Shannon Marthouse
Hall Director
How do you work to balance the different areas in your life?
I am someone who the resident hall position works well for, because I am able to really have a seamless environment. I don't mind that my work is where I lives. It becomes a challenge in balancing because my partner lives with me and so I concentrate on maintaining and nurturing that relationship; maintaining and nurturing my relationship with my students; with my RAs and with my friends. Every morning I go to the gym or run or walk outside or do something. I know that I have long days so scheduling a workout is really important to me. "The most important thing to me is nurturing relationships, and I find time to do that everyday." I have a high rate of metabolism, I can get things done and I can multitask.
Are you ever "off duty?"
Yes, but not technically, At any time a student can knock on my door but it's often times that Dave and I will be relaxing and reading and a students wants to borrow a cookie sheet. My RAs are very independent; they only wake me in the middle of the night if something serious is happening. Hall directors share duty on the weekends so I'm only on call on weekends twice a year at most.
What are the joys and challenges of being a woman?
"I think some of the joys become the challenges. I've learned over the years that its okay to be vulnerable and to cry and to have some very meaningful interactions with people.
I like the girly part of fashion and dressing up and I think it's okay for me to do that.
Sometime Dave and I would like to have kids and I feel like it's the most important thing we'll ever do.
I feel really blessed. I think right now that some of the joys around embracing womanhood, in so many ways; embracing our physical and emotional beings and intellectual abilities is coming to the forefront and it's cool for women to be smart and be driven and motivated.
Another challenge is for women to break through in some of the scientific and technical fields.
I think that a challenge for women is figuring out our relatiohops, especially when they're younger because there are so many volatile emotions going on.
One of my challenges and joys is my relationship with my mother. It went through a pretty amazing time with lots of ups and downs. We're in a pretty amazing place right now."
What hopes and dreams would you like to share with others?
Hopes... I have a hope for women that we feel safe in many ways....soon.
Dreams... I want a woman president. I want a woman vice president.
"I have so many dreams for young people. That's why I'm in this work. There are so many things that our young people will face that we've never had to deal with. I hope that young people find a passion, something that they feel excited about."
What makes you passionate?
"Growth in general. I think that my passions around relationships are completely inspiring to me.
"We (hall directors) are often a selfless breed and work very hard to create an environment that is safe, supportive and educational for our students."
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