By Andrea Conley/tr news editor
Corban La Fon/The Collegian
An estimated 140 students, faculty and staff attended a Feb. 26 motivational and leadership seminar on Trinity River Campus.
Many attendees were members of TCC’s districtwide student leadership groups The Leaders’ Council and the All-Stars.
Participants completed a “reality checklist,” or a personal attitudes and emotions inventory given to them by presenter Dr. Terri Houston, senior director of diversity and multicultural affairs at the University of North Carolina.
Houston told the audience that although people are often motivated by those who love and support them, many are also motivated by those who offer negative feedback. A number of participants said they were compelled to accomplish their goals to prove critics and naysayers wrong.
Others offered praise to those who support them in their endeavors. At least two students were moved to tears as they told of how their parents, grandparents and best friends encouraged their efforts to complete their education.
Leaders’ Council member Devonteé Rayford cited her grandmother as one who motivates her to excel.
“Grandma Gertrude drives me to school every day,” Rayford said. “I would do anything for my grandma.”
Other students cited best friends who called them regularly just to offer support.
After Houston requested that each attendee draft a brief, personal mission statement, she admonished them to never use negative language in their self-talk.
For instance, rather than saying “I will get out of debt,” say “I will be prosperous,” Houston said.
She also advised that any individual who wishes to achieve his or her dreams and goals must conjure a vision of himself/herself in the desired situation, rather than his or her current one.
At the conclusion of Houston’s presentation, she recommended that those seeking additional motivation read books by well-known authors such as Deepak Chopra and Eckhart Tolle.
Houston, whose presentation was peppered with cheerleader-like exclamations, raucous laughter and frank asides, left some students and staff more determined to realize their goals — even though they had seen themselves as motivated and determined before attending the program.
Student life coordinator Victoria Burson said she was deeply inspired by the presentation.
Arianna Rodriguez, 19, is in her second semester at TCC. She plans to graduate with her associate degree by the end of the year and transfer to the University of North Texas to major in political science and eventually study law at Harvard and become a Supreme Court justice.
“I had a lot of confidence issues,” Rodriguez said.
She said after attending similar programs last year, she began to grow more confident and focused.
“Certain situations make you grow up more quickly.” she said. “You can’t always be a kid.”
Cindy Espinosa, also a second-semester student, who plans to eventually transfer to Texas A&M and study to become a veterinarian, said the seminar was beneficial.
“This is encouraging me to keep pursuing what I want to do and encourage other people that there are ways they can go to college,” she said.
Adrian Zavala agreed. He is a second-semester student who plans to become a detective after completing his studies in criminal justice at Tarleton State University.
“This conference actually helps you a lot,” he said about pursuing education.
“It makes you think of reasons why you should not stop, why you should continue on.”
