Assistant Director, First Year Programs and Leadership Development First Year Mentor for Marian Hall
About Melissa:
Hometown: Peabody, MA
Education: BA, Sociology and Speech Communication - Ithaca College MS, Counseling and Applied Psychology (concentration in College Student Development and Counseling) - Northeastern University
My earliest Marist Memory is...The first time I was at Marist was just after commencement so campus was incredibly quiet. I was early for my interview, so I decided to drive around a little and get a feel for the campus. I was immediately drawn into the view of the Hudson River and how much it added to the beauty of the campus.
One of my favorite movies is...Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original). When I was younger, I watched it so many times that I actually wore out the tape. Now I own it on DVD, so hopefully I don't think I can wear it out this time.
My friends would describe me as...always willing to lend a hand, a buddy, fun-loving, and someone who will truly listen.
My biggest "mentor" growing up was...my sister. She is older than I am and therefore got to do things before I did. Even though part of it might have been that I wanted to do things better than she did (what younger sibling doesn't?), I always looked up to her and tried to follow the examples that she set.
If I could travel anywhere, I'd go to...the Mediterranean. When I spent a semester abroad, I went to Greece for a week, but I would absolutely love to go back there. I want to see more of Greece as well as other countries in that part of the world (and this time I would go when it's warm enough to swim!).
When not busy with things at Marist ...I am slowly trying to work on the never-ending list of books that I want to read. I love knitting, playing trivia, and watching Boston sports. When I can, I enjoy traveling, especially to visit friends.
One of the best things about college is...the opportunities are virtually endless. There is always a new organization to join, a new class to take, or a new person to meet. College gives you the chance to really step outside of your box and do all of those things that you always wished you had the opportunity to try.
Message to the Marist Students...take advantage of the resources that surround you. There are so many people on campus that are there to help shape your Marist experience. Take advantage of them and what they have to offer. Also take advantage of all of the different resources both on and off campus to make your time at Marist the best it can possibly be.
