Spotlight on The Student Scholar Symposium and an Outstanding Student:
Shaine Readnower-Gentry
April 5, 2007
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Shaine Readnower-Gentry, a Miami Hamilton Student Ambassador, is one of a handful of students who will be presenting at the 8th Annual Student Scholar Symposium to be held on April 11 in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center from 12 noon to 1:30pm. The symposium is an opportunity for the Miami Hamilton community to celebrate some of our outstanding scholars, all of whom have been nominated by their instructors. The event is free and open to the public.
Returning to school after a 12-year hiatus to raise her children, Shaine Readnower-Gentry knew she had a challenge ahead of her; a challenge she felt she was ready to meet. In 2005, Readnower-Gentry decided that since her children were now both in school, the time was right to further her own education and she enrolled at Miami Hamilton.
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“I have no regrets for taking the time off to be with my daughters,” the Fairfield High School graduate explains. “But, because of all the technological changes in the past few years, college was more difficult for me. I had had some experience with computers when I lived in Houston, but still, there was a lot to learn and it was intimidating at first.”
Being a role model
“I want to be a good role model for my daughters who are 11 and 7 years old. I hope they will go to college right out of high school so it won’t be as difficult for them to adjust. At the same time, I want them to be proud of me for going back to school and getting a degree. It’s important that they realize how much a good, solid education can affect their future. We only live five minutes away, and I’ve brought my 11 year old to campus with me so she can see what its like. Family is very important to me and Miami Hamilton has that family atmosphere.”
Giving credit where credit is due
A newlywed, Readnower-Gentry credits several people with helping her to achieve her goal. Besides her husband and daughters, she cites Miami’s Assistant Professor Chen Ferguson as someone who has been a major influence in her life.
“I can’t say enough about Chen Ferguson. She’s a remarkable teacher. She’s inspirational, intelligent, passionate and a very nice person. She inspired me to do my best and I thank her for that.”
Meeting the challenge
One of the most challenging undertakings for Readnower-Gentry was a marketing class project.
“We had to start our own business.” She says. “There were 5 people in each group and we had to build this business from the ground up. The name of our company was “Party House” and included catering, dance instruction, D.J., and party planning. We had to take into account financial planning, capital, investment, federal and state taxes as well as a physical space, target market, and FDA guidelines. It was difficult, but I learned so much by working on this project.”
Presenting at the Student Scholar Symposium
“I’m going to speak about the trials of putting together the “Party House” company. I went back and re-worked all the aspects of the plan that the other four members on the team completed. The financial planning portion was very challenging, but I got it done!”
What the future holds
Readnower-Gentry plans to continue her education working toward a bachelor’s degree in marketing.
“I’m very interested in marketing research.” She says. “I want to explore the psychology behind why consumers buy what they do; what triggers these actions. I think many times when companies do surveys, the consumer just says what they think the company wants to hear. I’ve read some articles that suggest marketing triggers are part of our subconscious. We tend to buy items that have a comfort level and it’s something we don’t realize. We may buy a specific hand lotion because, subconsciously, the scent reminds us of a special person or a special place. It’s a concept that I want to explore.”
