Resident Assistant Spotlight - Joseph Cooley

SIU Residence Life has some great things going on, and we want to showcase some of our proud moments on our blog. We are currently accepting applications for Resident Assistants for the spring 2015 semester. More details, along with the application, can be found on our website. Applications will be accepted until Sunday, October 5.

RA Spotlight - Joseph Cooley from Schneider

What’s your name: Joseph A. Cooley

Where are you from: I grew up in the south suburbs of Chicago but I moved around so much that it would be hard to say one particular area. To name a few places, Summit, Justice, Bridgeview, Bolingbrook, and Berwyn.

What’s your major? Psychology

Where is the best place to study on campus? The library but I often settle for my room.

What is your favorite book? Right now it would be the Kaplan GRE prep book. No I do not really like this book haha but I hear it's going to help me get into grad school. In all truth I'm more of a movie buff. I love movies such as Quentin Tarantino films, The Professional, Star Wars, The Departed, Rocky, etc.

What is your favorite food in the dining halls: Grilled chicken and sweet potatoes

What is your favorite local restaurant: Thai Taste and Quatro's pizza

Why did you become an RA: I became an RA so I can serve as a leader and as someone who can guide lower class-men who are going through many similar situations that I have been through when I was a freshmen or sophomore.

What is your dream job: My dream job would probably be the owner of the Chicago Bears. However, I would settle for being a high school guidance counselor and football coach.

Best advice you would give to a new student on campus: My best advice to a new student on campus would be to take initiative and GET INVOLVED! I spent my first two years of college at a community college while also having a full-time job. It was a totally different atmosphere there. It seemed that like myself everyone else had a job that they were going to either before of after class. Not many students were interested in socializing and networking. When I transferred here I was so blown away on the social and professional networking connections I made. Not only is the social atmosphere great but there are so many great opportunities. I have joined clubs, I worked in two research labs, I'm an RA in Schneider hall, and I currently have the opportunity to teach as an undergraduate teaching assistant for Intro to Psychology. I can talk for hours about all the awesome things I have done in the 4 and half semesters I've been here. SIUC is a great school and I am proud to be here. I just think you have to remember school is what you make of it. So go out there and take advantage of your time here because college, like high school, only happens once and it can be the greatest time of your life if you allow it to be.