There are some people in this world that are truly amazing and Helen Wang is one of them. Even before I met Helen I knew that she was a talented, sweet, and inspirational woman based on everyone’s description of her. After getting to know her as my house fellow last year she has impacted my life, becoming both my mentor and my friend. She was more than happy to sit down with me (after yoga class) to interview for this article.
This is Helen’s sixth year as a house fellow at Carnegie Mellon. Originally a Donner house fellow (and forever a Donneroo) she became the Morewood E-Tower house fellow this year. Helen is actively involved in the community, helping first year residents organize events like this month’s OKTOWER Fest. “I have the best job ever,” Helen said. “I can’t believe they actually pay me to do this.”
A 1999 Carnegie Mellon University alumna, Helen majored in English and minored in psychology. She never thought she’d be back here on campus but, as she explains, “the opportunity came and it was too hard to pass up.” Helen continued to tell me that she has never been able to find anywhere else like CMU with its “passionate and rigorous” characteristics. She loves it here and truly believes that being here at Carnegie Mellon University “changes you forever.”
Helen is also known for her extremely impressive yoga skills and passion for the art. Wednesdays at five o’clock she can be found leading yoga class for University residents. “Yoga is definitely my thing,” Helen explained. She was certified in New York City in yoga vinyasa. She goes to classes in Shadyside whenever she can and is generous enough to volunteer her time to teaching students, who need the relaxation and stress relief, the benefits of yoga.
Her first passion is working with women. While living in New York City she was actively involved in Women’s Rights at Work Organization. It was a hotline for woman to call when they needed help dealing with discrimination in the workplace and in general.
One of the first things Helen did as a house fellow here was work with a gender organization focusing on the empowerment of women. “I think it’s really interesting that people don’t think there is a gender problem here at Carnegie Mellon University. But it is such a tech school and there are sometimes only one or two females in an entire class,” Helen said. Helen is a strong supporter of females being comfortable with being women.
Helen also loves food and cooking, “I’m an experimental chef, and I always invite people over and make them eat the new things I’ve made.” The other campus celebrity pictured and Helen’s love is her dog Millie. The adorable 45-pound bulldog can be found walking around campus alongside Helen or her husband Don, or just sitting there. As Helen said, “When that diva doesn’t want to walk, there’s nothing that can make her.”
What are Helen’s words of wisdom for Carnegie Mellon University students today? That it is “important to find connections for life here because after all the classes and extracurriculars you’ll remember the people you met here.” I know that I will look back at my college experience and remember Helen as one of those connections that I made.