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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bentley chapter.

Name: Rachel Palumbo

Class: 2018

Hometown: Norfolk, MA

Major: IDCC with an LSM in Health and Industry

Her Campus Bentley: What are you involved in on campus?

Rachel Palumbo: Peer Leader, RA, Service Learning, and Soccer Intramurals

HCB: What do you like most about being an RA?

RP: I really enjoy getting close with my staff and supervisor, and having a group of like-minded individuals who provide constant support for one another.

HCB: Why did you become a program manager for Bentley’s Service Learning?

RP: I was fortunate to have Director Jonathan l. White as a professor freshman year, and learned about Service Learning through him. He encouraged me to come by the office and get involved; the day I quit playing soccer for Bentley, I was hired as a program manager. This was a huge day for me because soccer was the reason I came to Bentley. Since then, I have completely immersed myself into Service Learning. After that, I was hired as a committee member, and last spring I became the Student Director of Programs and Initiatives. The experience has culminated the past four years of service for me, and I am trying to leave a legacy project behind when I graduate.

 

HCB: How has Service Learning changed your overall perspective of giving back to the community?

RP: It changed my perspective in the sense that giving back is not just a one way street—learning and growing goes both ways. I could never give as much to the Prospect Hill Community as they have given me. I’ve also learned that this is not just a hobby, but I can actually create a career out of this. Also, the Service Learning Center showed me how businesses focus and address important needs in the community.

HCB: Relationship status?

RP: Dating John, a current graduate student at Bentley

HCB: How did you meet your significant other?

RP: He was my RA and we became best friends. We had similar friends, participated in the same activities, and started dating shortly after a Service Learning trip to Ecuador in the spring of 2016.

 

HCB: What is your personal starter pack?

RP: Dunkin Donuts coffee—medium french vanilla iced coffee, extra ice, 2 almond milk, and sugar. Sneakers. A ring from my parents—they gave it to me in 6th grade and I have always worn it ever since. Going to the beach is so important to me, specifically my Cape house. Lastly, cheese—any type of cheese, I don’t discriminate.

HCB: What are some things on your bucket list?

RP: I really want to be an expert in something. I want to be that go to person who knows everything about something so I can use it to make tangible strides against a pressing issue in society. Being a teacher would be an amazing experience—I love kids and know I will teach at some point in my career. I would love to travel the world as well!

 

Christmas Season

HCB: What is your favorite part of the holiday season?

RP: I love spending time with my family, and the New England weather makes me so happy. Also, the first snowfall will be wonderful.

HCB: Do you have any family traditions?

RP: We do a yankee swap with my extended family the day after Christmas. There is always one gag gift which make it a lot of fun.

 

HCB: What is your favorite Christmas song?

RP: “Where are you Christmas?”

HCB: Do you have any plans for the winter break?

RP: I plan to spend time with family and enjoy home-cooked meals. I will go to the gym every day as well as ski in my free time.

 

Favorites

HCB: Favorite movie?

RP: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (sorry not sorry)

HCB: Favorite quote?

RP: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”  -Margaret Mead

 

HCB: Favorite music genre?

RP: Country

HCB: Favorite Songs?

RP:

  1. “Fast Car” – Boyce Avenue cover

  2. “All Too Well”

  3. “Fast Cars and Freedom”

 

HCB: Favorite food?

RP: Grilled cheese and tomato soup

HCB: Favorite vacation spot?

RP: Cape Cod

HCB: Favorite spot on campus?

RP: The Service Learning Center (my second home)

HCB: Favorite restaurant?

RP: Bertucci’s

 

Dreams and Aspirations

HCB: What is your dream job?

RP: Program Development for a Non Profit organization that specializes in either education OR in trauma and adversity intervention for youth

HCB: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

RP: Thailand

 

HCB: What celebrity would you most like to meet if you had the chance?

RP: Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-founders of the world’s largest youth empowerment organization, Me to We.

HCB: If money weren’t a factor, what would you buy yourself for the holidays?

RP: A helicopter or a private jet so I can easily travel to all of the places I want to see and help.

HCB: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

RP: Portland, Maine—but I think I would always come back to Boston and live near Seaport.

College freshman living in and exploring the vibrant city of Boston! Born and raised in the dirty jerz. 
Native New Yorker Brooke Camarda has had her eclectic share of jobs—from the runways of NYFW to the haunted hallways of NYZ Apocalypse. Commonly known by her alter ego of Wonder Woman, there's no task or adventure that the skydiving-enthusiast isn't willing to take on. She loves typography and cappuccinos almost as much as she loves her (very) big family, and is thrilled to be writing for Bentley University's chapter of Her Campus.