Meet the RAs! - Jacob Rose

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 Jacob Rose, RA in the Wall & Grand Apartments.

1. What's your name? Jacob Rose

2. Where are you from? Highland, IL

3. What's your major? Architecture and History

4. What is the best program or event you've been to on campus? Walk a Mile in Her Shoes! I have to be biased for it, I love it!

5. What's the last book you read for fun? The Swan King: Ludwig II of Bavaria

6. What is your favorite thing about being an RA? What I like about being an RA is the camaraderie that is formed between fellow Housing Staff Members. I also love to meet my fellow classmates through the job.

7. How else are you involved at SIU? I am involved in a variety of different organizations, I am very proud of my service to IFC (Interfraternity Council).

• Beta Theta Pi - Previously served as Director of Risk Management, Director of Finance, and Director of Communications. 
• The Interfraternity Council - Director of Community Service and Philanthropy -3 consecutive terms 
• Order of Omega - Currently serving as Vice President 
• Founder of the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, and served as its coordinator for the consecutive terms. 
• Relay for Life - Jackson County - Luminaria Chair 
• Phi Alpha Theta - Currently serving as its President 
• Design Liaison for Station Carbondale Inc. 

8. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I hope to have an Internship by the time I graduate, more particularly with a firm close to were I study for graduate school or were I live. After I graduate from SIU, I am going to attend Graduate School to pursue a master's degree in Architecture. I am considering many schools to continue my education, this can include our SIU, Ball State University, and Washington University in St. Louis. After I receive my degree, I am going to be a liscensed architect and have a full time job with a firm. I hope to work for HOK in St. Louis, a well known firm. After that I hope to open my own practice. During this time, I hope to be married and have a family. Help achieve their dreams. I also want to be involved in the St. Louis Beta Theta Pi Alumni Club, and possibly my home chapter in Carbondale. I also hope to become more involved with the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and Sons of the American Revolution.

9. What is your favorite quote? "God is in the details." - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

10. What do you do to unwind when you're feeling stressed? I love to listen to classical music, such as Richard Wagner, or Johann Bach. You can thank my dad for my love of that. Along with that, I also love to read.

Student Leader Profile: Robert Konzelmann

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 Robert Konzelmann. Robert is a Resident Assistant (RA) in the Architecture Living Learning Community in Mae Smith Hall.

1. What is your name? Robert Konzelmann

2. Where are you from? Good ol’ Williamsville, Illinois 

3. What is your major? Architecture 

4. What is your favorite dining hall food? Definitely the stir fry. 

5. What has been your favorite program or event on campus so far? The Wheel Chair Accessibility Program—best excuse to race around on wheelchairs and not get asked to leave.

6. Where do you hope to be (or what do you hope to be doing) in 2023? I hope to be working under a famous architect and designing the future. . . Also fighting crime on the side— that would be pretty cool too. 

7. What is the best part about living in University Housing? I would definitely say that meeting everyone and getting to know them. It is such a unique experience that it can hardly be considered a job.

8. Where do you get your best studying done? Good question. . . I would say either in my room or in the shower—I hope I’m not the only one who can get their thoughts straight in the shower.

9. Why did you get involved with your community? I got involved in my community because it’s what all the cool kids are doing these days. Also, I believe that in order to make it through this adventure we call life, it’s important to stick together and support each other through it all. It’s better to be a light in a dark place than to let others wander around in the dark. 

10. Favorite quote? “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” – Steve Martin

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

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.

Meet the RAs! - Ivan Vargas

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?  Ivan Vargas
2.  Where are you from?  The City that Never Sleeps: New York City
3.  What’s your major?  Architecture & Photography with a minor in German Language
4.  What is your favorite dining hall food?  I really enjoy the breakfast at University Hall! I see many Hall Directors early in the morning getting their breakfast at UHall.
5.  Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  Walmart...why? Because in NYC there's no Walmart stores, so I take advantage of the low price down here.
6.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  An architect working in a firm in New York City and probably have a small photography studio as my part time job.
7.  What do you like about being an RA?  I really enjoy the bond I have with my University Hall staff. I have a good relationship with my residents. And you meet many people through this job.
8.  Favorite quote?  I relate this towards my architecture major. "The whole difference between construction and creation is this; that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists." -Charles Dickens
9.  Best study spot on campus?  Small dining room at University Hall.
10.  How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  I am President of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Volunteer member at Carbondale Public Library.

Meet the RAs! - Meagan Radloff

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?  Meagan Radloff
2. Where are you from?  Tinley Park, IL
3. What’s your major?  Architecture
4. What is your favorite dining hall food?  Spaghetti and meatballs/ grilled cheese
5. Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  The mall
6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Settled into a firm in Chicago and married
7. What do you like about being an RA?  All the new people I get to meet!
8. Favorite quote?  "worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but does not get you anywhere"
9. Best study spot on campus?  3rd floor of Morris Library
10. How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  I am Senior Executive of my sorority and involved in three honors societies.