BY RYAN MCARDELL, Staff Writer
Among many new features on the Saint Leo campus is a group committed to students who are not from the United States. C.L.A.S.P. is a new addition to the Learning Resource Center where students from different cultures find comfort in seeking help with homework, social life, and interpreting other issues while living on campus.
C.LA.S.P. stands for Cultural Liaison Academic Support Program, which has assigned different people for each region of the world. Anthony Castillo is a Senior majoring in International Business who acts as the Middle Eastern liaison; he is responsible for 71 students.
“Each mentor has a tie to that specific region for which they represent,”said Castillo.
Castillo served in the Army in the Middle East where he picked up the language and parts of the culture. The other students involved in this program are Nicholette Fox with the Caribbean students, Adaixa Padron with the Latin American and Spanish speaking students, and Luigi Zenere, who takes care of European students. The LRC is in the process of hiring two more mentors which would take care of African and Asian students.
C.L.A.S.P. is designed for these students to be able to turn to someone if they need help with a class. Students in the program see their mentor, who then helps them connect with the right tutor, and enter that student into the TutorTrac system, which Saint Leo uses to schedule tutoring appointments. The students are asked attend a session outside of LRC hours, and discuss issues that may not be directly related to school work, whatever’s on their mind.
Castillo reflects on his position with C.L.A.S.P. and says his main goal is to “connect as one body of regional students.” Castillo wants the program to really flourish at Saint Leo, with more students comfortably coming in and seeking help. He describes his experience as a mentor by saying, “I help them learn English, and they help me learn their language”. Middle Eastern languages vary by region and dialect based on where you live.
C.L.A.S.P. is sure to be a staple among foreign students for years to come. Saint Leo holds a unique culture, of which every student needs to clasp; some just need a little more help along the way. If you are an international student seeking assistance, stop by the LRC and ask for your region mentor, they’ll be glad to help.
