The Rollins Neighborhood

The Rollins Neighborhood and Desiree Traylor

February 2007

Desiree Traylor chose to attend the Hamilton Holt School because of Fred Rogers, Rollins alum and star of the world-famous children’s television program “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” In her childhood home in Cleveland, Ohio the familiar words “Would you be my neighbor?” welcomed the young Desiree as she watched television with her brothers.

“I admired his style of teaching and those cardigan sweaters,” Traylor said. “Once I found out he attended Rollins, I wanted to be part of the Rollins community.”

An Organizational Communication major, Traylor believes communication is a vital part of our lives. “I would recommend that everyone enroll in at least two … communication courses… with the “Listening” course being one. Facilitated by Rick Bommelje, “Listening” gives students the necessary tools to increase their ability to listen to others and to become aware of their listening patterns.

“Listening is something we all do 90 percent of our day, therefore we should become more proficient in not just the verbal cues but the non-verbal as well.” Leadership is another area of interest to Traylor. “I have gained the necessary skills through my educational journey at Rollins to lead and educate those I come into contact with through verbal and non-verbal communication skills,” Traylor said. Leadership is “to not only be responsible for the works of those you lead, but to be responsible for your own actions – to mentor, coach, and sometimes lead from behind.”

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in May, she plans to begin graduate study for a Master of Arts degree in Counseling.

“I want to make a difference and be a difference in the lives of everyone I come into contact with, mainly individuals less fortunate than me. I want them to know they are a valuable part of our society and not to let anyone tell them they can’t do something.” If they “ stay focused, dream big and keep God first and foremost in their lives, they can achieve anything,” she said.

In the future, Traylor wants to open a private counseling practice, to counsel middle and high school students, to mentor within the community, and teach parents and guardians how to overcome dysfunctional relationships. She has felt very comfortable at Rollins. “Rollins is a college that embraces diversity, values each student, faculty member, and potential student… don’t let this opportunity pass you by,” Traylor said, hoping to encourage potential students. “Without financial aid and the Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG), I wouldn’t have been able to successfully complete my BA within my goal of two years.”

Vice-president of Communique, the student chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association at Rollins College, and a fan of the Cleveland Browns, Traylor enjoys modeling, teaching, mentoring, and public speaking, as well as spending time with her family – husband, Sam Gates, and 4-year-old son, Joshua – and her church family at the Church of Christ of West Orange.

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Information posted on the Rollins College Hamilton Holt School Web site is intended as general information only. It is subject to change and does not reflect a contract between students and the College. Contact the Hamilton Holt School office to confirm any information.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Profile: Jeseñia Colondres Brown

Jeseñia Colondres Brown

February 2007

Jeseñia Brown’s positive attitude will serve her well as she moves forward into the future.

“Any hardship that comes your way, the Rollins community will support you,” she said.  “I’ve found my professors here are completely understanding and supportive.” In fact, she credits the encouragement and support from the faculty with allowing her to be the first of over 50 people in her extended family–including brothers, sisters, and cousins–to graduate from college.  She hopes to receive her Bachelor of Arts in anthropology in May.

Like many Holt students, Brown chose the Holt School for the flexibility of evening classes which allows her to combine college with a full-time job.  And like many new college students, she explored several disciplines before deciding on a major.

“After taking some anthropology courses I found that I loved them and wanted to study that more than anything,” she said.  The knowledge she gained from studying the physical, social, and cultural development of humans helped her discover her personal and professional goals and map out a plan to achieve them.

“I plan on finishing my graduate studies and pursuing a career in the nonprofit sector, focusing on child welfare reform,” she said.  She also can better appreciate the differences and similarities between people.

“Almost all facets of everyday human life can be related to a study or field in anthropology,” she said. An ability to recognize and accept an individual’s uniqueness is critically important to help make our world a better place, she said, and the best place to start making needed changes in the world is with children and the social systems affecting them.

She also has learned a few things about leadership at Rollins as it relates to the College mission. “A responsible leader is one who takes a holistic approach to leading.”   Such leaders “realize that regardless of the size of the task or the role they hold it’s important to look at it from every angle and address all parties equally.”

To anyone contemplating returning to college, Brown had some significant advice. The most important thing after actually getting started is to “take it easy,” she said.  “It’s not when you finish, rather [it’s] that you finish,” because hurrying through the learning process reduces the benefits and lessens the experience.  “Do this for yourself and your future.”

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Information posted on the Rollins College Hamilton Holt School Web site is intended as general information only. It is subject to change and does not reflect a contract between students and the College. Contact the Hamilton Holt School office to confirm any information.