By KATE PIERCE
Executive Editor
Giving back to the community is a founding principle of The College of Saint Rose, and a guiding principle for a recent graduate pursuing education.
“Students need teachers who are passionate,” said Rhina Allende. “Students also need to see teachers that look like them.”
After studying adolescent social studies education, Allende will participate in the Teach for America program in Memphis, Tennessee. As an affiliate of Americorps, the program allows for teachers to work with districts and students in need.
Allende spent her summer teaching students in Houston, Texas through the Breakthrough Collaborative program. She also student taught at schools in the Albany area during the academic year.
“I realized that I really wanted to tackle those issues,” she said, of underserved students. The American City program she participated in while at Saint Rose really helped Allende to focus on the unique issues students in urban environments face.
Without care and passion, Allende believes that underserved students will fall through the cracks of the education system.
“Rhina has an unusual capacity to build relationships,” said Bridgett Williams-Searle, an associate professor of history. “She’s an excellent student but she’s also an excellent human being, someone who understands that caring is the essence of teaching.”
As she is a caring teacher in the classroom, Allende is also very caring for the students at Saint Rose in various leaderships roles on campus.
“She has taken several students under her wing and served as their direct mentor, friend, and advisor,” Lamara Burgess, associate director of the office of intercultural leadership, of Rhina. “She guides them through personal, academic, and social challenges, as well as celebrates their many successes as well.”
During her time at Saint Rose, Allende was very involved with leadership opportunities through the office of intercultural leadership, which among many resources offers support through the ALANA is Leadership. The program was designed for mentorship with students of African, Latin, Asian, and Native American descent.
“It’s hard being an ALANA student sometimes,” said Allende. “It’s helpful to have a place like the office to be that support.”
Allende has provided support to other students as a mentor in the program, as a resource for other students of color and their unique experiences. It is this support and leadership skills that earned her the President’s Diversity Award last year.
“In this work, she is not only an example to College of Saint Rose students but to young women and youth in the community who have had to overcome challenges to survive and succeed,” said Shai Butler, the vice president for student success and engagement as well as the College’s chief diversity officer.
“She is a role model of overcoming adversity and sets the bar high for excellence,” said Butler.
Many of the students in the program see Allende as their “campus peer-mom,” a role which she has fully embraced.
“In comparison to all of her other roles on campus, I’d consider Rhina’s mentorship role to students as most impactful to the Saint Rose community,” said Burgess.
Burgess has enjoyed spending time with Allende in the office, and believes that she is leaving a void in the program in need of filling following graduation.
“Rhina realized I wasn’t having one of the best days and said ‘I think you need a hug’ and proceeded to open her arms and hug me. She often did little things like that. Another time, she left a post it on my computer that said ‘I appreciate you.’ I’ve taped it to my monitor for daily inspiration and often glance at it when feeling down,” said Burgess.
Allende was also heavily involved in many student clubs and organizations on campus, including the Friday Knights recreational program for young students who have autism. She has been a member of Identity, Spectrum, and served as an orientation leader and commuter assistant.
“Rhina sets an example of resiliency and excellence. She has had to overcome many life challenges. She has used her resources, network and her own innate abilities to succeed,” said Butler.
Performance clubs are a large legacy that Allende is leaving behind, as she performed with Golden Knights Dance team, the Knightz in Motion hip hop team, the ALANA Steppers, and has been a part of four productions in the Saint Rose Theater.
“She is an amazing person, one of the best I know, and she’s going to be an amazing teacher. I’m truly privileged that I get to love her and count her among my friends.” said Lauren D’Annibale, a friend of Allende’s through the Theater program.
One of D’Annibale’s favorite memory of their friendship was how they connected following Allende’s in Pippin. It was the first time the pair had been together in months, and they went out for dinner and chatted for “something like six hours.” It felt like there was no disconnect at all among the friends.
“It’s not often you find a true friendship like that, and while I’d always known we were close and that I adore Rhina like nothing else, that the night I really knew that this was something good real and true,” said D’Annibale.
From her campus involvement to her passion for teaching and being a resource to students of color and underserved communities – Allende is a one of a kind student to have such an impact on the Saint Rose community.
“Following Rhina’s path would mean cultivating a heartful of joy by seeking out work that completes you, connecting with mentors, and engaging courageously with the world around you,” said Searle.
