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Greensboro. N.C.
Profile: Res leadership Coordinator Mike Mackey
Kali Griggs
Staff Writer
Curious students. A dog, a fiancee, and an
occupied suite at English Hall. New face on
campus: Guilford's new Residential Leadership
Coordinator.
As Residential Leadership Coordinator, Michael
Mackey must be able to supervise, evaluate, and
train RA's and Hall Directors. This involves prepara
tion for roommate mediation, conflict resolution, and
enforcing penalties that involve alcohol and drug
violations on campus. Mackey said that this is
important because "The RA's and Hall Directors are
the first one on the premises and they act as the
eyes and ears of the hall for safety and wellness.
The Hall Director can call me if things go beyond
what they can control."
As one of four Campus Life staffers who will live
on campus over the next 12 months, Mackey knew
his responsibilities would extend beyond the norm
for a Guilford staff member. It is a challenge that he
gladly accepted:
"My fiancee and I both share a strong interest in
education because it is so important. I want the stu
dents to know that I am not here to just police the
halls. It is my job to keep the students safe from
outside harm or self-inflicted harm. I want to help
them decide to act how to act in a safe and intelli
gent manner," said Mackey.
After receiving a BA in psychology from the
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)
in May 2003, Mackey was unsure what he would do
next. When Guilford College offered him the chance
to expand on his interest in student development,
he sensed that it could be a perfect fit. "I applied for
the position at Guilford because I love working with
students, student organizations, and clubs associat
ed with the campus life," said Mackey.
Paired with a background in psychology, Mackey
feels that he will be able handle his job responsibili
Community Senate's corner space
A.Q. Adbul-Karim
Community Senate President
he majority of us
lead quiet, unherald
ed lives as we pass through
this world. There will most
likely be no ticker-tape
parades for us, no monu
ments created in our honor.
But that does not lessen our
possible impact, for there are
scores of people waiting for
someone just like us to come
along; people who will appre
ciate our compassion, our
unique talents. Someone who
will live a happier life merely
because we took the time to
share what we had to give."
-Leo Buscaglia
Within the next several
weeks and for the rest of your
time here you will be afforded
the unique opportunity to
share your views on issues
that affect all of us daily here
at Guilford.
On Sept. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in
the Walnut room (to your
immediate left when entering
the oaf) there will be an open
forum discussing both the
smoking and party policies.
This meeting is being put
together so that all members
of our community have an
opportunity to share their
ideas and perspectives on
these policies.
There are also up-and-com
ing meetings that will deal
specifically with the new
NEWS
ties with confidence. "The Guilford atmosphere was
a right for me" said Mackey. "I felt relaxed (during
the initial interview) and I did not feel intimidated. I
hope to extend that to the students."
Mackey described himself as someone who has a
"good sense of humor, is laid back, and is easy
going."
With his own graduation from nearby UNCG in his
not-so-distant past. Mackey feels that one of his
biggest assets is perspective. "I can really relate to
the students in a unique way because I am young
enough to remember the college experience" said
Mackey.
According to Anne Lundquist, Dean for Campus
Life, "Mike's age actually works to his advantage.
He has established a rapport with the students and
he has a firm but approachable demeanor" In addi
tion, Lundquist said that "When folks are too much
older, they aren't interested in living in a residence
hall."
A self proclaimed "sports fanatic", Mackey can
often be spotted wearing his favorite Notre Dame
Ball cap. "Touchdown Jesus" may be pointing his
favorite team to victory this season, but Mackey
says that he loves sports of all kinds. Mackey
received a baseball scholarship to UNCG, and his
interest in all sports continues.
Anne Lundquist said that "He is a rabid Notre
Dame fan and I am a zealous Michigan fan. I invited
him watch the game with me this week, thinking I
could rub his nose in a Michigan victory." Lundquist
was disappointed in the outcome of the game, but
she learned that Mike is a gracious winner. "I think it
showed a lot about his character. During his first
week, his grandfather got very sick and eventually
died in the middle of RA training. Mike took the per
sonal time that he needed, but he also was very
concerned about the student staff and wanted to
make sure things were still moving ahead on cam
pus. He is a great asset to our staff."
When asked about Guilford's impending sports
dorm, which will be built by
next year, cafeteria hours, and
campus-wide renovations. For
more information please con
tact me at
senate@guilford.edu.
It is extremely important that
we come together to discuss
and work out plans to deal
with these issues. As a com
munity every decision we
make or allow to be made in
our stead not only affects the
decision makers but all those
who are connected to this
institution.
It is part of our challenge as
members of this community to
make sure that as many voic
es and opinions that can be
heard are given the freedom
pride. TALEISHA BOWEN/GUILFORDIAN
"Pride is Mike Mackey, the new Residential
a b '9 Leadership Coordinator
word," he
said. "You must have student athletes representing
the school to the best of their ability, but it should
also be vice-versa. I mean, athletes should also
support the school in the other activities that it
offers."
Mackey, his fiancee Christi Johnson and their 5
month old pup Dixie Dog will be living in the English
Residential suite for the next eleven months.
Mackey and Johnson plan to wait for marriage until
they have both completed graduate school. Mackey
will be enrolled this fall in pursuit on a MS in
Student Development and Higher education at
UNCG.
For now, Mackey will spend some time getting to
know students like Marcus Ballard, a senior at
Guilford who lives near him in English Hall. Of
Mackey, Ballard said that "I know that he is a Notre
Dame fan, but that's about it. I met him once and he
came across as a real nice guy."
and space to do so. No one
voice is more important than
the other.
Please let the gift of your
voice be heard in the ranks of
fPCjUILFORDIAN
Corrections
On page 3 of the Sept. 10 issue of The Guilfordian we incorrectly
attributed the picture of Bush supports to www.gop.com. It should
have been credited as coming from www.gopconvention.com.
The Guilfordian strives to maintain accuracy and balance in our
reporting. If you should discover any factual error printed in this
edition, please leave a detailed message for Editor-in-Chief Taleisha
Bowen in The Guilfordian office, x 2306, or e-mail the paper at
guilfordian@guilford edu including the word "correction" in the
subject line.
Sept. 17, 2004
www.guilfnrrlian.mm
our community as loudly and
as clearly AS ANYONE
ELSE'S. Join us on Sept.23 at
5:30 p.m. in the Walnut room.
All the Best! 3€