Bairn named Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for March

 “I’m glad the staff thought highly enough of me to present me with the award,” he said.

 Bairn appreciates the willingness of the Project Strive/TRiO staff members to help students.

“Kris Koza helped me with my resume. It’s nice to see how much they care and want to help. Knowing they are there specifically to help students is a great feeling,” he said.

A senior, Bairn transferred to Chadron State College with an Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice from Western Nebraska Community College.

Project Strive/TRiO director Jen Schaer said Bairn shares his experiences as a transfer and reaches out to new students as well as those who have been in the program for several years.

“Dylan has been a great addition to Project Strive. He was not a stranger to the program because he participated in the TRiO program at WNCC,” Schaer said. 

Bairn, who is a member of the Blue Key National Honor Society, said he made a conscious decision to take his studies more seriously when he transferred to CSC.

“It made a big difference. I set my goal when I came here to graduate with honors so I spend a lot of time studying,” Bairn said.

As a student who has turned around his academic career, Bairn is an effective tutor in criminal justice and justice studies.

Frances Gonzalez, coordinator of the Learning Center, said Bairn is competent and an asset to the college.

“He does a tremendous job, gets along well with other tutors and students. He’s dependable and reliable. He’s caring and really wants the students to succeed,” Gonzalez said.

Bairn said he learned a lot about himself and his personality traits in a Myers-Briggs Personality Types test offered through the Project Strive/TRiO program.

He found the test results particularly interesting since he has a psychology minor and is considering possibly earning a second bachelor’s degree in psychology in a few years.

He wants to work in jails after graduation May 9 and eventually move into a career in probation helping juvenile offenders and making a positive impact in their futures.

“I can see where I will be able to help people in my career,” Bairn said.

—Tena L. Cook, Marketing Coordinator