Monday, November 26, 2012

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to All!

It seems like not too long ago we were checking students in and they were moving boxes into their dorm rooms. Time certainly did fly by and now that Thanksgiving has passed we now are all looking forward to the upcoming Holiday Season.

Earlier this month we celebrated Threshold's 30th Anniversary with a spectacular gala held at the Copley Place Marriott Hotel. The celebration was a huge success with more than 500 attendees and the official announcement that some of Threshold's facilities will undergo some extensive and well needed renovations. The night was filled with great food, company, and of course, a lot of dancing. For more information and photos about the gala please visit:

http://news.lesley.edu/2012/11/threshold-program-celebrates-30-years-looks-to-future.shtml

Threshold students and alumni recently went to the BLINK! Festival in Boston. BLINK! is a spectacular light show outside of Faneuil Hall and is decorated with thousands of lights that blink to holiday music preformed by the Boston Pops. Several students reported that they had an amazing time and would be returning to see it again.

Residence Life staff look forward to hosting more holiday activities to keep our spirits and motivation up as we finish the last month of the semester. If you have any ideas or would like to help with a holiday activity, please send me your suggestions. 

Parents of current students, please send me your students' check out plans for the holidays when you know of them. I like to keep track of students and their departure times as sometimes we can create traveling groups going to the same destination. Knowing plans also helps me remind and help students who may be confused about how they are getting home. I thank you in advance for this information. 

To all readers of this blog, I wish you all a wonderful Holiday Season and a very happy 2013.  


Tuesday, October 30, 2012

October News!

Greetings!

I am happy to report that Threshold and the rest of Lesley University have all braved Hurricane Sandy safely and in good spirits. We were very lucky that we did not loose power and students spent most of their day off watching TV and hanging out in our dormitory lounges. Our thoughts and best wishes are with those who were more greatly effected by this powerful and damaging storm!

On a lighter and happier note, we are proud to announce that on Sunday October 28, 2012 Threshold Students Hana Adams and Philip Murray ran the Superhero 5K Road race. All runners dressed like a superhero and joined thousands of runners in Cambridge, MA. Race officials stated, "Come dressed as a superhero, leave feeling like one!" Hanna and Phillip, dressed as Wonder Woman and Superman got into the spirit thanks to classmates Caroline Greenfield, Michael Sheehan, and Sarah Hay-Smith who cheered them on. (Press Release submitted by Cynthia Adams). 
(Hana and Philip as Wonder Woman and Superman)

As October comes to an end, Threshold is now thinking about our upcoming vacation, November 20th-November 25th. Students are expected to be checked out of the dormitories by 2:00 pm on the 22nd and should plan on arriving after 12:00 pm on Sunday, November 25, 2012. Students will not have access into the dormitories until after noon on the 25, so please plan accordingly. If Residence Life can assist in any travel plans or arrangements, please contact Matt and we will help in in any way possible. 

Until our break arrives, residential programming will continue in full force! On Friday, November 4, 2012 Threshold and Lesley's Campus Activity Board will co-host Redline. Redline is an award winning a cappella group. We will also be having a Halloween Party, continue with Girls Group and Running Club, and of course, the very exciting Threshold 30th Anniversary Gala. Several students have already purchased very nice suits and dresses for the occasion. As the time comes closer I will give students directions and ways to get to the Copley Marriott Hotel - the venue for the gala. 

As usual, if you have any ideas for our programming here at Threshold, don't hesitate to contact me! I welcome ideas and fresh perspectives! 

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Exciting Program Updates


Greetings! 

As we round up our first month together here at Threshold, I am so happy to announce that our social programming is expanding and students are taking part in other clubs offered to all students at Lesley. I am excited that we are now offering a running club, a book club for current students and alumni, a girls group, and an extra dance/fitness class. It is great that we have so many people willing to offer these enriching experiences to our students. 

I have also been working with other clubs and organizations around campus to help bridge the gap between Threshold students and other Lesley students through social programming. I am pleased to share that on November 2, 2012 Threshold and the Lesley Campus Activity Board will be hosting Redline - a well known Boston a cappella troop as a collaborative event with both the undergraduate and Threshold student bodies. I have also been presenting to student clubs around campus about Threshold and the programming that we offer students. Several undergraduates have expressed interest in attending some of our events to learn more about the program and become more involved.

Also coming up is one of the first trips of the 2012-2013 academic year. Second Year and Bridge students will have the opportunity to travel with Threshold Alumni to Disney World in January. This is very exciting as it is the first trip that Threshold has offered for current and alumni students together. I have partnered with Threshold's Alumni Center Director, Cara Gorham to make this trip possible. We are so excited that we have another chance to travel with Threshold students. 

As usual, readers, please do not hesitate to contact me with any suggestions, comments or questions. I look forward to posting pictures from this upcoming weekend, as it promises to be a very event-filled weekend. Students have the chance to go see the Harvard vs. Cornell football game, attend the Oktoberfest celebration in Harvard Square, listen to the great music at Honk! Fest in Davis Square, and hopefully catch up on some homework, sleep, and laundry!


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Welcome Back!


WELCOME CLASS OF 2014!!



We have made it through our first week at Threshold! Students have been very busy getting to know the area, each other, and the faculty! We had a great first weekend that featured events like a volunteer project, a duck tour, brunch and several other adventures! Below are photos of some of thing things we have done. Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make this first weekend such a wonderful success! How wonderful it is to have the students back!

Tyree and Jesse volunteering at the Greater Boston Food Bank 

 Students gather to watch our almost famous weekly basketball game on Saturday. 


