Residence
Hall:
Sean has started his 2nd year as a Hall Director in Congreve Hall.
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Advice
for incoming students?
The experiences during your time at school can be uniquely three-dimensional, if you choose. I prefer lists, so here are some of my thoughts:
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Be intentional about investing in yourself and take the time to Explore. There are a lot of new things to observe and learn in your first year. You don’t have all of the answers and you don’t need to, it’s okay. I encourage you, however, to be intentional with every facet of your experience and make the choices to get the most of what is to offer. Sometimes these choices surround your major, how you interact with professors, how you make friends, if you carve time to see a speaker, enjoy more time outside, how you spend your weekends, and how much time is spent with TV and/or video games, etc. There is a lot of opportunity, take advantage of it, have fun with it, and learn from it!
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Embrace that life doesn’t always run in straight lines, or the way we want it to. You may or may not know who you want to be or where you exactly want to go. Be patient with yourself and try new things. In my opinion, one of the greatest attributes of the UNH culture are the amount of people here to help you and encourage you to get where you want to go, regardless of what path that may be. So, be inquisitive, make educated risks, and seek support. Figure out how do you define success and be willing to create it!
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Realize you are “Crossing the Bridge” Now. Ever heard the expression, “Ill cross that bridge when I get to it?” I’m sure you all have, and it sometimes has very real applications. There seems to be a strong perception that the “Bridge” to the rest of your life starts at your Senior Commencement. Without question, graduation is a tremendous achievement that does signify a new transition into a new phase of life. That moment can be, “Wow, I made it”, “Wow, I barely made it”, “Okay, now what”, “I’m so excited, I’m on my way”, “Is there a rewind button, some things should have been done differently”, just to name a few. Your time at UNH can be your most memorable and rewarding experience or your most missed opportunity. My advice, and my support, is to help you realize that the thoughts in your head at graduation and how prepared you feel leaving UNH starts from the day you arrive. The bridge is now. Again, be patient and explore. Take time to figure out who you are. Try hard and have fun. But, have a game plan. It’s a great time, a lot of freedom, and an unparallel opportunity!
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Why did you choose to become a Hall Director?
I am a Hall Director because being apart of student affairs encompasses all of the things I love most from the variety of experiences I have had. Being an RHD is also a unique opportunity to work with and help people during a huge developmental transition - great things can happen during this time. I really enjoy what I do; it’s tremendously fun and rewarding!
I want to help you create a great experience that is meaningful to who you want to be and what you want to do with your life...that’s why you’re here right?? I am not the personification of an afterschool special and I do not wish to inundate you with these sorts of things. I do want to help you challenge yourself and your perspective - there are really cool things going on, important questions to ask, and areas to explore that are unique to being here at UNH. Residence Life is certainly apart of this excitement.
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Anything
else you want students to know about you (experiences,
hobbies, etc.)?
Since graduating, I have involved myself in a number of different endeavors. I wrote a business plan that supported the creation of a boarding school based on experiential learning, I have been a sales associate for a large technology corporation, an apprentice for a Horse Ferrier (shoeing horses), and I owned my own historical restoration company. Most recently, I spent nearly two years as a Resident Director.
My hobbies are extensive ranging from outdoor adventure, drumming, working on cars, and home improvement. I like projects and getting involved. The greatest thing for a student to know about me is that I am here for you. I am a resource of resources. If I can’t help you, I am very well connected to a network of people who can. Also, my relationship with students isn’t just if he/she “needs” something. I truly enjoy getting to know people and spending time doing anything. My office is a great place to stop by, bounce ideas around, or just chat. I can get excited when talking about a number of topic, but I really like to engage students in conversations that surround career development; “why are you here”, “what do you want to do”, “what classes should you take”, “what makes you tic” , etc. So, anytime you’re feeling not quite ‘on track’ or less motivated than you ‘should be’; I would always very much like to have a meeting with you to brainstorm ideas.
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Why did you choose UNH? What attracted you to the area or the school?
I am a native of central New Hampshire, growing up in the Lakes Region near Winnipesauke. As a graduate of UNH (Whittemore Business School 03’) I am very excited to be back in New Hampshire and part of the UNH culture. The wealth of opportunities that exists in New Hampshire are virtually endless to explore. We have fantastic accessibility to a tremendous variety of environmental, educational, and occupational resources. It’s great to be back!
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