Prochaska Ready for Student Speaker Duties
Prochaska Ready for Student Speaker Duties
By Dan Silvia, Communications Manager
Thrift, hard work, and community spirit are a few of the attributes that helped power Genoveva Prochaska through her bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science. She’ll embed those attributes into her address as student speaker at the January Commencement Ceremony Saturday, January 28 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.
“How will you apply what you’ve learned at Bellevue University? Something must spring from it,” Prochaska said. “I’d like to encourage each graduate to follow your passion! Strive to become your best through education, developing your skills, volunteering and sharing your talents.”
Prochaska is originally from Hidalgo del Parral, Chichuahua, Mexico, and settled in Wahoo, Nebraska shortly after finishing high school. She currently works for Region V Services in Wahoo as a Community Support Professional (CSP) helping take care of people with mental disabilities. She also coaches the group’s Special Olympics bowling teams.
“I hope to utilize my degree by helping people and by serving my community,” Prochaska said. “It gives me great satisfaction being able to help anyone that needs my help without worrying about their race or religion. When you help people in need, it means you must have commitment, love, respect, it also means understanding and putting other’s needs before your own. Being kind and positive can change attitudes for someone facing loneliness and fear. One must love and respect people to better understand and care for them.”
Prochaska came to Bellevue University after first taking classes at Metropolitan Community College.
“My wonderful college counselor, Vicky Bolen at Metro Community College in Elkhorn, told me about Bellevue University and about all the great programs you offer here,” Prochaska said. “I sure love how the colleges and universities work together for the best interest of their students.”
The Multicultural Perspectives in Human Services was among the stand-out courses for Prochaska during her time at the University.
“This class has taught me about the many different cultures and prepared me to better help people,” she said. “I enjoyed communicating with my professors. Thank you for being there for me and for your fast response to any of my questions. I also enjoyed very much communicating with my classmates through our discussions.”