Meet the RAs! - Michelle Patzelt

SIU Residence Life has some outstanding Resident Assistants, and we want to show our appreciation by featuring them on our blog. We also hope people who are considering applying for the RA position will take a minute to check out the people who could be their future co-workers! Look for new RA profiles to be posted regularly as we continue this feature!

1.  What’s your name?  I'm Michelle Patzelt.
2.  Where are you from?  I'm from Chicago Heights, Illinois.
3.  What’s your major?  My major is English Education, and I have a minor in German and plan on being endorsed in Social Studies. I am also an Honors student on track to earn an Honors degree.
4.  What is your favorite dining hall food?  I absolutely love Trueblood's lo mein and chicken kiev; also, chicken strip day is great!
5. Where is your favorite place to go off-campus? If you've never been to Garden of the Gods, I highly suggest you go either in spring or fall (it's so gorgeous!

Garden of the Gods at sunset

6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Obviously, I want to become a teacher, but ten years from now I want to teach high school literature. I'm not sure where just yet; I am hoping for somewhere beautiful. I also hope to be married and working on a family to love and nurture.
7.  What do you like about being an RA?  Holding the position of Resident Assistant is a great opportunity; my favorite part would have to be guiding residents in their life choices. Even though I've only been an RA for a few weeks, I feel like I have really helped one or two residents.
8.  Favorite quote?  My favorite quote as of right now is one of William Butler Yeats about education, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."  9.  Best study spot on campus?  My favorite study spot is the library conference study rooms; I don't study often, but when I do, I really like the library.
10.  How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  As I said, I am involved in the Honors Program; I am also working on starting an education discussion-based RSO with an old teacher and some fellow teacher candidates; finally I am trying to start an intramural softball team.