Meet the RAs! - Jamaal Moore

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.

As we recruit new Resident Assistants for the 2014-2015 year, we wanted to introduce a few of the talented individuals currently on our team. This profile features Jamaal Moore, RA in University Hall.

1. What's your name? Jamaal Moore

2. Where are you from? I am from Cahokia, Illinois 

3. What's your major? My Major is Rehabilitation Services


4. What is the best program or event you've been to on campus? The best program/ event that I have been to on campus would have to be The Schneider/U-Hall Fright Night Haunted House.


5. What was the last book you read for fun? The last book that I read for fun would be The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.


6. What is your favorite thing about being an RA? My favorite thing about being a Resident Assistant is being able to be around all of the residents and building a relationship with everyone on campus. I love meeting new people and this position has allowed me to that.

7. How else are you involved at SIU? I am involved on campus by attending the RHA events with my residents and I plan on joining S.T.A.R.S and Voices of Inspiration. S.T.A.R.S stands for Students Together Advocating for Rehabilitation Services and it's an RSO here on campus that goes great with my major and Voices of Inspiration is a gospel choir because I love singing.

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself working in a rehabilitation center as a counselor helping people who are addicted or abusing drugs and alcohol.

9. What is your favorite quote? My favorite quote is "You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth." By William W. Purkey

10. What do you do to unwind when you're feeling stressed? When I am feeling stressed, I listen to music and sing because that always makes me feel good. Singing is something that I was given as a gift, so why not use it to make myself and others feel better.

Interested in the Resident Assistant position? Apply today! http://www.housing.siu.edu/positions/resident-assistant

Are you an RA and would like to be featured? Talk to your Hall Director about submitting your profile information.

Meet the RAs! - Lauren Hosty

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.

As we recruit new Resident Assistants for the 2014-2015 year, we wanted to introduce a few of the talented individuals currently on our team. This profile features Lauren Hosty, RA in Schneider Hall.

1. What's your name? Lauren Hosty

2. Where are you from? Chicago, IL

3. What's your major? Mortuary Science and Funeral Service

4. What is the best program or event you've been to on campus? RHA's "Humans versus Zombies" game. I also quite enjoyed the "Before I Die" wall last semester.

5. What was the last book you read for fun? The Silence of the Lambs - Thomas Harris

6. What is your favorite thing about being an RA? Meeting with residents and being able to share my knowledge with them.

7. How else are you involved at SIU (in addition to being an RA)? NRHH, RHA, Sigma Phi Sigma (professional fraternity for Mortuary Science and Funeral Service)

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Either managing my own funeral home or working my way up the ResLife ladder.. I haven't quite decided yet!

9. What is your favorite quote? "If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu

10. What do you do to unwind when you're feeling stressed? Take a long shower, followed by fresh tea, Tumblr, and twenty one pilots.

Interested in the Resident Assistant position? Apply today! http://www.housing.siu.edu/positions/resident-assistant

Are you an RA and would like to be featured? Talk to your Hall Director about submitting your profile information.

Student Leader Profile: Camillia Bone

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.

We have some fantastic student leaders in University Housing, and we like to feature them on our blog. Today's post features Camillia Bone. Camillia serves as the President of the Residence Hall Association (RHA).

1. What is your name? Camillia Bone

2. Where are you from? Lincoln, IL

3. What is your major? Communication Disorders and Sciences, minoring in Psychology

4. What is your favorite dining hall food? My favorite dining hall food is nacho cheese fried ravioli.

5. What has been your favorite program or event on campus so far? My favorite program/event put on campus so far would have to be Costume Bash and Bowling that RHA put on last year. I’m really looking forward to it again this year! Note: Costume Bash & Bowling will be Thursday, 10/31/13 from 9-11pm in the Student Center Bowling & Billiards.

6. Where do you hope to be (or what do you hope to be doing) in 2023? In 2023 I hope to be a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with a family of my own living out in the country.

7. What is the best part about living in University Housing? The best part about living in University Housing would have to be not cooking all of my meals myself and being able to walk right across the street to my classes. 

8. Where do you get your best studying done? I get my best studying done in the hallway of Bowyer.

9. Why did you get involved with your community? I decided to get involved in my community because I wanted to be more than just another student here at Southern Illinois University. I wanted to be able to be a voice that was heard. 

