Rhodes' new student activities coordinator, Mikayla Woodward, grew up in a small town in central Illinois. While attending undergrad at North Central College in Napierville, Illinois, where she went to play women’s golf, she found her niche in student activities. Because of that experience, she pursued a master’s in higher education and student affairs at the University of South Carolina, while working at Columbia College as the graduate assistant for the division of student affairs.
What made you want to come to Rhodes specifically?
Rhodes is very similar to my undergraduate experience, based on the population size and because it is a close-knit community with lots of ways to get involved. I felt that, because of my experience during undergrad, I could really help students have a positive experience like I did and really love their time at Rhodes.
What do you see as the benefits of Rhodes being a small institution?
You’re not just a number here. Because we can cater to different populations of students and find what those students are looking for, it’s much easier to tailor our programming to what they need than if we were trying to meet the needs of 20,000 students. With a smaller population comes community and collaboration.
What’s your vision for student activities?
One of my priorities is to help students have a holistic college experience. I would see a lot of friends in undergrad and grad school come to class and then just go home. For me, it’s about creating a meaningful experience inside and outside the classroom.
What’s a typical work day for you?
I am the direct advisor for three student organizations here on campus: the Rhodes Activities Board, the Lecture Board, and the Allocations and Student Organizations Committee. Besides overseeing them, I help student organizations find spaces to hold their meetings and events and provide resources to make the most of those experiences.
Are there any misconceptions about your job?
I think some people have the idea that student activities is all about planning parties and events on campus and, while we do offer entertainment, we also provide educational and physical activities, to serve the whole student and give them multiple opportunities outside the classroom.
What’s your favorite thing about Rhodes?
I really love getting to know my coworkers because I think collaboration is really key on a small campus—really working to see how other faculty and staff members can help create a larger experience for students. Besides that, the architecture here is really amazing, and I love walking around campus and running into people I know. I love to interact with students. If I haven’t met you yet, I’d love to meet you. If you’re a student organization leader or someone who wants to get involved, stop me on the sidewalk!
What else do you want the Rhodes community to know?
I’m a really open person; I’m open to new ideas. I’d love for people to come to me to look outside the box. What can we change? How can we enhance the experiences that students have here at Rhodes?
We have an opportunity to shift the culture of Rhodes in positive ways. It starts with the students and asking them what they want out of their college experience and then building upon that.