HC: What was your experience like as a student?
SB: I fit the overly committed student profile. I was a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, student working in Student Development and always worked off campus to make some extra money. I am a first generation student so I basically had no expectations for what college was. I spent the first two years being impressed and feeling spoiled and the second two years helping to make that experience a reality for my peers. As for my academic life – I loved my fellow classmates and always studied with them for our Politics classes. There was nothing like prepping for a Miller exam to bring people together. I missed that camaraderie so much between undergrad and grad school, that is one of the major reasons I started my Masters.
HC:What was that student-professional transition like?
SB: It was odd. When it was happening, I was dealing with it day by day. For the first year, I focused on trying not to show my employer or employees how much I didn’t know. Figuring out how to supervise people who were my peers a week before was really tough for me. The schedule and the work projects came easy. I did get a little sick of explaining to EVERYONE that I was no longer a student and that yes, I really am a professional. I would like to think my skin got a little thicker that first year.
HC: What’s the biggest misconception about the #commuterlife?
SB: Being a commuter is hard. The largest misconception is that commuters don’t want to be involved. They do, it is just more difficult for them. Often their participation or dedication to clubs and events indicates complete apathy but that is not the whole story. Many of our commuters have families, spend hours a day commuting, and/or work full time.
HC: What’s CAB?
SB: CAB is the acronym for the Commuter Activities Board, a student run club that represents the commuter population. They have 6 elected executive board members, an events committee and are allotted nearly $20,000 for programming each academic year from Student Government Association. They host multiple events each month including on and off campus opportunities, meetings, and they host a week long Commuter Appreciation Week each semester. They are the voice of the commuter students and spend lots of time advocating for and serving their students.
HC: Can we get the food truck on campus everyday? Who do we have to complain to to make it happen?!
SB: Hah! CAB has worked hard this year to bring a variety of food trucks to campus. Each time it requires a set of approvals and so it isn’t something we can do more than once or twice a month. I am glad to know people enjoy them! We will sure have them next year!
HC: Favorite co-worker?
SB: Bernie, definitely. He’s always smiling, full of MU spirit and never had a bad thing to say!
HC: Favorite student?
SB: This is like asking a mother to pick her favorite child. There are too many amazing students and I love them all.
HC: Most memorable experience as a student?
SB: Graduation by far. Walking down the beautiful marble steps in DC in my cap and gown going to see my family was incredible. In that moment, I remembered how proud they were of me, what I had accomplished and how grateful I was for all of the opportunities I’ve had.
HC: Most memorable experience as a professional?
SB: My most memorable experience as a professional was International Banquet a few years ago when one of my student workers performed a traditional Indian dance. Her family could not be there to support her and so I promised her I would go. After the performance, she came and found me in the crowd and gave me an enormous hug. She whispered in my ear, “thanks for always believing in me”. Both of our eyes teared and we hugged a little tighter. That was one of those interactions that reminded me why I do what I do. I will never forget that student and the impact she had on me. A photo of us together from that night still hangs in my office to remind me of the positive impact I can have on many students.
[Image Credit: Sarah Burnett]