Students Testimonials

 

Geno Bagnuolo
business management major
When I first came to Illinois State as a first semester freshman, I skipped too many classes, spent 80% of my time in Watterson Towers, and the most involvement I had was going to floor meetings. Now I am so involved that I even surprise myself. Without joining my fraternity, I would probably still be the same person I was when I entered college. Fortunately, my fraternity brother introduced me to the Dean of Students Office and helped make the connection to help me get involved.

I joined my fraternity in the spring of 2006 and have been a member for three years. During this time, have been a part of the Interfraternity Council and have served in many leadership roles. I have also spent two years on the University Reinstatement Committee through the Student Government Association (SGA) and was on SGA’s budget review committee. I was also elected as Student Trustee and I attended Leadershape to develop my leadership skills.  

Since becoming involved at Illinois State I have pulled a complete 180, and am a much better person for it. I am now more involved than I could have ever imagined. Greek life changed my experience at Illinois State and made my time so much more enjoyable. Working with the Dean of Students Office has motivated me to go to into student affairs as a career, and now I want to go to graduate school so I can do just that when I graduate.

The Dean of Students Office offers such a wide array of involvement opportunities. There is a way for everyone who wants to get involved to become active. I encourage new students not to be afraid to ask fellow students about how they got involved on campus or talk to the Dean of Students Office.

Michael McLinden
theater design production major

The Dean of Students Office has helped me since my very first year at Illinois State. I started out by living on the Leadership and Service Lifestyle floor as a freshman. Once I moved in, it has really made a life changing impact on my life. The activities they had planned made me feel welcome and at home, and helped to build a sense of community among the residents, making my transition to college so much easier. 

Once I got adjusted to ISU, Leadership and Service really helped me find what I was passionate about and helped me find ways to get involved with things related to it.  They even went as far as spending a few hours with me one day to help me put together a resume so I could apply for the National Collegiate Leadership Conference.

I think the experiences of being on the Leadership and Service Lifestyle Floor has truly been a life changing experience.  It not only made me get involved in many unique ways in my community, but I have had so much personal growth that I cannot express in words.

The Dean of Students Office has really helped mold me into the student I am today.  I think the Dean of Students Office can really help students in many ways. It’s really up to the student to find out what they offer and take advantage of it. 

Brandon Thornton
mathematics major
I have been an active member of a number of student organizations, including U.N.I.T.E. (Urban Needs in Teacher Education) and the Association of South Campus, and have been elected as On-Campus Senator for the Student Government Association. I also participated in various programs with the Dean of Students Office, such as the Civil Rights Movement Trip and Camp LEAD.

By participating in these programs, I feel I have learned so much about myself and that I have become a much more positive, social, and caring person.  By getting involved in various programs on campus, I realized that anyone can be a leader and influence others.

The Dean of Students Office has helped me to get involved and to be aware of social issues and my own character. They helped encourage me to get involved and find what it was that I wanted to do.

My advice to students is to get involved not only because you want to, but because it is important to get connected to the Illinois State community. If you aren’t sure where to start or where your interests lie, then start with the Dean of Students Office.

Kim Heilenbach
education major
Through the Dean of Students Office, I had the powerful experience of attending LeaderShape 2008, as well as being a part of the Campus Involvement Ambassadors (CIA).  I am also involved in Urban Needs in Teacher Education (UNITE) and am the current president of the Association of South Campus. 

The Student Involvement Center (SIC) has served as an endless resource on funding, guidance, and advice on how to manage a registered student organization (RSO). They are fantastic when it comes to giving students information on applying for funding and providing advisement and resources to executive board members of an organization. The SIC works with students to find which RSO would be a perfect fit and has provided me with continuous resources that were extremely helpful. Becoming a part of an RSO makes it easy to make new friends and find your “niche.”

 There is no doubt in my mind that I would not be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the efforts of the Dean of Students Office (DoS) to work with and help students however they can.  Through the support of the DoS, I have become a more efficient and effective leader, built incredible friendships, and had experiences that I will remember for the rest of my life. The DoS helps students feel at home at Illinois State University (ISU) and offers unmatched support for every student that passes through.  My experience has been nothing short of exceptional, and I hope that every student realizes what a valuable resource the DoS is to finding your place at ISU.

Jennifer Stokes
mass communication major
As a president of Delta Delta Delta, I’ve had the opportunity to work with the Dean of Students Office (DoS), Greek Affairs and have worked on the Student Elections Committee two years in a row as the vice chairperson, as well as a general member.

While working with the student elections committee, an associate dean, was our advisor and an imperative resource for the committee. My duties as president and vice chairperson would have been impossible without the resources and aid of the DoS. Their assistance and support has helped me to reach my full potential as a student at this university. My experiences have helped me become an effective student leader, and taught me to manage my time between academics and activities.

The DoS is an aid to all students at Illinois State. I encourage every undergraduate and graduate student to get involved in any way possible. A big part of college is not only what you learn in the classroom but what happens outside of the classroom.

The DoS is a place for unending resources and information. Every experience that I have had with the Office has been wonderful and has given me many opportunities and life-altering experiences. I can only hope to work with the Office the rest of my time at Illinois State.

Cassi Lund
food, nutrition, and dietetics major
I have been involved with the Dean of Students Office (DoS) by serving as a chairperson on the University Program Board (UPB) the past two years. I was also a member of Campus Involvement Ambassadors and have taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the Student Involvement Center (SIC). As a senator for the Student Government Association, I also worked with Leadership and Service (link to page) to help plan Bring it Back to Normal.

