Raediah's StoryRaediah

NAME: Raediah Lyles
HOMETOWN: Pittsburgh, PA
MAJOR: Human Communication Studies

FAVORITE THING ABOUT SHIPPENSBURG:

The people and great amount of opportunities to get involved.

TWO INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT ME:

I enjoy art of all types and I have a strong passion for poetry. In fact, I used to do poetry interpretation and spoken word.

CAMPUS ORGANIZATIONS/SPORTS/ACTIVITIES:

Resident Assistant (Residence Life), Women's Basketball, Women's Outdoor Track & Field, President of MESA (Multi Ethnic Student Association), Emerging & Advanced Leaders Institute, and MentorSHIP Program.

SCHOLARSHIP:

I receive a scholarship from the Women's Basketball Program. This scholarship has benefitted me greatly because it has relieved a lot of financial burden from me and makes it possible for me to dedicate my time to campus activities rather than having to work constantly. I am able to commit myself not only to the basketball team, but to other programs on campus fully.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE:

I received an internship in Pittsburgh, PA at the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation the summer after graduating from high school, and have worked there since. There I learned so much about the non-profit sector from the standpoint of both a grant-making foundation and a nonprofit organization searching for funding. I will also be working in the Office of Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes in the spring of next year as an intern.

MOST MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT SHIP:

My most meaningful learning experience has been with Residence Life as a Resident Assistant. In my first semester as being an RA I've learned so much about leadership, conflict resolution, diversity, and teamwork while working with different people to make the experience of the residents a fun and fulfilling one.

COMMUNITY SERVICE/VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:

I've volunteered in various Assistant Living homes since I was about 8 years old. I participate in the MentorSHIP program with Student-Athletes, and participate with the Friday Night Youth Program under Dr. Worthy of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, among several other volunteer activities with the Women's Basketball Team.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN:

For fun, I like to relax with friends or head to the ShipRec for pick-up basketball.

MY PLANS AFTER GRADUATION:

I plan on going to graduate school to study college student personnel or leadership development and applying for Resident Director positions at whichever university I attend.