A SOULful summer

¡Hola Amigos!

I'm so pumped to be able to share with you all about my summer and to hear what awesome things you all are doing too. So I've been training for a long time now to be a SOUL (Summer Orientation Undergrad Leader) at MU and after countless hours of preparation, today is the big day the the 1st group of 1st Years come. Ahhhhh--SOOOOO exciting!!!

I felt really prepared and confident last night, but then this morning I wake up to my phone ringing and realize that I didn't wake up on time and have 15 to get ready--ah:0. Luckily I made it on time and the morning prgrm was great (the vignettes were stellar!!!) And then came time to break into small groups. I love leading groups, but all of a sudden I felt so crazed. 1) because we had 20 less minutes(!) 2) because my first activity didn't work out and 3) I felt like I was doing all the talking and wasn't sure if my groupies were getting anything out of it. Oh man.

Lunch was kinda quiet, but there was some great mini conversations going on. I realized that after talking with some other SOULS (on our break right now) that they all had some mishaps. Each group is so unique and I just want MY small group to feel comfortable and know that they can count on me--they are amazing people!  

So, if you're faced with an uneasy situation this summer, it's ok. I know that I just have to be myself and that nerves are good--they mean you really care:)

Chi-town for the summer...

This picture was taken before a Chicago White Sox game. I am the guy on the far left. US Cellular Field is about 5 blocks from where I do why service work at CYC.


Hello all,

I hope that summer is finding you all well and that you are enjoying your time off from school! My name is Matt Hoffman and I am a senior (which is a scary realization) at Miami, majoring in International Studies and Political Science. I am spending this summer in Chicago, Illinois—a place very different from my hometown of Brookville, Ohio. I am hoping to explore the urban environment of the city, to interact with many residents, and to explore the unique aspects that makes Chicago one of the world’s greatest cities.

So, how am I supporting myself in this endeavor? Great question! I am participating in a program at Miami known as the Urban Leadership Internship Program (ULIP) through the University Honors & Scholars Program. This program is made up of around 20 students who spend the summer in Columbus, Cleveland, or Chicago and participate in an internship of their choosing, while doing service work at least one day a week. Miami supports us financially with a large living stipend, which covers housing, food, and has some flex room to cover activities.

My internship is at DePaul University—a large, urban, Vincentian (Catholic) university in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. After graduation, I want to work with student leaders and student leadership development; at DePaul, I am working in their office of student leadership and have the chance to interact with student leaders and to evaluate leadership programs and learning outcomes. Additionally, every Wednesday, I participate in service at a Chicago Youth Center in Bridgeport, on the south side of the city. There, I tutor children in an after-school program and coach a soccer team.

Even though this experience just began, I think that it will be truly transformational. ULIP provides me with the chance to explore a large urban area like Chicago, to gain valuable work experience, and to explore some of the issues associated with urban living through service work. The best part is that Miami helps me foot the bill—and with such dire economic times, this experience is truly a bargain…and an once-in-a-lifetime experience!


This is me as a Chicago-style hot dog at the Chicago History Museum.


Love & Honor,

Matt Hoffman ‘10

HEY NACURH!

"...HEY WHAT?!"

Mm hmmm...! I just returned from the most amazing conference hosted by the University of Arizona, in Tuscon, AZ (obviously).

The National Association of College and University Residence Halls, better known as NACURH holds an annual conference in different universities each year. Thankfully, I am lucky enough, or should I say honored to be among one of the 11 delegates who had the opportunity to represent Miami University at this conference.

Three whole days with little sleep and nothing else but filled with spirit, cheers and high levels of energy, I was not even a tad close to being worn out the least. We played ice breakers all day, met new people, and most importantly, learned about ourselves in different leadership skills and personal development presentation sessions. A chance to interact and socialize with other schools also allowed us to exchange and share ideas with one another.

At the end of the conference, we proudly brought back with us two pieces of good news. First being Miami University's very own Residence Hall Association (RHA) has won its bid for the National Building Block Award. The second, our advisor, Grant Walters will be undertaking the advisor position in the Central Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (CAACURH) Regional Board of Directors.

Taking a minute to recognize the important people behind these success stories: RHA advisor Grant Walters, RHA president Matt Forrest, RHA Leadership Director-Elect / NACURH Communications Coordinator (NCC) Bailey Box, all RHA Executive Board members and General Assembly. Kudos to these people and their efforts put forth to make this a possibility... and of course, CONGRATULATIONS RHA!

I love happy endings. Good news like these make it all the better. This pretty much sums up all the excitement in one large conference attended by almost 3000 people coming from 300 schools all over the country. 

I am roaming around in Texas for now. More updates to come so stay tuned!