Looking forward to a great year!

Hello! My name is Wendy and I have been a VISTA at Coe for exactly one year (today!)! However, I don't think I've actually introduced myself on this blog. So I'm here to do that!

I graduated from the University of Iowa in 2010 with a degree that does not have much to do with community service. How did I end up at Coe then, you might ask. Well, I've always been involved with my own community service and a few service-oriented organizations. I also discovered an interest in working with students while I worked in an advising office during undergrad. I was lucky to find this position at Coe because it does a great job of combining my interests in student affairs and my love for helping people.

I love to spend time with my family and friends. I've been blessed to have a very large family (45 and counting cousins that I'm very close with) and lots of friends that support me in all that I do. My family is relatively close by to Coe, so I'm fortunate to be able to see them often. Another fun fact about me is that I grew up on a dairy farm! I love talking to people about what it's like to live on a farm, so if you are curious I'm happy to share my experiences! I'm also a big hockey fan (well, it's a new interest for me, but I love it!) and college football fan.

A few of my favorite things from last year were definitely the Alternative Spring Break trip I was lucky to help advise. It was my first time in Atlanta, but it was a great experience! I also loved being able to help students throughout the year find a new passion, or continue with a passion they already held, but maybe in a new way. I really enjoy the variety of things I get to experience at Coe. I've been able to help a group of students pack over 9,000 meals in just a few hours for Kids Against Hunger, build a shed for a Habitat for Humanity family, raise over $25,500 for the University of Iowa Children's Hospital, and work Aging Services to put 500 hours in one day into the community helping the elderly in the community with their housework. There's so much potential for us to help the Cedar Rapids community and I can't wait to get started on the new school year! I look forward to working with all of the new students at Coe this fall!

Best wishes, Wendy