The Dean of Students Office (DoS) has helped provide opportunities for me as a student to develop and use my leadership skills. I feel that I have taken great strides as a student leader these past two years. I am more prepared to face the working world as I begin my career.

The Programming staff has been vital to my success as a chairperson and president elect for the University Program Board. They have been served as advisors to not only the UPB, but in matters of life and college. I am privileged to work with them and glad that I have gotten to know them personally.

Due to the support from the DoS, I have considered changing my Major to student affairs because my experiences have encouraged me to be an asset to students.

All of my experiences with the Dean of Students Office have been positive and I would encourage students to take advantage of every opportunity offered. As a student, I feel like the Dean of Students Office cares about my concerns and offers assistance for success.

Kate Rear
human resources management major
Over the past two years I have worked closely with the Dean of Students Office by working with Greek Affairs. Currently, I hold a position on the executive board of Panhellenic for my sorority and have received assistance with planning events for the Greek system. The Dean of Students Office knows about everything happening on-campus and offers the best ways to get in contact with various groups at Illinois State.

My experience with the Dean of Students Office and Greek Affairs has definitely helped me become more independent. It is through this experience that I have realized I can make a difference. It is a great feeling to know that the resources are available to plan an event and we have help spreading the word on campus. The DoS made my job in the Panhellenic executive board a lot easier due to all the help they were able to provide. These experiences are definitely moments I have grown from and will help me in my future career.

I believe the Dean of Students Office is a great tool that is not taken advantage of by many students on campus. The Office helps students broaden their horizons by meeting new people and finding new interests. I know I would not have had the opportunity to be on the executive board of Panhellenic had I not become involved in the Greek system. I strongly recommend all incoming freshman to visit the Dean of Students Office to find out what is out there for them. There are so many great opportunities available for you to get involved in or simply try out.

Marcus Ware
general studies
The Dean of Students Office has been a home away from home for me. Throughout this spring semester I have been a part of MECCPAC (the multi-ethnic cultural and co-curricular programming advisory committee). (link to page). It was through this committee that I felt I was able to make an impact on the campus. I was given the opportunity to help different organizations pursue their goals toward achieving cultural awareness; and I am very proud of that.

The Dean of Students Office (DoS) has done more than just help me. They have also provided me with an enjoyable college experience thus far. I feel the Dean of Students Office is a place every student should get involved with to grow personally and academically. I know my grades are constantly improving due to the support that they provide and I make a trip to the Dean of Students Office once a day. I feel like I can talk to anyone in the office about anything. They are truly my second family.

My advice for incoming freshman is to get involved with the DoS. The DoS is a place where you can make friends, study, and have a good time all at once. If you’re bored, the Dean of Students Office will fill your schedule with events for the rest of the semester. My experience with the Office has been amazing and I would not be the person I am today without them. I have built great relationships with most of the DoS staff and know that I will keep in contact with them upon graduation.

Deandra Bass
social work major

I have been involved with the Dean of Students Office since my freshman year through the MASAI student mentoring program. Over the past year I have worked for Leadership and Service and am currently working in the Student Involvement Center, coordinating various service projects for students, faculty, and staff to participate in.

My experience with the Dean of Students Office has encouraged me to get involved on campus. Through the supportive staff, I have developed valuable leadership and interpersonal skills, and feel comfortable presenting my concerns to staff. The Dean of Students Office has been very helpful. They have awarded scholarships to me, supported my implementation of the Homeless Awareness Week, and helped facilitate meetings for the Diversity Dialogue group that I co-founded.

Associate Dean of Students Rick Lewis has been very supportive over the years. I received the RASE and the 4.0 scholarship, after maintaining a 4.0 GPA and visiting him at least once a week. The staff continually challenges me to work hard and maintain my GPA. When I feel overwhelmed they listen to my concerns and give me encouraging words.

I’d like incoming freshman and other students to know that the Dean of Student Office is a friendly place and offers great support. They want to make sure you have an enjoyable and memorable experience while attending Illinois State University. So don’t hesitate to stop in and get to know them better. They provide resources for students to get connected and adjusted to the campus, as well as a great source of networking with other students, faculty, and staff members.

Katie Pratt
business information systems major

I have been involved with the Dean of Students Office in many ways by being a part of the University Program Board since my freshman year. I have also participated in Leadershape, Camp Lead , and Trick-or-Treat for Change.

The Dean of Students Office has provided me with numerous opportunities that have not only helped me to be a better student but to grow into the student leader I am today. As a freshman, I never imagined that I would become so involved on campus. The staff in the Dean of Students Office (DoS) understands their role here at Illinois State University (ISU), which is to put students first. You feel comfortable going to them for help because they are friendly and easy to talk to. The Office is full of informational resources and the staff is prepared to assist students with any issue they may have whether it be roommate problems or finding a student organization on campus. The opportunities provided to students by the Dean of Students Office are truly endless.

My experiences with the Dean of Students Office have been memorable and rewarding and my time at Illinois State would not have been complete had I not been involved with this office. Joining the UPB and getting involved with other activities the DoS offers has opened my eyes to so many new experiences and have helped me to create lifelong relationships.

I would like to let incoming freshmen know that this will be the best four years of your life! Make sure to stop by the Student Involvement Center or attend the UPB’s Festival ISU event during the first week of classes to get involved and begin creating your relationship with the DoS office.