AUDIO TRANSCRIPT:
After graduating from grad school, I was an on-campus finalist for a position in Housing. Although I was a finalist for the role, I ultimately didn't get the position. Despite this setback, I couldn't shake off my fondness for the campus, its culture, and the wonderful people I had encountered during the interview process. Determined to be a part of the FLC community, I kept a close eye on any other opportunities that would arise. During the challenging times of the pandemic, an opening in the leadership center caught my attention. It perfectly fit me, aligning with my skills and passions. I decided to give it a shot, and fortunately, luck was on my side as I was offered the position. Joining FLC and the leadership center team felt like a serendipitous journey, bridging my passion for leadership development with the campus community I had grown to love. And I get to continue that work with our transition into the Student Involvement Center.
My favorite campus story revolves around the incredible resilience and determination demonstrated by our student organizations after the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Witnessing these groups thrive and excel despite the obstacles was truly inspiring. I was moved to see them actively engaging with their passions, traveling, and positively impacting the world when restrictions started to lift. The stories of their successes and the collective spirit of our students working together toward a greater good left a lasting impression on me. It reinforced my belief in the transformative power of education and the potential of motivated individuals to come together to make a difference. Our student organizations make a huge difference on this campus, and their work constantly inspires me when I see them create new and innovative events such as Healing through Humor, Dad Party, Black MET Gala, Queer Prom, and many panelist events. There have been so many new initiatives, such as creating a skate park on campus, attending regional and national conferences, and building an intentional community on our campus. The students inspire me to do this work every day.
My name is Nicolette Manning, and I am the Assistant Director of the Student Involvement Center.