April 14, 2009 issue
I've worked at Eastern in some shape or form for almost 16 years. I came
to school here for social work and, while attending classes, I worked
as a student worker for the Student Loan Office. After I graduated, my
old boss called and encouraged me to apply for a position within University
Collections. I worked there for two years and then applied for a job with
the Office of Admissions and worked there for another couple years. After
that, I wanted to learn about other aspects of the University and applied
for a position at EMU-Livonia.
I had a friend who worked in the Office of Financial Aid who encouraged
me to apply for a position as a senior financial aid adviser. She ended
up being my boss and, when she left the University, I was hired for her
position of assistant director of loans. I have been working here in financial
aid for about seven years.
My job involves supervision of staff, but mostly I counsel students about
financial aid. It's never just me, though; we work together as a team.
Anything I expect my co-workers to do, I will do as well. We educate families
and let them know that college is a reality. We want every person to experience
college and we let them know that it can change their lives. It's a joint
effort with the Office of Financial Aid, Admissions and the faculty. It's
everyone as a whole. We all do our little part and it's successful.
Besides my love of helping students, another reason I have stayed here
is because of my colleagues. They have seen me grow up and they have become
my family. When I am having a bad day, they help put things into perspective.
They make me laugh. We all have a good sense of humor.
Eastern does a good job of getting families involved within the University
community. They encompass the family atmosphere. I think
it's great that I can bring my kids to a college campus,
allow them to have fun and let them get used to the college atmosphere.
That way, there will be no doubt in their minds that they will be going
to college after high school. And, hopefully, they will choose EMU. I'm
glad I've had the chance to expose them to this University. They love
coming here.
I love Eastern. I am Eastern. I wear my EMU pin with pride. I feel very
fortunate about the way my life has turned out. I can't
help but think I owe it to Eastern. The experiences I've
had here have shaped me and made me the way I am. — Contributed
by Heather Hamilton
