SEED’s primary mission is to prepare our students for success in college and beyond. Through our personalized approach—which begins the moment our students set foot on our campuses and continues through their time in college—we make sure our students have the skills and knowledge to excel in college and in their careers.
Lewis Carney (SEED DC ’10) is one SEED student who realized the value of individualized support and learned that not all college students are afforded this valuable resource.
“I appreciated the support of Ms. Baker Jones and the entire College Transition & Success program throughout my tenure at Xavier University. I thought having your personal college advisor visit you in college was normal. I soon realized that my peers did not have college counselors to assist them once they graduated from high school.”
Now an account executive at Cintas Corporation, Lewis attributes much of his success to SEED’s support. Check out our recent conversation with Lewis.
What college or university did you attend?
I attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I received a bachelor of science in business marketing.
How was your transition from SEED to college?
I don’t think anyone can be 100% ready for college. However, SEED’s unique culture and structure provided me with the tools and fundamentals to be successful in college. For example, SEED’s boarding environment helped me learn efficient time management. I learned how to balance a weekend job and a marketing internship—all while remaining on the honor roll.
At SEED, I was also pushed out of my comfort zone and consistently challenged. I was surrounded by competitive students, and I enrolled in rigorous AP courses that helped to prepare me for college-level coursework. I felt more prepared than most of my peers at Xavier University.
Did you stay connected to SEED while in college?
While I was away at college, I was not able to get home often, but when I was in town, I would visit SEED and attend College Transition & Success (CTS) events.
Ms. Baker Jones was my CTS advisor, and we stayed in contact throughout my tenure at Xavier University. She would check in with me to provide great advice, help me with financial aid, and even visit me on campus occasionally.
What are you doing now that you have graduated from college?
After graduating from Xavier University, I stayed in Ohio and began a career at Cintas Corporation in Uniforms and Facility Services. My first position was as a management trainee. Within two years, I was promoted to a training and compliance instructor. Today, I am still employed with Cintas Corporation. I am working as an account executive and have relocated to Boston, Massachusetts.
How did your experience at SEED impact you?
My experience at SEED had a huge impact on me. While at SEED, I had the opportunity to travel to Greece and Zambia. I built strong bonds with my SEED peers—who are now like my brothers and sisters. And I was surrounded by positive adults who allowed me to learn and grow from my mistakes.
These experiences, and so many more, helped me become a mature and successful adult. I owe a lot of my accomplishments to SEED and the CTS team.