Between Mandarin classes and learning to navigate the streets of China’s largest city, Shanghai, Elaine Wan ’07 realized how much she appreciated Scripps. Being 10,000 miles away sparked the politics and international relations major’s eagerness to mentor first-year students back home.
Before the reentry stamp on her passport was dry, Elaine, the 2006-07 student coordinator for the College’s First-Year Program, was collaborating with team leaders and peer mentors to help first-year students acclimate to their new life at Scripps.
“Elaine’s passion for Scripps and helping new students find their place in our community has shaped the First-Year Program this year,” says DeEttra Mulay, associate dean of students. “She consistently inspires volunteers, implements social and developmental events for first-year students, and challenges everyone on the team to improve the quality of the first-year experience at Scripps.”
Throughout the year, first-year students pick and choose from a diverse array of events developed and orchestrated by Elaine and the other student volunteers—from hunting for treasures at the world famous Pasadena flea market to learning how to manage personal finances with economics professor Patricia Dillon.
In addition to coordinating the program and finishing her senior thesis, Elaine is applying to law internships and nearly a dozen jobs using her Chinese language skills in a meaningful career in social justice.