Photo by Jessica Maloney,
UNH Human Resources

For many people, the college experience is differentiated from earlier phases of life by the complete immersion into an entirely new community. Campus life exposes many students to independent living and a broad variety of new and diverse perspectives; a new group of students with whom they live and learn, new educators and academic expectations, and an eclectic mix of points of view by way of lectures, events, and participation in student organizations. For those who are able to take advantage of the many resources that campus life offers, it can be an idyllic time. For some students, especially those who live off-campus, the connection with the university and its resources may feel more tenuous and, thus, they may feel surprisingly isolated. Navigating through such a large community of offices, departments and offerings with little guidance can feel overwhelming. Such was the experience of Brett Mongeon, who currently holds the position of Coordinator of Off-Campus & Commuter Student Services. Brett's experiences have given her a very personal understanding of the challenges faced by the student population that she serves.

A soon-to-be UNH alum, Brett spent the first semester of her college life as a resident of a forced-triple. This introduction to college life was not quite what she had expected and, ultimately, she made the decision to live off-campus and commute. While the 45 minute commute was conducive to academic achievement (many of her between-class hours were spent in the library or in the MUB), it made participation in organizations, evening events and social occasions rather inconvenient. As a result, Brett's experience of life as a UNH student was far from ideal. She eventually transferred to Purdue where she lived on campus and, later, in a sorority.

Brett began working at UNH after having spent a year teaching high school. After discovering that "the classroom environment just wasn't for [her]," Brett followed a friend's suggestion that she check out the employment opportunities at UNH. Initially, she was hired to fill two part-time positions: Off-Campus Living Assistant and Greek Affairs Outreach Assistant. In July of 2003, these positions were merged into the permanent full-time position that she currently occupies. Her background has made her exceptionally well-suited for the role, which Brett defines as "the 'hall director' for students who live off campus." She states, "Students who do not live in UNH residences make up a little over ½ of our student (graduate & undergraduate) population - approximately 7,300 students. In the Office of Off-Campus and Commuter Services, we (my 5 student employees - 'RAs'- and I) put together programs, events, information, etc. for this population…mostly, we are reaching out to help students become better connected to campus." In fact, she states that "working with students and finding ways in which to help them make their UNH experience the best that it can be" is the most satisfying aspect of her job.

Currently, Brett plans and facilitates "Commuter Student Days" which are held prior to the fall and spring semesters. This past year, the events helped to orient approximately 120 students to the UNH community. Commuter Student Days give students the opportunity to have questions answered prior to the start of classes, and help to allay some of their anxieties. The events also help to familiarize them with campus resources through activities and panel discussions that include, amongst others, representatives from Health Services, the Counseling Center, Advising, and Campus Recreation. These events also allow them to meet and cultivate relationships with other off-campus students who will likely be experiencing many of the same challenges. Brett's department also runs "Good Morning, Commuters" which takes place in A-Lot on the 1st Monday and Tuesday of each month, from 7:30-9:30am. On these days, they greet commuters with free coffee, cocoa, and muffins (graciously provided by UHS and MUB Food Service) and an information table with literature that details local resources. These have been so well-received that they are currently looking to expand them into other lots and areas of campus. Brett's department seeks to keep open the lines of communication for off-campus students through avenues such as the "Commuter Connection," a weekly e-mail newsletter that includes timely information and announcements and provides updates on upcoming campus activities and events. She has also worked to develop relationships with Durham landlords whose contact with many commuter students makes them ideal candidates to assist in disseminating information about the local community.

As if serving as "hall director" to 7,300 students, and working to ensure that they feel connected to the campus community, wasn't ambitious enough, Brett's goals also include hiking the 4000+ footers in New Hampshire. She describes herself as a beginning hiker, and states that she has one 4000 footer down "and only 47 to go!" And, in case you're curious about her name, "Brett" is not short for anything, nor were her parents expecting a boy. Brett's explanation to the question that she likely often fields is: "my mother was a huge fan of the 70's game show "Match Game" in which actress Brett Summers was a celebrity panelist. She thought it was such a different and unusual name for a girl that she wanted to name me that." Though the show was the actual inspiration, "my mom tells me that I should tell people my name came from Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises", the character, Lady Brett."