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Courtney McKenna Knows Greek Life

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Leigh Maneri Student Contributor, Quinnipiac University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Quinnipiac chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Assistant Director of the Student Center and Campus Life, Courtney McKenna gets real about a day at work, de-stressing, and the future of the QU Greeks!

Where did you go to school?
I attended the University of Rhode Island for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
  I recieved a BA in Communication Studies, French and minored in Leadership Studies and completed the Honors Program. Later, I recieved my masters in Human Development & Family Studies with a College Student Personnel focus.

What was your favorite part of college.

I had amazing opportunities during my college years and looking back, am not sure how I juggled it all.  I was a varsity cheerleader, member of Alpha Chi Omega, worked at the University Bookstore, was a URI 101 mentor and URI 101 Intern, and Orientation Leader.  Working with so many amazing faculty and staff members, who really encouraged me to follow my dreams even if I didn’t know what they were at that moment, was truly transformative.  I also think the decision I made to study in Paris the summer between my Junior and Senior year was one of the best experiences of my life.  I didn’t know a soul, but was confident that I could communicate with the locals and make friends – and that’s just what I did!  I still keep in touch with the other students I met while there.

How long have you been employed at QU?

I have been the Assistant Director of the Student Center & Campus Life since July 2008.  Greek Life has always been a major responsibility of my position, but more-so recently since the reorganization of the department, as I am able to focus more specifically on Greek Life and and the Emerging Leaders program.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love helping students realize their leadership potential.  I firmly believe that you do not need to hold a leadership position to become a leader – and I am constantly surrounded by students who challenge themselves in this way each day.  Being a Greek advisor also allows me to have conversations with students about personal and organizational values like integrity, scholarship, brotherhood/sisterhood and service. Conversations about these topics are commonplace and expected in the Greek Suite. Watching students hold each other accountable to these values is amazing!

You have so much responsibility! How do you relax and de-stress?

There are three main things that help me relax and de-stress.  1- I try to surround myself with great friends and family whenever I can. I think that makes all the difference.  2- I really try to make time for the gym in my schedule.  If I’m short on time, I’ll run stairs in my apartment building.  3- I look for visually pleasing art and design – from home stores to craft stores to driving and looking at houses – art and design brightens my day immediately.

What do you foresee for where Greek life is going at QU?

The fraternity and sorority movement is growing nationally, and QU (while slightly faster) is growing too!  There’s no doubt in my mind that the QU Greek Community will continue to grow – I think you will see more culturally based fraternities and sororities (from umbrella organizations like the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations and the National Pan-Hellenic Council) at QU as well as NPC (National Panhellenic Conference) and NIC (North-American Interfraternity Conference) organizations.

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Leigh Maneri
Leigh is a senior print journalism major and sociology minor at Quinnipiac University. She enjoys traveling, writing, photography, watching Sex and the City, going out on the town (of Hamden) and laughing with, and at her housemates. In the Summer of 2009, she interned in Los Angeles at Genlux Magazine and Red Light Public Relations. She studied in Barcelona in the Spring of 2010 where she learned the true importance of life from the Catalan people. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega and was a recruitment counselor during formal sorority recruitment in February. It has been rumored that due to her consistent honesty, she has no secrets of her own. Leigh loves her university and is having the time of her life as a senior. She has only had a few minor freak-outs about her upcoming graduation to date.