Beyond the Bell Tower

For as far back as we can remember, gender identity and sexuality have always been restricted between the two sexes: female and male. Today, those restrictions have been opened up to include a variety of identities and sexualities, from gender-fluid and nonbinary to pansexual and asexual to many more. Yvonne Damon, a sophomore in biochemistry and TRIO Ambassador, identifies as a cis-gendered pansexual. On this episode of “Beyond the Belltower,” Yvonne (she, her, hers) and Riki (she, her, hers) have an enlightening conversation about pronouns, derogatory terms, and the LGBT climate both on campus and around the world.

In this episode of Beyond the Bell Tower, Gabby talks about study abroad at NC State. Using her own travels to Belize as a teaching tool, she also go in-depth with the confusing process of travel, from how to prepare for your trip to how to make the most out of your experience. Gabby is a senior in human biology and a first-generation TRIO student. She hopes to use the service that she’s provided on her travels to help her help other people in the future.

On August 21, 2018, the young women of TRIO met with Dr. Kathryn Edin to have brunch and discuss the themes of her book, $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America. These women reached back into their earliest memories, talking about how certain moments in the book reflected moments in their actual lives, with some revealing things they’d never talked about before. This conversation opened the door for students to feel more comfortable talking about one of the most taboo topics on a college campus: money. The most inspiring message that came from this brunch was one of perseverance and survival. Despite all that these women have been through, they continue to thrive in an environment that is set up in every way for them to fail. On this episode of Beyond the Bell Tower, kick off Women’s History Month with host, Riki Dows, and TRIO women — Joelle Fuchs, Jacqulea Anderson, and Khadija Parker — as they share their stories of living on almost nothing in America and how they continue to fight (and survive through) these same obstacles on a college campus.

Buying a car is one of the first investments young adults learn to make. But what exactly goes into that purchase? This process can be even harder for students for many students and even more so for students from lower income backgrounds. Taylor Adams, a graduating senior and TRIO scholars, has gone through the car-buying process. He shares with us his experience in buying his used car, the benefits and disadvantages of buying new versus used, and ways he’s maintained his car over the years.

Jess Errico, first-generation college student and NC State Student Body President 2018-2019 and Lily Neal, TRIO student and NC State Student Government Board of Elections Chair discuss how and why students need to be involved in student government and campus activities beginning in their first year on campus. How does a low-income first-generation afford to run for a campus leadership position – Jess shares what funding is available to you. The power students in leadership positions have to improve the lives of under-resourced students on campus is real! It was under the leadership of Jess that the university started the Pack Meal Share Program which students donate their guest meals for students experiencing food insecurity to access. The food was available in the dining halls and Student Government made sure the students in-need accessed it.
Jess Errico graduated May 2019 with a B.S. in Engineering. To learn more about Jess:
www.engr.ncsu.edu/news/2019/04/10/…ng-and-advocacy/
Lily Neal will be graduating NC State in May 2020 with a degree in Psychology. Upon graduation she will be pursuing a master’s degree in counseling. Lily has been an active leader on campus involved with student government in various capacities, as an Orientation Counselor and work-study student for the Psychology Undergraduate Academic Advising Office.
To learn more about the Pack Meal Share program – NC State Pack Meal Share Program.

Kier Way, TRIO Alum and first-year veterinary medical school student, speaks with current TRIO students and current veterinary medicine applicants about his origins, his journey through State, and how he stays humble throughout the highs and lows of being a student. Be ready to rock it with this stoic front-runner.
Kyana Miller, TRIO Chair of the Peer Mentor Program and senior in Animal Science program will walk you through her truth. She’s an out of state student, a study abroad ambassador, and an advocate for exotic animal medicine. In this interview, she’ll tell you the reality of being a POC in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences while keeping it more than upbeat. You’ll hear tips, tricks, accomplishments, and lessons learned in this field.
Kier Way was a celebrated leader on campus during undergrad at NC State. His achievements range from Outstanding Achievement in Classical Studies to executive board member for National Pan-Hellenic Council (governing body of all Black Greek organizations). Academically he made the dean’s list, but not every semester. Even though it may seem like perfection is necessary to be admitted to vet school, it is not. Kier’s experience working in a exotic animal practice, research, and study abroad experiences, in addition to a diverse accumulation of animal contact hours and passion prepared him to be accepted.
Both Kier and Kyana share their passion for the profession along with the hardships of being a pre-vet student, living the vet life while juggling classes, friends, and working on veterinary school applications. It takes more than a love for animals to reach vet school, and TRIO was an instrumental resource. Kier and Kyana also share their experiences of being people of color on campus as animal science majors. If you are thinking of applying to vet or medical school – this is for you!

As a first-generation college student and graduate of the Poole College of Management, Dontavis overcame the odds of earning a bachelor’s and graduate degree. Listen as Dontavis shares tips and strategies on budgeting, saving and investing while balancing adulthood.

Only 33% of parents graduate with a bachelor’s degree. And with childcare costing so much more than the price of tuition, many parents struggle with balancing the responsibilities of raising a child and continuing their education. Connie Gatlin, a recent graduate in Horticulture Science and the TRIO program, defied the odds and succeeded despite them – all with her daughter, Jelina, beside her every step of the way. Tune in to hear Connie and Jelina talk their journey, including what it was like for Connie to bring her daughter with her to class, how Jelina has benefited from her time as one of the youngest students to ever attend NC State, and all the different ways they overcame what was supposed to be impossible.

As a first-generation student, Bri recalls the days and weeks leading up to the start of her first year of college and first months on campus. These days were filled with uncertainty, and she was afraid to ask questions. Every day, she continued to realize how much she didn’t know. Now, she screams to the top of her lungs with joy “I am a proud first generation college student” because that has indeed shaped her experience in undergrad and graduate school. Bri has not let anything “dim her light” and she wants you to do the same. Bri Elum is Community Director for University Housing.

Joelle shares the good and bad of her four years at NC State. Engaging in undergraduate research and benefiting from a cast of female mentors have been her motivating force. She excelled in research studying the effects of BPA on the brain and was selected for summer research at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, which ranks first in the country. But, during that time, she had no possibility of securing housing when she returned to campus – making her homeless. Joelle not only shares more of her experiences excelling in school while being food and housing insecure, but offers solutions. Moving forward, Joelle is going to continue with a career in research – to find the answers to the problems she experienced.