There is one woman on this campus who can find any answer, brighten any day, and be an inspiration to everyone around her. April Paszkiewicz has one of the biggest hearts of any person to ever become a member of the Campbell University family. She attended North Carolina State University during the same time as Philip Rivers, to whom she has quite a bit of allegiance. AP, as she is so fondly known as to Campbell students, completed her graduate school education at Campbell University. She is incredibly hard working and an excellent role model to the young women at Campbell.
AP works in the Lundy Fetterman School of Business and has an open door policy to everyone on campus, even if they are not business school kids. Students can be found crowding into her office every day of the week looking for advice, searching for a funny comment, or just venting about life issues. A friendly ear is often times all someone needs, but April will always do you one better by adding sarcastic comments, making you laugh until your sides burst. She and her husband, Jeff, make quite the witty pair. They love to play trivia and board games.
There are so many things than can be said about April Paszkiewicz, but when asked for a couple quotes she would like to share with the women of Campbell University, her words share more about her than any other person could ever write.
“It is an honor to know that young women on this campus view me as someone they can go to when they need help on CU campus. I’m flattered that students both in the School of Business and in other majors recognize me and consider me in such a wonderful light. I hope that I will continue to be known as a helpful and good intentioned person who puts our students first in all matters and looks out for everyone as if they were part of my family. I would like to say thank you to each young lady who voted for me as the HER CAMPUS CELEBRITY.
As for a quote about life, love, etc.: I want to speak to young women across the campus and let them know that the first thing each young lady of CU needs to know is that being classy is the name of the game. When given the opportunity to rise above a bad situation, take the high road. When given the opportunity to speak kindly of someone, take the time to do so. If you will always respect yourself first, then others will respect you. When given the choice between playing it safe and taking a risk, always chose the risk but only after you have carefully considered the repercussions of the choice you plan to make. I want young women at CU to consider the people that they associate with, those who you hang with are a reflection of who you are. At the end of the day, you are the only person responsible for yourself- so make sure that each path you chose to walk is one that you wouldn’t mind sharing with your mom, dad, sibling, best friend, future husband or God himself.
As for those young ladies who are getting ready to start internships or careers soon, my best advice is to never let them see you sweat. It is okay to be emotionally driven, I have a passion for my job that reaches far past office 219, but when you face bosses and authority figures save your tears and rants for a close friend or the confines of your home. The easiest way for men in the workplace to point to a woman’s weakness is to use her emotions against her. I know that many of you may shed tears when you get angry, frustrated or when your feelings have been hurt, but work now to start toughening your skin. Everyone at CU wants to see you succeed but in the business world, your loss is another person’s gain. So don’t become callus to situations, don’t let go of the emotions that make you the wonderful and vibrant woman you are, but be sure to check them at the door of your job. Find a great co-worker, a good friend or a close relative that you can call and vent to and who can help you see clearly, but in the heat of the moment hold your head high and stand firm in what you believe.
As for love I want to shout from the mountain tops to all young women that a good man is out there and he is waiting for you. Don’t get discouraged in your search for Mr. Right. There is no “right” timeline for love…it happens when it happens. So don’t settle for anything less than what you want, but don’t narrow your focus so keenly that you miss someone who is absolutely amazing. He doesn’t have to match all 30 qualities you have listed out on your “wish list” instead he needs to match you in a couple of key places and then you can make the decision if his shortcomings are overcome by his outstanding qualities. I want each of you to read what my father-in-law told Jeff and I while we were dating:
‘It is crucial to be attracted to one another and to have those butterflies when you are with someone initially, but more importantly to be happy long term you need to be understanding of one another in three areas finances (how you save and spend money), your ideas of family (where you will live, how you will live and how children will come into your lives), and religion (whether you are the same or different, how much time and money will be devoted there, who you are at your core). Once you find someone who gives you that feeling, talk openly and honestly about your future…when you find him, he’ll have all the right answers’.”
When it comes to role models, there is no greater option out there than AP! Full of wisdom and love, she can be a best friend, a mother figure, or a mentor, even all three rolled into one when you need her. Many people on this campus require you to figure things out on your own, have you guess and check until you find what you need because they are too busy to take time out of their day to get you what you need. Despite her obnoxiously busy schedule and never ending list of tasks to complete each day, AP will never turn a student out. If there is ever a woman on this campus who deserves recognition for a job well done, it is the one and only April Paszkiewicz.