Bette Worley Student Achievement
Award Winners for the NSE
Exchange Year 2014-2015
Cierra Boykin
University of South Carolina-Columbia to the University of Colorado at
Colorado Springs - Spring Semester 2015
Major: Psychology
I did not want to look back and see that my exchange process was
something that was made up of extracurricular activities, but of an
opportunity to leave my mark on the Colorado Springs campus and the
community.
The UCCS' coordinators, Heidi and Margie allowed for not only me, but
for the entire Spring 2015 semester students to have a smooth transition
to the University of Colorado Springs. Their love and support for the
students showed immediately at our student exchange orientation. There I
learned about the opportunity for three interns to be chosen to preside as
leaders for the UCCS' exchange program. After applying to the internship
I was called in for an interview where I was hired for one of the positions.
I counted this to be the foundation to my success at the University of
Colorado Springs and Colorado Springs community. My first question to
the coordinators, besides what they expected of me was, "What area
needs growth?" The UCCS NSE program had seen a great amount of
incoming students but had problems with outreach to outgoing students.
This was an opportunity for me to engage with the UCCS family as well
as to exercise my marketing skills. I, along with the other two copresidents, coordinated several fundraisers which included weekly
tabling, a speed dating service during the month of February' and an end of the semester social which included a
cookout. As for the cookout, I took a proposal to UCCS' Student Government where I was then given all of the
funds needed to purchase the food. In the end, we were able to grow the outgoing 2015-2016 class to 50
students.
I found myself becoming more involved within the campus when I decided to take part in the Sona Department
which gives postgraduates students the opportunity to do research as well as field experiments in psychology.
What first marked my interest to participate was through one of my Psych courses. I took part in experiments
ranging from the psychology of aging, social psychology, and abnormal psychology. Abnormal psychology is
where I was able to rid myself of the stigma surrounding mental disorders and where I heard of the community
program called Break Time. This program allowed me to spend time with 6 year-old Amelia who was
diagnosed with autism. I believe I adopted a little sister on that day.
Participating in the National Student Exchange program helped me to discover that I am a person who is driven
by the unknown. I found it to be nothing less than eye-opening and invigorating.
National Student Exchange –
Where will you go to school next year?