1. Why did you choose to attend UC San Diego?
Varnado: I chose UCSD because it seemed to provide a nice balance of smaller colleges within a larger university. It gave me the best of both worlds. It also offered me the best financial aid package. At the time I was debating between George Washington University, a few other UC's, Loyola Marymount University, and DePaul University.
2. What were your first impressions of UC San Diego?
Varnado: I was blown away by how cozy the campus felt. I was also overwhelmed by the systems of support provided by programs like Summer Bridge, offices like OASIS, the Cross Cultural Center, and the Office of Residence Life within Eleanor Roosevelt College (ERC).
3. What surprised you most about campus life?
Varnado: How strict the college divisions actually were. It's a large campus, and unless you get involved in activities outside of your college, it's very easy to live in a college bubble.
4. What activities are you involved in on campus?
Varnado: I've been involved with Black Student Union since my freshman year and I currently serve as the president of BSU. I've worked on activity programming committees in Revelle College and ERC. My sophomore year, I served as a Resident Advisor in ERC and I am also involved with Student-Initiated Outreach Committee, and the Student Affirmative Action Committee.
5. As president of the Black Student Union, what are your priorities for the organization?
Varnado: The goal of Black Student Union is to provide a safe space where students can gather to learn about and celebrate different aspects of African-American culture, while also gaining a better understanding of all of the University's resources. Our community service efforts are geared towards recruitment of new students and retention of our current students through fun and engaging programming.
6. How do you promote campus diversity?
Varnado: We try to work with various organizations on campus to educate the campus about our own history, successes, and struggles, while listening and learning from different cultural groups as well. We work together with groups like the Student Affirmative Action Committee to help in their outreach efforts in an attempt to make UCSD a more welcoming environment for students of color.
7. What are you studying and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Varnado: I am a Communications major looking to pursue a career in Public Relations and Media Advertising. After I graduate I will pursue a degree in Mass Communications and Journalism.
I'm really taking one day at a time.
My future career plans are fluid
and open to change. In 10 years,
I hope that I have continued my
relationship with UCSD, making sure
I give back to the communities that
were an integral part of my development.
Hopefully, I will serve my home
communities in this way as well.
8. What are some "outside the classroom" life lessons you learned as a UCSD student?
Varnado:
When you get, give. When
you learn, teach. I might be borrowing
that statement from Oprah, but it's
governed my experiences here. The
information and opportunities I've
received have served me best when
I've helped someone else benefit
from them. My mentors and the students
who came before me touched my life
in some way, so it's been my goal
to touch someone else's.
9. What advice would you give to an incoming freshman student about succeeding at UCSD?
Varnado: To develop yourself as a person you must continuously interact with and learn from others. Simply put, Get Involved. I discovered the most about myself through my participation in different activities and through experiencing the world through someone else's perspective. I was really able to discover myself because I had to establish myself at such a large university. You've got to make your mark on UCSD. Make them remember who you are.
10. What are your favorite spots on campus?
Varnado: My favorite places on campus include the Cross Cultural Center, because it’s such a familiar place where you can find support, enjoy yourself, and learn about campus resources. I love the food at Cafe Ventanas and El Mercado. CLICS is the best library, not too loud and not too quiet. Finally, Argo Hall. It's the place where my college career began, first with Summer Bridge and then as an ERC student housed in Revelle. It's so open and conducive to socializing.
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