By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- More than 20 student-athletes on this year's Willamette University teams are also student employees in the Division of Student Affairs. The Department of Athletics is part of Student Affairs, along with Student Activities, the Chaplains' Office, Multicultural Affairs, Housing and Conferences, the Bishop Wellness Center, Gender Resource and Advocacy Center, Bon Appetit Dining Services, student programs such as the Bistro, and the Tokyo International University of America Student Affairs Office. The Division covers Willamette's many areas for learning outside of the classroom as well as areas for the health and support of students.
This is the fourth in a series of five articles about student-athletes who are working in the Division of Student Affairs. The focus of this article is on student-athletes who are employed in Student Activities and Campus Recreation.
Anabel Ohsman (Sr., ATT/MID, Snohomish, WA/Glacier Peak HS) from the women's lacrosse team works as the Sport Club Coordinator for Campus Recreation. She also works in the Fitness Center, which was featured in the third story in this series. Working in Campus Recreation with Intramurals are Lacey Jones (Sr., F, Portland, OR/David Douglas HS) and Jackie Gilroy (So., F, Mercer Island, WA/Mercer Island HS) from women's soccer, Will Reeves (So., Kirkland, WA/Home Schooled) from men's swimming, Andrew Kibbee (Jr., Kenmore, WA/Bothell HS) from men's golf, and Ryan Sato from men's soccer. Claire Johnson (Sr., Deerfield, IL/Deerfield HS), who is a member of the Willamette women's swimming team, works as the Assistant Service Project Coordinator in Community Service-Learning through the Office of Student Involvement, which is currently advised by the Office of Student Activities.
"My coordinator job consists of working with the sport clubs on campus to organize training and being a resource for them," Ohsman said. "It is a new position this year so we are working to create better procedures and protocols for clubs to run more safely and fully use resources on campus. This year, with COVID we have been helping the clubs submit ROC proposals and guiding them through that process of being able to participate while following COVID safe practices."
"Along with Margo Lane, the head coordinator of projects in Community Service-Learning, I oversee and organize the big events and Service Saturdays that CSL puts on," Johnson commented."This can involve working with other members of CSL, communicating with on-campus organizations as well as community partners, reserving spaces, creating a budget, and ordering supplies, among many other things."
Protocols related to COVID-19 have changed procedures, but Johnson noted that the changes haven't prevented Community Service Learning from fulfilling its objectives.
"The pandemic and social distancing guidelines have changed the way that we do service, but it certainly has not stopped us from offering volunteer opportunities," Johnson said. "For example, CSL normally hosts Haunted Halls, a Halloween carnival event, where families from the Salem community trick-or-treat through the first-year dorms and play themed games like pumpkin bowling and witch hat ring toss. This year, due to COVID-19 guidelines, we completely changed our Halloween event from Haunted Halls to a goody bag event, where volunteers packed candy and toys to be distributed to children in need. It was an incredibly successful event with almost 900 goody bags packed to keep the Halloween spirit alive for the kids of Salem!"
Johnson has the chance to interact with many outside groups as she sets up and supports community service events.
"I love how we get to work directly with the Salem community and local organizations," Johnson said. We collaborate with a wide range of community partners, including Family Building Blocks, Marion-Polk Food Share, City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department, SOLVE Cleanup, and Friends of Trees. All of these organizations are focused on different issues and thus offer different services, allowing for many different types of volunteering. Two of my favorite Service Saturdays that I have led were repainting the fire hydrants on campus and volunteering at the Shangri-La All-Abilities Easter Egg Hunt.
For Johnson, her job at Community Service-Learning has been a tremendous experience. She's been able to develop a work schedule that goes well with her other responsibilities on campus.
"It can be tough balancing work as a student-athlete, but it is incredibly rewarding and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of both the Community Service-Learning and Willamette Swimming communities, Johnson said.
"Working at CSL is great because, for the most part, I get to set my own schedule," Johnson continued. "I have office hours where I do the majority of my work, the timing of which is completely up to me (so long as they are sometime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays). I also have weekly meetings with the rest of the Service Project Branch, as well as with the coordinators from all of the other branches of CSL to check-in, plan, collaborate, and celebrate successful events.
Student-Athletes who Work in the Division of Student Affairs:
Student Activities, Campus Recreation
Men's Golf
Andrew Kibbee, Intramural Supervisor
Women's Lacrosse
Anabel Ohsman, Sport Club Coordinator for Campus Recreation
Men's Soccer
Ryan Sato, Intramural Supervisor
Men's Swimming
Will Reeves, Intramural Supervisor
Women's Soccer
Jackie Gilroy, Intramural Supervisor
Lacey Jones, Intramural Lead Coordinator
Women's Swimming
Claire Johnson, Community Service-Learning in Student Activities
