Student Affairs Blog

Title: Financial Analyst
Department: Residential Services – Budget and Finance
Where are you from? Evanston (currently)
What brought you to Student Affairs?
As of this year, I’ve worked within a Student Affairs / Auxiliary Services capacity for 3 different universities for 15 years. I initially started working for a university as a means of continuing my education.

How many years have you worked for Student Affairs at Northwestern?  4

What’s your favorite part about working in Student Affairs?
Working with some very dedicated and talented staff to prevent or resolve problems for other members of our university community.

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
Take advantage of opportunities to learn more about the work that you’re involved with and get to know the people around you that help to make it happen.

Who or what has had the greatest influence on your career?
I once worked closely with 2 members of an IT group who trusted me enough to let me take on responsibilities that I had not previously had, while also providing me with a fair amount of on-the-job training. The knowledge I picked up from them has continued to have incredible value.

What inspires you?
People with a true passion for what they do.

What can’t you live without?
An internet connection. Maslow seriously needs to update his hierarchy.

How do you like to spend your free time?
Watching the news, or reading through the headlines of the day.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Anywhere I can get good coffee, comfortable seating, and reliable internet.

Title: Assistant Director, Employer Strategy

Department: Northwestern Career Advancement

Where are you from? Chicago, IL

What brought you to Student Affairs?
I had previously been in an employer relations role at a different University, but was drawn to Students Affairs through my role at NCA and work with SIGP.

How many years have you worked at Student Affairs at Northwestern?    3.5

What is your favorite part about working in Student Affairs?
I love the support we are able to provide students in their career development and learning from colleagues throughout the division.

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
Volunteer! It the best way to learn about the amazing work being done throughout Student Affairs and getting to know others.

How do you like to spend your free time?
I really enjoy exploring a new city and eating my way through it.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Being lakeside for a walk in the summertime.

Title: Assistant Director, Employer Recruiting

Department: Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA)

Where are you from?

I am from the South Side of Chicago. I grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

What brought you to Student Affairs?
I recently completed National Service with Americorps where I worked with elementary school children in Atlanta Georgia and upon moving back to Chicago I realized that I wanted to continue to work in academia but with older students. I was familiar with Evanston and Northwestern since my grandparents lived in Evanston so I applied to work as a temporary employee at Northwestern. My first temporary assignment was in the department of Student Affairs and the rest is history.

How many years have you worked in Student Affairs at Northwestern?16

What’s your favorite part about working in Student Affairs?
My favorite part about working in Student Affairs is having the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of students – specifically by assisting them during a critical time in their lives as they navigate their career search and by getting to know them personally as their supervisor.

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
I would recommend that someone new to Student Affairs step outside of their office and get to know their colleagues across all departmental lines and to also explore the beautiful campus. I would also recommend taking advantage of the many campus events, concerts, speakers, exhibits at the Block and the professional development opportunities that are offered to staff.

What inspires you?
What inspires me? My children. Personally I embrace the challenges and learning curve of being a parent of two amazing college students that continue to inspire me in big and small ways daily- from going back to school for my graduate degree to learning the latest tiktok dance. There is no joy greater for me than being a mom.

What can’t you live without?
I can’t live without my reading glasses. I have several pairs that I have in the house, car, office and yet I still ask “has anybody seen my glasses?”

How do you like to spend your free time?
I spend my free time by having quality time with family and friends. I enjoy walking my dog Rolo, watching sports and HGTV.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is the Northwestern Beach on Lincoln Street.

Title: Director

Department: Student Organizations & Activities

Where are you from?
Philadelphia

What brought you to Student Affairs?
As a freshman living in the residence halls. I got in trouble for being too loud and violating quiet hours. I was documented and sanctioned to attend a hall council meeting. Not realizing it then, the hall director Joe Mullem saw something in me. I went to that sanctioned hall council meeting, was elected wing representative for my floor, became good friends with a Resident Advisor and thought being an RA seemed fun and the free room and board was not bad! I was a Resident Advisor, and orientation leader. I really enjoyed developing and executing programs and activities. I was quickly bit by the student affairs bug! I was blessed to be connected with great mentors who helped me develop my passion for SA. By the middle of sophomore year I knew I wanted a career in SA. Sometimes getting into trouble leads to bigger and better things.

