Truly Learning in the Classroom

We all try to avoid certain topics when having conversations with others, such as abortion, the death penalty, and money. That is exactly what one Marketing Research Seminar class failed to do this semester. Or, based on the data, perhaps they succeeded? 

Under the guidance of Jack Allday, a group of about twenty students spent several weeks of their fall semester developing questions that would shed some light on how students at Northwood value various issues. The questions ranged in topic, from honesty and sex, to abortion and marriage. The results were then compiled and presented, with each question’s results compared by gender.

But before the survey was drafted, the students went through the rigorous process of developing the questions. It started by creating a list of categories that the students wanted to cover. Next, they had to create the actual survey. As one of the students in the class, I can speak from experience when I say that this was a surprisingly daunting and long-winded task. 

 

When composing questions, you must “wear several hats,” if you will, in order to try and determine the many ways respondents will perceive the question and what it is truly asking. Each question had to be phrased in a way that would allow respondents to use a likert scale to indicate their answers (Strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree, or strongly disagree). The smallest word change can make the world of a difference in the way the question is comprehended – it can come off as positive, negative, or neutral, and sometimes even point the respondent towards a certain answer. 

After results were presented, it was interesting to analyze the various aspects of the data. One thing that several students noticed was that the number of males and females who “agreed” or “disagreed” with topics was similar. They did, however, differ in the severity of their agreement or disagreement. For example, the question “The love I have received from others has helped define who I am today” had almost the same percentage of males and females who agreed (79 and 80 percent, respectively). However, three-quarters of females felt that they “strongly agreed,” while three-quarters of males only stated that they “agreed.”

Overall, the results were very interesting. But perhaps the aspect that taught me the most was the process of developing the survey, conducting it, and then analyzing the results. I feel like this is a valuable skill that will transfer over well into the business world. In addition, it taught a lot about conducting projects in large groups. Most of our team presentations or projects have three to five people; working with a group of twenty individuals is completely different.

So while I not only learned some interesting facts about Northwood students, I also learned some real life tools that I can apply after graduation. 

~Melissa

Free valet parking? Yes, please!

(I just realized Melissa posted a blog about this past weekend… but a little extra information never hurt anybody. Plus, I think you might enjoy looking at the Distinguished Women event from the side of working it! If you’re thinking of doing any type of hotel management, event planning, or even catering… little glimpses into those worlds are always fun!)

The Distinguished Women’s award was established in 1970 at Northwood University. In simple terms, DW recognizes women in the area who are working hard, making a difference, and looking forward to leaving a legacy in their community. :)

This year, I had the opportunity to work the Hospitality Suite for one of the three nights that the DW would be at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dallas. The event was Thursday-Saturday of this past week. I worked on Friday, on behalf of the Hotel, Restaurant, Resort Management (HRRM) department.

The Ritz-Carlton on McKinney Avenue!

I was so excited to get this chance to do this event. I almost missed it, but I decided at the last minute that it would be completely worth it… and I was right.

Along with two other students in the HRRM department, we held down the fort at the Hospitality Suite. It was a quiet morning/early afternoon, but we had fun regardless! We were scheduled from nine in the morning until two in the afternoon; but because it was pretty quiet, we ended up getting out at about one.

One student from my Sanitation class (one of the six courses required to get an HRRM concentration in your degree plan) worked Friday night. He told us in class today that he actually got two job offers on the spot, just by talking to people. See what a little networking can do? :)

 

Miguel Ibarra, Emily Imken, and I just as our shift started.

The Ritz is a huge fan of fresh flowers! The third picture is of the display at their entryway.

Also, a big congrats to Shawna Gillespie, the recipient of the DW scholarship award on the Texas campus. She, along with some other students from Northwood, got to spend a couple days at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. (They had to present an award to a DW at the luncheon, which I heard had some delicious food! I wonder how it compared to the fancy cheese we snacked on at the Hospitality Suite…)

 You thought I was kidding when I said free valet parking, right? Ha, it was no joke, ladies and gents.

-Erica

One Northwood

This past weekend was busy at Northwood University’s Texas campus – visitors from all over the country, events in honor of seven Distinguished Women, and lots of focus around Student Government. 

(Enjoying Joe T Garcia's!)

The excitement began Thursday morning when students representing the Florida campus’ Student Government Association arrived! After meeting several Texas Ambassadors and SGA representatives for lunch and tour of the campus, we took the five students and their adviser to Fort Worth’s own Joe T Garcia’s for an amazing dinner. Despite their delays (thank you, Delta airlines), two representatives from Michigan were also able to join for supper!

(Enjoying Joe T Garcia's!)

