Each year since the launch of National Mentoring Month in 2002, the campaign has enjoyed the strong support of the President and the United States Congress.
A scholarship is an AWESOME way to help a graduating Harrisburg High School District Senior. The program have accomplished a lot in 2021 towards its goal but still have a long way to go. As a community, will you take the pledge to help raise scholarship funds throughout January National Mentorship Month!
Research shows that mentors play a powerful role in providing young people with the tools to make responsible choices, attend and engage in school, and reduce or avoid risky behavior.
In turn, these young people are:
–55% more likely to be enrolled in college. –81% more likely to report participating regularly in sports or extracurricular activities.
–78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.
–More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.Yet, the same research shows that one in three young people in our country will grow up without a mentor.
National Mentoring Month is the time of year where engagement from community members interested in becoming a mentor is highest. To donate to the Harrisburg High School Class of 91 Alumni Scholarship Program visit: https://bit.ly/91Alumni
Barbara Purifoy Seldon’s desire to serve and honor all veterans and their families stems from the powerful impact military service had on her life. The three-year tour of duty taught her strong discipline, respect for authority, and the importance of being a part of something greater than oneself. It helped to mold her character and influenced her work ethic. After college, she Joined the Wolverine Chapter 67 Women’s Army Corp Veterans’ Association and became a member of the National Honor guard. Each year on Veteran’s Day, as Captain of the National Honor Guard, Barbara, (and other Honor Guard member of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association – Army Women United) is invited to place a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldiers, and to participate in the Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies honoring veterans who sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom.
Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Barbara Purifoy Seldon entered college at the University of Detroit. She received certification and licensure in dental hygiene in 1968, bachelor’s degree in 1970, master’s degree in 1972 and was immediately hired as faculty at the University of Detroit School of Dentistry. She retired in 2005 with the rank of tenured Associate Professor, Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Assistant to Dean for Special Projects, and Director of Minority Affairs.
Barbara Purifoy-Seldon academic course responsibilities include Dental Anatomy, Dental Materials, Pre-clinical dental Hygiene, Clinical Dental Hygiene 1, 2, 3 and 4, Special Patient Management, Dental Materials, and Dental Public Health. Additionally, she was responsible for CPR training for all faculty, staff, and students. She is currently an adjunct professor at UDM. Her course responsibilities include Dental Materials and Special Patient Management.
The academic organizations in which she holds membership and has held multiple positions are: National Dental Hygienists’ Association (NDHA), Wolverine Dental Hygienists Society (WDHS), American Dental Education Association (ADEA), American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association (MDHA), Detroit District Dental Hygienists Society (DDDHS), and the Michigan Dental Hygiene Educators (MDHE).
In July of 2000 and 2004, Governor Engler and Governor Granholm of Michigan appointed her to the Michigan State Board of Dentistry and the Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners (NERB). She is currently an examiner for the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) formerly NERB and helps to determine the preparedness of student dentists and dental hygienists to work on the public.
Barbara Purifoy-Seldon, is currently a retired Associate Professor, Assistant to Dean for Special Projects, and Director of Minority Recruitment in the Department of Periodontology, Division of Dental Hygiene at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. As Assistant to Dean for Special Projects, and Director of Minority Affairs, Barbara Seldon was charged with developing the Universities philosophy on diversity and providing diversity training for all faculty staff and students. Barbara Seldon was charged with traveling to all colleges and universities in Michigan recruiting students, introducing them to the profession of dentistry. She is founding member of the UDM African American Alumni Association, Student National Dental Association (SNDA)Student National Dental Hygienists’ Association (SNDHA)and recipient of the UDM Presidents Award for excellence along with numerous faculty excellence awards. Barbara continues to work as adjunct Associate Professor of dental hygiene. On May 12, 2023, Barbara was asked by the President of the University of Detroit Mercy to deliver the commencement address for the graduating class of 2023.
Barbara Purifoy-Seldon’s community service is remarkable. She is past president and currently Secretary-Treasurer for the Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force (MLK), chairperson for the MLK International Taste Fest and co-chair of the Grant Writing and International committees. In 2017 Southfield’s Mayor Kenson Siver appointed her to the Southfield Veterans’ Commission. In 2010 Commissioner Nancy Quarles appointed her to the Oakland County Senior Advisory Council.
