Spotlight Yewande Odunaiya-Moore
Q&A with Yewande Odunaiya-Moore, University Housing Student Leadership Coordinator
What sparked your interest in working in Higher Education, with students, and/or at University Housing?
I started as an RA in my undergraduate career and that sparked my interest in working with students and so then I went on to obtain my masters in higher education and student affairs. I started working here at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in 2012 as a hall director and in 2017 was promoted to Student Leadership Coordinator. I have a serious passion and interest in developing our student leaders and helping them reach their goals and shine.
What sparked your interest in sustainability in both your professional and/or personal life?
I think once I had a son I realize that I needed to do my part to make this world a better place for him and to make the world a sustainable place for him, so I really began to be more intentional about my usage of all things and how I impart that knowledge onto my son about sustainability. Also, through my work with Kent Interhall Council I’ve been able to throw myself into a lot of different sustainability initiatives that have truly made me more passionate and more knowledgeable about sustainability practices
What is your favorite part of your position?
I love so many things about my position but what I love the most is being able to help my students execute their visions with whatever they want to do. My eboard is very passionate about sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives and I just love to support them and help them bring their visions to life.
How does sustainability manifest itself in what you do at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
Through my role we do a lot of sustainability initiatives such as Do it in the Dark, Campus Race to Zero Waste, and Earth Month (and a lot of other initiatives in the residence hall such as plastic bag drives, can drives, and cardboard crafting programs which allow us to reuse all the cardboard from packages we get).
What do you want the people of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to know about you and your position as University Housing Student Leader Coordinator (or any other roles you have)?
Being responsible for the leadership development of the students in our department is not a role that I take lightly. It is very important for me to be able to affect some sort of change in the students lives and be able to give them opportunities that can sharpen and enhance their leadership skills. I love being able to provide programming and resources and workshops and information that can actually tangibly help the students with whatever they’re doing on campus but also once they graduate and leave ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
Where is one of your favorite spots to visit on campus? And what makes it your favorite?
I love walking campus a lot especially if I have a lunch break or something. One of my favorite spots to visit is the student green and the K. I love seeing all the students out there eating lunch or doing homework it’s just a good vibe. I also really just love Tri towers I love being near my students and they do a lot of their work out of Tri towers and yeah it’s a great place to be.
What would people be surprised to learn or know?
People might be surprised to know that I do run my own business in addition to working a full-time job. It has been a great lesson for me on discipline and commitment and dedication to two different things that I love immensely.