When I first stepped foot onto Florida International University’s campus as a freshman back in 2015, I was more than 1,000 miles away from home. I was nervous, yet excited, for this next chapter of my life. Almost immediately, I connected with my resident assistant, who served as a guide and mentor throughout my first-year experience. She encouraged me to take a leap of faith and apply for the RA position. Through this leadership role, I had the opportunity to learn and grow under outstanding supervisors who found an ideal balance of challenge and support. They brought out the best in me in terms of creativity, leadership, and, most importantly, self-confidence.
In graduate school, I worked within the Office of Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Florida. Through my assistantship, I became even more passionate about housing and student affairs as I gained a more intentional insight into the hardships that college students face and the decisions they make as a result. I crafted my conduct philosophy to be one of education and care. I tried to destigmatize the notion that the conduct office is scary, but is instead preventative and restorative. In doing so, I was able to create meaningful relationships with students whom I was meeting at understandably the most stressful points of their collegiate careers.
As I transitioned to full-time roles within housing, I have made it my mission to offer the same fundamental support I was given as a resident, resident assistant, and graduate community coordinator. You never know what somebody is going through, but with kindness, an open mind, and a listening ear, you can make a tremendous everlasting impact on students. I hope to continue inspiring and serving the next generation of students.
During National Suicide Prevention Week at the beginning of the month, I reminded my student staff of the importance of tending to their mental health and completing intentional check-ins with their residents. I shared that no matter the time of day, I will be here to support them in crisis, as I never want them to feel as though they must struggle alone. A few days after this conversation took place, a student approached me requesting to chat. As I always have an open-door policy, I readily welcomed the person into my office. Shortly after the conversation started, I could tell that something was wrong. The student shared the history of their mental health and their current struggles and was very open to receiving help and allowed me to quickly connect them with resources for support. This person could have suffered in silence, but instead, they fully trusted me and looked to me for guidance during a time when they were at one of their lowest points. The heartfelt thank you they provided me was all the reassurance I needed to know that I made the right choice of a career in student affairs.
I try to create a very friendly and inviting atmosphere in my office. As soon as you enter, you will see all the decorations I have created and collected over the years proudly displayed on my door. These symbolize the past, present, and future of my student affairs career. Once inside, you will notice I have several cork boards and white boards. I love hanging up any notes that my students, resident assistants, and supervisors write for me on the cork boards. On the white boards, I like to write motivational quotations and my to-do lists. My favorite items in my office are a memory book one of my best friends from grad school made me, sorority memorabilia from my big sister, and photos of my friends and family.
Florida International University has my heart. The campus is vibrant and modern. Inside the student union, you will find hundreds of flags on display for all to see, representative of every country a student has come from to attend FIU. As someone who came here from a small town, I really enjoy the diversity and inclusion on campus.
Two of my favorite FIU superstitions are the consequences of stepping on the university seal and the kissing bridge. It is said that if you step on the university seal in front of the Graham Center, you will not graduate on time. To reverse the curse, students must walk laps backwards around the seal for however many years they have left until graduation.
The kissing bridge is in the center of campus. I was told during my freshman orientation that whoever you kiss on the bridge is who you are bound to marry. To release yourself of the potential marriage vows, you would have to push your ex-partner into the water below. So far, I have yet to see anyone pushed in!
Some of my favorite FIU traditions are homecoming, August move-in, and the Relay for Life. During homecoming, I love seeing the university community filled with school spirit all week long. There is a signature event that people can enjoy daily, from Panthermonium and a baking competition to Panthers Got Talent, Trail of the Torch, and, finally, the football game.
Move-in is certainly an all-hands-on-deck operation. There is nothing more exciting than seeing students return to campus and getting ready for the year ahead. Finally, as someone who lost both my grandparents to cancer, I am extremely thankful that FIU hosts the Relay for Life event annually. I really enjoy seeing people come together for this cause and showing support by walking in solidarity and silence to honor survivors and those we have lost, hearing stories about those most impacted by cancer, and feeling connected to others while on the quest for a cure.
In residential life, no two days are the same. I enjoy figuring out ways to overcome both foreseeable and unforeseeable challenges. I am surrounded by a very supportive and motivated staff who continuously help me become a better version of myself. Simply put, I am motivated to make an impact and create intentional, positive, and sustainable change for the next generation of leaders and scholars.
I wish I had the ability to read minds. Often, so many students suffer in silence, and I wish I had the ability to know when they were struggling so I could prevent any atrocities. In the interim, I will continue frequent check-ins with my staff and residents to ensure that I provide them with the care and resources they need.
Jaime Weiser is a residence life coordinator at Florida International University in Miami. Have a colleague you think others should get to know? Please share with us at talkingstick@acuho-i.org and you may see them in a future issue of the magazine.
