22: Twice As Nice

This week, meet Maureen McGonigle!

Maureen wears many Bryn Mawr hats, from Director of Constituency Communications to McBride Scholar, THRIVE Facilitator to McPherson Award winner, and a long-standing mentor to students and colleagues alike.

In her time as a student, Maureen declared a major in English. She graduated with the class of ’98 and has been with the College ever since! She’s always willing to lend a hand on projects, help out folks in other departments and be caring resource to individuals and groups within the current student body and alumnae/i network, all while being part of the constant, well-organized communications machine of Bryn Mawr.

Words of wisdom from Maureen: “You may not believe it all the time, (certainly not when you are looking at the quiz that you believe was designed to crush your soul), but everyone here is invested in your success.  And while you may not always agree with their methods, the truth is they really want you to get the most out of your education.” Make sure to find some time to meet Maureen this year!

 

This week, meet Yeidaly Mejia, class of 2019!

Yeidaly is a Sociology major and Education minor. In her Bryn Mawr career, she has served as founder of Breaking Barriers, been a Mentor for both THRIVE and Metacognition, and has been at the core of much communal and institutional change in working with faculty and staff members across the College. She is also a Posse Scholar of the seniors’ Posse Boston cohort, a lover of community and all things “wholesome.”

While she lives off campus this year, Yeidaly has held multiple DLT positions in her time as a campus resident. Her favorite spots on campus are the Guild Courtyard and the ECC.

Her advice to first-year students at BMC: “Ask for help! Claim your space! You deserve to be here as much as anyone else.”

This week, meet Elizabeth Hilton, class of 2019!

Elizabeth is a senior, with a declared Psychology major and Education and Child & Family Studies double minor. She is a THRIVE Mentor and a Coordinator for the  Arts Program at Overbrook Elementary. She’s also currently sub-matriculating into an Education Master’s Program and Penn.

Her favorite spots on campus are the benches by the Labyrinth and the Moon bench that look out over the Athletic Fields.

Her advice to the first-year class:

“College is a rollercoaster; it is expected that you’ll have high highs and low lows. Finding the balance is key. Also, the resources at your disposal are there to help you find that balance – use them! So many people on this campus are ready and willing to support you, and they WANT to help! That’s what makes this place great.”

This week, meet Professor Bethany Schneider!

Professor Schneider is an Associate Professor in the English Department. She hails from Massachusetts, a place near and dear to her heart. In the English Department, Professor Schneider’s areas of focus are 19th Century American Literatures and American Indian Literatures & Cultures. This year, she also teaches one of the sections of the “Family Secrets” ESem.

In addition to her courses, she’s also been overseeing the Melon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship for the last few years with a few colleagues. Professor Schneider is a great joy for students, inside and outside of the classroom, and is always happy to meet new folks. Stop by the English Department one day and say hello!

This week, meet Kimmy Farrer!

Kimmy is one of our two Residential Life Coordinators in the ResLife Office this year. She majored in Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies at West Chester University, and earned her MA in Student Affairs in Higher Education at IUP. She’s very involved with her sorority and loves advising; she’s combined those two loves, serving as an advisor to her sorority’s undergraduate chapter!

Kimmy enjoys learning about makeup, doing crafts, and spending time with her friends and family. Additionally, she loves exploring Center City, “even though Philly is my home!”

Her advice for our first-years: “Get involved and don’t be afraid to try new things. I would recommend going to different club and activity meetings at least once so that you can figure out what your interests are. I would also recommend exploring the Philly area! There are lots of fun and free things to do in Center City year-round! I love giving people recommendations!”

This week, meet Courtney Morris!

Courtney is our very own Strength & Conditioning Coach and Fitness Center Director in the Athletics Department. She is also a class of ’99 alum of BMC! In her time as a student, she declared herself a Biology major and took to the field as a soccer player.

Now, Courtney takes care of her beloved Owls, through her famous Courtney workouts, Yoga and Spinning classes, and being an adjunct teacher for the Biology Department at times! Be sure to get down to Schwartz Gym and say hello to Courtney this year!

This week, meet Taylor McClain, class of 2020!

Taylor is a Political Science major in her junior year here at BMC, debating double majoring in Latin. She is a supervisor in Uncommon Grounds, sits on the Honor Board as a student rep, and is on the Executive Board for BaCaSo as a Community Engagement CoHead. She is also a Mellon Mays fellow and is looking into volunteering at a local church. Her favorite spots on campus include the window seats in Dalton Hall, the green behind Goodhart Hall, Uncommon Grounds and her room.

Her advice to the first-year class:

“Take classes that interest you, go to office hours, and get sleep! Try to be active on campus, whether it’s a job or a club. Go into Philly, and don’t be too hard on yourself! The “world” is probably going to end a billion times before you graduate, and you will come to realize that it none of it was actually the end of the world.”