Losing One of Their Own

My thoughts go out to the Associated Press and the victim's family as they mourn the death of AP staffer, Jim Gaines, following the derailment of Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 Tuesday night.

Updated Letter to the Editor

The following is an updated version of my previous letter to the editor draft.  The updated version includes more facts and figures to back up the statements made.

Letter to the Editor Draft

My second draft is a letter to the editor. It is written to U.S. News and World Report Online in response to the "College Compass" page.

Marist Diversity Promotional Video Draft

Here is the first of two drafts I am posting for feedback.  My second draft will be a letter to the editor.  For my visual contribution, I decided to do a promotional video rather than a commercial due to the time constraints of a commercial.  For promotional videos, viewers expect to watch for approximately two or three minutes.

Thank you for taking the time to view this and give feedback! 

We know you have many choices when applying to college.  Here at Marist College, we want our students to feel welcome and at home, despite being away from home.  The following promotional video will give you a small glimpse into the Marist College student body, each unique, but all one.  #OneMarist #WelcomeAtMarist 

Keeping Diversity Positive

  In addition to a letter to the editor, I am planning to create a commercial using iMovie to add to my team's portfolio.  I have been throwing around ideas, and I think I will use photos from the school Web site

   

and magazine in addition to short video clips of my friends/coworkers acting as Marist students. (I will be sure to note in the commercial that they are actors and credit the photographers.) What is throwing me is what to have as a voiceover and/or written text on the commercial without having a negative spin.

Some ideas I would like to incorporate are:
*Diversity matters
*Everyone is welcome
*Comfort at Marist
*Education about cultures
*Learn about each other
*Show us who you are



  I want to applaud and encourage diversity without focusing on the negative aspects of our differences!  Now the question is 

"How?"

Letter to the Editor Mindset

Though this does not tell how to write a letter to the editor using Associated Press style, it still gives the gist of what mindset to keep as one writes! 

We Are Not Trying to Recreate the Wheel

    In doing research for Marist College's strategic plan goal 5, I have been putting a lot of focus into getting to know what Marist has to offer its international students.  I have found there is very little thus far, hence the reason for the goal.  Marist Center for Cultural Affairs offers a program for international students which includes a welcome orientation and workshops throughout the year, but there are no student organizations specifically for international students at the college.

Marist College offers a program for international students through the Center for Cultural Affairs.

Marist Center for Cultural Affairs publishes a monthly newsletter informing students of workshops and culturally-related events.

My idea is that Marist start a student organization for international students similar to that of my alma mater, Rider University.  

Rider University offers many culturally- and internationally-related student organizations, including Rider International Student Association (RISA).  A similar organization at Marist might lead to increased international enrollment at the school.

About the Author

       Marianne Fisher is 34 years old and is currently enrolled in her first year as a part-time student in the Marist College Master of Communication program. A 2003 graduate of Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, Fisher resides in San Antonio, Texas, as an English Language Arts teacher in a Catholic school after having previously taught in California and her home state of Delaware. Though living away from home, Fisher is very close to her entire family.  Her love of education comes from being raised by two educators.  She enjoys spending time with her friends and boyfriend and loves listening to country music. In addition, Fisher is an avid traveler and is looking forward to her vacation in Disney World this summer.