Issue # 19– April 17, 2011
Student Staff Spotlight - Connor Lamb
Connor Lamb is a graduate student in the College of Liberal Arts in the Communication and Media Technology program. He’s a graduate of Champlain College in Burlington, VT. Additionally, he’s one of two CAs living and working in the Riverknoll apartments. Check out the interview below to learn more about the Center for Residence Life Apartment Area’s newest staff member!
Interviewer: Connor, you are the newest member of the Apartment Area staff – joining the team at the end of Winter quarter. How has your transition into the role been over the last 5 weeks?
Connor: Easy breezy because I have been working on RIT’s campus in various roles for the past year including FYE and the main office of ResLife. I had also been an RA during my time in undergrad at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. Everyone on staff has been super friendly and happy to see me come aboard and the feelings are mutual.
Interviewer: You are the Community Advocate for Riverknoll – what interested you in the CA position and what has been the best part of the job thus far?
Connor: I knew I wanted to stay connected to RIT in a professional way. I wanted to use my skills from being a Champlain College RA and the graduate assistant in RIT’s FYE office gave me the confidence to know I would be successful stepping into the role of CA. The best part of the job is getting to work with the incredible RIT ResLife team. Part of my duties as the new CA include living near the new Global Village. Global Village is my new favorite hangout. If you’re ever looking for me, I can be found either getting a steak taco salad at Salsarita’s, shopping at ShopOne² and the Market@Global Village, or stirring my Chobani pomegranate yogurt while sipping on the latest Freshens smoothie in Crossroads! The Global Village area feels like a whole new world from the rest of campus. It’s bright, cheery, and just what I think this campus needed! I love the colors, architecture, and landscape designs. The beautiful fusion of smart and sexy that can be experienced at Global Village really showcases RIT’s commitment to innovation, problem solving, and an effort to be greener.
Interviewer: What do you feel is the most important contribution the Community Advocates make to RIT or their residents?
Connor: Living off campus can be a great experience, but in those types of situations no one is looking out for your best interest as much as the CA’s do here. The ResLife staff is here to help students in a collaborative fashion and students just need to step up and let us know what they need. We have an awful lot to offer residents in terms of services and assistance.
Interviewer: What is a random fact about yourself that no one could guess?
Connor: I went to Norway in 1997 and during my trip I ate fresh Norwegian salmon straight from a fiord near Lillehammer. After grilling it, of course!
Interviewer: What are some of your other involvements here at RIT?
Connor: I’m always checking the CAB calendar for fun things to do right on campus. Most recently I went to the Roller Derby and Mr. RIT. I’m a huge fan of the RIT’s men’s hockey team. My brother Devin is on the RIT lacrosse team so I try to make every game to cheer them on too.
Interviewer: If you could give some advice to someone thinking about getting involved with Residence Life what would that be?
Connor: I’d definitely encourage them to do it! Residence Life can take you all over the United States and even abroad. Residence Life has assisted in my personal and professional development in many ways. I wouldn’t be as successful and as ready for greatness as I am now without being part of Residence Life. I continue to have the opportunity to meet amazing people from all over the world, I’ve gained priceless friendships that will last a lifetime, and I’ve discovered who I really am and how much others care for me! Who wouldn't want that?
Interviewer: What else would you like your residents to know about you?
Connor: They can talk to me about absolutely anything. No topic is off limits. Also, I consider myself a lifelong learner and look forward to new discoveries every day, and I’d be more than happy to just sit and listen to what any of my residents have to say.
Interviewer: You are currently working on completing your thesis in the Communication and Media Technology graduate program. What is your thesis about, and what do you hope to do upon graduation?
Connor: My thesis is about how art museum professionals are using a business model approach to better market art museums to visitors with newer and innovative websites. As for my future, I’ve always been creative and artistic so I hope I can find a future job where I can be both and continue to learn new things. I'd love to travel to the West Coast, meet more friends, and live internationally.
If you would like to contact Connor, he can be reached by email at cclrla@rit.edu!
For more articles from this issue, click here