As President of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, Inc. in 2008, the Birmingham, Michigan Race Relations and Diversity Commission awarded her the Diversity Champion Award for leadership in Diversity/Inclusion in bringing different ethnic perspectives to the MLK Walk for Peace Program, Community Service and in exemplifying the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. of Peace Non-Violence, and Positive Social Change. She worked closely with the MLK Task Force Youth Peace Makers in bringing the Kingian principles of peace and non-violence to the Southfield, Detroit, Bloomfield, Livonia, and Oak Park communities.
As President of the Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, Inc. in 2011, 2013 and 2014, along with the United Nations, Barbara Seldon traveled to Ixtapa Zihuantanejo, Guerrero Mexico to commemorate (as peace partners) the International Day of Peace. A peace pole was erected. Her work with the MLK Task Force, Wayne State University, University of Michigan and Marygrove College resulted in a traveling exhibit called “Pathways to Freedom.” The exhibit tells the story of slaves escaping from Texas, and other border states, to Mexico for freedom and independence. Slavery was outlawed in Mexico in 1829. Because of this research, in 2020 Afro-Mexicans will be included in Mexico’s census. Barbara Seldon traveled to Mexico in February 2020 to celebrate this accomplishment.
Women Army Corps, Army Women Unit
On Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2015 as Captain of the National Honor Guard of the Women’s Army Corps Veterans’ Association (Army Women United), Barbara Seldon was invited to have breakfast with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden at the White House to participate in the memorial ceremony honoring veterans who sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom, and to place a wreath at the site of the unknown soldiers. On April 30, 2016, Barbara, along with Southfield Mayor Kenson Siver, and two City Council Representatives travelled to South Korea for a business and culture exchange as sister cities. She visited Camp Casey (a U.S. Military Base about 12 miles from the DMZ) and was thoroughly briefed on the history and current issues involving the United States and the protection of the citizens of South Korea.
Picture Courtesy of Barbara Seldon
The old saying, “What lies before you and what lies behind you are tiny matters, compared to what lies within you.” Say what you mean and mean what you say …. Don’t just think before you talk, think and feel before you talk… that way everything you say comes from your head to your heart, then your lips. People will love and respect you.
Veterans Day November 2022 – Washington DC
Veteran Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
Thank you Mrs. Barbara Purifoy Seldon for your service to community and support of veterans. Through your professional and personal endeavors, you are inspiring others to be more than the average.
On 22 March 2023, the Army Women’s Foundation awarded the first recipient of the “Six Triple Eight” Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship was created to honor the 855 African American women who was led by Major Charity Adams. It was the only all-black, all-female battalion sent overseas during World War II. The members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion received several medals during their service. They earned the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. Their battalion motto “No mail, low morale” is a reality that service members can relate to.
On March 14, 2022, Public Law 117–97 was signed by the 117th Congress. It awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the members of the Women’s Army Corps. These members were assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
Learn more about scholarship eligibility and the application deadline on the Army Women’s Foundation website.
AWF Hall of Fame Inductee – SSG (Ret) Stephanie L. Mitchell is a 6888th CPDB Friends and Family Supporter.
Email Contact@Inspiring2bmore.org if you would like to be featured as an Inspiring2BMore Spotlight highlight. Subject: Inspiring2bmore Spotlight.
I sometimes think about life in respect to my garden.
It’s a lot of work. You must plant the seeds (creative thoughts, goals, etc.).
Feed your plant babies by giving them love, attention, the required nutrition and nurishment (set time aside to put the work on to achieve the desired output).
The pleasure of watching your plant babies grow form is awarding. The squash, lemon balm and snap peas.
To taste the success of what you are accomplishing is the most satisfying part.
Received BA in Cultural Anthropology from Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL and Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
Photo: MaLaysia Mitchell and her mother Stephanie Mitchell
I am a proud daughter of military veterans who have served in both the Army and Navy. Growing up traveling across the country to see military friends and family engendered in me wonder lust, curiosity, and compassion for others. Currently, I work in healthcare policy and analytics for an operator of federally funded research and development centers (FFRDC). Through this work I am able to have a national impact on the quality and safety of care that Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries receive. In addition to my fulltime work, I serve as the Co-Founder of Intersected Project, with aims to educate communities on matters of racial equity and to make actions towards racial justice practical. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time gardening and landscaping with my grandmother and learning something through a serendipitous new read. A few of my other delights include venturing with my mother and her friends, cooking, and exploring big cities.
