Name: Josh Gaisser
Occupation: Area Coordinator of Residence Life
Role Models: Definitely my dad, followed by Randy Pausch, Simon Sinek and Steve Jobs. All inspirational leaders who discuss how to lead your life the right way– with passion and love for what you do, no matter what that happens to be.
Favorite place to hang out off campus: I’d have to say Mercer Village. Does that count? I pretty much live at Jittery Joes/Margaritas/Fountain of Juice. A close second would be the bowling alley. I bowl a highly intimidating 62 point average.
What is one thing everyone should experience at Mercer? Definitely Bearstock, and not even for the main events (although they are awesome as well). There is such a celebration of diversity at Bearstock– so many different people from all different walks of life; students, faculty members, community members, all jamming out to the same music. Food vendors, people playing frisbee, people just hanging out and relaxing… it’s just a perfect day where everybody takes a vacation from the rest of the world to come together for one great day of celebration.
How do you think you make an impact at MU? I have the pleasure of supervising 15 highly unique, energetic, and special Resident Assistants (well, 14 RAs and 1 SRA– hey Alex!), as well as advising two awesome student organizations on campus: The Residence Hall Association and The National Residence Hall Honorary. I hope that by working closely with these students, I can help them develop greater life skills and leadership skills that will allow them to make a tangible and positive difference in the lives of the residents who live on their floors and in their residence halls, as well as help them become better prepared for the world outside of Mercer. I hope to change lives here at Mercer and inspire students to achieve things they’ve never dreamed possible.
How do you define success? I believe success is about being happy– truly happy in all aspects of your life. Money isn’t going to make you happy. It’s all about the memories you make and the people you choose to make those memories with. Live for the life experience– try new things. Step outside of your comfort zone. Devote yourself to loving others and the making an impact in the community around you. That’s how success is truly measured– in the amount of difference we have made in the lives of the people around us.