If Whitney Roberts could be described in one word, students at NCC would describe her as “caring,” “passionate,” “strong,” “inspiring,” or all of the above. To put into one word what Roberts is on this campus would be impossible. While her title is the Assistant Director for Civic Engagement, her involvement on campus speaks louder than any title would.
Among other things, Roberts is the faculty advisor for The Union as well as a professor on campus — teaching about five classes a year for the LEV department. The drive for social-change runs through her blood and inspires her students to change the world. For the first time ever, the LEV department is conducting a Social Innovation Challenge to fund ideas that revolve around social change and social entrepreneurship. This challenge will fund up to $13,000 in grant money to help students put their ideas for change into action.
“i love the work I am able to do because I am able to get my hands dirty and get to do projects with students, but I also get to teach about it and learn about it,” Roberts said. Roberts situation is unique in a way that she gets to work with students inside and outside the classroom. Being an alum, Roberts has a connection with NCC: “I feel a passion to keeping the identity of North Central and that tie to making positive change and helping students hold that value.”
So, whether you know Roberts from The Union or because she happens to be one of your favorite professors, she is doing much more behind the scenes. Building and fueling the fire for social change is more than just standing up in a classroom, it’s having your boots on the ground and actually pushing change in creative ways. Whitney Roberts does just that.
Kady Halbmaier
Though graduating a year earlier than her class, Junior Kady Halbmaier plays a key role in welcoming incoming students to North Central. As an orientation team leader, Halbmaier is responsible for leading groups of orientation staff, Cardinal Camp leaders, and first-year mentors, in making almost 600 students feel at home at NCC. She controls all behind-the-scenes work that allow orientation days and welcome week to run smoothly.
“This past term, I didn’t feel like I was being a leader until I received messages from people saying ‘You did a great job!’ I think that’s when you know you’re a leader — after it happens,” said Halbmaier.
When asked what she felt her most significant contribution was to campus life, Halbmaier offered this answer: “I think the biggest difference I make on campus is with first-year students; they probably don’t know who I am or what I’ve done, but I get to see them from the beginning during move-in or summer sessions, till later on during the term when they’re with new friends or involved around the campus. Students come up and ask me how I am, and the transition they make is rewarding to see.”
Although she is not widely known or recognized for her dedication and work, Halbmaier is happy to make such an impact to the freshmen, transfer and international students that chose to attend NCC this year.
“I believe being an orientation team leader is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.”
DJ Wohead
Junior resident assistant, D.J. Wohead, understands the commitment required of her to fulfill the RA position. Wohead has been an RA for two years at North Central; last year she was placed in New Hall, where she primarily worked with upperclassmen. Despite this, she found herself placed in the first floor of Geiger Hall, an all-freshmen residence, for the 2016-2017 year. Wohead maintained a positive attitude about the change, even drawing from personal experience to adjust how she approached the residents.
“Being an RA in Geiger is a lot like being a big sister; I try and look at my older sister and how she influenced me, then try and do something similar,” said Wohead.
As many first-year students tend to have questions about campus and student life, Wohead understands the challenges, as she gets several messages per day with inquires about campus life: what are the shuttle rotations, when is Kaufman open, how do you access the pool, and more. The change is significant, as it calls for a greater hands-on involvement on Wohead’s behalf, but she doesn’t mind.
“Being an RA in Geiger is a lot more work than people think; it’s always busy, there’s never a dull moment, but I love it.”
Henry Tran
An under-rated player to the fluidity of our athletics program here at North Central is a man who runs the show behind the scenes in the athletic department, the maintenance team leader, Henry Tran.
Tran leads his small team of five maintenance workers day in and day out, setting up and taking down any and everything that is needed within any of the athletic facilities, such as Res Rec, Merner Fieldhouse, or the Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
“The athletic program here is like my second home, so I do everything I can here to prepare all of the teams for their seasons and make sure everything is ready for any events or whatever is needed,” says Tran.
Tran’s influence within the school is not limited to the athletic program, he takes charge of preparing the locations for all other events associated with our campus athletic buildings as well.
“Anything that comes out to the athletic buildings we are happy to help out with whatever they need,” said Tran. “We are here to work for the college and to do whatever we can do to make it easier for the students.”
Along with Tran’s positive attitude, he brings a ton of work ethic to the table. “I usually come in really early around five a.m. and I will stay usually until all events are over,” said Tran. “I just want to make sure I keep up with everything that any of the teams need.”
After working at North Central for 18 years, Tran has had nothing but positive experiences. “I came to [North Central] not knowing anything at all, but this school has given me training for life,” Tran said. “This school does a lot more than education. I just try my best to return the favor for all the stuff they have done to help me.”
The feeling of appreciation is definitely mutual coming from the school. Athletic director, Jim Miller, enjoys having Tran around.
“He has an unbelievable type of work ethic,” Miller said. “You can’t get a harder worker or a better person as an employee.”
Jennifer Jackson
Dr. Jennifer Jackson recently passed the torch of running the writing center to professor Matthias Regan and is busier than ever running the English department. Her main concerns according to faculty are helping students along with diversity and inclusion. Her passion for the topics of gender, class, race as well as ethnicity are evident as Dr. Jackson incorporates these into her 315 class intersectionally, talking about how these topics affect each other.
Faculty, including Dr. Martha Bohrer, have praised her for taking over for Dr. Sara Eaton as department chair providing a smooth transition in an emergency situation. Dr. Jackson is on multiple committees and task forces and her role has been described as one of overseeing and maintaining quality.
Dr. Jackson said that one of the things she is excited about is being able to see how others teach, their approaches and new things being tried out. A lot happening and that “it’s exciting, thinking about what we can be,” Jackson said.
