When you first meet Rachel Nelson, you feel her radiating positive energy that makes you want to meet her. Well, today is your lucky day, because I got the chance to interview her for this week’s Campus Celebrity! You’ve definitely seen her around on campus: she is the reckoning force behind the mechanics of Student Events, Orientation, and Admissions. Not to mention, she is a very cute and friendly redhead that you definitely want to meet!
Name: Rachel Nelson
Year: 2013
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Major: American Studies, Minor: Business and Journalism
HC: What department are you involved in for Student Events?
For Student Events, I am on the Entertainment Department. We plan the events like the Film Series, Stressbuster and other random entertaining things around campus.
HC: What other tasks do you do for Student Events?
I also help staff events like Thirsty Thursday, Munchie Mobile and the Wake n Shakes (handing out coffee outside of Usdan). I set up for the Fall Concert and I even get to meet the performing bands (I drove around Guster this past weekend – they were really nice!)
HC: How are you involved in Orientation?
I was the Coordinator of Orientation for 2011. Basically, I applied and was accepted in January, then hired 4 other students who applied as well – the Core Committee. Together, the five of us selected 120 Orientation Leaders for the fall. During the summer, I met with the Orientation staff and administration a few times a week to plan Orientation for the first-years. Â
HC: What did you do during Orientation?
The highlight of my Orientation was driving the golf cart around! Due to Hurricane Irene some things changed; I was supposed to give a speech to the entire incoming class and their families on Move-In Sunday; instead, I gave it on Monday along with President Fredrick Lawrence, Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Steve Goldstein and Dean of Arts and Sciences Susan Birren. It was exciting to see the entire incoming class and the OLs so enthusiastic about the upcoming year. The Core Committee and I split up the Orientation planning work. I planned the Orientation Leader Training Week where I taught OLs about on-campus resources and first-year mentorship.
HC: Tell me more about how you are involved with admissions.
I give tours about once a week where I explain why Brandeis is such a cool place to be and why everyone should come here!
HC: What is your favorite aspect about Brandeis?Â
I love everything about Brandeis, obviously! Besides the cliché answer (the people, the community, the professors), I love a lot of the obscure stuff Brandeis has to offer. For example , I LOVE Trivia Night at the Stein, the LATTE participant search and the mailroom staff.
HC: What is one thing that Her Campus readers should know about you and don’t?
I was originally cast to play the role of Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films but I chose to focus on my academic career.
HC: What is your favorite song at the moment?
My favorite song hands down is “Never Say Never” by Justin Bieber. It is inspirational and it really speaks to me; it touches my heart in more ways than I could ever describe. When he says “I’m strong enough to climb the highest tower and I’m fast enough to run across the sea”, I just feel like he made this song up about me, because I can do that too.