tCaitlyn Alvarado:

What motivates you to go above and beyond the call of duty?

Caitlyn prioritizes student relationships above all else. Her hope is to always make someone else’s day a little better. In explaining her logic, she states that “a University cannot be without students. So therefore, what is one of the most important parts of my job? My interactions with students.”

She emphasizes the centrality of this mission. Students are the heart and soul of Stetson, so supporting them in any way possible should be commonplace.

“ at's really why we are here, and I think it should be considered more of a standard and less of going above and beyond,” Alvarado said.

Administrative Specialist of the History Department & The Building Coordinator for Elizabeth Hall (Pursuing a Master’s in Marriage and Family Counseling)

How do you maintain your own mental health while looking after the health of others?

As an aspiring mental health professional, Caitlyn stressed the importance of seeking help o en.

“I believe that the fact that I'm willing to go and see a counselor myself every once in a while, hopefully helps inspire my students to do the same. I don't think that somebody can be a counselor, or tell other people to see a counselor, without having seen one themselves,” Alvarado said.

She also cites speci c tools and techniques that have helped her and that she hopes can help others as well.

“I try to use my own examples to help my students. It's like, you give a man a sh, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to sh, you feed him for the rest of his life. I try to show them how I sh, maybe take them shing for a little bit, and then I let them go and hope that the skills that I've shown them will be helpful,” Alvarado said.

Who else at Stetson do you see as a humble hero?

“Dr. Chesya Burke, she’s fantastic! Also, Colleen Vanderlip. I saw they [students] trusted her. She’s a good leader. Travis Potter has such a mutual respect with the students, and has a really great relationship with his GA’s. Lynn Schoenberg – I've come across a lot of deans who don't take time out of their day to sit on the front porch just waiting for students to come talk to her. I think her approachability is very admirable,” Lowry said.

“Dr. Mayhill Fowler; she's known for sitting with students, and she's just an amazing and kind person. Miss Debbie Tate is absolutely amazing, and she does so much for her work study students. Miss Laura Glander is all about the students. She just does so much for everybody, not just students; she's like a Stetson unicorn. ere are just so many people. I feel bad about saying names because there's so many names that are being unsaid at the same time,” Alvarado said.

Three cheers for the humble heroes of Stetson! These folks are the secret sauce that truly makes Stetson a community, which is why students adore them so. Have another unsung hero in mind? Hit us up at hatternetwork@gmail.com to let us know, or write a Letter to The Editor and have your thoughts showcased in our next issue!