Spotlight on VSU Sponsored Activities: Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy

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About the 2022 Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy:

Beginning June 5th, VSU hosted 60 migrant students as a part of the Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy (MESLA), which is a federally funded program through the U.S. Department of Education Office of Migrant Education. Rising high school students participated in a two-week residential program while middle school students participated in a one-week residential program at VSU. With a comprehensive focus on STEM disciplines – Computer Science, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Astronomy, and Physics, the students expanded their knowledge through interactive learning events with VSU professors and learned about many different options for their futures. In addition, students had the opportunity to build life-long connections with other students from all over the state.

The MESLA program was yet again a huge success thanks to the efforts of Phenix Culbertson (Director & Grant Primary Investigator), Sergio Contreras (Middle School Director), OSPRA, Faculty, staff, and local businesses!

Phenix J. Culbertson is a proud alumnus of Valdosta State University and the University of Florida. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with a Spanish minor and honor distinction of Summa Cum Laude. Following this, he received a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science with the honorable distinction of Cum Laude. Phenix is currently pursuing a Doctor of Public Administration from Valdosta State University in all but dissertation status. Phenix currently serves as a Student Career Counselor focusing on Employer Relations and Internships in Career Opportunities & Volunteer Services at VSU. His role is to network and establish relationships with employers to provide employment and experiential learning opportunities to VSU students and alumni. Phenix also provides guided career counseling and coaching to students ensuring their work readiness.

Phenix is passionate about serving Hispanic and Latinx students. He leads the MESA (Mentor, Engagement, Support, & Achieve) Mentorship Program to enhance the college experience for Hispanic students. Phenix served as the Director for the Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy with the high school students last summer. He served as the Director again for the High School and is also responsible for all the pre-and post- planning of the middle school camp this year. Through his job role and extracurricular involvement, Phenix hopes to make a lasting impact on the campus for all future and current students.

“MESLA is incredibly grateful to the contributions and efforts of Office of Sponsored Programs & Research. From the planning to execution, their professional staff and graduate assistant is there for support. The impact MESLA has on the migrant students and their communities makes all the time, effort, and resources worthwhile.” – Phenix Culbertson. 

To see more activities from the MESLA 2022 program, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/vsumesla/

Also, check out the News Story from the Valdosta Daily Times!

View the Award Presentation Videos for High School and Middle School. 

Special Thanks:

OSPRA would like to invite the VSU community in recognizing all the Faculty involved in this year’s Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy! Thanks to the faculty’s outstanding instruction and passion for their subject matter, the students were able to have hands-on college experience and expand their knowledge about many different options for their futures. A Very Special Thanks to the following Instructors:

Thanks again for all your hard work in helping make this year’s Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy a success!

OSPRA would like to invite the VSU community in recognizing all the Staff members involved in this year’s Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy! Thanks to the caring support and hard work of many staff members, 60 students of migrant families were able to have an enjoyable hands-on college experience and expand their knowledge about many different options for their futures. A Very Special Thanks to the following staff members:

  • Phenix Culbertson – Director & Grant Primary Investigator
  • Marisela Trejo – Coordinator (Region 2 Migrant Education Program Office, Georgia Department Of Education)
  • Jessica Pippin – Administrative Coordinator (VSU STEAM Center)
  • Sergio Contreras – Middle School Director 
  • Zenia Livingston – Resource Specialist (Region 2 Migrant Education Program Office, Georgia Department Of Education)
  • Miriam Blaisdell Ndaayezwi – Resource Specialist (Region 2 Migrant Education Program Office, Georgia Department Of Education)
  • Keishaunda Haynes – Counselor
  • Erika Umana – Counselor
  • Sandy Pascual – Counselor
  • Evelin Carranza-Lopez – Counselor
  • Romario Ramirez  – Counselor 
  • Vanessa Carreon – Counselor
  • Kimberly Taylor – Counselor
  • Bianca Byner – High School Counselor
  • Mariam Duarte Marcia
  • Yovani Carranza
  • Rosario Vasquez
  • Carmen Juarez
  • Stephanie Lopez 
  • Christina Olivares
  • Richard Brito 
  • Daniela Gomez Requena

Thanks again for all your hard work in helping make this year’s Migrant Education Summer Leadership Academy a success!