HDF 417: LEADERSHIP MINOR INTERNSHIP / PRACTICUM

URI MINOR IN LEADERSHIP STUDIES, CENTER FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

A CORE COURSE FOR THE LEADERSHIP MINOR
SPRING 2017
FIELDWORK EXPERIENCE
LEARNING CONTRACT AND PROPOSAL STATEMENT
General Information
Name: Selena Evora
Major: Health Studies and Gender Womens Studies
Minor: Leadership
Contact: (401)824-6303
selena_evora@my.uri.edu
Semester: Spring 2017
Internship location: University of Rhode Island Center for Leadership and Development
Internship supervisor: Melissa Camba-Kelsay
Internship supervisor contact information: (401)874-2561
mjcamba@uri.edu

Internship Job Title: Peer Undergraduate Mentor

Major internship topic/duties Specialized Specific Topic: Experienced peer mentor who has
previously taken the course. Provide support and guidance to the students. Also being available
to them whenever the instructor is not around or they do not feel comfortable to approach the
professor about a specific topic.
Top 5 talent strengths: Positivity
Woo
Communication
Futuristic
Ideation
Top 5 value strengths: Zest
Fairness
Creativity
Humor
Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence
Office hours/days working:
In class Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-1:45p. Available via email

PROPOSAL STATEMENT

I did not anticipate on becoming a Leadership minor, let alone join into the minor in the
traditional way. During my first year at the University of Rhode Island, my former Talent
Development Advisor Tyrene Jones, recommended me for this class offered based on women
of color. I have never heard of any class like this of its kind, so I decided to enroll in the
class. Enrolling in Rose Butler Browne Mentoring Program was the most transformative
experience that helped shape and influence my identity. The class was unique in the sense
that the only topics covered involved the stories and experiences of women of color.
Once I was in the class, I quickly realized why I was placed in this class and why it was
meant for me. I was able to solidify my identity and use the material I learned to properly
help me navigate through the university with my new lens. Even though I have learned about
many leadership styles and theories, it was a different way to understand these through the
eyes of women of color and their experiences. One of the most valuable terminology I gained
from the class was intersectionality. The term that was coined by Kimberle Crenshaw,
described the way how multiple identities intersect and affect how individuals view the
world. For example a person of color who is poor, has a harder time reaching opportunists
because not only are they a person of color but they are poor.
After taking HDF 291, I became interested in fulfilling the leadership minor. Continuing
on with the minor, I really wanted to give back. My focus was to give back to the class that
has taught me so much and gave me the basis of who I am today. During the beginning of
this school year I had expressed interest in becoming the peer mentor for HDF 291 Rose
Butler Browne. Soon after I had told Melissa Camba-Kelsay that I was interested, she told
me that the class would fulfill the leadership minor credit of HDF 417 Internship. Not only
was it a great way to give back to the community that has shaped me into the woman I am
today, but I was also to receive credit and fulfill my internship. That is why I am here.
What I want to accomplish the most is to be a positive role model for my students and
help them better understand their identity. How I will accomplish that goal is to challenge my
students in both small group discussions and in their presentations.

Learning Outcomes / Tasks

Student will demonstrate autonomy and a minimized need for approval

Student will express a personal code of leadership / membership ethics
Student will demonstrate proficiency of metaphorical analysis to critically analyze self and
leadership situations
Student will describe personal examples of working in collaborative/coalitions

Tasks:
Be available to meet weekly with Camba and Lucinda to lesson plan
Prepare before every class
o Read the readings
o Look over rubrics for assignments that are due
o Prepare questions to ask the students about the readings
o If there is a presenter, have prepared questions in case the students do not have
any
o Be available via email and respond in a timely manner
Work collaboratively with Camba and Lucinda
Lesson plan for one solo presentation
Have my past work in the class ready, so I can have examples for students
One of the major areas I wish to expand as a leader through this internship is being more sure
of myself as a leader. This not only correlates to the class, but also in my personal life. Often
times, as a leader, I look for others approval or I am used to not taking as much leadership
roles where I following the orders of a supervisor. For this internship, yes I am listening to
the orders of Camba, but I am most likely alone in my curriculum planning and navigating
through the role. For example, I have always been a member of a larger team such as
Resident Advisor, Community Service Chair of the Cape Verdean Student Organization. This
year I am the Peer Mentor and the students look at me for guidance. This will give me a way
to push outside of my comfort zone and trust myself as a leader. Mostly to know that I can
properly serve my audience with as much knowledge and guidance that I can provide to
them.