Yara Medina, a first-generation student, found her second home at the University of Dayton’s Multi-Ethnic Education and Engagement Center (MEC). Now she’s one step closer to finding a third home in Argentina, thanks to the Center.
Medina, a junior studying early childhood education, navigated a transition from a predominantly Hispanic high school to a diverse college environment with the support of MEC staff and resources. More than that, Medina received financial aid from MEC to study abroad in Argentina where she will apply the knowledge she’s gained from coursework. While she continues to look for additional funding, she said this financial support helped her feel hopeful about finding the aid she needs for the experience.
“We’re going to be visiting schools over there. It’ll be really cool to see how their classroom structure is set up, and how they prioritize students’ needs,” Medina said.
Supported in part by One Day, One Dayton donors, MEC provides an inclusive campus environment that addresses the academic, social and cultural needs of a diverse student community. From mentoring to professional development, the Center offers a wide range of services to help students thrive in community.
Trinity Beltz, a senior computer science major, connected with MEC before her first semester began. As a prospective student, she knew she would be commuting to UD. So, she joined the multi-ethnic STEM Summer Bridge Program, run in partnership with the Diversity in Engineering Center, to get to know campus, meet other future Flyers and get a taste of experiential learning at UD.
“It helped me make lifelong friendships and learn where everything was on campus,” Beltz said. “It also introduced me to all the resources available at MEC.”
One such resource is MEC’s study tables, where students work alongside peers and faculty during dedicated quiet hours in a welcoming atmosphere. Professors and lecturers often stay late to offer guidance, review material and answer questions.
Beltz credits these sessions for her academic success.
“Every Wednesday, we have professors coming in, and honestly, I think meeting regularly with them is the reason why I passed a lot of my math classes and a physics class,” she said. “They reinforced concepts, answered all the questions I had and also helped me with my homework.”
What’s more, when Beltz took a class that required a computer running a Windows or Linux operating system, which she did not have, staff at MEC helped her get access to a computer that did.
The Center ensures all Flyers get the experiential opportunities to help them apply their knowledge and grow beyond the classroom. Still, it’s more than just a place with resources for most.
“There were times when I didn’t really know where I fit in on campus, and MEC was a really good spot to go whenever I felt like that,” Medina said. “Everyone was very supportive, I found a lot of friends there, and it was like a home away from home.”