August 2014 FSM Student Spotlight

Earlier this month we heard from Andrea Martineau, Life Skills Coach with the Fostering Academics, Mentoring Excellence (FAME) program at Michigan State University. She shared with us the story of student and scholar, Tamya M. We then asked Tamya a few questions....Get to know Tamya M.!
 
FSM: Please tell us about your accomplishments thus far?
TM: I am Tamya McGee, a Senior at Michigan State University. I was recently crowned Miss Black MSU for the 2014-15 school year. During the 2013-14  school year I was selected to serve as the FAME Student Activity Board President as well as this upcoming 2014-2015 school year. In addition to this, I currently serve as an honorary executive board member of the Michigan State Black Alliance.

FSM: What do you hope to do after graduation? Do you have a specific area of passion?
TM: I have a passion for children in the welfare system and the injustice that many children face during their experiences. After graduation, I plan to attain a post-graduate degree in Social Work to become an activist for the rights of children in the welfare system.

FSM: What can professionals do to better serve students with experience in foster care?
TM: Often times foster care children aren't provided with the necessary resources needed to be successful after foster care (referring to my own experiences) and I believe professionals should keep up with children that age out of the system and make sure they have access to all the resources they need to be successful.

FSM: What advice do you have for students thinking about going to college?
TM: My advice for future college students is to make reasonable goals and stick to them. Once those goals have been accomplished, make more goals and dream bigger and bigger each time! College is what we make it and we can have whatever we are willing to work toward!