Resident assistants from eight states prepared to welcome Peacocks back to Campus

Fayette, IA (08/27/2021) — Upper Iowa University has announced its resident assistants (RAs) for 2021-22. The RA program is a University-sponsored leadership opportunity that aims to enhance the educational experience of student leaders while helping other students adjust to on-campus living and enriching the UIU experience. In addition to providing supervision and responding to complaints, reports, requests and emergencies, RAs ensure that students benefit from a traditional college environment while attending UIU.

"RAs work to provide the best college campus experience possible, serving as a friend and mentor to all other Peacocks," residence area coordinator Caitlin Schauer said. "The entire RA staff is eager to see that all students benefit from UIU's mission to inspire success and empower lives, all while living within a safe and enjoyable residential environment. Upper Iowa University is joining the COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge and we are encouraging students to be vaccinated as we return to in-person classes."

"As we welcome the students back to Campus, the RAs and entire Student Life team are looking forward to working with all Peacocks to make this an exceptional school year," added residence area coordinator Carson Parker. "The RAs are valuable resources throughout the residence halls and across Campus to help each and every resident reach their full potential and enjoy their time here at Upper Iowa University. We encourage students to reach out to any RA staff member for assistance throughout the school year."

The 2021-22 RAs are as follows:

Name: Matthew Moore
Hometown: Bethalto, Illinois
Major: Industrial Technology Education
UIU Activities: N/A
Why I wanted to be an RA: To be more involved, help freshmen have a good college experience, and available scholarships.

Name: Devon Lawrence
Hometown: Loves Park, Illinois
Major: Exercise Science
UIU Activities: Track and Field
Why I wanted to be an RA: To gain new experiences while working with others and being more involved in the UIU community.

Name: Iberus (Ib) Jenkins
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Exercise Sports Studies with an emphasis in Fitness and Wellness
UIU Activities: Track and Field
Why I wanted to be an RA: To help new and current students with understanding and being comfortable on Campus.

Name: Andrew Paskey
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Major: Accounting and Psychology
UIU Activities: Track and Field, Peacocks for Progress president, Lead RA and assistant to coordinator North Side, and a SAAC member
Why I wanted to be an RA: I remember the impact that my RA (Caitlin) had on me during my first year and I wanted to make a similar impact on residents.

Name: Shania Christopherson
Hometown: Okoboji, Iowa
Major: Art and Psychology
UIU Activities: Art Club vice president
Why I wanted to be an RA: To get more involved with Campus activities, make friends, and help reduce my expenses, which is a bonus.

Name: Gabrielle Palomo
Hometown: Homewood, Illinois
Major: Biology
UIU Activities: Student Activities, Kappa Pi Upsilon Sorority, Mock Trial Team
Why I wanted to be an RA: I wanted to be an RA in the hopes of learning from a lead position and connect with UIU residents while spreading a message of integrating the importance of diversity and social differences between students.

Name: Nyla Lamp
Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa
Major: Elementary Education with endorsements in Art, Reading and Pre-K
UIU Activities: Art Club, Gamma Delta Phi, Ed Club
Why I wanted to be an RA: To gain new skills while working with others and to become more involved in Student Life and UIU activities.

Name: Alexandra Dombrowski
Hometown: East Hampton, Connecticut
Major: Emergency Disaster Management with a minor in Earth Science Systems.
UIU Activities: Residence Life, Student Life, Student Philanthropy Council, Vice President of SGA, Beta Theta Omega sorority
Why I wanted to be an RA: This is my second year as an RA and I look forward to continuing to help other students adjust to Campus life. I also enjoy the opportunity to grow closer to everyone on Campus, creating new relationships and opportunities.

Name: Kevin Dennis
Hometown: San Diego, California
Major: Business Administration
UIU Activities: Beta Phi, Cheer Team
Why I wanted to be an RA: To work with other students and be more involved on Campus.

Name: Honey Sanchez
Hometown: Sumner, Iowa
Major: Accounting and Business Administration
UIU Activities: Pride Club, Greek Life (BTQ)
Why I wanted to be an RA: I wanted to be able to help residents make an easier transition to college life. I also want to bring awareness to mental illness and make sure students know where and how to get help if they are struggling.

Name: Grant Dieken
Hometown: Clear Lake, Iowa
Major: Secondary Education All Social Sciences and English
UIU Activities: Cross-Country, Track, SAAC, Peacocks for Progress
Why I wanted to be an RA: I wanted to be a part of making Fayette Campus the best possible experience for all students here.

Name: Delaney Miller
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Major: Conservation Management
UIU Activities: Cross-Country, Track and Field, Science and Environmental Club, E.Y.E. Sorority, Peacocks for Progress
Why I wanted to be an RA: To help other students around Campus like my RAs did for me, and further expand my leadership skills.

Name: Zakaria Fuller
Hometown: Rowlett, Texas
Major: Biology with a Pre-Professional emphasis and a minor in Forensic Science
UIU Activities: SGA secretary, Phi Beta Delta sorority
Why I wanted to be an RA: I wanted to be a resident assistant so I could help provide students a better college experience as well as being a person they could depend on.

Name: Brady Krupa
Hometown: Willmar, Minnesota
Major: Accounting and Finance
UIU Activities: Track and Field, Student Ambassador, PFP, and PFC
Why I wanted to be an RA: To become more involved in Student Life and UIU activities.

Name: Christopher (Biingo) Lewis
Hometown: South Phoenix, Arizona
Major: Sports Communication, film
UIU Activities: Football
Why I wanted to be an RA: To be part of something great outside of football and to better myself, those in my circle, and the people who may need guidance.

UIU's Session 1 classes begin Monday, August 30. A member of the national COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge, the University's classes will be in person except in rare cases where an approved accommodation is necessary. Offices, academic services, residential living, student activities, food service, athletics, and all other aspects of campus life are expected to also resume in-person.

While not required to have the COVID-19 vaccination, students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated if it is safe for them to do so. If fully vaccinated, masks are optional for students, faculty and staff. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask when indoors or in group settings. This guidance is in place at all UIU locations except where otherwise directed by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws.

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