EKU Spanish/Anthropology Graduate Riley Colson bridges languages & cultures in Dry Ridge

Hola! I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to give you a little life update. I thought I would write because my Anthropology and Spanish degrees from EKU make so much sense now and I wanted to share.

I am now at Sherman Elementary in Dry Ridge, KY. I am the Family Resource Coordinator and it is a FANTASTIC fit for me! I mostly work with the lower income families within my school to try to bridge learning gaps by meeting basic needs and breaking down nonacademic barriers. I have also grown very close to our Hispanic population who often feel uncomfortable reaching out to the school because of the language barrier; since I speak Spanish, they are feeling more and more comfortable getting involved with school affairs. Covid-19 has made my job even more significant and I have been staying extremely busy. I have done everything from help pass out food to deliver toilet paper to homes within the past six months. Through programs such as Relatives Raising Children I try to support new models of Kinship. Other programs such as Passport to the World I promote learning about cultural diversity and our differences in a positive light. It truly is a great fit.

I just wanted to write and update you all. My degrees from EKU mean so much to me and definitely helped me get where I am today. Keep making a difference in higher education; you all certainly made a difference to me!

Wishing you all the best!

Ms. Riley Colson

Published on November 12, 2020