As someone who strongly believes in the power of education as well as the prosperity and growth one can achieve through the strengthening of one’s intellectuality, I believe that Aurora University’s Dunham Scholars Program has all of the vital elements necessary to be one of the fundamental forces that could help any business student complete his or her educational goals. The Dunham Scholars Program seeks out a special kind of student, chosen not only for academic standing, but also for his/her character, work ethic, and potential. As Mr. John Dunham, the program benefactor, states: “I want to assist accomplished, well-rounded students who have a sense of what it means to give back to society, who will develop an ethical framework along with the skills to be successful in our free enterprise system.” Throughout the years corporate executives have realized the importance of giving back to the community in which they do business, and it is important that this valuable characteristic is reinforced in university classrooms. Professors such as Dr. Ileana Brooks, a Dunham Scholars professor, are teaching their students to always use their academic achievements to reflect and dedicate their time to fulfilling the commitment to service we all should share as members of a prosperous and advancing society. Dr. Ileana Brooks stresses to her students the importance of being an educated and successful corporate professional that contributes to the progression and development of our communities.
Having met Dr. Brooks, I was intrigued by her intellectuality, strength, and grace. It is refreshing to have met someone who is successfully encouraging her students to further their education with a moral and ethical stance, and to never feel that they are unable to climb the corporate ladder while making a difference in their society. Learning about the Dunham Scholars program from Dr. Brooks, her vital role in choosing the ten students who will partake in this program, and her role in instilling the ethical values these business students will carry with them throughout their professional careers, filled me with great pride and admiration. Dr. Brooks exemplifies the role all women should be proud to emulate: the fundamental role that will educate, nurture, and prepare our youth to be great leaders. I invite you to join me on an inspirational journey with Dr. Ileana Brooks.
Spirit: Education plays an important role in society’s prosperity and growth. What can we do as educators, parents, and leaders in society to emphasize the importance of education to our future leaders? And, how can we all utilize our intellectuality to cultivate and nurture our children through education to become effective leaders?
Dr. Brooks: From as far back as I can remember, my parents engraved in my brain the importance of education.It saddens me when I learn that there are parents or guardians, especially in the Hispanic community, who do not value education and do not support their young sons and daughters in their quest for a college education.About a year ago, I tried to help a young Mexican immigrant to finish high school.Unfortunately, her mother expected her to work as much as she could so they could send money to Mexico to support her siblings.She finally decided not to go on.I learned later that she was pregnant and had gone back to Mexico.
I teach economics and finance.I take every opportunity to reinforce in the classroom that the students have made the best decision by choosing to continue their education.I use statistics like income levels and unemployment rates to demonstrate that at least financially they are making the best investment. I believe these statistics are the most helpful to those in doubt. Most importantly, I emphasize that they are gaining knowledge from all the reading and research they are conducting and that knowledge is power. They are not only investing in education, they are also consuming it at the same time.
