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Student Spotlight: Edith Garcia

January 17, 2018

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Student Spotlight: Edith Garcia, junior recreation, park and tourism administration major

From the Fall 2017 Western: The Magazine for Alumni of Western Illinois University

"Grow with the flow." I remind myself of this everyday. I have encountered countless opportunities working with dedicated professors who continue to push me everyday and guide me through memorable events. My name is Edith Garcia, a junior, majoring in recreation, park and tourism administration (RPTA), with a minor in event planning, at Western Illinois University. I'm from Maywood, IL, a suburb northwest of Chicago. I'm from a family of five. I have two older siblings, a younger sister and my mother, who keeps us sane. I am the first of my family to attend a four-year university, and I couldn't be more proud to call myself a Leatherneck.

Thinking back to my college options … I really didn't have a list, nor did I visit Western once before attending. I liked the distance and the variety of programs it offered. My first year at Western I transitioned well, even though it was my first time out of my hometown. As I started planning my schedule with the help of my adviser Keri Allison '00 MS '04, and looking at courses to take for my first semester, I took my first recreation, park and tourism class which was "Intro to Leisure" with Dr. (Jeremy) Robinett and my interest for this topic immediately grew. Personally, I wasn't aware that RPTA could be a major option, but I'm glad that found my passion at such an early time of my college career. Through the RPTA department, I have been given several opportunities to enhance my networking skills and leadership roles. Dr. (Dan) Yoder, chair of the department, has given me lifetime experiences and one of them is speaking at conferences, on behalf of students, to Western alumni to help raise money for scholarships.

Along with Dr. Yoder and RPTA professors, I was able to receive the mentor scholarship, which is not only financially a great help, but also having Laura Barron '81 as a mentor to inform me more about the industry is so beneficial. I have also been awarded the 2017 RPTA Developing Scholar, which I am extremely fortunate to have been chosen for. This past year, I took on the position of president for the Student Recreation Society, as well as received an induction for Rho Phi Lambda. Currently, I work as a student worker for the RPTA department and this past summer, I decided to take a step away from the Aquatics side, which I was a part of for five summers, and became a camp counselor for the Elmhurst Park District.

Enrolling in the Centennial Honors College didn't seem to be my cup of tea. I was afraid that I would fail and just thinking about Honors courses quite frankly frightened me. Luckily, Dr. (Paul) Schlag, being the amazing influence that he is, gave me a run through of what the Honors College has to offer. Many students, including myself, have a notion that the courses will be extremely hard and they will have so much more work. In reality the "extra work" that is given gives the individual the ability to work one-on-one with the professor and the field of work. Enrolling as an Honors student has pushed me to think outside the box and proceed to challenge myself.

I've always liked the idea of leading and influencing others to a better future, and being a peer mentor for First Year Experience students has allowed me to further my leadership skills. I continue to be a peer mentor because I want students to be informed about what Western has to offer. I want to influence others to use their resources and to take advantage of their time in college. It can be hard to transition to being away from home and easy to pick up bad habits. It is important, as a peer mentor, to guide them and be their extra push to succeed. This fall, I am continuing to serve as a peer mentor, and I am also a peer mentor facilitator. I am working with new and returning PMs and giving them tips to succeed in their role as a mentor.

Western has been the farthest distance I have been away from my family, but I can honestly say that over the past two years it has become my home away from home. Along with the many memorable achievements that have shaped my college experience here at Western, being a part of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. is definitely one of the best. The bond I have with my sorority sisters is one that can't be replaced and I am lucky to have found my support system during my hardest battles. Within the organization, I hold the positions of academic chair and treasurer, which are leadership roles that I cannot wait to learn from. I am proud to say that I am part of the FIRST Latin sorority in the nation!

I am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have received this far. I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of professors, mentors, friends and the WIU community. Most importantly, a huge thank you to the RPTA department staff who have made me feel right at home. Let's go Necks!


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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