Tough times are inevitable in life and in college they come and go with relative frequency. Jamie Eis was no different during her time at IUPUI, but through her work with the Office of Educational Partnerships and Student Success, she not only found a support system, but was able to be a support system for her peers.
Eis, a drawing and illustration major from DeKalb, Indiana, saw her senior year as she knew it come to a screeching halt due to COVID-19. The combination of end-of-the-year schoolwork, moving off campus, trying to graduate and watching campus events get canceled made the final few months of college stressful. Eis found support through the EPSS staff.
“I owe thanks to the EPSS staff for always being able to answer my questions about events on campus, professional workplace advice, and for remaining positive and uplifting during some of the toughest months I have ever experienced as a student,” Eis said.
Her story is proof that everyone needs a support system, and she’s been able to provide that for her peers over the years. Eis worked several events over the years, but her favorite was Weeks of Welcome. Through the event, Eis was able to interact with new students at IUPUI and help them settle in to their new home.
“I loved being able to help support other students,” Eis said. “From helping them celebrate through campus events, sharing different IUPUI resources with incoming freshman, or even just being a name and face on campus that they were able to say ‘hi’ to or approach if they had any other questions about campus.”
Eis’ work with EPSS also gave her skills that she will take with her into her postgrad life. Like many graduates, she’s on the hunt for a full-time position amidst the changing landscape of COVID. While where she will work is up in the air, one thing Eis knows for sure is what IUPUI taught her.
“Working for EPSS has helped me gain more confidence when talking to others,” she said. “I’ve learned how to manage different office skills such as organizing meetings and learning about my personal work style.”
A new challenge is in front of Eis as she leaves IUPUI, but the support system that she built as a Jaguar isn’t going anywhere.