Photo taken at the Military Women’s Memorial celebrating the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor for the WWII All Black and only All Female 6888th Central Postal Battalion and the descendants. Pictured from left to right starting with the back row: Edna Cummings, MaLaysia Mitchell, Elizabeth Helm-Frazier, Lachrisha Parker, Stephanie Mitchell and Shunita Seacrease.
Inspiring Change in the community
I don’t particularly see myself as someone who inspires change, but someone who is passionate about transforming society to be suitable for the flourishing and well-being of all. My family and my experiences growing up are huge drivers for this. For instance, my grandmother and mother are inspirations to me because they redirected the trajectory of my future through their own sacrifices. Without their strength and example, I would not be where I am today. Furthermore, I’ve also seen much suffering in the Black community. It’s from the first-hand accounts of healthcare challenges, racisms and societal neglect that I desire to bring greater awareness and solutions for social justice and health equity.
What advice would you give to the younger you?
I would tell my younger self to not be afraid of failure and to fail often. So much is actually figured out by simply trying.
Please share something fun and interesting about yourself?
Every year I commit myself to a goal and this year I decided to take on a new hobby, pottery
Thank you Ms. MaLaysia Mitchell for your service to community and support of veterans. Through your professional and personal endeavors, you are inspiring to be more than the average.
Email Contact@Inspiring2bmore.org if you would like to be featured as an Inspiring2BMore Spotlight highlight. Subject: Inspiring Spotlight.
SSSgt Reba Cole is an United States Airforce Veteran from the great state of California. As a Personnel- Officer Requisitions, she was responsible for the continually assessing staff needs, the handling of everything from procurement and assignments to professional development, promotions and separations. Reba was able to utilize the Knowledge Skills and Attributes (KSA) from the Airforce and transition them into civilian life. She continues to support the workforce in the Washington, DC area where she enjoys all things art related, live music, art, photography, and poetry! She is a song writer, a painter, loves to take street photos, and attending open mic events.
What military assignment did you enjoy the most and why?
Moody Air Force Base, GA is one of the military assignments thatII enjoyed the most. “it was the toughest time of my life and it changed me in the most unimaginable ways. The assignment revealed a layer of strength that I did not know I had.”
As a veteran, experiences and various opportunities will alter your perspective on life. While deployed in the Dominican Republic on a humanitarian assignment, I was exposed to a whole new experience of lifestyle. I was able to experience the beautiful culture with a corrupt environment. A lot of times, people see Dominican Republic (DR) and think of the commercialized spots. But I got to see DR in its raw form. The good and the bad. The third world country gave me an unmatched experience of a lifetime. I am forever grateful for that opportunity.
Thank you SSgt Reba Cole for your service and for inspiring to be more than the average.
Email Contact@Inspiring2bmore.org if you would like to be featured as an Inspiring2BMore Veteran highlight. Subject: Veteran Spotlight.
Sherwood (Woody aka DJ Woody Wood) graduated from Harrisburg High School District, John Harris Campus in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Upon graduating high school he attending the Culinary School of Washington DC.
Sherwood is a 12 year kidney failure warrior, an advocate for other warriors and through his radio show he has been bringing awareness to help his audience who is dealing with kidney failure and a better comprehension of life on a dailysis machine. By listening to everyone that reaches out and contact him, he provides support and coaching on navingating the life changing ordeal. He recongnizes that everyone does not have the support they need or family supporting them.
“I just try to listen to everyone that contacts me about kidney failure and help them to navigate thru this life ordeal…. a lot of people don’t have support like I am blessed with.”
The village surrounding you may not fulling understand what the Kidney Warrior is going through. Your village will try to be there and provide support any way they can and help the warrior through the high and low moments.
If I had the opportunity to sit down with the younger version of myself, one thing I will share is to “eat right and go enjoy life more”.
We must educate ourselves and understand our temple. So many people do not understand how and what important function the kidneys plays to your health.
Just mixing it for a hobby to keep my spirit up while dealing with kidney failure, I hope you enjoy old school and new school hip hop & Rnb. Please checkout www.wtboy1075.com for recorded shows.
You can also follow on IG @DJWOODYWOOD3 and on Futurefmlive.com live shows Tues,Thurs and Sat 9pm EST.
