Stephen John Houk Director of Programming 2017-2018
Who am I? Stephen Houk Year Sophomore Major: Psychology Pre-Medicine Minor: Chemistry Email: shouk3@kent.edu Wright Hall To Kent Interhall Council, Hello! My name is Stephen Houk, and I would like to be your Director of Programming. Why me? Hopefully I have been visible enough throughout the semester that you recognize the image on the previous page. If that is the case, then you have observed the passion and tenacity through which I attend to my Hall Council responsibilities. If you are not familiar with me, then i ll give you a short run down: I am an extremely driven student with an interest in psychology. I hope to attend medical school after earning my undergraduate degree. I have always felt that mental fitness and the medical arts can entwine to provide an eclectic approach by which to achieve a spiritually fit society. It is then through Hall Council that I wish to serve the Kent student population as I wish to someday serve the scientific communities and to work towards universal well being. A less formal aside; I love the outdoors, animals, and my family. My three younger siblings have often proven to be an inspiration to me, as well as a driving force behind all i m working towards in life. I would like to break here and thank you for taking the time to consider my application to serve Kent Interhall Council and the campus at large. Sincerely and humbly yours, Stephen Houk
Notable Experience Wright Hall Council: KIC representative Coordination of programs and collaterals, other such activities Furthering a culture of inclusion among residents Advanced social cohesion within the council My time on Wright Hall Council and with KIC has been one of the most fun and memorable experiences of my life. I have grown as both a person and a leader through numerous events and programs. The level of involvement and the passion put forth by all of the members has pushed me to a point of personal development unprecedented before in my own life. For me, hall council has been a point of personal discovery; that the key to having a successful college career is to be as involved as possible to promote constant self actualization. This development, I have found, is best achieved through Kent students coming together through student- run organizations like hall council. KIC s vision, as outlined in the constitution is foremost to...provide a positive living and learning environment for all residence hall students. During my time with KIC, we have worked to promote student involvement on campus and to provide an environment of inclusion, though I believe that there is still more we can do, together.
University Hospitals Portage (UHP) Operation and maintenance of Emergency room desk Facilitation of clients in various conditions amidst a complex environment Direct contact with nursing and doctoral staff Engenderment of caring, understanding environment for clients I believe that one of Hall Council s unwritten goals is the preparation of students for the world at large. The type of community developed through interhall council is one that I think should be modeled after post-college communities. The adaptation of social skills and the life values promoted in KIC are naturally a reflection of the communities that Kent students will be entering. My time at University Hospitals Portage is a prime example of one such community that students have a direct impact on. It is my thought that working to branch out into the community at large should not only be the goal but the responsibility of all Kent State students, and that this should go doubly for those in the residence halls. Volunteering is a very important part of my life, as I believe it should be for all members of hall council. Giving back to the community is paramount, as not only is it just to do so, but these communities being emboldened by our members proves that Kent Interhall Council can make a difference.
RPOC/AROC, Navy Boot Camp, Great Lakes, IL Managed a number of recruits, fluctuating from 80-120 on a daily basis Processed individual paperwork for each recruit Catered to the needs of each recruit, ensured compatibility Provided Personal Counseling for each recruit Maintained list of appointments per each recruit Before the start of my college career, I enlisted to join the United States Navy. Since that time, I have found my calling to be along the college career path. Regardless of this divergence, the wisdom and experience I earned in boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois will no doubt stick with me through the rest of my life. Chiefly, leadership skills were opened up to me. This much was obvious to me going in. The less obvious, yet arguably more important talents I learned were the interpersonal people skills I was able to hone. As there is only one Navy Bootcamp in all of the United States, many different kinds of people would show up and need my assistance in any number of matters, ranging from personal appointments, to conflicts amongst other recruits. While setting an example for the other recruits, I was tasked with the processing of all of their paperwork, with many of these individuals coming in and leaving on a semi-random basis. My time here was very impactful on both my personality and work ethic. The expertise, unique to the United States military, could prove to be invaluable to Kent Interhall Council.
Involvement Through KIC at Large From my establishment as a KIC representative I have been as involved as possible. With campus wide events. Involvement within these events has always been character building and community stimulating. Campus-wide programming is the cornerstone Hall Council. I have been involved with Sex Week, Fall Fest, Blizzard Bash, and most recently Strike Out Cancer. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time involved at each and every one of these events. I look forward to further programming for Sibs and Kids weekend, especially KIC Ball, which I have worked with the other KIC reps to help plan.
Awards and Other Activities Member, American Medical Student Association (September 2016-present) Member, Psi Chi National Honors Fraternity Member, Phi Theta Kappa, National Honors Society (December 2015-Present) Member, Wright Hall Student Council (October 2016-Present) KIC Representative (October 2016-present) Dean s List, Eastern Gateway Community College, Fall 2015, Spring 2016 Semester To reiterate, I am a proponent of taking an active role in the community one immerses themselves in. It seems logical, then, that my activities on campus would not be limited to hall council. I have attempted to diversify my impact upon Kent state by taking part in a multitude of organizations. Positional duties and how to accomplish them The main focus for the Director of Programming,l of course, development programs. I have served on committees for events both within my hall and campus wide, and have excelled at both. The next major obligation for the director of programming is that of time. I have learned, since arriving at college, that time management skills are incredibly important. I possess this trait in abundance. Currently, I am taking 18 credit hours worth of classes, with one of those credits being three hours within a lab, and another three hours being uncredited. I serve a weekly responsibility to University Hospitals Portage, and I balance all of that out with Hall Council Meetings and Collaterals. I can successfully manage my time and maximize my commitment to KIC.
Moving Forward... If I were given the opportunity to perform the role of Director of Programming there are a number of advancements that could be made possible. I bring a diverse viewpoint to the realm of executives, and new avenues of approach for certain programming events could be explored. As stated before, I was involved with my Hall Council s Sex Week committee. I would assert that the event was a success, yet in certain aspects it could be improved. As a campus wide event, it is important that as many residence hall students as possible take advantage of KIC s events. That has been a large issue, I have found, with programming these two semesters; attendance. This can be attributed to both notoriety levels of the events, as well as inopportune times for students attendance, such as double scheduling with other campus events.
I believe that I can further the stimulation of an inclusive environment through increased attraction to these events. These events are the most important and often the most visible part of KIC, and thus those who would be attracted to the organization would make their surmisation of its worth based on the quality of the events. The more people that come, and the higher quality of these events, the better Kent Interhall Council can serve with resident hall community, and with greater reach as well. How Hall Council will help me grow further as a person. All the experiences listed in this packet have lead to the culmination of my character. This is however an ongoing process. I feel strongly that if I am elected and allowed to serve in this position, that the person I would become would have experience unfound anywhere else in life. I would thank you all for the opportunity to grow in this way.
Above all else, KIC provides a sense of community for those pursuing a college career on campus. This must be of prime importance for us as a student organization moving forward into the 2017-2018 school year. I personally vow to further diversify the events, and to capitalize on past successes, while minimizing any shortcomings of these programs. From the constitution:...kent Interhall Council s purpose is to promote a positive living and learning atmosphere, as well as student leadership opportunities, within the halls. These words from the governing documents of our organization provide much thought for me, and for us all going forward. Our interpretation Regardless of the outcome of this election, I am thankful for the friendships I have earned and the opportunity to experience a unique living learning environment. Thank you all so much!