How many years have you worked in Student Affairs at Northwestern?  12.5

What’s your favorite part about working in Student Affairs?
My colleagues! I absolutely love the passion and dedication of our division. We are some bad asses!!!!

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
Get to know people around the university not….. just in student affairs. Join committees, take advantages of professional development opportunities. Don’t be afraid to speak up and challenge things. Closed mouths don’t get fed!

Who or what has had the greatest influence on your career?
My mentor Kathy Lynch. She was the Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life during my undergraduates years at Kutztown University. She planted a lot of good student affairs seeds and made sure I had access to the right people and resources.

What inspires you?
My faith

What can’t you live without?
My family and my baby dog PPJ, orange tic tacs, honey crisp apples, navel oranges and cherries from Harry & David (that is my one guilty pleasure don’t judge!)

How do you like to spend your free time?
I love shopping!!! and spending time with my sweet baby dog Pepper Princess Jackson (PPJ). She is a two year old west highland terrier

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
East lawn of Norris

Title: Assistant Director for Outreach and Education

Department: Counseling and Psychological Services

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Warsaw, Poland but Chicago became my home in 1994 when I came to the US.

What brought you to Student Affairs?
I have worked in many different mental health settings throughout my career but I found my home at the university counseling centers. Transition to adulthood can be challenging on many levels and I feel privilaged to assist students on this journey. Prior to Northwestern, I was at UW Madison and returned to Chicago to be closer to my family who lives here. I am so glad I made that move.

How many years have you worked in Student Affairs at Northwestern?  6

What’s your favorite part about working in Student Affairs?
Working with dedicated, compassionate, thoughtful staff to who share common mission in supporting students.

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
It takes a while to adjust to a new environment, don’t try to do everything all at once. Be gentle with yourself. Reach out to other people in Student Affairs -there is community here for you. We are all in this together.

Who or what has had the greatest influence on your career?
I was lucky to have many people in my career that had great influence on me from professors, to clinical supervisors, but most importantly my clients.

What inspires you?
My client’s courage to face their struggles, to heal, and grow.
Standing up for what matters and speaking the truth even if it’s difficult.
Human resilience and compassion.

What can’t you live without?
Hammock. Cheese. Tent. Deep connection with others. Laughter.

How do you like to spend your free time?
I love spending time in nature and I take any opportunity to be outdoors all year round: hiking, biking, sitting by the tree, breathing the air by the lake, you name it. I often daydream while swinging in my living room hammock. I always like a good play or a movie, and spending quality time with friends and my partner.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Shakespeare garden (especially in the fall).

Title: Senior Program Coordinator

Department: Health Promotion and Wellness

Where are you from? Arlington Heights, IL

What brought you to Student Affairs? I joined Northwestern Student Affairs in August 2013 as a graduate social work intern in both CAPS and HPaW. I had experience with peer health education and psychoeducation with young adults prior to my internship and I was excited to work with the NU population. I then joined HPaW in a temporary capacity through 2015. Though I left HPaW to work in Feinberg for a bit, I deeply missed working in Student Affairs and I couldn’t wait to return permanently (so I did in 2016)! Our students challenge me to think on my feet, to stay present, and to be a genuine role model for living a balanced life.

How many years have you worked in Student Affairs at Northwestern? 4

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
In my experience, it can be easy to stay put in one’s own space or department. We are all so busy and my work, for example, is student-facing work that keeps me shut away in my own office most of the time. I would recommend that new SA members advocate to be introduced to colleagues across campus. Make time for a walk to get coffee (or a virtual coffee..) with someone who you might not work with as closely. I’ve truly enjoyed the connections I’ve made throughout the division.