Claire Dunphy, MA; Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology, Fordham University
Jennifer Mandelbaum, MPH; Doctoral Student in Public Health, University of South Carolina
Mary Martinelli, MA; Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology, Drexel University
Graduate students in the health field are typically expected to balance many roles and responsibilities involving mentally and often physically taxing work. Therefore, it’s no surprise that so many grad students experience burnout, which usually takes the form of emotional and physical exhaustion in response to chronic work-related stress. While burnout isn’t a new concept, its prevalence in higher education settings is a relatively new area of focus. Therefore, it is very important to stay healthy during graduate school. Here are some quick tips for preventing, recognizing, and addressing burnout in graduate school health programs and beyond:
Tips for preventing burnout:
When it comes to life balance in graduate programs, look for long-term strategies that will have a deep impact on the way you allocate your time.
Say “no” to the culture of overwork
In academia especially, we often view overwork in a positive light and wear it as a badge of honor. At any career stage, though, it’s important to set firm boundaries. If you feel that you are overworking, have an open conversation with your advisor around expectations and priorities. Do you always make yourself available, no matter how full your schedule is? Do you work through the weekend? These habits can fuel burnout. Be wary of overextending yourself, and learn how to say “no” or delegate tasks. Remember, saying “no” to one thing might allow you to say “yes” to something more meaningful.
Consistently prioritize your mental and physical health.
Prioritizing wellbeing allows us to approach our daily tasks with energy, focus, and enthusiasm. Establish healthy habits while you are obtaining your graduate degree so you can carry these habits into your post-grad life. Regular exercise will provide you with increased energy and productivity, as well as help you get a good night’s sleep. Eating a healthy diet low in sugar, refined carbs, and caffeine can also improve your energy levels. Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and other relaxation techniques can reduce the impact of stress on your body. Above all, don’t wait until you feel overwhelmed to make time for self-care.
Find activities that feed your soul…
…rather than drain your energy. You might embrace your creative side or get back into a favorite hobby. Having outlets that allow you to explore or rediscover interests during your graduate studies can be a powerful motivator and stress-reducer. Slow down and give yourself time to reflect on what’s important to you.
Tips for recognizing burnout:
Check in with yourself mindfully and nonjudgmentally: how are you feeling?
Take frequent inventory of how you’re feeling physically and emotionally. Burnout can take the form of persistent negative feelings which reduce your ability to work efficiently. Look out for feelings of physical or mental exhaustion, loss of motivation, decreased satisfaction, apathy, frustration, resentment, detachment, or cynicism, especially in relation to your work.
Check in with yourself mindfully and nonjudgmentally: what are you doing?
Notice behavioral signs of burnout, which can include reduced productivity, procrastination, withdrawal from others, or frequent mistakes.
Tips for addressing burnout:
Take time off
When faced with the high demands of being a grad student, you may feel pressure to work long hours without taking time off. However, overworking increases the risk of burnout and may even harm productivity. If you’re struggling with burnout, ask for time off to take a trip somewhere. Even to just take a few days off to “unplug” from work and focus on activities you enjoy is great for your mental health. Another tip is to make changes to your day-to-day work schedule, by setting a time each day when you will stop working and disconnect from email.
Seek social support
While in grad school health programs, one of the best ways to relieve stress and beat burnout is to connect with others. Reach out to a trusted loved one or join a graduate student support group to talk about your experience with burnout. Carve out time in your calendar for social activities (e.g., schedule a weekly phone date with a friend or family member, sign up for group exercise classes).
Talk to a professional
If you are struggling to beat burnout on your own, it may be beneficial to seek treatment with a licensed therapist. They will work with you to make gradual changes and develop strategies for addressing burnout. Check out your university’s counseling center or health services (most schools offer free services to students). Additionally, you could search online for nearby providers in your insurance network or if you are unable to attend face-to-face therapy, consider online therapy options like BetterHelp or Talkspace.
Jocelyn E. Remmert, MS; Doctoral Student, Drexel University
Tiffany Bullard; Doctoral Student, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Welcome to graduate school in the health field. It’s normal to feel stress, anxiety, and depression. Other unhealthy habits like drinking alcohol or forgoing exercise can become the norm. We know it is hard staying healthy in school. Mental and behavioral health issues can often arise when you are working as hard as you do. Exercise, healthy eating habits, and self-care tend to drop off, because, who has the time when you have to perform in school and care for others? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. We have put together the following tips for improving mental and physical health in graduate school.
