interested in on campus. She told me she is really looking to volunteer a lot, and hopes to get involved with some of the Buckeye civic engagement programs, Relay for Life, and Circle K. She also wants to spend time volunteering at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, because it is very closely related to the field she wants to work in. I then asked Gillian a question about ACES, and more specifically what she is most looking forward to with the ACES program. She told me she loves the purpose of this program, because she is very passionate about giving back to the community and learning how she can better and help the community she lives in. She also said she is looking forward to learning more about the community in ACES itself and is really hoping she can meet and learn about all of the members in ACES. I then switched topics and asked Gillian a question related to her career. I knew she wanted to work with kids and hopefully be a pediatrician, but more specifically I asked her what her dream job would be and why. We then got talking, and she told me how she loves kids and is very interested in working with them, but she is also really interested in the brain. Gillian said her dream job would be to be a pediatric neurologist, because she is very passionate about helping children but also has a deep interest and love for neurology and studying the brain and how/why it works the way it does. We had a good chat about this, and I explained to her how she can strive towards this dream job and maybe even consider double majoring so she can get closer to having this perfect job for herself. Finally, I asked Gillian a miscellaneous question on what is one of the most important things she has learned so far at Ohio State. She told me that it is definitely that she needs to study! We talked about how in high school, there wasn’t that much of a pressure to study a lot and how she didn’t have very good study habits in high school. Gillian is in Chem 1210 this semester, and this was a big wake up call to her that she had to change her study habits a lot since the course is a lot of work and difficult at times. I related to her a lot on this one, because I took Gen Chem my first semester freshman year, and I had to make a lot of new study habits and adjust to the rigor of the course. I gave her some good advice on how to study, and told her that if she ever had any questions on how to study for the exams or quizzes that I would help her. I had fun talking to Gillian, because I feel like I got to know her even more and also the different ways I can help her throughout the year. I’m glad I know her hopes for the future as well as the ways she hopes to make an impact at OSU because I can now encourage her to get involved and be a confident, happy student at OSU!

5 Questions I asked:

  1. How did you decide on the major you have chosen?
  2. What kind of involvement are you interested in on campus?
  3. What are you most looking forward to in the ACES program?
  4. What is your dream job and why?
  5. What is one of the most important things you have learned so far at OSU?

Artifacts

Artifact 1: Volunteering Pictures

Throughout high school, I was involved in a service club that continuously met to do different volunteer services. Outside of the club, I volunteered annually at my local food bank, church, and “Feed My Starving Children”. Coming to Ohio State, volunteering was important to me and a priority along my studies. Having volunteer requirements for the Scholars program further motivated me to do more service and try new opportunities to give back to my new community. The service I have found most meaningful for myself this year has been volunteering with the “Run the Race” organization because I love working with children. Working with these kids has helped me as a student because it has shown me the value and impact a solid education system can have and how important it is for all children to receive a good education – no matter where they are from.  Being active with volunteering, especially with children, has made me a better learner because it has taught me hard work, determination, and commitment. Giving back to the community and working with kids has shown me how much I want to make an impact, and it has only further motivated me to continue working hard in school so eventually I can make an even bigger difference.

About Me 8About Me 7About Me 6

 

Artifact 2: ACES Film Pillars Project

ACES Film Pillars Project (link to presentation)

One of the requirements for my Scholars seminar this semester was to get in a group, watch a documentary, and create a project that explained how the ACES pillars could be applied in the documentary. The film I watched was “Stuck”, which explained the emotional, extensive inter-country adoption process by specifically showing the journey of four different children on their way to be connected with their families in America. This was a very important project because not only did I become very invested in the documentary topic, but I also developed a deeper sense of the ACES pillars by collaborating with the classmates in my group. Group work is important for any learner because it helps a student expand his or her ideas and develop new perspectives. With this particular group project, I had a very strong discussion with my group members as we discussed societal issues dealing with orphans from other countries and how we as Americans can help with all the issues. I developed an entirely new perspective on the adoption process and appreciation for how much effort parents put in for adoption, and even more for adopting outside of the United States. This project was very meaningful to me because it was my first group project as an Ohio State student, and it meant more to me than simply completing an assignment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About Me

My name is Jordan Luedtke, and I am a first year at The Ohio State University. I’m from a Chicago suburb in a town called St. Charles that has around 33,000 people. I went to a fairly large high school, so coming to Ohio State wasn’t an entirely new wake-up call. I’ve always been a buckeye fan, so coming to school to be a buckeye myself was a dream come true. Heading to campus, I was determined to start a brand new, wonderful life and prepare for my future as a nutritionist/physical trainer. While I have continued to make my time on campus special, I decided about four weeks into school that the future I had planned for myself for so long was not the perfect fit for me. Both of my parents are teachers, and I had always thought growing up that I would follow right in their footsteps. When I sat down and really thought of my ambitions and values in life, I realized that setting a path to be a teacher would ultimately make me the most happy. I am now a pre-major for Middle Childhood Education, with subject focuses on social studies and language arts. Outside of my studies, I am involved in the Advocates for Communities and Education scholars program, a women’s health and fitness club called “CHAARG”, a volunteer club called “Project Impact”, and was recently accepted into the Honors and Scholars semester of service project with a focus on education in the “Boy’s and Girl’s Club”. Now that I am very comfortable at school and have a definite goal for my future, I am eager and thrilled to see all that Ohio State will provide me in preparing me for the rest of my life. Go Bucks!

