Jiselle Peralta

Jiselle Peralta

Major1: Psychology
Major2: Women and Gender Studies

300 Word Statement

My goal of being an active member in the Lafayette community came to fruition during my first year. Through my independent nature and the support and guidance of peers and faculty mentors, the Lafayette community opened its arms to me, providing both stability and a fulfilled purpose. Networks and families on campus, through affiliations such as the prestigious Posse Scholarship, quickly made Lafayette my second home. Regardless of my family background, I was able to conceptualize Cur Non as “why not be the exception to the rule” due to this sense of community. Most notably, I am the first member of my family to graduate from college. Lafayette allowed me to take advantage of phenomenal opportunities that inspired scholastic, professional, and personal growth within me.

The ideal Lafayette student pushes to be that exception and uses everything on campus to achieve success.  I was fortunate enough to enter a strong community of students, faculty, and staff. Having a single chat with a professor or administrator encouraged me to reach my full potential as a scholar and leader. For example, as a first year member of the Hispanic Society of Lafayette, I held the secretary position. Encouraged by both my peers and faculty advisor, I eventually managed to climb to the post of President.   The ideal Lafayette student applies what they gained in the classroom to not only the campus community but also the world. Lafayette broadened my horizons by giving me the chance to travel abroad for the first time. My experiences in six different countries fostered a new understanding of world issues that were previously based solely on textbooks and articles. As I embark in my future in education, I plan to bring the values and skills that I learned at Lafayette with me to my own classroom.

 

Academic Activities and Total Years Involved

  • Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Merit Based Scholarship    4
    Posse is a national nonprofit that identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. These students are placed in 10-member supportive, multicultural teams or posses. Following an intensive training program, the posses enroll at top-tier colleges and universities nationwide to pursue their academics and help promote cross-cultural communication.
  • Costa Rica Semester Abroad    1
    Participated in a Lafayette College faculty-led semester abroad in Costa Rica led by Professor Basow during the Fall of 2012.
  • Mexico Interim Abroad    1
    Spent three weeks during the January 2013 interim, examining how Mexican identity evolved and was influenced by the many native cultures, Spanish colonization, French and American interventions, and the social turmoil of the 20th century.
  • Dean’s List   1
    Awarded to Lafayette students with a GPA of 3.60 and above. Qualified for the Dean’s List based on GPA from Fall 2012.
  • Honorable Mention in the 2013 Susan A. Basow Prize in Women’s and Gender Studies    1
    Awarded to a graduating senior “who has made a significant contribution to the field of Women’s and Gender Studies in a way deemed worthy by a selection committee.  This contribution might include a research or service project, independent study or paper, or another type of activity that increases our knowledge of Women’s and Gender Studies or improves the lives of those disadvantaged by their gender.”

 

Campus Activities and Total Years Involved

  • Hispanic Society of Lafayette    4
    I served on the executive board of the Hispanic Society of Lafayette for three consecutive years as President, Vice President and Secretary. I am currently an active general body member. The mission of HSL is to increase awareness of the social contribution and presence of Hispanics on campus, in the United States and worldwide, and to generate and strengthen a sense of community among Hispanics in Lafayette’s student body, faculty, staff and administration.
  • Student Panelist    4
    Served as a student panelist in which I provided personal anecdotes of my Lafayette Experience to visiting prospective students and their families during numerous events.
  • Experience Lafayette College (XLC) Committee    3
    Served on the XLC planning committee for three consecutive years. As a committee member I was an active participant in the planning of the event that hosted accepted Lafayette prospective students.
  • Commencement Usher    3
    Personally selected by the Office of the President to serve as a student usher during the annual commencement ceremony for three consecutive years.
  • Relay For Life    3
    Served as Team Leader for the annual Relay for Life at Lafayette College for three consecutive years. I was able to fundraise over $700 for the American Cancer Society. I was also nominated to be on Lafayette College’s Relay for Life Committee during the spring of my junior year. As a committee member I attended weekly meetings and assisted with the organization and implementation of the event.
  • Resident Advisor    2
    As a resident advisor I was able to maintain a safe, healthy environment, while organizing and promoting community events for residents. During my first year as a resident advisor I received awards such as Program of the Month (POMA) and staff of the year for Watson-Farber. In addition, I was nominated to speak at the annual Residence Life First Annual Staff Banquet.
  • Scholarship Recognition Dinner    1
    Nominated to be the student speaker at the bi-annual financial aid dinner honoring donors of scholarship recipients. I was the first junior scholarship recipient to be asked to address the audience on how a scholarship opportunity has impacted my life.
  • Senior Class Council    1
    A current participant on the senior class council. The council works closely with Bob Dustin and Janice Pigga to fundraiser and plan events such as 100 Nights Semi-Formal, Senior Nights, and Senior Week. As a member my main contribution is to organize and facilitate a Senior Day of Service through the Landis Center.
  • Race & Ethnicity Programming Coordinator    1
    I work closely with Dean McKnight and the Office of Intercultural Development with the coordination and planning of the office’s annual speakers, cultural events, co-sponsored activities, and campus programs related to racial/ethnic identity. I served as a Student Intern during the the Our Beloved Community Symposium and am currently serving on the Intercultural Awards planning committee.
  • Intercultural Awards    2
    I received the inaugural Hispanic Society of Lafayette Leadership Recognition Award at the completion of my first year as a board member. The award is granted to an individual who has helped further the cultural mission of the Hispanic Society of Lafayette and has served as an ambassador for the organization. I received the inaugural award at the completion of my.   In addition, I received the Jeffrey Robinson ’80 Leadership Award last year. The award is presented to an accomplished student who is also characterized by noteworthy leadership in college activities and student life.

