He’s charming, interested in law school, and wants you to get to know him. This week’s Campus Cutie is a motivated “townie” that values his family and his community.
Name: Mike Green
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
HC (Her Campus): So, tell me a little about yourself. What are you involved in on campus?
MG (Mike Green): Well on campus, I’m a sophomore legislator for Student Government. I am also a mentor with the Protégé Mentoring Program for the Office of Multicultural affairs. I also live in theme housing in the H.O.P.E House, which is an acronym for Helping Our People Excel. It’s basically a community outreach and mentoring themed house. We mentor and work with kids from the local Boys and Girls Club.
HC: You seem to mostly be involved in mentoring-based organizations, is there a reason why?
MG: Well, part of it is that I am from Winston-Salem so I take any chance I can get to help some of the more disadvantaged kids around the area. A lot of them actually went to the same high school as me so I think it’s really important to give back. It also goes hand in hand with Wake’s motto of Pro Humanitante. It’s something I really do believe in. I really believe that we should stress service and especially giving back from where you came from. It’s always good just to help people. I feel like I’m at this place where I have gone through what many of them have gone through, especially with the PMP program. I’m mentoring a freshman so I have already been through what they have gone through, like starting college.
HC: What is the most rewarding experience you have had mentoring?
MG: The most rewarding thing is probably just the looks on the kids’ faces when we come around, you can just see their faces light up. They look up to us and admire us because we’re older and college students. Also because we have a lot of fun with them, playing video games, football and other stuff. From the looks on their faces I can tell that I’m helping them in some way. I may not be making a huge impact on their lives in that moment but I know that I’m helping them in some way, in some aspect of their lives.
HC: Why did you choose to stay in town for school?
MG: It’s the fact that I have a top tier university in my own backyard. I also have a lot of Wake fans in my family, so when I got that acceptance they were kind of pushing me here. When I got a scholarship to go to Wake, that sealed the deal for me. My friends always tease me that I’m basically still at home; like, “you go to school like ten minutes away from your house”. Wake does a good job of not making me feel like that though. Wake is kind of like an insulate community– a lot of people describe it as a bubble and it kind of is. I feel like I’m away at college not at home.
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HC: Being from Winston-Salem you probably know some places Wake students should visit to get out of the “bubble”, or do before they graduate.
MG: Well, that’s tough because there’s not a lot to do in Winston (laughs). I’d say definitely check out downtown, that’s a really cool area. There are a lot of great restaurants on 4th street. Nightlife is picking up downtown in places like Ziggy’s. Wake students should definitely see what downtown has to offer. A lot of people don’t know this but we are called the “city of the arts”, with an art district. Downtown has a lot to offer but is often overlooked.
HC: What do you see yourself doing in the future?
MG: I’m not a hundred percent sure. I’m pre-law, so I’m thinking about law school after graduation. Possibly working in government in D.C.; probably like a lawyer or lobbyist. I’m leaning towards something in that intersection between business, law, and government.
HC: What sparked your interest in the government and politics?
MG: I’ve always been interested in politics and the legislative process. I can never see myself running for a government office and being a mayor or governor. I’ve always seen myself as being a liaison for the people between the government – being a person who has the power to get the people’s voice heard in that legislative process.
HC: Who are some people who have inspired you?
MG: My biggest inspiration is my mom. She is a single parent and she had my older siblings in her early years of college and she still managed to finish and get her degree with two children. She has always taught us the value of education. She inspired me in terms of pursuing higher education and to push myself and never give up. Another person who has inspired me has been my pastor; I still go to my home church. He’s just a strong guy and stresses in the church to not just come and hear the Word, but to get out in the community and do God’s work, by volunteering and helping the needy.
HC: So, how would you say you want people to see you?
MG: Basically in the same ways as I see the people who inspire me in my life. I want them to see me as a person who is very hard working, determined, and very willing to give back, and willing to do God’s work. Ultimately I want them to see me as a person who excels, but never forgot where they came from.
HC: Describe your most embarrassing moment since being at Wake.
MG: We threw a party [in the house I live in] at the beginning of the school year and during the party I got nailed in the face with a can. I still have a scar from it. I was standing next to the guy someone was trying to throw a drink to; they missed and hit me. It was kind of embarrassing because I think everyone saw it. I’m fine now though (laughs).
HC: What is an embarrassing moment you have had trying to talk to a girl?
MG: I go to Take Two in Benson and get the corn beef Reuben for lunch, it’s my favorite sandwich from there. It has sauerkraut on it, which tends to make your breath stink. After I finished eating I tried to talk to this girl and she was really blunt and just flat out told me my breath reeked. It was kind of embarrassing (laughs).
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HC: What is one thing girls do that you really don’t like?
MG: When girls wear a lot of makeup, especially the colored stuff on their eyes – colored eye shadow or whatever. Especially when it matches their outfit, that’s the worst. It’s just a bit too much.
HC: What is one of your guilty pleasures?
MG: I like Real Housewives of Atlanta; those girls are crazy. It’s a funny show. I’m kind of a fan of reality TV.
HC: What is your favorite thing about the fall?
MG: My grandma makes pumpkin pie, so I always like to have some of her pie on Thanksgiving.
HC: Since it’s almost the end of the semester, do you have any advice for freshman that might have first-semester regrets?
MG: Don’t lose focus. I know when springtime comes around people like to go out and have fun. It’s important to have a good freshman year because it’s just downhill from there, and just gets harder. Just make sure you stay focused in your classes and do your best. Also get involved around campus.
HC: Next semester is an important time for sophomores, what are your plans for spring semester?
MG: My goal is to get admitted to the business school and declare myself a Business and Enterprise Management major. That’s like my biggest goal right now, so I’m focusing on my pre-recs. Another smaller goal is to get hired back at the Bridge. I worked there over the summer while at summer school; so I hope to get some hours next semester and start making money (laughs).
HC: What do you want readers to know about you?
MG: I am a very personable person. I always want to meet new people. So if you read this article and see me around campus, don’t be afraid to come up and introduce yourself because I’m always excited to meet new people!
*Article by Alesha Watson
*Photography by Kelly Guin