Highlights from our Student Leaders by Jess Coombs

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.

Jess Coombs is one of the Hall Directors for West Campus. Jess also serves as the adviser for the West Campus Area Council.

Working with students this year has been an amazing experience! Not only did I attend the Illinois Residence Hall Association (IRHA) Conference “Where the Wild Things Are” hosted at Western Illinois University (WIU), but I also worked with my Area Council members to put on the Saluki Rodeo. The IRHA group worked really hard to harness their inner monsters and create some great shirts, SIU giveaways, and an awesome skit. They came to represent SIU, and learn about what is happening at other Illinois Schools and take what they learned to create some great programs and opportunities for other students here at SIU.

"Inside all of us is.... hope 

Inside all of us is.... fear 

Inside all of us is.... adventure 

Inside all of us is a wild thing" 

 -Where The Wild Things Are 2009

This group had a blast at the social one evening during IRHA, getting to know others and taking some crazy photos! They weren't afraid to show off their wild sides! :)

The whole delegation, decked out for their skit

The West Campus Area Council had a great year of programming: from the Highlighter Dance Party to Open Mic Nights, and an end of the year celebration with the Saluki Rodeo. This group took months to plan the Saluki Rodeo and loved riding the bulls, going through the obstacle course, and trying to get the farthest on the bungee run. Residents from all over campus were invited to expel some extra energy before hitting the books for finals. The Area Council also teamed up with Residence Hall Dining to put out some favorite summertime foods and some of our area council members were covered in sugar from making many bags of cotton candy.

              

                       

Here you can see two of our members having a blast on the inflatables and holding on tight to the riding bull as it spun around. This group really shined in all they did this year, and have paved the way for the future of the Area Council. Working with the students at SIU, is such a privilege and they taught me as much as I taught them. I can’t wait to see what our student leaders do for the 2013-2014 school year!

Meet the RAs! - Bridget Grubbs

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?  Bridget Grubbs

2. Where are you from?  Steger, IL

3. What's your major?  Animal Science specializing in Equine Science (horses)

4. What is your favorite dining hall food?  Probably would have to say “create your own pasta” nights!

5. Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  The barn – I love being around the horses.

6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  On a racetrack somewhere training horses or at a farm

helping breed stallions :)

7. What do you like about being an RA?  I love meeting new people all the time! The encounters are

endless and always entertaining!

8. Favorite quote?  "Never look down on anyone unless you’re helping them up." – Jesse Jackson

9. Best study spot on campus?  Hall Council Room of Schneider

10. How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)? I go to the Zumba class four times a week at the Recreation Center, I’ve joined the Horse Judge Team, I’m in Dawg Pound, and I also joined the Alumni Association.

Meet the RAs! - Cassie Singleton

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? Cassie Singleton
2. Where are you from? Abingdon, Illinois (by the Galesburg area)
3. What’s your major? Elementary Education
4. What is your favorite dining hall food? Fried Cheese Ravioli
5. Where is your favorite place to go off-campus? To my kindergarten classroom that I do observations for in Herrin.
6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I see myself being happy, being an awesome teacher, and living in the mountains.
7. What do you like about being an RA? All the connections that I have made with residents and staff.
8. Favorite quote? "Today you are You, that is truer than true. there is no one alive who is Youer than You." - Dr. Seuss.
9. Best study spot on campus? 3rd Floor of Morris Library where the children's books are with my cup of coffee.
10. How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)? I play intramural soccer and softball. I am also in the Elementary Education RSO.

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.

Meet the RAs! - Kevin Savoie

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!

· What’s your name?  Kevin Savoie
· Where are you from?  Bradley, Illinois
· What’s your major?  Creative Writing
· What is your favorite dining hall food?  Chicken pot pie!!
· Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  P-Mac's or Barnes and Noble or Good Will!!!
· Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  I hope I'll be teaching and publishing my writing.
· What do you like about being an RA?  Being able to meet all different types of people. I also love the opportunity to be creative with programming, advertising, and bulletin boards.
· Favorite quote?  "Never love anybody who treats you like you're ordinary." Oscar Wilde
· Best study spot on campus?  A quiet room pretty much anywhere. The secret garden behind Faner would be nice. 
· How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)? I will soon be an active volunteer tutor at the Writing Center.

Meet the RAs! - Alex Wilson

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?  Alex Wilson
2.  Where are you from?  Oswego, Illinois
3.  What’s your major?  Radio/Television
4.   What is your favorite dining hall food?  Chicken strips at Lentz
5.  Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  The movie theatre in the mall
6.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Reporting sports for a television news show (ESPN hopefully)
7.  What do you like about being an RA?  Building connections with people from all different majors and lifestyles
8.  Favorite quote?  "Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the from way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." - Rafiki (Lion King)
9.  Best study spot on campus?  New Media Center in the Communications Building
10.  How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  I am a weekly sports anchor for River Region Evening Edition and I play four or five different Intramural Sports.

Meet the RAs! - Jeanette Grosman

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!

We love your Saluki Pride, Jeanette!

1.  What’s your name?  Jeanette Grosman 

2.  Where are you from?  Vernon Hills, IL 

3.  What’s your major?  Communication Disorders & Sciences 

4.  What is your favorite dining hall food?  It’s a tie between Tortellini Alfredo and Thai Noodles 

5.  Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  Giant City State Park 

6.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Living in the Midwest and working as a Speech Pathologist in an elementary school 

7.  What do you like about being an RA?  Meeting so many new people and having a community both on my floor and as a staff 

8.  Favorite quote?  "Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have." - Anonymous

9.  Best study spot on campus?  The seating area in front of the library, overlooking the fountain and enjoying a smoothie from the library café on a sunny day :)

10.  How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  I’m president of SIU Hillel, Junior Advisor of AlphaLambda Delta Honor Society, and member of National Residence Hall Honorary. I also love going to group fitness classes at the Rec!

Meet the RAs! - Daniel Ray

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?  Daniel Ray
2.  Where are you from?  Arlington Heights, Illinois
3.  What's your major?  Automotive Technology
4.  What is your favorite dining hall food?  Pot roast night is by far the best thing they offer.
5.  Where is your favorite place to go off-campus?  Giant City State Park
6.  Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  I can see myself either working in a local shop or starting my own shop.
7.  What do you like about being an RA?  getting to meet other people who i would not normally meet
8.  Favorite quote?  Psalms 119:133  "keep steady my steps according to your promise and let no iniquity get dominion over me."
9.  Best study spot on campus?  lower level of Trueblood in the diner-style tables
10.  How else are you involved at SIU (besides being an RA)?  i am involved at Vine Church. I go to a small group and help set up the church for Sunday services