10. Favorite quote? “You get one life, and whatever you do to it and whatever’s done to you, you gotta face it.” – Sandra Bullock

Interested in being our next featured leader? Contact your Hall Director/adviser for more information.

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!

End of the Year Recognition by Jac Jewell

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.

Jac Jewell is one of the Hall Directors in Schneider Hall, and serves as the adviser to the Saluki Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary.
The end of the year is a time to celebrate the great things our students and staff members have done throughout the year. This year marks the second year of a student leader recognition banquet sponsored by the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). NRHH invited student leaders and staff members from across campus to come to a banquet at the beginning of May. We recognized our outgoing and incoming Area Council members, Black Togetherness Organization (BTO) members, Residence Hall Association (RHA) members, and NRHH members.

Every month NRHH encourages campus and community members to nominate people and programs for Of the Month awards. A list of campus winners from the entire year was compiled, and nominators were asked to provide additional support for why each nominee should receive the Of The Year (OTY) recognition.  NRHH spent two hours going through 55 nominations looking for the "best of the best" to showcase as our Of The Year winners in 15 different categories. The winners of these awards were recognized at our end of the year banquet. I am happy to share them with you now!

Adviser 

The nominator wrote of this Adviser Of The Year nominee: None can claim dedication and determination to helping their advisees…from supporting board members and dedicating extra time to multiple organizations, the nominee worked to develop countless experiences throughout the year. The 2012 to 2013 Adviser Of The Year is Travis Gibler.

Executive Board Member OTY Ashley Stegall (left) with
RHA and Mae Smith Area Council board member Becky
Borowiak

Executive Board Member 

First Year Student OTY Shane Kenealy

The nominator wrote of this Executive Board Member Of The Year nominee: I am consistently impressed by her performance as an executive board member…she is a source of enthusiasm and positivity. The 2012 to 2013 Executive Board Member Of The Year is Ashley Stegall.

First Year Student

The nominator wrote of this First Year Student Of The Year nominee: The nominee is an outstanding example of a first-year student who makes a concerted effort to engage in the community…the nominee makes a point to contribute back to SIU and has demonstrated leadership and initiative. The 2012 to 2013 First Year Student Of The Year is Shane Kenealy.




Graduate Assistant

The nominator wrote of this Graduate Assistant Of The Year nominee: The nominee is consistently looking for ways to grow as a student and future professional...asking insightful questions and eager to learn from anyone…it is great to see students like this nominee who, while they love what they do, commit to challenging themselves and trying new and different things. The 2012 to 2013 Graduate Assistant Of The Year is Jon Gorgosz.

Institution Faculty/Staff Member 
The nominator wrote of this Institution Faculty/Staff Member Of The Year nominee: Quite honestly, the nominee can be seen as nothing but a phenomenal campus leader who is actively working to build bridges between departments and students. Few other professionals are able to claim the level of dedication shown to the profession and students. The 2012 to 2013 Institution Faculty/Staff Member Of The Year is Chad Beights.

Residence Life Faculty/Staff Member 

Residence Life Faculty/Staff Member OTY Steven
Yeagley (left) with Hall Director David Keys (right)

Residence Life Faculty/Staff OTY Steven Yeagley,
Resident Assistant OTY Leigh Cardosi, Student OTY Adam
McCallister, and Exec Board Member OTY Ashley Stegall

The nominator wrote of this Residence Life Faculty/Staff Member Of The Year nominee: The nominee does not use a one size fits all process, they look at your individual needs and go from there. ..the nominee is a person of great character, foresight and integrity and has done so much for the advancement of this department. The 2012 to 2013 Residence Life Faculty/Staff Member Of The Year is Steven Yeagley.

Resident Assistant
The nominator wrote of this Resident Assistant Of The Year nominee: As a second-year RA, the nominee has been a wonderful role model for both our new and returning RAs. They helped lighten burdens throughout the entire year and was always ready to step up and help in whatever way possible. The 2012 to 2013 Resident Assistant Of The Year is Leigh Cardosi.






Spotlight 

The nominator wrote of this Spotlight Of The Year nominee: The nominee is going above and beyond in every way and deserves to be recognized for their outstanding work…the determination, quality of service, and extraordinary personality makes the nominee an absolute asset to the staff. The 2012 to 2013 Spotlight Of The Year is Shelly Mudd.

