Treptow – Week 2 – Environmental Collaborative Office

I can’t believe how well things are falling into place for my practicum!  My focus has shifted a little but it completely integrates architecture into what I’m doing!  It’s sometimes frustrating for me to find practical opportunities because what I want to do doesn’t quite fit into a “normal” path, and so I get very excited when I can get some hands on opportunities!!

I am going to be trying to implement a green roof on campus, and hopefully on top of one of the residence halls!!  How cool is that?  The other graduate assistant I am working with, Rob, has been doing research the last 2 years on green roofs, and so when I brought up the idea (not knowing that was Rob’s thesis), he lit up!  With his knowledge and my connections to Housing, I am really hoping that this is something we can implement this year.  The key spots Jeremiah suggested is Herbert and Hull Hall because their flat roof space is visible to the public.  Rob and I are sitting down tomorrow so that he can teach me a little more about green roofs before we schedule a meeting with the administration.  I’m really excited to learn more about green roofs and see where this goes!

My other focus is still working with Students for a Sustainable Campus student organization, along with Housings Community Service and Sustainability group, to develop and implement a recycle strategy and other conservation efforts in the residence halls.  One of the big things I will be working on is Energy Wars, which is a competition between residence halls, to help students lower their energy consumption.  Liz, the SSC president is very energetic and just great to work with.  Interactions with students like her, who are passionate about something an work hard to see it implemented on campus, are what motivates me to continue working with college students.  Their energy and drive is just amazing!

Here is a link to the SSC website.  They’re still updating it but it has some great links!  http://ssc.org.msstate.edu/

Week 2 Alumni Office

It’s week two and already I feel like I’ve learned so much. Working in the Alumni office is allowing me to stop, listen, and learn. Michael my direct supervisor truly provides me with the knowledge needed to successfully work in the Alumni office and in Student Affairs. Even though Michael is not a Student Affairs professional he still has the knowledge base because of his experiences. This past week the office has been preparing for the upcoming game as well as revitalizing chapters in Mississippi. There are 66 active chapters in Mississippi but Dr. Abraham would like to increase these numbers and revisit chapters who are no longer active.

I sat in on a conference call, with a, Alumni from Lee Co. The Lee Co. chapter is inactive and Michael was encouraging this particular Alumni member to get back involved and recruit other Alumni members in the area. Data showed 706 Alumni in Lee Co. and 107 of those actively give back to the university.

Before I get too far ahead of myself last week I signed legal documents pertaining to privacy rights of the Alumni members including their job title, financial status, and other information that may be revealed. The Alumni office contains a lot private information and if revealed members of the university may violate the privacy of Alumni members.    

This upcoming Thursday I will be attending my first Alumni event in Memphis. I’m really nervous but excited at the same time. Unfortunately Michael will not be attending due to family issues but Janet who also works along side with Michael will be instructing me throughout the event.

I can’t wait to tell you all about the game and my first Alumni experience next week.

Gretchen

Treptow - Week 1 – Environmental Collaborative Office

Reflection:

This week I feel like it has all hit me!  While I'm very excited to get started, I'm even more interested in finding out how all of this will fit into my already VERY busy schedule!  After meeting for our first class last week, I realized how much more work it will be to have our small class of two.  There is not really a chance to have an off week or be behind at all!  

After that realization, I knew I wanted to meet with Jeremiah Dumas, my Practicum supervisor, to find out more about what I'd be doing and how all of my hours would work.  Although I don't have a concrete assignment, I actually appreciate the flexibility and room for me to contribute my ideas.  I will mainly be working with ECO Paw, where I will be helping to advise a group of students who assess energy usage and sustainability of different offices and departments across campus.  While I often get frustrated with the green movement, because people don't really have a true understanding about what it means, I am excited to be doing a practicum that helps tie my architecture and student affairs experience.  I think that this experience will help me to learn about sustainability and the efforts that our campus is making, along with helping to advocate.  I'm still nervous to see how this will all work, similar to most people, I want to make an impact and be doing something.  Jeremiah seems to be very passionate about what he does, so I'm excited for the chance to do something a little different and hopefully get my hands dirty!!

 Here's a little more information about ECO Paw!!  http://www.eco.msstate.edu/index.php

Week 1 Alumni Office

Reflection

Gretchen Lynum

Subject: Week 1 – Hunter Henry Alumni Office

Activities:

·       Discussed practicum hours, how to achieve 40 hours of direct contact during practicum

·       Discussed goals and objects for the semester

·       Reviewed learning contact as well as expectations of me during the semester

·       Introduced myself again to the office staff and toured the building

Reflection:

The activities of the week helped me to grasp a better understanding of my purpose this semester at the Alumni Office. I never want to be just a spot filer, after the meeting I walked away knowing my role. I still have a lot to learn but I’m excited about the journey. Michael Richardson has assured me that his office is very open and willing to guide me through the next step of Graduate School. I have a lot of uncertainties about my career path and I’m hoping this experience will assist me in my future career decision.

Reflecting on the reading for the week, chapter one is everything that runs through my mind working in housing and being a Graduate Student in the profession of Student Affairs. The transition from student, to GA, then new professional is frightening. After reading chapter one I realized I wasn’t the only person in the field who felt this way. I’m still at a place where I feel too connected with the students and my staff. Reading the section on transiting and not allowing students in that space helped me to define the space I want students to stay out of. This past year I learned quickly to separate personal and business but when you live where you work sometimes it collides.

VanHorn-Week 7- University of Utah Recruitment

I am finishing up my last day here at Utah. The last few days I have been leading the information sessions for the campus visits. I have really enjoyed it but it has also been somewhat of a challenge that I have never experienced before. I have been at Mississippi State since I was a freshmen so I have no problem “talking up” MSU but it can be difficult to sell an institution that you attended and have only been on campus for a few weeks. There are no personal experiences to tell about “when I was here”. It took me some time over the last few weeks to learn to relate my experiences to the prospective students. Some questions I simply can not answer because I did not go here but I can use examples about my experience with living on campus or my experiences in Greek life.

I have really enjoyed working off campus this month and would highly recommend it to future students in our program. I think it is especially valuable if you have been at the same school your entire college career. It is helpful to have a different view on the way things operate and the different cultures. This experience is something that I feel will help me greatly as I begin job searching over the next few months.