Current Occupation: Undergraduate Admissions Counselor
Hometown: Lake Hiawatha
Activities on Campus: During undergrad I was on SGA, an Orientation Leader, co-editor of the yearbook, and sister of Theta Phi Alpha
Fun Fact: I’ve visited 25 different college campuses in a year and a half
Favorite Quote: “You live but once; might as well be amusing.” – Coco Chanel
The Facts
HC: What college did you attend and what was your course of study?
MZ: I attended WPU studying Biology and Secondary Education.
HC: What are your greatest achievements and memories from college?
MZ: I’ve held many positions in Theta Phi Alpha, and I wouldn’t give up any of those memories with my sisters.
HC: What kind of extra-curricular activities were you a part of?
MZ: During undergrad I was on SGA, an Orientation Leader, co-editor of the yearbook, and sister of Theta Phi Alpha
HC: Growing up, who would you say had the most influence on you?
MZ: My grandpa; he was always stopping to talk to people, even if he didn’t know them, and this influenced me to be outgoing. He could talk to everyone and anyone about anything, and I was always with him during these excursions around town which definitely impacted me.
HC: What motivates you?
MZ: Helping others and making things better than when I first started.
Switching Roles
HC: You worked for your sorority and did a lot of traveling! Tell me about how that experience was.
MZ: It was amazing. I was able to meet so many women from across the country who share the same values but may come from very different backgrounds. No matter where I went, I always felt at home, and I credit that a lot to what it truly means to be a Theta Phi.
HC: How has the transition from traveling to living back in New Jersey been?
MZ: I’ve missed New Jersey so much while traveling. For starters, it’s hard to get a good bagel or pizza when you’re not in the tri-state area. But I never realized how lucky we are to live out here. So many women I met had never been to the ocean or to New York City, which I think is something we all might take for granted.
HC: You got to experience the complete package of admissions from being a prospective student, to being a student ambassador and now an admissions counselor. How has that transitional phase helped you in your new job?
MZ: It honestly makes my job so much easier. I obviously chose WPU for a reason, and I now have the opportunity to share that with prospective students. Not only do I have the opportunity to talk to prospective students about the great things about WPU, I can talk to them first hand about what it’s like to be a Pioneer.
HC: If you could travel back in time and give yourself a piece of advice what year would you choose and what would you say?
MZ: I would probably go back to the end of my senior year in high school to tell myself to truly embrace everything that college has to offer. Even though I did a lot during my undergraduate years, there are some instances where I could have given more effort or stayed up a little later because those are precious times that will never be the same in the future.
HC: If you could change one thing about William Paterson, what would that be?
MZ: I think we could always use a little more Pioneer pride. It’s gotten much bigger in the last few years, but there’s always room for more!
HC: Let us get to know you! What do you like to do during your spare time?
MZ: I enjoy relaxing at home, mostly watching something on Netflix or spending time with family and friends.