Student 

Mae Smith Area Council Adviser Dennis Hoyle (left) with
Student OTY Adam McCallister (center) and Graduate
Assistant OTY Jon Gorgosz (right)

The nominator wrote of this Student Of The Year nominee: The nominee inspires everyone around with the positive drive put forth to make everyone feel as if their opinions and input matter. They constantly give recognition to others who go above and beyond and does not expect anything in return. They are a true leader, an inspiration, and an amazing friend who deserves recognition for motivational efforts and positive influence. The 2012 to 2013 Student Of The Year is Adam McCallister.

Diversity Program 
The Diversity Program Of The Year nominee was developed upon sensing a need for training of diverse issues beyond the “usual” training activities. A charge was given for a new, more complex, training activity was put out and the committee responded with a wonderful program for professional and student staff. The 2012 to 2013 Diversity Program Of The Year is Where Do I Stand? Intersectionality Training, put on by the Residence Life Training Committees.

Educational Program 
The Educational Program Of The Year was born out of Resident Assistants trying to figure out how to get their residents to come to a program about signs of sexual assault, which is not always the most fun topic to discuss. The RAs came up with this program to hook residents and once they were there the RAs were able to inform residents on different resources on campus. The 2012 to 2013 Educational Program Of The Year is Life Lessons with Peter Griffin, written by Chance Baker.

Passive Program 
The Passive Program Of The Year was a challenge by the RA supervisor to create a bulletin board which would be creative, fun, and get residents talking about the topic. By taking some time to think about what would resonate with community members, one of the RAs created a “throw back” bulletin board to help residents gain more understanding of sexually transmitted diseases. The 2012 to 2013 Passive Program Of The Year is STDs, Don’t Catch ‘Em All, done by Brittany Lemke.

Social Program 
The Social Program Of The Year was a program put on by an entire staff, RAs, GAs, and HDs. The staff saw a need for safe and alternative programs during a weekend traditionally set aside for some potential bad decision making. The program was really three programs in one done at multiple times through the day to give residents something to do. The 2012 to 2013 Social Program Of The Year is Polar Bear Alternative Programs, done by the Schneider Hall Staff.

Organization 

The nominator wrote of this Organization Of The Year nominee: At the beginning of the semester, students are just getting used to the swing of things. Memorizing their schedule, finding their classes, buying books, finalizing registration, and planning out their semester. It is a hectic time for students and staff…a little break for some fun is a welcome interruption. The 2012 to 2013 Organization Of The Year is the SIU Student Programming Council.

Residential Community

The nominator wrote of this Residential Community Of The Year nominee: Whether it be participating and supporting campus wide events, raising money for charitable foundations or organizing programs that catered to resident’s suggestions, the organization has gone above and beyond to create a positive community in many unique ways. The 2012 to 2013 Residential Community Of The Year is the Mae Smith Area Council.

In addition to recognizing Of The Year awards, we took time to recognize all our student leaders on campus. A special plaque was created last year to honor the Presidents of the three umbrella organizations: National Residence Hall Honorary, Residence Hall Association, and Black Togetherness Organization. Pictured below are outgoing Presidents Joelle Rollins-Kent (RHA), Greg Gierling (NRHH), and Courtney Taylor (BTO). Thank you for your service to SIU and University Housing!

Student Leader Spotlight - Shane Kenealy

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.

Today's student leader spotlight is on Shane Kenealy. Shane is a first-year resident of Mae Smith Hall and has been very involved with Mae Smith Area Council and the Residence Hall Association. Shane recently served as part of the SIU delegation to the Illinois Residence Hall Association (IRHA) conference. In November 2012, Shane received recognition as the National First Year Student Of The Month from the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).

1. My name is Shane Kenealy
2. I am from Plainfield, Illinois. I live right now in Mae Smith Hall.
3. My major is Special Education Teaching
4. My favorite part about being involved in the Residence Halls is that I can meet many different people and do many different activities.
5. My favorite program would have to be the tie dye event that Mae Smith Area Council did. I also like the movie nights that we have. 
6. In 10 years I see myself as a Special Education teacher and with a family.
7. My favorite memory so far would have to be the gingerbread decorating contest and Dawgs Night Out. There are many more that I did like also.
8. My favorite quote is you take the good with the bad and the bad with the good.
9. The best study spot on campus is the 9th floor hub lounge and the library.
10. I am in the AIR program at the Rec Center and I go to the Newman Center for church and for me to receive my confirmation.