Then, to truly get the feel for Texas, we took our visitors to the largest Honky Tonk in the world, Billy Bob’s Texas! After a few songs, some of our brave visitors even got out on the dance floor and learned a little about two-stepping and line-dancing. :)

The next day started bright and early (and CHILLY!) at 8am to begin working on a Constitution that governs the three campuses. As a service organization, Student Government’s purpose is to serve as the voice of their student body. I am happy to say that we were successful in our task this weekend of creating a One Northwood SGA Constitution! But perhaps the highlight of everyone’s day was the Distinguished Women’s Luncheon. Hosted at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dallas, this event featured wonderful company, delicious food, great networking, and an entertaining and insightful panel discussing the balance of success and happiness. 

(Students at the Distinguished Women's Luncheon)

 Saturday was another busy day, beginning at 7:30am for the American Student Government Association conference. One-hundred and forty students from nine different states came together to learn from some of the most knowledgeable speakers about how to improve their SGA. Students attended sessions and workshops about leadership, policy, programming, and parliamentary procedure, to name a few. Not only is the conference a great learning opportunity, but it is also a wonderful chance for various officers to network and learn more about their position and duties. This jam-packed day was completed at Texas Roadhouse for some peanuts, biscuits with cinnamon butter, and steak. :)

(Texas, Florida, and Michigan students and advisers at the ASGA conference.)

After reflecting on the weekend, I think I speak for all the Northwood participants when I say it was not only productive, but a ton of fun and a great opportunity to interact with our fellow Northwood students. Our constitution became united, and so did the students. We were able to put faces to names, develop inside jokes, and work as hard as we played. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible!

~Melissa

Happy (belated) Birthday, Melissa!

Just wanted to send a quick happy birthday wish to our student blogger, Melissa, who turned 20 yesterday!

Happy birthday, Melissa! <3

Trick or treat!

Every year at Northwood, we participate in Trick or Treat for Unicef. (Selena Gomez is a huge celeb advocate of Unicef.) This year, our newest fraternity Phi Beta Chi led the charge for the event.

At our last open-meeting for the Student Government Association, their president told us they’d raised about $250. :) (Just 6 cents provides water for one thirsty kid, and $45 provides school supplies to 20 kids!) This isn’t all, though! There were various people who picked up a box on their own. They’re due on Monday, so I’ll let you all know how much we raised as soon as I know!

There was more than one way to Trick or Treat for Unicef. In addition to the boxes they hand out for the money, the school also had two other things up their sleeve. The first was for students. If they donated at least five dollars, they were allowed to wear their Halloween costumes to school that Thursday before Halloween weekend. For faculty/staff, they were allowed to wear jeans to work that day. (Staff is always in professional dress, so jeans – for them – is a treat!)

Here is one of our students, Janice Floyd, in her costume! Janice is a member of the Student Government Association, and the one who thought of this idea for Halloween costumes!

(This is Janice with our EXCEL director, Dalia Arellano.)

Remember: you can turn any opportunity into a chance to help out others and have some fun along the way! Have a great weekend… and check out a new blog soon about my participation at the Northwood Distinguished Women’s event this weekend. (I got to hang at the Ritz-Carlton in Dallas and I got free valet! Sweet deal.)

-Erica :)

Using "Clueless" to Achieve Balance

Last night, a bunch of girls got cozy in their pajamas, snacked on candy and popcorn, and had a mini 90s flashback. This week at Northwood is Resident Movie Week, and it is allowing students who live on campus to take a homework and study break to unwind and watch a movie with their dorm. 

Clueless is a fun, silly movie that allowed us to do just that. I would almost describe it as an earlier version of “Mean Girls,” with its quotable lines, blonde moments, and scenes that make you laugh-out-loud. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the story-line, have no fear. I am confident that I will be able to catch you up to speed in no time. Basically, it’s the typical story of a popular girl who wants to help the school’s newest student achieve a similar acclaimed social status, but ends up jealous in the end. Then of course, there is a love story thrown in there as well. 

 

But perhaps what the movie is most famous for is the many phrases it coined for youth in the 90s. “As if!” The attitude-filled habit of making a “w” with your fingers and snobbishly stating, “Whatever.” Or even exclaiming “jeepers!” Another part of the movie that I also found quite funny, was when they make fun of the boys’ clothing, saying they find the baggiest pants possible and throw a backwards hat onto their greasy hair. 

(Jicela Cuellar, Natasha Norman, Natasha Elder, and Zahira Duarte)

However, aside from the plot and quotable lines, our Movie Night was just a great chance to relax. It forced us to take a break from homework, eat some popcorn and candy, and have a laugh with the girls. Sometimes we forget how important it is to remain balanced in everything we do, even in college. So however you achieve balance, whether it’s going for a run or making time for family and friends, ask yourself, “have I taken time for myself lately?”

~Melissa