This week’s campus celebrity is LaTanya James. James is a senior Respiratory Care major from Philadelphia Pa., anxious to be done with school and start her career. In the meantime, she’s keeping herself busy by being involved on IUP’s campus.
James’ campus involvement began her first semester of college. She not only took a job as an office aid for the African American Cultural Center, but she also joined a sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma (GSS). GSS is a national service sorority, dedicated to connecting college students with the ability to improve their communities. As a member of GSS, Tanya, as she is known by most, was able to participate in activities such as Bowl For Kids Sake, the MS Walk in Greensburg, PA. and various blood drives. She also participated in several sorority bake sales, with all proceeds benefiting various organizations such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand, March of Dimes, and Big Hearts Little Hands. Although she is now an official alum of the sorority, James still believes in community service, and now participates in various projects as a representative for her job, the African American Cultural Center (AACC).
The AACC has been Tanya’s place of employment for her entire time in college, and has served as a way for her to get further involved on campus. Through the AACC, she has gotten to participate in activities such as blood drives, dinners, cultural awareness nights, and movie nights. Tanya has also gotten to meet distinguished persons through her involvement with the AACC. A few weeks ago, she attended a dinner and meet and greet with Ricardo Campusano, a Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic attorney specializing in human rights. She has attended plenty of similar events throughout her college career.
For a short time, James also accomplished a task few college students would even dare to attempt. She took on a second job! Not only was she an AACC office aid, but once upon a time, you could also catch her at IUP’s phonathon, contacting the alumni. While she eventually decided that the job was not for her, the experience was a valuable one.
Currently, James can be found continuing her involvement with the AACC, and completing her course requirements before she moves on to clinicals. Her hope is to be able to work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as a respiratory therapist. She also can be found enjoying her time with friends before everyone leaves their IUP lives behind.