Advice for incoming students?

Don’t be afraid to be yourself! There are no crowds to belong to or social titles to achieve in college, so don’t worry about trying to be the coolest or most popular person around. Who cares!

Also, remember to keep your life in balance. It’s easy to spend too much time studying and miss out on the fun, and it’s also easy to spend too much time having fun and fail out of your courses. There are other aspects of balance too – be sure to eat right and get some exercise, focus on yourself and what you need to do, and stay connected with your beliefs and values.

Finally, keep an open mind. Look at your first year of college as an adventure – and how fun it can be! Be willing to learn new things, meet new people, and perhaps even change your mindset. You’ll have a lot more fun and an easier time “fitting in” if you walk around with a willing attitude. Don’t be afraid or laugh at things different from what you’re used to – enjoy them!

Why did you choose to become a Hall Director?

I was a Resident Assistant at Westminster College and absolutely LOVED it! Being an RA was a lot of what shaped and influenced who I am now. Once I left undergrad and went to William & Mary, I got some experience in Student Activities, Orientation, and Student Volunteer Services. While I loved all of these positions, none of them fulfilled my need to deeply connect with students and be involved with them on a daily basis. So I turned back to Residence Life, and here I am!

 

Why did you choose UNH? What attracted you to the area or the school?

UNH was actually my first choice job from the start of my job search, back in December (’06). I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and spent 22 years of my life there. After moving to Virginia and living there for two years, I am now excited to explore the New England area. I love trying new things, and this is an adventure for me. I’ve visited New Hampshire before and have had great experiences in the state. I am a huge outdoors enthusiast – I love every kind of outdoor/adventure activity from hiking and skiing to white water rafting and rock climbing – so Durham caught my eye because it seems to be convenient to such activities. I was also attracted to UNH because of its strong, unique Residence Life program. I would not do well in a position where administration work was valued more than connecting with students and building relationships, and UNH definitely values the latter. I was also attracted to the types of people I met at UNH. I felt an instant connection with many of the staff members in Residence Life and knew they were the type of people I like to surround myself with. I know we’ll get along great!

 

Any previous experiences, hobbies, etc. that you would want first year students to know about you?  

Sure! I have several interests, and hopefully I’ll get to share some of them with my residents and fellow staff members. One of my greatest loves is simply spending time with the people who are important to me. That includes my husband, Greg, my family back in Pittsburgh, and friends who are now spread out all over the country. I also love to make new friends, so watch out!

A hobby that I’ve had since 7th grade is running. I competed throughout high school and college, and continue to keep up the daily habit although not nearly as competitively now. I’m always up for a road race though!

Reading is another one of my interests. I love getting lost in fiction novels, but I also love learning more about the world around me from non-fiction books. Hopefully I’ll get to take a few courses at UNH in topics that I have an interest in, such as religion and history.

Finally, singing is a hidden love of mine that I hope to get more involved with in Durham. That doesn’t mean I’m good at it though, so don’t ask for a solo!