Starting college can be a hard transition for just about anyone. First Year Seminar is a program in which all PhilaU freshmen learn about the ins and outs of the school, how to get involved on campus, and how to make the best of their college experience. This program is important and unique to PhilaU, as well as the staff that makes it all possible. I sat down with Heather Weaver, the Associate Director of Student Engagement for First Year Programs, and learned how the program got started, along with many other interesting things about her.
Carly Brisach: What are your hobbies?
Heather Weaver: Something that I’ve been involved in since I was 12 years old is the Civil Air Patrol, which is the Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Currently, I am a Group Commander, which means I’m responsible for all of the squadrons in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It’s a really amazing program. Also, I’m very involved with church and I love doing things outside – anything having to do with the outdoors such as hiking, biking, landscaping, and gardening is what I like to do.
CB: What prompted First Year Seminar?
HW: Even before I got here 2 years ago, the school wanted to put together a course that would really help our first year students become a member of the PhilaU family and understand all of the resources that are here on campus and just how to be more successful on campus in general. I know that there were a lot of conversations that happened over a period of years to bring that idea into production. Then when I started here two years ago, we started a committee to focus and plan the first year seminar.
CB: What do you like most about your job?
HW: I love working with students, that’s why I’m in this career field. Especially with orientation, you just get to see new students and their families being so excited to come to campus. I just really like being part of that experience of bringing new students in and watching them grow from orientation to the end of their first year. So that’s really rewarding.
CB: What do you like most about PhilaU in general?
HW: I think PhilaU has such a unique perspective, from the mission of the university to the types of majors. And then you have our students who work really hard on their academics, but also are very involved around campus with student activities, community service, or work study or off campus jobs. It’s just a really interesting place. I also love that no day here is the same. One day I have a fashion design student come in and show me the latest thing that they’re working on, then someone else has a completely different project. It’s just really great to meet all the students and see what they’re doing as professionals.
CB: Could you see yourself doing anything else?
HW: Hmmm, the only thing that’s still in the back of my mind since I was a little kid is becoming an astronaut. I have been obsessed with space and the universe since I was really small, so if they ever need a student affairs professional in space, count me in.
CB: What was your most memorable experience at PhilaU?
HW: There have been so many, but I would have to say when one of our coordinators for the First Year Experience program, Shakarr, had this idea to put together a formal because we haven’t really ever had that before in a long time. So FYE had a spring formal in the gym and it was really successful. It was really cool for me to see everything the students put together, from planning the theme to selling tickets to transforming the gym with decorations. It was so great seeing 300 students all dressed up, dancing and having a good time all because a dedicated group of students wanted to make it happen!