STUDENT & ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT The College of Professional Studies and Advancement
STUDENT STEPS FROM SHADOWS INTO HER POWER By Pam DeFiglio
As a young woman in a black sequined gown walked to the podium, Reach Awards emcee Rob Johnson, news anchor at WBBM (CBS) Channel 2, introduced her as Asia M. McEntee, an undergraduate who entered the Pathways program in 2016-17. In delivering the student speech, she explained that because she suffers from a type of chronic pain called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, she missed nearly half of her time in high school. “You all would have never known that … the person standing before you tonight did not have a voice, that I was overlooked, that over half of my classmates did not even know my name, but just saw me as the girl with the cane,” she said.
She had fears she wouldn’t do well in college, but said that to be a leader, one must understand fear is not an option. She cited the support she has found at National Louis for enabling her to earn a 4.0 grade point average, become a student ambassador, enter the National Society for Leadership and Success and become president of a women’s empowerment group she founded. “Being a part of National Louis University, I have found my passion, something that was already in my heart, with so much encouragement that I know I will earn my degree in 2020,” she explained. “I know I’ve found hope — in myself and here at NLU.”
AN OASIS IN AN ENDLESS SUMMER Alum gives kids the summer camp she always wanted By Nicholas A. Love
You might think that someone working in a school setting would spend their summers lounging in the kid-free silence. Not Brooke Schamber ’06. A school psychologist during fall, winter and spring — she started a summer camp as a side project and now spends all four seasons surrounded by kids. “I enjoy being with children,” she admitted. “They surprise you, make you laugh and inspire you. It’s always interesting, and I don’t think that is true of all professions.” Her side project is now a full-blown business: Oasis Summer Day Camp, a fee-based summer program providing fun activities for ages 4 to 12. Schamber runs the camp with her husband — a 2nd grade teacher who also enjoys working with kids, especially between the school years. “We love the magic of summer when the days are long and filled with new adventures,” Schamber admitted. Schamber and her husband work to make sure there’s plenty of magic to go around. Oasis provides scholarships
for Evanston, Ill., students through a partnership with a local nonprofit. “We began offering five spots to Ted Fund campers and now offer over 20 per summer — valued at more than $80,000.” she explained. When Schamber’s not creating the ideal summer environment for as many kids as possible, she’s advocating for students as a school psychologist with the Oak Grove School District in Green Oaks, Ill. “I am able to work with children directly, with teams, run groups for amazing children in the talented and gifted program and help to level the playing field for children with disabilities,” she said. It was National Louis that gave Schamber her critical first steps into the world of psychology, setting the foundation for all her future efforts. “NLU was wonderful. I was working and putting myself through undergrad. I was able to transfer in credits and there were flexible course options with really interesting educators. I enjoyed my time there,” she said of the University.
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National Louis University VIEW | Fall 2018
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