Real People Profiles: Katie Boone

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:19:00 -0400
real-people-profiles

I’m asking some of the people you might encounter on the UMBC campus, including students, faculty and staff, to answer a few questions about themselves and their experiences. These are their responses.

Name: Katie Boone

Hometown: Arlington, VA

Q: How long have you been at UMBC?

A: 2 years

Q: What is your current title (job or student organization position)?

A: Director of Residential Life

Q: In 12 words or less, what role(s) do you play on campus?

A: Provide housing for students that is an extension of the classroom and enhances the quality of life for our students right now and helps facilitate preparation for their entrance into a global society.

Q: What aspect of your UMBC role(s) do you enjoy most?

A: Student interaction. It is great to see students get excited about a project, event or idea and work together to see it come alive. I learn some much from our students and it helps keep me passionate about the work we do. I also like to provide services, programs and facilities that increase their ability to learn. Our new Patapsco project, while it seems like only a facilities project with recreational outdoor facilities – to me it transforms that side of campus for our students and then provides swing space to being renovating our apartments. The department’s priority on student success and learning is also a passion and I enjoy creating, with students, programs and services that allow that learning to continue in the halls. It is great when you can help a student and their family.

Q: What is the most important or memorable thing you learned in college/have learned at UMBC?

A: College was an amazing experience for me. I went to St. Joseph’s University in Philly. By getting involved as an RA, in serving learning projects and volunteering, event planning, church, etc I made life long friends, learned skills that have supplemented that put into practice what I was learning in my sociology and politics classes and broadened by understanding of the city and indeed the world.

UMBC is an incredible place. This is my sixth institution. The students are remarkable – I enjoy it all tremendously and feel blessed. I have learned from students wherever I have worked, but UMBC students, whether in Res Life or SGA, SEB, RSA, or Service Learning, they have inspired me the most. Our department staff is very talented and skilled and very hard working and keep our remarkable students at the center.

Q: Complete this sentence: “I am a big fan of __________”

A: Reading – I got a Kindle for Christmas and I am addicted – It is wonderful to learn or just let go and get lost in the words and worlds. Ever need a recommendation – do not hesitate to ask. Since I live so far – I usually have a book on CD going and then one on the Kindle. They have to be very different books to keep them straight!

Q: Do you have any UMBC stories, little-known facts about UMBC, favorite spots on campus, or anything else you’d like to share?

A: In Fall 2011 we will open the addition to Patapsco which will include 2 elevators and just under 200 beds and a partial green roof, an Elevator in Susquehanna, a Sand Volleyball court behind Chesapeake and a Basketball court behind True Grits. Also the landscaping around all those halls and True Grits will be done as well. The coming year will be difficult in terms of construction, but the end result will be incredible. The addition will also be our first LEED Silver building on campus.