Residence Life would be lost without Melinda Yingling, the Program Associate for Residence Life. Many of you have probably received emails from her concerning Residence Hall information. Let's get to know the lady who makes sure all of the administrative things of Residence Life happen.

So what does a Program Associate for Residence Life do?
I do all of the administrative stuff. I work with petty cash, databases, and room changes. I mail out letters saying who is going to live in what room and keep track of where everyone is going to live.

Where did you go to college? For what?
I actually went to UWS and graduated in 1998. I have a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Management. I started working for Residence Life in 1999, and have been here ever since!

Do you ever play board games? What is your favorite?
Yes! Sequence is my favorite. I usually play Sorry!, Candyland, and Chutes and Ladders with my son, though. I also like card games, especially Phase 10.

When do you think it is appropriate to listen to Christmas music?
November 1st. If you listen to it before Halloween, it takes away from both of the holidays.

Name an event that has changed your life.
My dad getting diagnosed with melanoma and passing away. I look at everything differently now. Also, having children. Everything is about them. It changes everything.

What is one thing you can't live without?
Diet soda. Diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Mountain Dew are my favorites. Anything but Diet Pepsi!

If you had the chance to go back to school, what would you go for and why?
Graphic Design. It's more hands-on marketing experience. You can use the applications and not just learn about them. It would be fun to make ads.

Tell us about your children.
I have two sons. Andrew is seven, and Aiden is almost five months. Andrew is in first grade, andI am very proud of him. His teacher says he is such a good student, and she wants to keep him in her class next year. He is reading chapter books, and he is so polite! Aiden is such a happy baby. The day care provider says he is the happiest baby they have ever seen. He is growing like a weed, too.

How did you meet your husband?
It was actually at UWS. There used to be UWS message boards and chat rooms. People would find their classmates on there and get to know each other. We found out that we were in a couple of classes together, so we decided to meet. We started dating in May of 1995, the end of my freshman year.

What advice would you give to a stranger?
The Dr. Seuss quote:  Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.