Reaching for Success
The R.E.A.C.H. club at their most recent meeting (from left to right: Jasmine King, Hunter Fletcher, Summar Magee, Emily Shy, Greg Billingsley, Kennith Mitchell, Dr. John Reed, Hakeem Mikle, Deldrick Adams, Paul Cade, Kobe Van Someren, Allison Brown, Dipal Patel, Kaleigh Leira, and Britney Casmus)
October 5, 2015
This year marks the birth year of the Research, Excellence, Academia, Community and Humanities Club, also known as REACH. The brainchild of the club’s president, Kobe Van Someren, the goal of the club is to put students in connection with local leaders.
“REACH is an organization designed by students to improve networking and communication skills with leaders in the community,” said Van Someren.
Kenneth McFarland, a Community Leader in the Frazer Residence Hall, is the club’s sponsor. Van Someren sought out McFarland as the sponsor because McFarland helped give him the idea for the club.
“He sponsored a program called Community Roundtable, which brought in Judge (Jim) Kitchens to speak with students, and that gave me the idea of making it a student-led organization,” said Van Someren. “He loved the idea and continues to love the idea.”
Van Someren saw the potential behind the program and believed that his fellow students could heavily benefit from a club dedicated to putting them in contact with leaders in fields that they are pursuing.
“I felt that students needed the exposure to people of influence so as not to be intimidated by the workforce,” said Van Someren. “My hope is that students learn to be comfortable when speaking with people of influence.”
Even though this is the first year of the club, Van Someren has big plans for the future that even include meeting the most influential person in the country.
“My plan for the club is to meet with as many leaders of the community as possible and hopefully make a trip to the Capitol building in Jackson to meet the governor,” said Van Someren, “and from that connection, eventually present in the White House.”
Van Someren believes that the club is off to a good start, but it must work harder than ever to accomplish his high ambitions for the club.
“I’m happy with what we have accomplished so far, but I hope we become more active in the near future,” said Van Someren.
The club is open to both juniors and seniors and meets bi-weekly. To join the club, email Van Someren at [email protected].