Duck Tour Fun!! 

Coffee in Harvard Square 




Tuesday, September 4, 2012

The First Activity Flyer

Hello Readers,

I am excited to post our very first activity flyer. Flyers like this are made every week for students to know what is being offered for activities throughout the week and weekend. As always, I would love ideas and suggestions about possible outings and activities around the Boston area!

Keep checking back for updates!


This Weekend’s Activities
(Make sure you also look at this week’s Orientation Schedule!!!)

Friday September, 14, 2012
6:00 pm
BBQ – Come to the back lawn of Crockett to enjoy friends and good food! This is a great way to meet new friends, the GRA’s and other great people that are part of Threshold!!!


Saturday September, 15, 2012

8:45-12:00
Greater Food Bank of Boston – Feel like volunteering? This is a great opportunity to help out the community. Please meet in the parking lot of the office at 8:45 and head to the food bank for a morning of volunteer service!





10:00-12:00 am
Basketball  - Meet in the parking lot of Crockett and walk over with Matt and other GRA staff for Threshold’s first game of Saturday basketball!









2:00 pm
Harvard Square Exploration – Meet Matt in the parking lot of the Threshold Office and then explore all Harvard Square has to offer. We will have a short tour and then have time to look around.








12:00-6:00 pm
Duck Tour Adventure - Meet in the parking lot of Crockett at 12:00 and go on an adventure of a lifetime! A Duck Tour, I-Max Movie and dinner at Cheers!  Cost: $30.00
























Sunday September 16, 2012
10:00 am
Brunch Club – Come with us for a delicious brunch! Depending on how many people sign-up we may be going to a few different places!
Cost – $10.00




3:30-6:00 pm
Pizza and Bowling - Meet at the parking lot of Crockett and come to Davis square for pizza and bowling. We will take the T to Davis and walk to Flatbread Company Cost: 15.00







Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Roommate Assignments and Activites!

Hello Threshold Students and Others, 

The long wait is over! All room and roommate assignments have been sent out! If you haven't received yours already, they are on their way! Make sure you give me a call if you have any questions, or visit the 'Frequently Asked Questions' page at:

http://www.lesley.edu/threshold/frequently-asked-questions.html

I am almost done planning the first weekend of activities. Threshold students and staff will have a BBQ on Friday and on Saturday students will be able to choose if they want to go on a Boston Duck Tour or visit the Flatbread Company for pizza and bowling. This, of course, will be after the first Saturday basketball game that happens in the morning! All Threshold students will be able to join our Residence Life staff on Sunday for the almost famous and very well attended brunch club! I am also in search of some volunteer opportunities for everyone to participate in and welcome suggestions.

One (of the many) great things are students do is plan activities for each other! Already students have suggested some great ideas, including a Cornell vs. Harvard football game. If anyone else has suggestions for potential activities and programming, please send me your ideas! I am looking forward seeing what adventures we will partake in this year! 

We are so excited to start the year! It has been much too quiet around here! 

Keep checking the blog for updates. I am so excited to start posting pictures and student's comments about our activities and involvement around the Lesley community! September 10th is only a few weeks away!! 

Thursday, August 2, 2012

A Warm Welcome to All!

Greetings!

I have created this blog so that students, parents and the Lesley University community at large can be a part of Threshold's Residential Life programming. The intention of this blog is to share the social programming that is offered to Threshold students and to also share the fun we have on campus and out and about. It is not an official document, so please excuse any minor grammatical and/or spelling mishaps.

So far, we are already off to an exciting start and the students haven't even arrived! I am pleased to announce that we have hired three new Graduate Resident Assistants who will start with Threshold in the Fall. While we are certainly very sad to see Jill, Karen and Matt depart on their new life adventures, we welcome Jadira, Carla and Ricky! They will be moving into the dorms in August to prepare for the students' arrival! We all look forward to meeting everyone on the September 10, 2012 (move-in day)!!!

Below you can read a little about Threshold's Residence Life staff and where they live on campus.

Matt Alden, Director of Residence Life and Student Services/Crockett House 
Matt has recently moved to Boston from a small town in Northern Vermont. Matt holds a BA in Political Science from University of Maine at Farmington and earned a MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johnson State College. During his free time Matt enjoys traveling, being outside, laughing and collecting water guns. He is very exited to be part of Threshold and to be living among the Threshold students!

Carla Andre, Graduate Resident Assistant/Wendell House 

Originally from Medford, MA, I graduated from Emmanuel College in 2011 with a B.A. in English Communications. While at Emmanuel, I was a member of the Women's Basketball team. I also work at Fenway Park. I am very excited to be working in the Threshold program and to be part of Lesley's community!





Ricardo Junquera, Graduate Resident Assistant/Oxford House 
Born and raised in Miami, Florida. Ricky moved up to Boston at the age of 18 to attend Boston University. He graduated with a degree in Political Science in 2008 and is currently working on a Masters degree in Higher Education Administration at Northeastern University. Ricky enjoys reading, watching/playing sports, and loves to cook food from different cultures. 



Yadira Rivera, Graduate Resident Assistant/Wendell House
A native of Cambridge, Yadira holds a BS from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is pursuing a M.Ed. in Mindfulness Studies at Lesley University. During her free time Yadira enjoys traveling, cooking, dancing, walking around the Charles River, playing games, and decorating cakes. She enjoys the Fall in New England and Halloween and Christmas are her favorite holidays. She is very excited to be a part of the Threshold Program.