Meet Claudia Vanessa (CV) Garcia, a Graduate College Teaching Fellow and doctoral student in the Higher Education Administration program. Read on to learn more about her favorite places in Kent, what she enjoys doing in her free time and what advice she has for incoming graduate students.
Where is your hometown?
I am from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Why did you choose Kent State University?
KSU has a great quality of education and is close to where I live.
What do you like most about living in/near Kent? Do you have a favorite local spot or activity?
There are a lot of fun venues in and during the summer you can find live music events almost every weekend.
What are some differences you've noticed in being a graduate student (expectations, pressures, visibility, etc.) than those of an undergraduate student?
In undergraduate school tests are a common way to assess learning, but in graduate school you will be graded based on writing assignments and team projects. Professors also expect you to contribute to class discussions and play an active role in the classroom.
What advice do you have for incoming graduate students?
It is very important to find a mentor to support you through your academic journey. This can be your assigned advisor, a faculty you take classes from, or a more senior student. A mentor can provide coursework guidance, suggest career development opportunities, and help you network with other professionals in your field.
Fun Fact ¿ìè¶ÌÊÓƵ Me:
I love traveling and exploring new places. One of my goals is to visit all 400+ national park sites in the U.S.