Name: Erica
Pronouns: she/her/hers
HSRC Job Title: Food Security Programs, Graduate Teaching Assistant
Major/minor: College Student Services Administration Master’s Program
Career Aspirations: I hope to work as an academic advisor or study abroad advisor when I finish my program because I love building relationships and working one-on-one with students. I aspire to be in a position where I can support students through their academic and personal struggles while helping them to recognize their own strengths and resiliency.
Why did you want to work at the HSRC?: The HSRC is an amazing community. I love working with a team of people who are passionate about helping students meet their basic needs so they can thrive. Working here has given me the opportunity to develop a more holistic and deeper understanding of what is means to support students.
What will you be working on? I will be working together with the HSRC’s student staff to oversee and develop our food pantry, SNAP outreach and other food security programs. I am also excited to help develop and facilitate events centered around classism and class inequality.
What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy taking time to get to know people and spend quality time with friends. Live music and nature bring me a ton of joy. I also love to watch cartoons and eat pizza.
What’s your favorite yummy and cheap meal that you like to make?: Since cheese is my favorite food, mac & cheese is my go-to yummy and cheap meal. I like to add spices, brocoli, muchrooms and chicken to give my mac & cheese an extra kick.
Do you have any tips for students on how to save money? Meal prepping is one way that I save money. I find that purchasing groceries at Winco and preparing my meals for the week ahead saves me money, and helps me to eat healthier. As a busy grad student it’s a challenge to find time to cook and save money by not eating out frequently.
What are you favorite things to do in Corvallis? Interzone is my favorite local spot to hang out and drink coffee. I also enjoy walking through Avery Park’s rose garden and Bald Hill.
Where is your favorite spot to relax on campus? I really like the Graduate Resource Center because it has a massage chair and is usually a pretty quite place to study with free printing.
What is your favorite tv show? I love Bob’s Burgers! All the characters are authentic and hilarious.
