Access to Education

 

Meet our Staff:

Laura Kraus – Associate Director of Economic Access

How long have you been with EA: Since the beginning! (2006)

Favorite part of working in office: I love the students we work with and on behalf of. I also like the sense of social justice my work life is imbued with.

Something fun about you: I was raised in a restaurant family—I washed dishes, tended the salad bar, made sauce, made pizza’s, fried chicken, waited tables, ran the cash register—you name it, I did it. My brother now operates the business. I have two daughters who love to visit Uncle Anthony and make pizzas.

Future Plans: In the future, I hope to participate in the growth of a local non-profit.

Something every Buckeye should know: Every Buckeye should know how to get things done on campus. The greater world is a complex place—and Ohio State is a microcosm of that larger world. Learn to network. Learn to ask questions.

 

Michele Brown – Senior Assistant Director for Outreach & Academy

How long have you been with EA:

Favorite part of working in office:

Something fun about you:

Future Plans:

Something every Buckeye should know:

 

Brandi Baker – Program Coordinator for First Generation Students

How long have you been with EA: Since August 2012

Favorite part of working in office: I love developing programs, traveling to visiting schools and working with the students, family and community to expand the knowledge and understanding of college access to education. In addition to this, the community/family atmosphere within the Economic Access Initiative and Undergraduate Admissions makes it a very exciting place to work.

Something fun about you: I am a 1^st generation college student and have learned so much about the process and journey both personally and professionally. I have a twin brother and had the fortunate opportunity to be raised with a sibling that I have been able to share many important aspect of life with. I love to sing and have been a part of several plays and two Broadway musical showcases “Once on This Island” (Andrea Deveraux) and “Ragtime” (Sarah’s Friend). 

Future Plans: In the future, I hope to further my education and utilize my, skills, talents and burden for youth, women, children and education in a way that will uplift and empower change in the lives of others.

Something every Buckeye should know: Every Buckeye should know the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone to broaden their experience and embrace all the diversity and unique opportunities personally, socially, academically and professionally that The Ohio State University has to offer. No student or professional should walk away from this campus the same way they came in. You should utilize this gift of college and higher education to positively and progressively transform your understanding, life and perspective as well as the lives of others that you may come across through the diversity of your college experience.

 

Max Gulick – Graduate Administrative Associate for Economic Access

Year: Max is a graduate student working on a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs and will graduate in 2013. Max received a B.A. in Strategic Communication (2011), and an Associate of the Arts degree (2009), both from OSU.

How long have you been with EA: Four years - since Spring 2009 (I started out as a Student Assistant and am currently the Graduate Administrative Associate for Economic Access.)

Favorite part of working in office: Chatting with prospective students and their families about college (especially Ohio State!) and helping 1st gen students find campus job and ways to get involved on campus!

Something fun about you: I love to scrapbook and listen to Broadway musicals, and I grew up on a farm. I played trumpet in the OSU Marching Band while earning my Bachelor’s degree.

Future Plans: After I graduate in 2013 with my Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs from THE Ohio State University, I hope to work in the field of Student Affairs to make colleges more inclusive of all students!

Something every Buckeye should know: D-Tix is a program where OSU students get discounted tickets and gift cards to awesome shows and restaurants! Attend "Skull Session" on game day! (Free concert in St. John Arena where the Marching Band plays and the football team visits; it starts two hours before kickoff.) There's no such thing as a "normal band concert" when the OSUMB is involved; it's more than a tradition--it's a Buckeye experience! GO BUCKS!

 

Tacoi Sumling – Student Assistant

Year: 4^th

Major: English (Pre-Education)

How long have you been with EA: Almost 3 years

Favorite part of working in office: My coworkers and supervisors! BEST staff EVERRRRR!

Something fun about you: I’m a really fun person. I’m really outgoing, optimistic, and I have the most memorable laugh you’ll ever hear.

Future Plans: I plan to be a high school teacher in the Columbus City Schools district.

Something every Buckeye should know: O-H… I-O!!

 

Keegan McCormick – Student Assistant

Year: 4th

Major: Mechanical Engineering

How long have you been with EA: Almost two years (since July 2011)

Favorite part of working in office: Being able to give advice to advice and guidance to freshman students in our programs. I was once in their shoes, and it’s satisfying to help the next generation of current and future Buckeyes succeed at Ohio State.

Something fun about you: I’m an active member of the OSU Mountaineering Club. 14 Buckeyes, myself included, just did a winter summit of Mt. Washington, which holds the world record for the highest recorded wind gust speed on earth, at 231 mph.

Future Plans: As a senior mechanical engineering student, I hope to continue my internship at Sequoyah nuclear power plant and work in the commercial nuclear power industry.

Something every Buckeye should know: Go the Involvement fair and join a single club that interests you, and stick to it. It’s the best way to make friends that are like minded and share similar interests, aside from living in the residence halls.

Carlos Martinez – Student Assistant

Year in school: Freshman

Major: Exploration

How long have you been with EA: Ever since I was a Buckeye

Favorite part of working in office: I do not know yet, but look forward to finding out

Something fun about you: I have an abnormally thick accent

Future Plans: As of now I plan to do computational linguistics

Something every Buckeye should know: Ohio State can be small if you make it small

 

Sarah Carnes - Special Projects Intern

Year: Junior in H.S. Education (Columbus Alternative)

Major: Potential majors- English/Creative Writing and/or Psychology

How long have you been with EA: Going on two years (since October 2011) as an intern

Favorite part of working in the office: Having the opportunity to work in a college atmosphere as a high school student, and having insight to the political and social aspects of education at The Ohio State University, as well as throughout the Columbus City Schools District.

Something fun about you: I am involved with Student Senate and Chorale- an audtition-only showchoir, and I'm also the President of Recycling Club. I am an active writer, as I have participated in the Young Writers Workshop at OSU, and take a Creative Writing course at my school. In 2012, I had a short play published for Mad Lab's Young Writers Short Play Festival, and in March of this year (2013) a poem of mine will be published in the Live Poets Society of New Jersey's anthology "My World". My two favorite things to do are sing and write- especially poetry!

Future Plans: After I graduate high school, I plan on attending either a liberal arts college or a university. I would like to major in English with a concentration in Creative Writing, or major in psychology. Whichever of the two that is not my major, I plan on taking as a minor.

Something every high school student should know when preparing for college: USE YOUR RESOURCES. Your guidance counselors and staff members are working in your high school for a reason. Be sure to talk to them about your future plans and the right fit for you, as well as scholarships and financial opportunities. You may even score an awesome internship (like I did here at OSU!) because you made a connection through your principal or other staff member!