Alexandra Giorno

My name is Alexandra Giorno I am twenty-one years old and I am an Art Education Major with a Painting and Printmaking minor and an Art History Minor. I moved to Richmond from Pennsylvania to be a part of VCUarts community. I have been a resident in Richmond Virginia for two and a half years. In that time I have been actively involved with community events and have spent countless hours volunteering my time by giving back where needed.
I have finished two years of my undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University and one semester abroad in Rome, Italy. My time spent in classes and outside of classes has been spent being a student leader. I was a University 200: Inquiry and the Craft of Argument undergraduate teaching assistant for the Spring 2016 semester and I will be returning in the Fall of 2017. It was my position to come to an additional class three times a week prepared to engage students in their studies. Many students did not want to be there and were seniors so I had to work extra hard and develop creative ways to gain there interest to actively participate. I achieved this by reading what they read and came prepared with questions and patience for each and every student. I put together presentations that pushed students to think deeper and to ensure that they were clear on their expectations.
I am a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Phi Eta Sigma Honors Fraternity. Through these two organizations I give back to the community and develop ideas for a greener, safer, and healthier community. I mentored at Carver Elementary for one hour a week. I spent this time with a fourth grade student who needed a role model in her life and for someone to say they will be there for them with open mind and willingness to bring out there best. When I am not participating in service learning, organizations, and mentoring I am an Arts Specialist at the Jewish Community Center. I teach students in kindergarten through eighth grades after school. I introduce new artists to these students and then connect them to the art lesson for that day. I encourage them to challenge themselves and that it is okay to make mistakes. My students come to me for more than just excitement about art. There are often students waiting for me to arrive to ask for advice with every day issues to talk through. Being a leader for these students, most of who will be the future of Virginia Commonwealth University, is what drives me. I am a leader to past, present, and future students.