Tower Magazine - Summer/Fall 2024 - 10

" The challenge IS the opportunity, "
says Anja of the chance to help
build a deeper, more engaged
residential community at a
two-year school. She's making
headway on that by establishing
new annual events, like Fall Fest,
and reinvigorating the role of the
student-run residence hall council.
Revolutionizing the approach to
student health and wellness has
perhaps been one of the pair's
most heartfelt achievements
since coming to the College. This
involved managing several campus
resources that had merged into
one physical location. Anja also
created a hygiene resource and
health program for Residence Life.
Anja explains that, in the past,
a student might have faced
consequences after a failed
room inspection. She believed a
more empathetic (and productive)
approach would be to provide
education first, especially because
many students might not be aware
of proper self-care to begin with
and/or be able to afford personal
necessities. This, in fact, was the
catalyst behind the hygiene closet.
Anja explains that in these cases
after a student is referred to the
campus resource of their choice,
they'll have two weeks to comply.
She adds that the closet is open to
any student-resident or commuter-
not just those who've been referred
to health and wellness services.
These shelves full of personal items
complement the existing Thad's
Closet, which offers new and gently
worn clothing for students.
Dawan is grateful their ideas, big and
small, had such a positive reception.
" The leadership at Thaddeus Stevens
College has been very supportive, "
he said. " They invite you to be
involved with the decisions. "
Together, along with their team
of professional staff and student
workers, Dawan and Anja are
proud to be part of the expanding
Thaddeus Stevens College
community-and thrilled to be
working side by side.
" We both have the 'get-it-done'
mindset. It's great working with her, "
says Dawan. Anja agrees. " We're like
bread and butter. It's fate that we're
working together. "
Dawan Worsley
9 : Tower Magazine
Anja Homberger
Tower Magazine - Summer/Fall 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Tower Magazine - Summer/Fall 2024
