January OTM Winners, including 2 NATIONAL Awards!

SIU Residence Life has some great things going on, and we want to showcase some of our proud moments on our blog. We also hope people considering working in RA, graduate assistant, or full-time positions with our department will take a minute to learn more about the things we are doing. More information about our department, including position descriptions, application information, and graduate and full-time staff profiles can be found on our recruitment website.

January was a big month for recognition in our department. 15 Of The Month nominations were submitted. Of those 15, 10 were selected as Campus Winners; of those 10, 4 were selected as Regional Winners for GLACURH; and of those 4, 2 were selected as the National OTM. We are so proud of our team and excited to share the things that happened last month.

National Winners

Where Do I Stand? Intersectionality Training for Residence Life - Diversity Program OTM, presented by the Residence Life Training Committees and nominated by Justin Schuch

"Upon sensing a need for training of diverse issues beyond the “usual” training activities, a new, more complex training program and/or activity was sought. Finding none to highlight the intricacies of intersectionality, this program was developed based off of the tenants of the Intersectionality Theory."

Polar Bear Alternative Programs - Social Program OTM, presented by the Schneider Hall staff and nominated by Jac Jewell

"The Schneider Hall Staff (Resident Assistants, Assistant Hall Directors, and Hall Directors) saw a need for more programs in the building on this Polar Bear Saturday. We knew it would promote some healthy behavior and also provide alternative forms of fun for those residents not interested in participating in Polar Bear."

Regional Winners

Motivation 101: Tips to Staying Motivated - Passive Program OTM, presented and nominated by Nicole Carlen

"I wanted to do something that would really make the residents stop and read it, but be able to relate to it and help others with it as well. With that in mind, I came up with my interactive bulletin board dealing with interpersonal conflict about how to get the motivation back after being on a month long break."

Mae Smith Area Council - Residential Community OTM, nominated by Dennis Hoyle

"It is far better to care too much than to care too little. In particular, the Mae Smith Area Council (MSAC) has demonstrated an aptitude for caring about their school and their community this January, and I would like to nominate this unique and effective group of individuals for Residential Community of the Month."

Campus Winners

Sarah Hopkins - First Year Student OTM, nominated by Rachel Head

Joseph Essig - Graduate Assistant OTM, nominated by David Keys and Sarah Larsen

SIU Carbondale Student Programming Council - Organization OTM, nominated by Nicole Gharbawi

Tina Horvath - Residence Life Faculty/Staff OTM, nominated by Justin Schuch

Jeremy Strabala - Resident Assistant OTM, nominated by Justin Schuch

Shelly K. Mudd - Spotlight OTM, nominated by Jeremy Strabala

Thank you to the following individuals for submitting OTMs for January: Rachel Head, Sarah Larsen, Nicole Gharbawi, Nicole Carlen, Sophie Lozano, Jeremy Strabala, Justin Schuch, Jac Jewell, David Keys, and Dennis Hoyle. Thank you for making recognition a priority!