After my interview with Mr. Chris Shemanski, I had the pleasure of meeting with Ms. Kristie Damell to ask a few questions pertaining her whole experience here at Stevens. She has many jobs here on campus that handles student life and initiatives held on campus.
“I have two roles, as Assistant Dean of Students I oversee a lot of larger initiatives… I am the co-adviser to the Student Government Association, and now co-advisor to the Honor Board. As my second role, I am the Title IX coordinator,” said Damell. It is not so much a stretch to say that she is kept very busy here on campus. She, alongside others, are overseeing and making a difference on campus and among the students.
Some of the topics discussed pertained to overall the success of students, because in the end that is the ultimate goal. Damell has opinions of her own as to what keeps a student on track to success. “I think Stevens students are driven, intelligent, and goal-oriented, and so I think to be successful here is prioritizing well between your academics and taking advantage of everything that college has to offer you,” said Damell. Although that is very flattering, students must rely on themselves to seek out that success along with utilizing the traits mentioned shortly before.
Thankfully, Damell has a few words on that as well. “I think reaching out for help and knowing the resources, so we have a ton of resources at Stevens, so I think there’s naturally a transition between high school and college. And also, again, taking advantage of opportunities within the classroom whether it’s research, connecting the faculty members to something that you are interested in or talking to people in the career center,” said Damell. Though success is in the mind of the person achieving it, utilization of offered resources is also a must. Builders need their tools to create something beautiful, regardless of their personal talents.