Tip #1: Follow the healthy behavior advice you give to others
We all know how important it is to engage in healthy behaviors as students who study said health behaviors. We also all understand the barriers to being as healthy as we can be. Graduate students have some circumstances that can be particularly hard to navigate when trying to implement health behaviors.
Set a budget for groceries and shop the sales for healthy foods. Take the time to meal prep for the week so you can have a healthy meal ready when you’re thinking about ordering from GrubHub.
Set a consistent sleep schedule for yourself and stick to it, even if it means signing off your email a little earlier–getting 7-8 hours of regular sleep will make you an infinitely better student when you are awake.
Schedule physical activity into your schedule (even a 10 minute brisk walk counts!) and treat it like a meeting with your mentor. That means you don’t reschedule or miss it for anything!
Find healthy, fun ways to manage your stress (e.g., mindfulness or meditation, exercise, painting, journaling, chatting with a friend).
Work on finding a what a good work/life balance means for you.
Be assertive with your self-care. Only you know what your work/life balance looks like and how to best manage your stress. Try your best to advocate for yourself to get the balance you need. If you can take care of yourself, you will be a better student when you are on the clock.
If you’re having difficulty following your own health behavior advice, ask yourself what’s getting in the way and then try to find the appropriate solution, just like you would do in your work.
Tip #2: Cultivate a meaningful and supportive network.
You can’t make it through on your own, and no one expects you to. Many of us are in long distance relationships with significant others, friends, and family, and these relationships require up keep. My husband and I live in different cities, so we stop and drop what we’re doing at 9pm and get on FaceTime, even if we keep working together. We also carve out time to spend on FaceTime without work, just like we’d do in person (like watching a show together on www.rabb.it).
This works in small ways too. Find the little times with walks or drives between places in your everyday life and call someone. If you need more in person connection, try a new activity (check out www.meet-up.com). Go to a new exercise class or go to the same class and talk to someone. Plan activities with your cohort members (we suggest weekly or biweekly potlucks). We know this takes a lot of work and time, but we bet connecting with people will make you happier, which will make you a better student!
Tip #3: Remember that graduate school is temporary.
We know it doesn’t seem like it, but the nature of graduate school is that it has a set time frame, typically 2 years for Masters programs and 5-7 for PhD programs. Graduate school is important and formative in many ways, but it doesn’t decide everything for the rest of your life. Try to get some perspective. Talk with older students. Ask people further along in their career how they got to where they are—you’ll be surprised at how many paths there are! Take time away (vacation, “sick day,” or even an afternoon) to get your own perspective, it will be well worth your time.
Tip #4: Get professional help when you need it.
If you’re really struggling with something, stop and ask yourself what you would tell a friend in this exact same situation. Would you be mad at them for feeling this way or think getting help was a sign of failure? We bet you’d be empathetic and tell them it’s okay to struggle and to get help. You may even suggest some evidence-based practices. It is important to do the same for yourself. Check out your University’s counseling center. If that’s not an option for you, there are online options like www.talkspace.com to help. It’s not uncommon, and you won’t be the first or the last.
Graduate school is tough, but by using these tips for grad student health, you will begin to take care of yourself, both mentally and physically.
Each year since the launch of National Mentoring Month in 2002, the campaign has enjoyed the strong support of the President and the United States Congress.
Mentoring Mingle: Invite your current mentors to bring a friend who may be interested in mentoring to a simple gathering with food and drinks. No program or agenda is necessary just chat them up and let other mentors and mentees in the room do the same. It is helpful to have mentors who you know are good at telling their mentoring story planted in the crowd to help drive the discussions
New Year, New You: The fact that National Mentoring Month takes during January has its advantages. It allows you to frame recruitment events as an opportunity for people to move forward with New Year’s Resolutions like “giving back more” or “deepening community connections.”
For information on “How To Run A Productive Mentoring Session” visit the Guider website.
You will find information on:
Checking In
Deciding on the main focus
Reviewing actions from the last Session
Exploring challenges
Creating a plan
Refecting on progress
Actions for the next session
Booking the next seeion
A scholarship is an AWESOME way to help a graduating Harrisburg High School District Senior. The program have accomplished a lot in 2021 towards its goal but still have a long way to go. As a community, will you take the pledge to help raise scholarship funds throughout January National Mentorship Month!
National Mentoring Month is the time of year where engagement from community members interested in becoming a mentor is highest. To donate to the Harrisburg High School Class of 91 Alumni Scholarship Program visit: https://bit.ly/91Alumni
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