Hey, my name is Nelda B. Bailey! I am a freshman Criminal Justice Major with a minor in Law from a real small town named Tallulah, LA. The town is so small that I have to give directions to everyone who asks about my hometown. In high school, if you named it, I was involved in it. This includes several sports and academic clubs, 4-H, FBLA, Law and Debate, JROTC, Student Council, Student Government Association, and Teen Trendsetters. I also graduated Valedictorian of my high school class. When it was time for college, I wanted a university that offered a variety of things that I could become active in. Luckily, I found the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
UL has an organization for everyone whether that person is interested in a sense of family with Greek life, leadership with Student Government Association, or challenges with the Honors Program. I was pleasantly shocked to find how easy it was for every student to become active on campus. I am just a freshman, yet I am thoroughly active in quite a few organizations. I personally believe that organizations help students in several ways. Balancing organizations with schoolwork allows a student to learn time management skills. Likewise, organizations allow students to receive a sense of focus which can help to improve grades. More importantly, organizations help students to make more friends, memories, and experiences.
The first organization I joined was Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. With Chi Alpha, I got the chance to stay close to my Christian upbringing. It also helped me to strengthen my relationship with GOD. However, I didn’t expect to make as many ties as I have through Chi Alpha. I’m also a part of the Honors Program. The Honors Program gave me the full concept of study groups. In either honor lounge, one can find an array of friends, more than just classmates, helping and encouraging one another. Likewise, the Honors Program offers the privilege of having smaller classes which I love. I am also a part of the Criminal Justice Society and Law Club. Both of these organizations help to foster my career as an attorney.
The major organization that I am a part of is the University Program Council. I love UPC because it has a place for everyone. UPC is divided into four committees which are African American Culture Committee, Events Committee, Spirit Committee, and Traditions Committee. I am currently Chair Person for the Events Committee and an active member on all four committees. I chose to be active on all four committees because they all interest me in a special way. AACC allows me to stay close and pay homage to my heritage. Events allows me to be creative and sociable. The Spirit Committee allows me the perfect opportunity to show my Ragin’ Cajun Pride whereas Traditions allows me to experience the life of a Ragin’ Cajun to the fullest degree.
The newest organization that I am a member of is my sorority! I am a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho, Sorority, Incoporated. With my sorority, I gain several social skills and networks ties with both my sorority and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. I also learn valuable leadership skills because I have a leadership position in my sorority. My sorority has also helped me to learn valuable skills I never knew I lacked. It has also broadened my acceptance and development of me as a person.
In the future, I have plans to graduate from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with Honors. After graduation, I wish to attend the Law School of my choosing. However before all of this, I plan to join more organizations and enjoy my life as a UL Ragin’ Cajun! Aiyee!!