UNH Alumna and a face of the Office of Student Activities
Name: Colleen KerriganFrom: Originally from North Reading, MA/ Now from Wallingford, CTGraduation Year: 2011Major: Forensic Science and ChemistryUniversity Job Title: Coordinator of Student Activities
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HC: During your time at the University of New Haven, what activities were you involved in on campus? CK: In my time at the University of New Haven I was heavily involved through the Office of Student Activities. Â I was a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon and served as the President in 2010-2011. Â I was the Executive Assistant for the Undergraduate Student Government Association in 2010-2011. Â I was a member of the Orientation Staff and served as a Co-Chair from 2008-2010 and as the Coordinator in 2011. Â I was also a building manager for the Bartels Campus Center from 2008-2011.
HC: After graduation, what made you want to come back and work for the University? CK: Iâve loved UNH from the moment I stepped on campus as a freshen student. Â I loved my professors, the staff, and especially the other students that I met here. Â The decision to work at UNH was one of the easiest decisions Iâve made. Â Not only do I have the best job in the world, but I get to come to a place that I consider my second home. Â Iâve seen the campus transform over the past few years, and although the students and staff may not be the same as when I was a student, the caliber of people that I interact with is superb.
HC: Do you have any advice for students looking to work for UNH after graduation?CK: My advice to students searching for jobs, even those not interested in working at UNH, is to find something you are genuinely passionate about. Â Itâs hard to go to work if you donât love your job. Â If you find something that you love to do, you wonât ever need to work a day in your life. Â
HC: What are some of your responsibilities within the Office of Student Actives? CK: In the Office of Student Activities I wear several hats. Â First and foremost, I am the person who oversees campus programming, which includes major events like Family Day, Midnight Madness, Swimsuit Sprint, Snowball, Spring Weekend, Twisted Thursdays and Late Night Programming. Â I am the advisor for the Student Committee of Programming Events (SCOPE), Up âtil Dawn organization, and the Class of 2018. Â I oversee educational programming and coordinate events such as Thanksgiving Celebration, Holiday Fest, Alcohol Awareness Week, and Health and Wellness Week. Â I also play a role in the Orientation program and coordinate events during Welcome Week. Â Â
HC: Working with OSA, do you have a favorite event that you are able to oversee? CK: Spring Weekend, specifically the Spring Concert is the largest and most rewarding event that I have coordinated. Â I work very closely with SCOPE to manage the details of this event and thoroughly enjoy the behind the scenes planning for a concert that hosts 1500 students. Â The planning for this event is far more extravagant than others because we are working with production and music agencies from all over the country. Â Spring Concert is a large undertaking and has many moving pieces, but is extremely rewarding when the final event comes together and students are excited to experience a concert right in their backyard.
HC: What was one of your favorite memories as an undergrad? Â CK: During the spring semester of my senior year, I was awarded the Dean of Students Leadership Award. Â This was one of the most memorable experiences for me as an undergraduate because it was the culmination of my co-curricular achievements, and the final push that I needed to lead me to the field of Higher Education.
HC: Do you have any advice for the undergraduates? CK: I would urge undergraduate students to get involved in as many co-curricular experiences as possible. Â It was my out of the classroom experiences that led to my career in Higher Education. Â Had I not been involved in the Office of Student Activities I probably wouldnât have found my calling. Â I also met some of the most wonderful people by being involved in student organizations.