Yep, born in the great state of Massachusetts and raised in Maine, near the Poland Spring Bottling Company (my folks drink Poland Spring right out of the tap plus fluoride!). In Mechanic Falls, I played farm team baseball for the McFalls Cubs, lived in a great neighborhood around a great group of kids, and had a paper route for 7 years! I loved growing up in a small town and getting to know everyone in it. It helped I worked in the local grocery store. Even for a small town, there’s a ton of town gossip. I lived there for 18 years (my parents still live there) growing up with my two younger brothers (one’s just back from walking around Europe and another one’s in his 1st year at college). Then I moved out of Mechanic Falls and headed off to college. I was walking into my college institution with a plan: Graduate in four years with a teaching degree.

I attended the University of Maine at Farmington to fulfill a dream I had since I was in the third grade - to teach. Throughout the years my dream had morphed. I knew I wanted to teach. Then I had a great history teacher - Mr. Tucker - and I knew I wanted to teach history. Then I had a great high school teacher - Mr. Beauparlant - and I knew I wanted to teach high school history. The teaching gig was going great and on the side I was delving into college life. I was getting myself involved with just about everything UMF had to offer my first year. I was a hall representative for Campus Residence Council from Stone Hall, got involved guiding tours (they took an hour and sometimes longer - I was a record holder), and getting busy around campus meeting and getting to know people. My first year in college was one of the best years I remember. And at the end I decided to be a resident assistant. I made it for a very basic reason - I got paid on a bi-weekly basis and got a single room. I know, I know - selfish reasons. Well, I learned quickly RAs who enter for selfish reasons don‘t stick around long. I needed to learn fast a different way to motivate myself in order to stay successful - so I concentrated on getting to know people as individuals. I also learned my life plans were about to change - dramatically.

I was the most unpopular person to go on nightly rounds with. I took a long time to check in with people, laugh with them, learn about their days, and basically connect with my residents and the residents throughout the building. I felt the connections I build with people are the most important part of my job. Yah, sure, programs at night are fun and hanging in the office with my friends on staff were a blast, but students and their well-being were the focus. That’s where my life plan changed. People began to notice. People in the form of the Vice President Student Affairs and Community, Dr. Geller, who came up to me right before a tour I was about to give and asked “Have you ever considered going into higher education?”. I didn’t know anything about student affairs. So, I talked to my boss, Wendy, about what she did. It peaked my interest. I checked in with my advisor and asked what I could do to be successful with this student affairs thing and academics at UMF. She supported me wholeheartedly. Then, I talked to my parents. Throughout my life I’ve never been nervous about talking to my folks about anything except on two occasions - when I talked to my dad about proposing to my future wife Sarah and to see what they thought about this idea about working in higher education. On both occasions my dad gave me the same advice - “Do what you want, just make sure you’re happy with it.” From that point on, I never looked back at the decision to get into student affairs or to marry Sarah.

I came to UNH looking for a great opportunity to get to know students individually - just like I had in college during my RA position. I found it. This is my 3rd year here at UNH and my 1st year UQ Hall. I now supervise resident assistants, and help them grow like I did - beyond the free room and board, and into getting to know students on an individual level - connecting their residents with opportunities across campus for leadership, internships, and chances beyond the borders of UNH. The greatest opportunity I was given was the chance to do something that’s fun, never boring, a little stressful, and very redeeming. Sure I had a plan when I was heading into college, but I realized plans change. I change. College, as I learned in graduate school, is all about change. I want to make sure my students in Fairchild get a great opportunity to be challenged, to meet others, and to change.

So, anything more to share…

Sure, there’s a ton. But I like talking about it in person. But, in case we never meet or as conversation starters, here’s a little list:

I’m married to a wonderful woman named Sarah who is a 6th grade school teacher in Dover. Some of the greatest inventions ever made - in my opinion - are toilet paper, cameras, and compact discs.
I’m a cat person, but really enjoy the companionship of a good dog.
I am a thoughtful person. I consider myself a well-read person who keeps up with the news, has many opinions, and enjoys talking.
Some of my favorite books include: every single Harry Potter book (particularly 3 and 6); The Giving Tree; It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It; and Blink.

The comics Calvin and Hobbes and Far Side should never have stopped being published.
I’m a big fan of most sports on TV. Engage me anytime ina debate between Peyton and Brady.
I’ve been to London and Florida. The most beautiful place I’ve been - so far - is near the top of Mount Washington.
Sarah, my wife’s sister, is an Olympic Luge Slider for the US team.
That’s it. You wanna learn more, come to UQ and chat. I’d love to learn about your story.

Make the most of your time here. Open your door, to new opportunities. Open your door literally when you live in the residence halls, you never know who will walk in. Take time for you and exploring who you are - connect with someone on campus in order to help you begin this process. Learn to ask the right questions by asking the wrong questions. Critically analyze the world around you, a university is the greatest opportunity to see the other side of the story. After this place, you’ll have no time to do it. Make time for it now. And most of all, get involved with something you enjoy. It could be getting involved with a faculty member, a student organization (I suggest the Upper Quad Hall Council), or volunteer. Make the life you’ve been given an opportunity to bloom here. So many people before you have, keep up the pace.