Community Service and Total Years Involved

  • Economic Empowerment and Global Learning Project    1
    I served as a student translator in this ten day service trip to the mountains of Honduras. Lafayette College’s student organization Economic Empowerment and Global Learning Project (EEGLP) lead a team of five students, including myself, and a faculty leader to work hand in hand with residents of Honduras to tackle real-world economic issues locally, nationally, and internationally. As a member of the Economic Empowerment and Learning Project I was able to help a village in Honduras improve its future through establishing a contract for coffee and cocoa farming with local companies in Honduras capital.
  • Alternative School Break    2
    I served as the Public Relations Chair for three semesters in which I aided in promoting the organization across campus through info sessions, activities fairs and maintenance of the clubs website. As part of my responsibilities to the organization, I served as a liaison during service trips to Washington DC and Haiti.
  • America Reads Tutor    2
    Mentored, tutored, and arranged activities for children in the Learning Zone after school program at the local Salvation Army in Easton, PA.

 

Athletics and Total Years Involved

 

Special Interest and Total Years Involved

  • Teach for America’s Rising Leaders Fellowship    2
    Part of a 15 month social entrepreneurship program for 140 underclassmen. Selected for leadership potential and a desire to expand educational opportunities in communities across the country. Collaborating with the nonprofit organization Let’s Get Ready! to establish and operate a pilot program offering free SAT and college prep to expand educational opportunities for Easton area high school students.
  • Let’s Get Ready    1
    Facilitated a free SAT and College Prep program for low income high school students in Queens, NY, and developed a strategic plan to recruit volunteer college coaches to teach SAT courses.
  • Uncommon School’s Summer Teaching Fellowship    1
    Selected by Uncommon Schools as one of 30 Summer Teaching Fellows out of 375 applicants to lead in-class instruction for third grade students with the support of a mentor teacher in developing and executing math and reading lesson plans.  Engaged in rigorous professional development with thought leaders, policy makers, and renowned educators/practitioners. Accepted a full time position to teach at Excellence Boys Charter School for the 2013-2014 school year.
  • The Vagina Monologues    1
    The Vagina Monologues  (1)  Preformed in the The Vagina Monologues during my first year. All proceeds went to Turning Point of Lehigh Valley and the Beginning Over Foundation, both of which provide services to victims of domestic violence.
  • College Theatre Production of RENT    1
    Part of a twenty-five member ensemble of the college theatre production of RENT. Received a quarter course credit for participation.
  • Lafayette College Externship Program    1
    Chosen by Lafayette College Gateway Career Center to participate in a five day externship during the January interim of 2012, shadowing a Lafayette Alumni, Janice Moran ’87, at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School in Lenox, MA.
  • Lafayette Leadership Education Conference    1
    Participated in the 2012 Leadership Conference in which distinguished alumni and presenters discussed ways in which they were able to successfully transition their campus leadership skills to graduate school and their careers.
  • Finding We Retreat    1
    Participated in the inaugural Finding We retreat which aimed for influential students of diverse interests and identities to expose, reflect upon and break down the barriers that exist between them. The retreat offers a safe space for authentic dialogue between student leaders and encourages them to build a coalition across their varied interests and campus affiliations.
  • Social Justice Institute    1
    Attended the inaugural Social Justice Institute alongside 30 Lafayette students. As participants we were able to participate in small group and large group dialogues; learn about leadership and social change; how inequality, oppression, and privilege work to maintain the status quo; interact with community leaders and non-profit organizations which work to promote equality; and leave the Institute with an individual or group action plan to bring about change.
  • Search Committee for the Vice President for Campus Life and Senior Diversity Officer (1)
    Nominated to serve as one of two student representatives for the search committee.