Difference Makers of University Housing: Woodland Hall Area Council RA’s
Throughout the month of February, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrates individuals in the campus community who enrich the supportive environment that SIUE curates. Nominated by their peers on the University’s social media platforms, “SIUE Difference Makers” range from students, faculty and staff. The tradition was born from sparks of gratitude and hope which permeated each campus during the Covid pandemic.
This year, University Housing went the extra mile by receiving a total of seven nominations. Today, SIUE is recognizing three nominated Woodland Hall Resident Assistants who advised on the Woodland Hall Area Council: Brienna Weaver, RA of wing 2 East, Kiya Rainey, RA of wing 2 West Deluxe Suites and Sophie Parson, RA of wing 3 West Nursing FIC. They managed hosting events and influencing policy while balancing their student lives.
Nominated by Jenna Koonce, director of Woodland Hall and supervisor of the RA’s, the three women stood out as difference makers because of their work ethic and service to the Woodland Hall community as council advisors.
“They have done amazing work with the residents of Woodland Hall with not only arranging social events but service events as well,” said Koonce. “Last semester they led Woodland Area Council in hosting many events but I wanted to highlight the ‘Holiday Service Cards’ event where residents could make holiday cards and ‘Waffle Wisdom’ where they hosted a waffle bar with study tips for students the week before finals. They have put so much time and effort into ensuring the residents have a meaningful experience and serving them by creating impactful events and service opportunities.”
Brienna Weaver
Difference Maker Brienna Weaver is a senior biological sciences major on a pre-med track minoring in chemistry. She’s a member of the Residence Housing Association (RHA), National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), Woodland Hall Area Council (WHAC), and Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA). Weaver enjoys planning Woodland Hall events, making connections with people, painting, reading, and baking. She plans to attend ATSU Kirksville Osteopathic Medical School after graduating SIUE.
“As an advisor, it is important to mentor students and offer guidance, but without telling them what to do,” Weaver said. “Being an area council advisor is very rewarding. Not only am I getting to know other residents, but I am also developing my own leadership skills.”
Weaver is known for her positive attitude. Her nominators describe her positivity as infectious.
“It costs nothing to be kind and smile at people,” said Weaver. “Spreading kindness and happiness makes me happy, and I hope I can always make someone’s day better.”
Kiya Rainey
Difference Maker Kiya Rainey is a senior psychology major with minors in sociology and public health. She’s currently interviewing graduate programs so she can achieve a career as a clinical psychologist. Rainey is an Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA) associate running an independent research project about how the “Strong Black Woman” schema impacts mental health and quality of life.
“This work is very important to me as I was to continue to find what negatively impacts Black women’s mental health and incorporate these cultural-specific stressors into culturally-competent interventions that may better serve us in my future career,” said Rainey.
Rainey is involved in Pre-Health Hub, Psi Chi, NRHH, Honors Student Association, and Psychology Club. She enjoys reading, journaling, yoga, and nature walks. Rainey credits her ability to balance all of her activities, studies, roles and responsibilities by some clever Google Calendar skills, although her nominators credit her natural charisma and ability to build community in University Housing while serving as a role model.
“I always remind myself of my motivations for being in college and how I wanted to make the most of my time here, and I know that all of the work I do will make me a better person, leader, and scholar, so I remind myself of that and keep pushing forward,” said Rainey.
Sophie Parson
Difference Maker Sophie Parson is a traditional nursing major set to graduate in the spring 2025 cohort. She is in the John Martinson Honors Program and has been involved with the Honors Student Association as well as Alpha Phi Omega. Her nominators commended her compassion and attention to detail in designing the Holiday Service Cards event.
“A lot of students at SIUE have community service needs and the desire to participate in as many opportunities as they can on campus,” said Parson. “Offering a service opportunity where residents live provides accessibility that off-campus opportunities can be lacking. Also, fellow WHAC advisor Brienna and I have each worked in communities that we know benefit from these small acts of kindness and love around the holidays!”
Motivated by the ability to bolster accessibility for housing events, Parson challenged herself to become more involved with WHAC after her freshman year.
“I wanted to work with WHAC this year to facilitate my next step in becoming an advisor and mentor to my fellow RAs and all residents in Woodland Hall. I love to throw larger events for a much bigger audience within Woodland Hall that my socials in 3 West may not reach.”
Parson is excited about seizing other leadership opportunities from her positive experience as a WHAC advisor.
“I definitely see myself becoming another advisor for an area council in another housing community next year. I hope to also join RHA/NRHH to continue becoming more involved within housing beyond my RA role,” Parson concludes.
With these three emerging leaders advising the WHAC, the future of Woodland Hall community-building is bright. As Difference Makers, they have inspired their peers with radiant optimism and served as outstanding role models. They are each, as Koonce states, “the true definition of difference makers in the lives of their residents and the University Housing Department.”
Photos:
1. Group photo of Kiya Rainey, Sophie Parson and Brienna Weaver; 2. Brienna Weaver; 3. Kiya Rainey; 4. Sophie Parson