Regional Winner
Month: March 2012

NACURH, INC.

Residence Life Faculty/Staff of the Month

School: University of Colorado Boulder Region: IACURH
Nominee: Mackenzie Peschka Nominator: Jon Hill

On-Campus Population: 7300 Chapter Size: 43

Please explain the outstanding contributions of the nominee during the month of nomination

People who are supportive of others are the most important individuals in residential life. When it's late in the evening and she is working late in the office, she would still take the time to help me figure out a scanner or open a storage room, and with a smile on her face. But Mackenzie isn't just supportive to me, as she benefits the entire community.

Mackenzie led efforts such as the Williams Village Ski trip and the Will Vill coat drive, but what I believe to be her greatest accomplish is throug leading the Will Vill Eco Leaders, which consisted of myself and other RAs and resident leaders. She led tours, meetings, discussions and projects, the greatest of which involved the removal of bottled water and non-recyclable cups from the 213 grab-n-go. Through a grant submission to Sustainable CU, Williams village received 10,000 dollars to purchase 1,200 water bottles from a local water bottle company. Through events such as tabling and programs, the residents of Will Vill were educated on the matters of waste and received bottles to use at the grab-n-go and at water stations. Thanks to collaboration with Dining Services, the disposable containers from the 213 were removed. As indicated in survey results later on, the residents responded positively to the change thanks to the efforts of the Eco Leaders. Mackenzie's sustainability and leadership efforts touched every Will Vill resident at one point or another.

Again, however, it's not just her accomplishments that make her stand out as much as it is her supportiveness. At least to me. I've had a difficult year as far as my residential career goes, and she was one of few people who I could go to in time of sadness or stress. She didn't bring me down further; she comforted me, and offered advice that bettered me in the long run. While surely she's been stressed or flustered, she never let it show. Her positive attitude was always a reassuring sight.

The living community an RA strives to create is one that comforts and betters the student residents. However, the is true for how the RAs superiors treat the RAs, and Mackenzie does just that.

Next year she'll be a teacher under Teach for America, and she will be working with at-risk youth. While she has made an impact here, I believe the kids she'll be working with are more in need and more deserving of her talents. She'll continue to make a difference.

Word Count: 413


Date of entry into database: 2012-04-07 00:52:42

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