What can’t you live without?
Coffee, my family, other people’s dogs

How do you like to spend your free time?
I love playing board games, taking walks with my daughter, Matilda, and watching dark comedies like “BoJack Horseman.”

Title:  Staff Psychiatrist

Department: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Where are you from?  Pilsen (Chicago, IL)

What brought you to Student Affairs?  My area of interest is the young adult population or emerging adults. As a psychiatrist working in college mental health, this is the age when I can make the most impact in the trajectory of a mental illness. This is the age of huge transitions and stress when young people are most influenced but also first exhibit emotional difficulties. I came to student affairs because this work, the work of the psychiatrist and psychologist and therapist is crucial. I came to SA because I wanted to make a difference in young people’s lives.

How many years have you worked for Student Affairs? 1

What is your favorite part about working for Student Affairs?  My favorite part about working is student affairs is the students. I also work with wonderful colleagues who feel similarly. It’s refreshing to be part of collective of individuals with the same goals of helping students. I love working in higher education because I believe in higher education.

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
Go do your work! Just Kidding.

My recommendations would be to write down all reasons you do this work and all the reasons why you wanted to work here. When the work becomes overwhelming and daunting, and you’re feeling discouraged, pullout that little piece of paper to remind yourself of the why.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by “the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… ” the people who refuse to conform who push boundaries and make changes. I am inspired by those who are not afraid to speak their truth. I am slo inspired by those who do this eloquently.

What can’t you live without?
I can’t live without my family, I love them so much. They are my biggest supporters and my best cheerleaders.

How do you like to spend your free time?
I am a voracious learner. I’m always reading and learning about something. I enjoy cooking, traveling, photography, spending time with my family and exploring.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
My favorite spot on campus is the lakefront.

Title: Director

Department: Special Projects

Where are you from?
Cleveland, Ohio, but I’ve lived in the Chicagoland area since 1976

What brought you to Student Affairs?
I started as a temp working for Dorms and Commons, now known as Residential Services. I thought I was going to use my tuition benefit to become a teacher so that I would have summers off. Probably not the best reason to teach. I ended up running summer conferences for 15 years, with no summers off. Serves me right.

How many years have you worked in Student Affairs at Northwestern? 24

What’s your favorite part about working in Student Affairs?
People, people, people. I also like working with people! I love my colleagues in Student Affairs. I love my colleagues across the University. We are collectively a lovely bunch.

What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
Get involved. Volunteer for committees, both within Student Affairs, and at the University level. Ask colleagues that you don’t know if they would like to meet for coffee. Ask me, I love coffee! Make connections. Make friends. We spend way too much of our lives at work not to have vibrant relationships with wonderful people around us.

Who or what has had the greatest influence on your career?
Sheridan Road. Seriously. I love walking down Sheridan Road and seeing friends, colleagues, and students. The buildings have changed over the years, even the road has changed over the years, but it still an exciting road to travel.

What inspires you?
People who find joy in what they do. I follow Floret Farms/Erin Benzakein on Instagram. She has built an empire around her love of flowers. And I love seeing how she learns new things, with help from those that have the expertise. We all need to allow ourselves to not know something, so that the we can be excited to learn new things! And the flowers, oh the flowers…

What can’t you live without?
My loved ones, and a nice cup of coffee. Also, Desk Set, an awesome Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy movie. And I’m one of seven people on the planet that likes black licorice, but a little goes a long way.

How do you like to spend your free time?
Well, my 18 year old son wants to build a fire pit this summer with a really large grill grate for outdoor cooking. Wish me luck. I’m also planting a lot more roses. And maybe some hydrangeas. I have a spot for some clematis. Well, now that I’m thinking about it, I might add…

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Any place that I can run in to you, and someday give you a hug again.