Eunice Senion-Rogers

If you hadn’t heard of Eunice Senion-Rogers before this past February, we bet you do now. Black History Month was a complete success, thanks to Eunice’s hard work and dedication to the Black Student Union on campus. And did we mention that she’s also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a RUGC Delegate? How does she do it all? Here, we ask her…and she’s telling it all from how she was thrown into being the President of BSU to and why she wants to be a Kindergarten teacher.
 
What is the most rewarding part of being involved on campus?
Seeing that you have made a difference in the lives of the students on campus. When I first came to Rider University as a transfer student I was very shy and timid. I wasn’t really a social person. I later met Taysiah Varnie, who was the Vice President of the Black Student Union in 2008. She then took me under her wing and showed me how to become more involved in the things going on at Rider University. Honestly, I didn’t really make the decision of becoming a leader on campus. I was kind of thrown into it. In actuality the Former President of BSU (2009), Rudima Jackson was the one who started the flame. The position was open and Rudima said “Eunice you have to step up and lead BSU into the right path, I believe and know that you can do it.” After hearing those words I knew that becoming a leader was something that I had to step up and do. People that encourage me and keep me motivated are mostly my family and friends. My family is very tight and they support me in everything that I decide to do. Being the sixth child of nine children, I know that if I ever need to talk or just need some advice I can go to my family for help and guidance. My friends also are very supportive and are always there when I need them. I would have to say that my motivation comes from my mother and aunt. When times get hard for me and I feel like I can no longer take anymore, and feel like giving up I think about my mother and aunt and how they never give up and how they continue to persevere through all that they do.
 
The role of the President of Student Government Association is a huge role. What would you say to someone who aspires to have that position in the future?
It is true that the President position is an extremely hard role. This is not all because of the work that the position comes with, but because you want to make your term just as great as the person before you. I would honestly say that as long as you have a good support system, you will have no problem with being the best president there is. I wouldn’t be the leader that am today if it were not for my support system. I also believe that in order to be a leader you must be able to take criticism whether it is good or bad. You must be an individual that never limits herself to mediocrity. I also believe that you have to be an individual that is open to all ideas and never limits herself to one thing. The hardest part about being a president of an organization is balancing out your duties as a president and your schooling. Sometimes when we take up leadership positions they become so overwhelming we tend to forget our main purpose for being here, which is to get an education. I find this happening to me often, so what I do is step back and reevaluate everything that I have to get done, and put them in categories of most important all the way down to least important. This usually helps me when I become overwhelmed.
 
You see yourself owning your very own 24-hour daycare center one day. How long has this been your goal?
I have always had a passion for little children and teaching. I love the look they give you when they learn something for the first time. I have been working with children since I was in the tenth grade. My first job was at an After School Program in the Willingboro School District. At the After School Program I was in charge of children that were between the ages of four and eleven. I LOVED IT! The 24hour day care came from me seeing parents come in and pick up their children and have to take them to a babysitter, because they had to go back to work. I then thought that a 24hour day care would be a great place for parents who worked two jobs or double shifts to leave their children. A place that would provide the love, care, and education that they need in order to grow up and become successful. My fall back plan is to become an elementary school principle. Like I stated before, my passion is teaching children and honestly as long as I am in the education field I will be happy.
 
What qualities do you possess that you think will make you a good teacher? 
I am a very patient individual and one who is very understanding. I am loving, kind, and caring. I will go above and beyond so that our children have the best education possible. I truly feel that my innate passion for teaching is my quality. My heart is in the field, and anything that my heart is in I do 100 percent. My inspiration of becoming a teacher came from my family. My whole family is in the education system. My Mother runs and After School Program, my uncle is a principle of a middle school, and my aunt is a Speech Language pathologist. So I guess you could say that teaching is in my blood. Seeing how they have inspired and helped the children in our community just ignited the fire in my heart. So to be honest my family has been my role model for wanting to become the best teacher that I can be.
 
Explain what Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. means to you. Being a part of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has truly impacted my life in the most wonderful way. It has showed me that I can do anything I put my mind to if I am persistent, patient, and passionate about it. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. is filled with women who are what we call “Go Getters”: Women who will go above and beyond to prove a point and make a difference. Women who don’t just sit there and watch things happen, but who get up and make things happen. This is why I became a member of the organization. I wanted to be a “Go Getter”, a person that made things happen, and the sorority just helped me bring those traits out of me; that I honestly did not know that I obtained. Being a member is not just during your college years; it is a lifetime commitment. I intend on still doing the work of the Sorority when I graduate, because I believe in our principles of Scholarship, Sisterhood, and Service.
 
Switching gears a little, what do you do to relax during your free time? 
To be honest, I really do not get free time. When I am sitting and not doing something, I always get that feeling that there is something that needs to be done. But, when I do get some time to relax it is usually spent with my family and friends. I love being around that people that positive and influential in my life. I love laughing and just living my life to the fullest. My mother always says, “If you surround yourself with negative people, nothing but negative energy will come towards you.” So I surround myself with positive people!
 
Understandable. Tell us what has been the most rewarding moment for you at Rider.
When Dr. Cornel West came to our school for the ending of Black History Month under my administration. The board and I worked very hard in order to get him here. It was one of the largest events at Rider University, with over 400 people in attendance. That just warmed my heart to know that we brought so many different people together in order to hear a great intellectual. Truthfully though, when I walk across that stage on May 13, 2011; that will be the most rewarding moment for me. I will be the first child in my family to graduate from college. This means the world to both my family and me, and when that day comes it will be one of the biggest days in my life. 
 
What does success mean to you?
To me there is NO end to success. I like to think that every time I achieve one of my goals, I am one step closer to success. I believe that we are destined for greatness, and whatever God has in store for me in the future, I know is bound to be great.  The achievements that I have made and the person I am today is all because of God and my faith in him.
 
When you leave Rider, what (or who) do you want to be remembered as?
I want to be remembered as the person who always gave 100 percent with everything that I did. That is truly it! Nothing else is more important to me other than giving my all with any and everything that I do!!