Hi everyone! I'm really not too sure where to begin with this. There's so much that I've been looking to share...

My name is Rob Swinton. I am a senior English major with a minor in History. I am originally from Staten Island, New York, a graduate of Staten Island Technical High School. Between the time I started at The U and now, my parents moved only a short distance away from me in NEPA, so I consider myself to be from a few different places.

I work at the Admissions Visitors' Center here at The U, and I get lots of questions from prospective students and their parents all the time. The number one question, though, goes something like this--"What do you like most about being a student at The University of Scranton?". And my answer is always the same; I love the sense of community that I feel here. I love the people, the atmosphere, the sincerity that the faculty and staff have for you and your success.

On a more personal note, The University of Scranton has given me the chance to realize my talents through my involvement outside the classroom. Some positions that I hold/have held include: Head Resident Assistant, Editor-in-Chief of Windhover (yearbook), section editor for Aquinas (newspaper), member of Sigma Tau Delta (National English Honor Society), member of the Ministry Choir, Lector, Writing Consultant, Tour Guide, Admissions Visitors' Center Worker. (Just looking at that list makes my head spin!) I'm sure that I've forgotten a few things, but this can at least give you a glimpse at some of the great leadership opportunities that Scranton has to offer.

Obviously, what I have been involved in so far has served as supplement to my English major (the yearbook, the newspaper, writing consultant, Sigma Tau Delta), but some of the other positions on the list have encouraged my other interests as well. Working with prospective students in Admissions and working with our on-campus residents in Residence Life has spurred me to follow my desire of teaching students, though not in the most classical sense. For a long time now, I have wanted to be a teacher. When I came to The U, I initially perused my English degree with the intentions of becoming a high school English teacher. My experiences with Admissions and ResLife, though, have opened my eyes to education outside the classroom. My positions with these two departments have enriched my people skills and taught me that learning doesn't necessarily include desks and whiteboards (blackboards are now a thing of the past for most people). Realizing that, I have set my sights on a career in higher education with Student Affairs, specifically working in Residence Life. As a senior, I'm working with professionals on campus who are able to point me in the right direction because of what they have learned. I still hope to teach English someday, but my people skills have won out for the time being.

So what does all this mean for you? Well, it means that Scranton offers so much to its students, that we get a chance to experience so much while taking on the responsibility of forming ourselves as young adults and young professionals. There's only one way, though, that you'll even get a taste of what I'm talking about.

You'll have to come see it for yourself. Come to our next open house on Sunday, November 9 to see what Scranton has to offer. Maybe I'll even see you there!

Leave some comments on my entries if you have the time, especially if there are certain things you'd like me to talk about. I'll be posting some pictures soon too!