LCC Announces February Student of the Month
February 8, 2017 |
Parsons, KS- Student Support Services (SSS) of Labette Community College announces the February Student of the Month, Brashawnda Ja’Nay Burrus, of New York City, NY. Burrus is a sophomore Liberal Studies major who anticipates graduating in May 2018.
Burrus, known as B to her friends and family, is a member of the LCC Women’s Basketball team, currently ranked 12th nationally among NJCAA-Division II schools. B, a native of Harlem, credits many female role models in her life who have helped shaped her in to the dynamic young woman she has shown herself to be in her time at LCC. “Without my mother, I don’t know where or who I [would] be today. [She and] my aunt Evon made me strong and see life differently.” Burrus also spoke of the influence of Psychology faculty member, Dr. JoLene Klump, saying, “Dr. J keeps my hopes high and makes me feel better every day. Knowing I always doubt myself, she tells me how smart I am and what I can do and be in life.”
B came to LCC in the fall of 2015 from Harlem to play for Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Mitchell Rolls. “This man is like a father to me. He really made me see things differently: leave the negativity alone and focus on the bigger and brighter picture.” He and Assistant Coach Trey Osborne, “make me think twice on life and never give up, because anything is possible.” She continued, “‘Failure is never an option,’ that’s the motto I will never forget.”
Burrus credits her SSS participation for helping boost her confidence, saying, “I came to LCC with no confidence, and knowing I’m going to give up. But [the SSS staff] pushed me past that and helped me want to succeed each and every day. I’ve become a different and better person in life and I’m proud of that.”
Student Support Services is a TRIO Program funded by the United States Department of Education to improve the persistence, transfer, and graduation rates of first-generation and income-eligible college students at LCC. Student Support Services serves 200 students each year with an annual budget of $288,400.