Radke - Week 5 - Dickinson

Day one is complete and day two is underway.  As much as my nerves and concerns of the unknown were filling my thoughts as I walked to work yesterday morning, all was relieved and pushed back once I arrived.  The team of workers in the Office of Student Life could not have been nicer and more welcoming.  Mary cleared our her day to make sure that I was settled and comfortable with the organizational structure of the office, tours of the student union (where the Office of Student Life is located) and to discuss some of the institutional knowledge that she holds.

Holland Student Union - my home away from home for the next 5 weeks

I was able to meet the staff and get the basic understanding of each of their responsibilities.  While I am being supervised by Mary, Director of Student Life on campus, she has four assistant directors that I will specifically be working on projects for.  The four different areas are housing, residence life, student activities and orientation.  It is shocking to know that four people are responsible for these important areas on campus, but as my meetings go today their commitment is inspiring.  They all work together on projects and use each other as resources when times get tight on deadlines.  I'm starting to understand some of my tasks while I'll be here for the week in more detail than was written on my learning contract.  I'm honored that they trust me enough to be in charge and create their orientation leader and assistant training program in addition to helping with the restructuring of their RA training.  I hope that my background and understanding of everything will leave me equipped to handle what they have asked of me.

I also wanted to share with you my walk on campus each morning....the campus is beautiful!

Carrie