October 2019
About
Department/School/Division: Campus Recreation
Campus: Lake Shore Campus / Water Tower Campus
Years at Loyola: 7
What is your favorite thing about working at Loyola?
The passion that flows through our students, and colleagues. I love hearing my students talk about their research on wild and weird topics. I love seeing new professionals jump in head first and proposing new ideas to make our programs and campus better for our students. I love hearing stories about Loyola from people who have loved Loyola their whole career.
What is your most memorable achievement as a Loyola employee?
My job has morphed so many times in the past 7 years. I’m proud of being able to fill in where there’s been a need each and every time (I started as the Aquatics Coordinator, did Greek Affairs for a few months to help fill in, opened the Rock Wall as a Rock Wall Coordinator, jumped in and took on the Facilities side of things, etc). Each position has taught me something new and I think I have contributed something meaningful in each role.
What does Loyola's mission mean to you?
It’s about caring for this community and the world, chasing your passion, living justly. Loyola was my introduction to Jesuits and I love the things they stand for and how that bleeds into our mission and the work we get to do each day.
What motivates you to succeed each and every day?
Getting to help celebrate my students’ achievements brings me back day after day. A few years ago, one of my students played on the volleyball team that won the NCAA Championship. After he got his championship ring he sent a picture to his mom, then came straight to Halas to show me. I have a thank you card from the ladies of Muslim Student Association for helping them put on a Female-Only Swim so their members could swim for the first time in many years while still observing their religious beliefs and practices. Their idea led to a permanent Female-Only Swim for our community. Little wins that hopefully become lasting memories for our students!
Tell us how you show your Rambler pride. I have frequently gotten stopped when visiting family in Dallas and Detroit because I’m wearing Loyola gear and people want to know about us. While most people know about our basketball team, I love being able to share what “Catholic Jesuit” means and all the other achievements Loyola also has.
Tell us something most people at Loyola would be surprised to know about you. I am in the Guinness Book of World Records! In high school, my marching band was the largest marching ensemble in the world (562 students marched my senior year).
