This month’s staff member in the spotlight is Zach Willhite. He is the Student Services Coordinator for University Division, Students in Transition, the Health Professions and Pre-Law Center, the Career Development Center, and OVPUE Records. We asked him a few questions and here’s what he had to say:
What is your name and what do you do; how long have you worked here in OVPUE?
My name is Zach Willhite, and I am a Student Services Coordinator for University Division, Students in Transition, the Health Professions and Pre-Law Center, the Career Development Center, and OVPUE Records. I also assist the Athletics advising office with their advisor assignments for student athletes. I have now worked full–time with OVPUE for 3 and a half years, beginning September 4, 2018. Before that, I worked for two years as a student NSO assistant and front desk staff for University Division and Students in Transition from June 2016 to August 2018.
What three traits define you?
- Organized
- Outgoing
- Personable
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I used to think I would be a band teacher at this point in my life, and I have often pondered the idea of running my own department store. I would also enjoy being a theatre composer on Broadway. My high school English teacher said I would grow up to be a United States senator, and my mother thinks I should be a florist. I just turned 26 in March, so I may end up doing all of these things at some point in my life.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Tap dancing was something I always wanted to learn. When I started as a freshman here at IU, I took a few classes to learn new things, like Latin and the organ, but I was never able to take tap dancing. Lately, I have been interested in learning glass blowing and bonsai gardening.
What challenging thing has happened (to) for you, and what did you gain from it?
I’m not sure if this happened to me necessarily, but last August my mother was diagnosed with cancer. This really put into perspective just how to look at life and how to handle what it can throw at you. We need to focus on the important things and not waste as much time on things that don’t really matter.
How do you define success?
I think success can best be defined by the Japanese concept of ikigai. This is essentially your reason for being or your purpose in life. The ikigai can be found at the intersection of what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you are good at. If you are in the ikigai, I think that is the best measure for success.
What do you do in your spare time?
I have several hobbies. I play saxophone and piano and am usually dabbling in something art related like painting or basket weaving. I very much enjoy puzzles and gardening and have been trying to get more into cooking. If I’m not up for doing any of these things, I’m probably just watching tv or playing video games of some kind.
What is a favorite book, movie, and/or tv show that had an impact on you?
My all-time favorite movie has to be the Sound of Music. I saw it for the first time when I was maybe 10 or 11 and it really helped shape my love of music, the theatre, and classic films which have all subsequently shaped my personality.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
If I were to go abroad, I have always wanted to see Venice, Italy. There are so many places to see here in America, though. I’d love to go out west to see parts of the country like Montana or Alaska. I’m currently on a quest to visit all the presidential libraries and museums, so I have a lot to see still of the United States.
What is your favorite thing about working at OVPUE?
I really like helping students navigate the university. When I was a student here at IUB, I found it to be very difficult to figure out how the university works and where to go for certain services. I very much enjoy being able to point students in the right direction and help ease their anxieties. I also like the diversity of services offered within OVPUE. There are so many different personalities and perspectives that work in so many different facets, and I think that is an interesting and unique component to our entity on campus.
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