MiddR.O.C. stands for Middlebury Refugee Outreach Club. MiddR.O.C’s community partner is a Burlington area non-profit, R.O.C. Inc. The group focuses on fostering college readiness for high school New Americans in all R.O.C. affiliated programs. To learn more about MiddR.O.C., visit their MiddLink Page.
This week’s Student Leader Spotlight is Mikayla Hyman ’20, the founder of MiddR.O.C.
Why should folks join your org? What will they take away from the experience?
Folks should join MiddR.O.C. if they want to interact with people from other cultures mentor high school students!
Mikayla Kyman ’20 prepares goody bags as part of MiddR.O.C.’s Valentine’s Day fundraiser.
Why did you first create MiddR.O.C.?
I created MiddR.O.C. because I visited a program for refugee students in Burlington, and I realized this was a service that they wanted but was not being provided. Also, I thought it would be loads of fun!
What has been your most memorable experience as a member of MiddR.O.C.?
Probably meeting the students who inspired the creation of this club; they were so excited to hear about the life of a college student.
What have you learned, either about yourself or the world around you, as a member of MiddR.O.C.?
I have learned how to keep my eye on the objective and be willing to pivot from an original goal if new information comes up. I had to make sure that my first priority was always to the refugee-background students I was serving. That focus was not always easy to maintain, but it was important that I did.
Where are you from and what’s your major? What other activities are you involved with on campus?