UNH Alumna and a face of the Office of Student Activities
Name: Colleen KerriganFrom: Originally from North Reading, MA/ Now from Wallingford, CTGraduation Year: 2011Major: Forensic Science and ChemistryUniversity Job Title: Coordinator of Student Activities
HC: During your time at the University of New Haven, what activities were you involved in on campus? CK: In my time at the University of New Haven I was heavily involved through the Office of Student Activities. I was a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon and served as the President in 2010-2011. I was the Executive Assistant for the Undergraduate Student Government Association in 2010-2011. I was a member of the Orientation Staff and served as a Co-Chair from 2008-2010 and as the Coordinator in 2011. I was also a building manager for the Bartels Campus Center from 2008-2011.
HC: After graduation, what made you want to come back and work for the University? CK: I’ve loved UNH from the moment I stepped on campus as a freshen student. I loved my professors, the staff, and especially the other students that I met here. The decision to work at UNH was one of the easiest decisions I’ve made. Not only do I have the best job in the world, but I get to come to a place that I consider my second home. I’ve seen the campus transform over the past few years, and although the students and staff may not be the same as when I was a student, the caliber of people that I interact with is superb.
HC: Do you have any advice for students looking to work for UNH after graduation?CK: My advice to students searching for jobs, even those not interested in working at UNH, is to find something you are genuinely passionate about. It’s hard to go to work if you don’t love your job. If you find something that you love to do, you won’t ever need to work a day in your life.
HC: What are some of your responsibilities within the Office of Student Actives? CK: In the Office of Student Activities I wear several hats. First and foremost, I am the person who oversees campus programming, which includes major events like Family Day, Midnight Madness, Swimsuit Sprint, Snowball, Spring Weekend, Twisted Thursdays and Late Night Programming. I am the advisor for the Student Committee of Programming Events (SCOPE), Up ‘til Dawn organization, and the Class of 2018. I oversee educational programming and coordinate events such as Thanksgiving Celebration, Holiday Fest, Alcohol Awareness Week, and Health and Wellness Week. I also play a role in the Orientation program and coordinate events during Welcome Week.
HC: Working with OSA, do you have a favorite event that you are able to oversee? CK: Spring Weekend, specifically the Spring Concert is the largest and most rewarding event that I have coordinated. I work very closely with SCOPE to manage the details of this event and thoroughly enjoy the behind the scenes planning for a concert that hosts 1500 students. The planning for this event is far more extravagant than others because we are working with production and music agencies from all over the country. Spring Concert is a large undertaking and has many moving pieces, but is extremely rewarding when the final event comes together and students are excited to experience a concert right in their backyard.
HC: What was one of your favorite memories as an undergrad? CK: During the spring semester of my senior year, I was awarded the Dean of Students Leadership Award. This was one of the most memorable experiences for me as an undergraduate because it was the culmination of my co-curricular achievements, and the final push that I needed to lead me to the field of Higher Education.
HC: Do you have any advice for the undergraduates? CK: I would urge undergraduate students to get involved in as many co-curricular experiences as possible. It was my out of the classroom experiences that led to my career in Higher Education. Had I not been involved in the Office of Student Activities I probably wouldn’t have found my calling. I also met some of the most wonderful people by being involved in student organizations.