This month’s staff member in the spotlight is Zilia Balkansky-Sellés, Extracurricular Coordinator in the Hutton Honors College. We asked her a few questions and here’s what she had to say:
What is your name and what do you do; how long have you worked here in OVPUE?
Zilia Balkansky-Sellés. I’ve worked for OVPUE since September 30, 2019.
What three traits define you?
Since I think of individuality as an integrated whole, these traits I’ll name are not separate and distinct from each other. They are intertwined: persistence, curiosity, creativity.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
While I truly enjoy my work as extracurricular coordinator and academic advisor for the Hutton Honors College, I see this as my day job. The other things I would want to do, I am doing, primarily acting in theatre and writing (at this time, mostly poetry and essays). I also have ongoing participation in activities in which I can do, and express, other areas important to me, including teaching, coaching, environmental stewardship (largely through gardening and activism for wildlife and domesticated animals).
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I continue in learning the things of interest to me, including speaking Russian (I took three years as a grad student and am now returning to my books), and playing music (I am self taught in guitar and have picked up the ukulele in the past few years). As an adult, I started violin lessons, which I took a break from the past few years. So, I want to get back to the violin as well. There are other languages I am interested in learning. They are on the list as well.
What challenging thing has happened (to) for you, and what did you gain from it?
My graduation from a doctoral program at IU was delayed for almost six years due to issues having to do with money and a Bursar’s bill. I persisted and am very grateful to have found an angel in the Bursar’s office who took the first step that allowed the other steps to ensue so that officially graduated in August 2018. Along the way, I also went through cancer, treatments, and am now in remission. All the lessons have to do with staying in the present, persisting, taking one step at a time, and being both kind and firm to oneself. Quoting Maya Angelou, “Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.”
How do you define success?
At the most basic level, success for me has to do with integrity, integrity of thought, integrity with oneself and others, and recognizing one’s place in the greater scheme of the world.
What do you do in your spare time?
As you may be able to tell from earlier answers, I take part in community theatre, audition in other places when possible, write regularly, am beginning to send out more writing for publication, garden in community and in my own large backyard, play musical instruments, work on learning more about topics that interest me. I also cycle and walk a lot.
What is a favorite book, movie, and/or tv show that had an impact on you?
I have several favorites. Having read, and having someone read to me, The Lord of the Rings, by JRR Tolkien at an early age, and having re-read those books many times through the years, the world, sensibilities, and imagery of Middle Earth are embedded in my mental “DNA.” At a young age, I was very impressed, visually and in imagination, by the sweep and cinematography of the film “Lawrence of Arabia.” Visual and imaginative influences from that film and other films have shaped how I see the world, do photography, and compose imagery in writing.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
I really want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. When I was going through cancer treatment, I had an image of successfully climbing Kilimanjaro as a visualization of healing. So, hoping to get there, yet.
What is your favorite thing about working at OVPUE?
I love (love love) working with the students. I am glad to be in a job where I can help to support the trajectory of the brightness and hope for the future. I am also highly appreciative of my bright and compassionate colleagues.
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