Belltower under cloudy skies.

Interns, both undergraduate and graduate, provide valuable service to the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity while gaining experience and training for their future work. This week, the Digest interviewed Donna Battle, currently a counseling intern in the African American Cultural Center.

Who are you and where are you from?

I am Donna Coletrane Battle from Yanceyville, North Carolina.

What is your role within the African American Cultural Center?

I am a counseling intern and I have been here since August.

What do you hope to achieve while here at NC State?

I am completing my clinical hours and will hopefully help facilitate the healing and self-efficacy of others while doing so.

Why do you think diversity important at NC State?

I think Diversity is a matter of human worth and value, so it is important everywhere. It is not toleration, but respect and value for everyone’s worth, experience, and contribution. Authentic diversity around us makes us more human.

How does your experience of being a life coach tie into diversity efforts on campus and the surrounding area?

Both coaching and counseling are designed to help people discover their desire, voice, beliefs, strengths, blind spots, areas of development, patterns of interaction, core self and more. And then to accept the things that cannot change, gain the courage to change the things that they can, and to hopefully gain the wisdom to know the difference. As we come to value and accept ourselves, it becomes easier to value and accept others.

Says Dr. Frances Graham, interim director of the African American Cultural Center, “Donna is an exceptional addition to the African American Cultural Center’s team.  Her proficiency in counseling techniques, interpersonal matters and her discreet persona welcome students like a family friend. We are excited to have her in the AACC and believe students are benefiting from her expertise, authenticity and candor.”

Anyone wishing to make an appointment, please contact Donna Battle in the African American Cultural Center.