About Me Project

G.O.A.L.S.

 

Throughout the semester in my Scholars seminar class, the ACES pillars were continuously discussed and connected to current day issues. While the ACES pillars were a central issue, the Honors and Scholars G.O.A.L.S. were always valued just as much and the ultimate foundation of the program.

Global Awareness: A frequent topic of discussion in my ACES seminar was diversity and how the world can collaborate to accept all the different, unique people of the world. We had multiple class discussions on the issue, and even took the time to write out our own beliefs in a class required essay. Before coming to Ohio State, I already valued diversity and understood the significant need for society to accept all the different types of diversities that can exist in a community. Growing up, understanding different religions/races/ethnicities/etc. was a priority because both of my parents knew the world does not function working with the same type of people. Being in the Advocates for Communities and Education scholars program has only widened my perspective on diversity and made me more passionate to learn about all the different diversities that exist in the world. My goal while at Ohio State is to hopefully study abroad and work in a school so I can experience the different school ethics and functions of a foreign school. Beyond Ohio State, I hope to be a teacher and work with kids from all different backgrounds so that I and the students can learn from each other and accept the different diversities.

Original Inquiry: Ohio State is an amazing academic institution in that it offers tremendous opportunities for research and academic engagement. While I do not plan to get involved in research of my own my freshman year, I hope to engage in some sort in the coming years while I am in school. Because I am focusing on middle childhood education, I hope to get involved in some sort of psychology or classroom setting research. I feel this will benefit me by giving me a new perspective with my intended major. Outside of research, I hope to get as much out of my education as possible by getting to know my professors and going above and beyond in my classes. The classes I take in college will prepare me for my future, so I hope to find purpose in each class and approach my learning with eagerness and a sense of determination.

Academic Enrichment: I came into Ohio State thinking I wanted to be a nutritionist/physical trainer and work specifically with teenagers/younger kids. While I am still passionate about those topics, I decided about a month into school that I wanted to follow in my parents footsteps to become a teacher. I found it would ultimately bring me more purpose in life and fulfill all the goals I wish to make come true. School has always been important to me, and I hope one day to be a teacher who can make a similar impact as my parents continue to do. My fall semester of freshman year, I have been enrolled in a rigorous general chemistry course that has challenged and pushed me in every way possible. It has made me a better student, learner, and overall worker. I am also enrolled in a difficult general education math course that requires a lot of extra work. Being in these classes my first semester has been tough at times, but ultimately it has made me realize the type of student I want to be and made me even more determined to be successful in college and beyond. Next semester, I am taking an entirely new approach with school since I switched my major. I will be taking 18 credit hours worth of classes, as well as courses over the summer to get caught up for my pre-major requirements. I know it is a lot of work, but I determined and willing to work hard so eventually I have the career I have ultimately wanted for myself all along.

Leadership Development: My senior year of high school, I was involved in a club called “Peer Leadership” where I was matched with a freshman girl who I mentored the entire year. This was one of my favorite memories of high school because it taught me valuable leadership skills and gave me a sense of purpose. I enjoyed the program so much that it inspired me to want to be a leader for kids in any way I could the rest of my life. While I have not found a concrete leadership opportunity my first semester, I plan on becoming more involved next semester. I was recently accepted into the Honors and Scholars semester of service in education where I will volunteer weekly at the “Boy’s and Girl’s Club”. I hope to gain valuable leadership experience through this opportunity since I will be working with the same kids every week. Since my goal for the future is to become a teacher, I know being a leader and role model is important not only so I can help and inspire as many as I can, but also fulfill my dream of making a difference and living an ambitious life.

Service Engagement: I was involved in numerous volunteer activities throughout high school, and knew coming into Ohio State that I wanted to continue doing so. I was glad to see the scholars program required volunteer hours because I feel it is very important in teaching leadership skills, as well as the value in giving back to the community. This fall semester, I was involved in the service club “Project Impact”, which provided volunteer opportunities a few times throughout the semester. I enjoyed working with other members of the club who valued service just as much as me. Outside of the club, I did other various volunteer work to have around 20 hours for the fall semester. Next semester, I am excited to be part of the “Boy’s and Girl’s Club” where I will volunteer weekly. I hope to continue finding service opportunities that regularly meet, but also different opportunities that arise. Even when my time at Ohio State is done, I will continue to do service work since it brings me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction knowing I could help other people and or a community.

Year in Review

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more information, go to: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/e-portfolio. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]