August OTM Winners - including National and Regional 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.

14 Of The Month nominations were submitted during the month of August, 2013. Of those, 7 were selected as Campus Winners; and 3 were chosen as Regional Winners for GLACURH, and 1 received NATIONAL recognition. We're very proud of all our staff and the hard work they've done this year.

National Winner

Wendy Weinhold - National Institution Faculty/Staff Of The Month, nominated by Gena Stack. "In the month of August, SIU Carbondale opened our community to one of the largest classes of first-year students in our institutional history. From week one, a team of individuals worked to ensure all students at SIU feel safe, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification. Working at the core of this was the Coordinator of the LGBTQ Resource Center, Wendy Weinhold."

Regional Winners

Camillia Bone - Regional Executive Board Member Of The Month, nominated by Justin Schuch. "As President, Camillia has spent vital time throughout the month to recast what it means to be leading an organization and has truly brought new life to RHA. From being willing to work long hours on projects, to setting a firm example of how to be efficient and engaging, Camillia Bone has truly done outstanding work within her position before the official first meeting of the Residence Hall Association."

Dave Whitsell - Regional Spotlight Of The Month, nominated by Gena Stack. "The unsung heroes in all the clamor of August are undoubtedly our custodial staffs. Without their tireless efforts, none of the rest could be possible. This past August, Dave Whitsell went above and beyond to make sure the process went smoothly, not only for our incoming residents, but also for the other staff working in University Housing."

Campus Winners

Amber Peterson - Campus Resident Assistant Of The Month, nominated by Tom Kendall.

Armani Alexander - Campus Student Of The Month, nominated by Alexis Kindred.

Sara Holtzman - Campus Residence Life Faculty/Staff Of The Month, nominated by Justin Schuch.

Danielle Brinson - Campus First Year Student Of The Month, nominated by Gena Stack.

Thank you to the following individuals for submitting OTMs for August: Tom Kendall, Alex Wilson, Devin Reeves, Shantel Franklin, Nicholaus Bates, Bridget Grubbs, Dollia Cortez, Alexis Kindred, Justin Schuch, and Gena Stack. Thank you for making recognition a priority!

Did you know YOU can submit an OTM? Go to otms.nrhh.org to nominate someone today!

Meet the RAs! - Sophie Lozano

 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 working in RA, graduate assistant, or full-time positions with our department will take a minute to check out the people who could be their future co-workers! RA profiles are featured on the blog, and graduate and full-time staff profiles (and information about positions) can be found on our recruitment website.

1. What’s your name?  Sophie Lozano
2. Where are you from?  O'Fallon, MO
3. What’s your major?  I'm a Math major with a minor in Computer Science
4. What is your favorite dining hall food?  French Toast Sticks for breakfast! U-Hall's Dining Hall is amazing :)
5. Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  I don't spend much time off campus because I don't have a car, so going anywhere, such as Walmart and the mall, is fun for me! As long as I'm having a good time with good friends, I'm content.
6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  In ten years, I'd like to see how far my education can take me. Although I'm in Math and CS right now, I see myself working on big projects, making huge technological advances that we can't even fathom right now. (Editor's note: How cool is that?)
7. What do you like about being an RA?  There's no greater feeling than having a strong connection with my residents. Every day, I look forward to being done with school and practice so I can come home and spend time with them!
8. Favorite quote?  Currently, it's "Being perfect isn't about winning. It's being able to look your friend in the eye and know there was nothing more you could have done." That's the motto I try to live by in my athletic career.
9. Best study spot on campus?  U-Hall RAs hold study tables every night in our Small Dining Room from 8-10. It's a nice place to find peace and quiet while studying!
10. How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  I am an athlete on the Track and Field team here at SIU, member of Saluki Rainbow Network, I tutor students in various subjects, and I do as much volunteer work as possible. I love helping people as much as I can!

Meet the RAs! - Jeremy Strabala

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 working in RA, graduate assistant, or full-time positions with our department will take a minute to check out the people who could be their future co-workers! RA profiles are featured on the blog, and graduate and full-time staff profiles (and information about positions) can be found on our recruitment website.

Jeremy with another University Hall RA, Sophia Lozano

1.  What’s your name? Jeremy Strabala
2.  Where are you from?  I'm from Streator, Illinois
3.  What’s your major?  My major is Architectural Studies
4.  What is your favorite dining hall food?  University Hall has the best food on campus. I love Shellie's alfredo sauce!!!!
5. Where is your favorite place to go off-campus? I love going to the spillway. There is so much to do there on a hot day. You can play in the waterfall or just lay around in the calm waters at the top. I HIGHLY recommend going!!!
6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In ten years I can see myself being an experienced architect in California designing the most net zero earth friendly buildings as possible. If that does not pan out then I can definitely see myself working in Res Life because I love being an RA so much that I could see myself being a HD.
7.  What do you like about being an RA?  Being able to be in the position of Resident Assistant is a great opportunity; my favorite part would have to be creating both a community with my residents but also building a family with my staff. In the end we all know we have each others backs and we are there for each other.
8.  Favorite quote?  My favorite quote as of right now is "Character is what you do when no one is watching."
9.  Best study spot on campus?  I think the best place to get some studying done is at the U-Hall study tables that the RAs hold each night in our small dining room. Its always so quiet and I always crank out my homework there.
10.  How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  I am a student worker for University Housing contracts, Director of the SIU Carbondale SpringDrag Show, Color Guard member of the Marching Salukis, Saluki Rainbow Network member, and also a Queer Mentors member.