Talking Stick - September/October 2013 - 56

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Jen gonzales
What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office each
morning?
I have a very dedicated meditation practice that helps get me in a positive
mindset for the day. I set an intention and focus on a feeling I would like
to experience that day. This directs my first action of the day when I arrive
at the office. If I desire to feel connected, I check in on my staff, co-workers,
and social media channels. If I desire to feel productive, I strike important
items off my to-do list.

What makes your campus unique?
Ryerson began as a polytechnic institute focusing on training students in
specific trades and for entering the work force. It was renamed Ryerson
University in 2001 and is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the
largest city in Canada. It now has a focus on being an energetic place to
work, and I am honoured to lead the residence life program on such a
dynamic, diverse, innovative, and expanding campus!

What resource can’t you live without?
I have a huge bulletin board in my office that visually reflects my approach
to work. It has important documents such as my “Getting Things Done”
productivity map, a calendar, and conference name badges. The majority of
the space is taken up by thank you notes, pictures of student leader teams,
my family, and my professional colleagues. When I need perspective on why
I choose to work in housing, all I do is look up and remember the difference
I have already made to those I serve and how they have made a difference
to me.

What’s your biggest challenge on campus?

JeN GoNzALeS is
the residence life and
education coordinator
at Ryerson University
in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
Favorite campus
traditions?
We open each residence year
with an 852-person drumming
circle in our gym. It is
symbolic of the harmony we
intend to create in our various
communities and the spirit we
wish to feel all year long! The
energy is contagious, the beat
reverberates off the walls, and
we come together quickly as a
large residence family.

56

Talking STiCk

Ryerson is a commuter campus, and at times it can seem that people forget
about residential students and their needs. I have worked hard to build
strong relationships on campus to ensure that our students have access to
the incredible resources and people that work at Ryerson. We are in the
midst of expanding the number of our beds, and I very much look forward
to having more students on campus to build energy and engagement with in
the near future.

Best session you’ve been impressed by?
I was a first-year student leader when I had the privilege of seeing Tony
Conte speak at the Ontario Association of College and University Housing
Officers’ residence life conference for students. His keynote tagline was
“choice, challenge, change.” His speech inspired me to consider how my
choices were providing growth opportunities and to see myself as the
powerful author of my life. I returned home to campus and framed those
three words and placed the frame on my desk for my next two years of
university. I looked at those words as I chose to come back to staff as a
student, take my first professional role, and to return to the field. I also
think about that phrase as I navigate the other areas and relationships in
my life. Tony and I now work on the same campus, and I consider him a
foundational member of my support team. He is, in one word, incredible.
Talking Stick - September/October 2013

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