This time for our Student Leader Spotlight, we are spotlighting Honors Hall RA Nick Grotowski. Check out the awesome impact that Nick has made below!
“I have had the privilege of being Nick’s supervisor for the past year in Honors Hall. Over this year Nick has shown a continuous commitment to meeting the goals of our residence hall while employing his talents in the exceptional execution of his job. Nick is the kind of employee we all hope to get when we decide to hire someone. Not only is he professional but he works very well with his co-workers and through his example encourages them to be better. He is able to work under difficult, high-pressure situations and still attain excellent results. In addition to being an outstanding staff member to Honors Hall Nick has also taken on the role of being the Elizabeth Brooks Warren chapter of National Residence Hall Honorary President this semester. Under Nick’s guidance and direction our chapter has grown in participation and in purpose. I see more involvement from both current members and residents wanting to be a part of the organization. I believe Nick is an outstanding leader who has made a significant impact in both Honors Hall and National Residence Hall Honorary, exhibited a high level of participation and volunteerism, and whose efforts have made a huge difference in the Honors Hall community and the University of North Texas overall. Nick is a delight to supervise because of his willingness to work with not only his residents but also those around the hall. His wing is one of the tightest knit groups of residents that I have seen since working for any housing department that I have worked for, and I believe that connection started with Nick’s intentionality with each of his residents.” – Eric Johnson, Honors Hall Director
Representing our NRHH chapter as President, attending the No Frills 2014 conference at LSU.
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Major: Integrative Studies
Campus Involvement: Green Brigade, National Residence Hall Honorary and Kerr Residence Hall Association
Why do you choose to be involved as a student leader? Being a student leader allows me to impact several other students on a daily basis. When I came to UNT, I found myself needing a new home with new friends. It was student leaders on campus that connected me to some of my now closest friends, and I’ve chosen to become a student leader so that I may provide others with the same opportunities. Furthermore, I hope to empower individuals to continue on a similar path so that they, too, may play a part in developing student leaders.
What have you learned about leadership through your work with others on campus? Through being a student leader, I’ve come to realize the power of working for the benefit of others rather than for the benefit of myself. As it happens, the more that I help other people, the more I find myself growing as an individual, which then again allows me to better serve others. Most of all, though, I’m recognizing that even though I may be leading, it’s often that I’m the one learning from others. Additionally, I’ve noticed that people have different styles of leadership, and while I may prefer some over others, there a lot of appropriate ways to lead. No one style of leadership could succeed on its own, so it’s important that we see a variety of methods that appeal to a variety of students.
What is your favorite UNT tradition? My favorite UNT tradition is wearing green on Fridays. Remembering to be proud to be a part of such a large community helps keep things in perspective, and it’s a great boost to push through the last day of the week. I enjoy walking around campus and seeing several people wearing green, showing their pride for UNT.
Nick with his residents!
What advice would you give to a student thinking about getting involved? Some people are hesitant to take on too much, but it’s really important to try everything in order to find what you love most. If things don’t work out, you can always remove obligations down the road. Of course, this also requires being self aware. Know what’s going well and what isn’t, and make changes if you need to. Lastly, we must remember to prioritize. Academics must come first!
How does being involved in housing complement your studies or academics? Getting involved in housing has connected to me to several students that also take academics seriously. I’ve made friends that are always happy to head to the library with me to study, even though we’re all studying separate subjects. I work best when other people around me are working, because it helps me hold myself accountable and stay focused. Also, living in the residence halls further connects me to some of my classmates, and we can use each other as resources while we work on assignments outside of class.
Who is a role model of yours and why? One of my most significant role models is Anna D’Alfonso, one of the Special Assistants for Housing here at UNT. She’s been a peer, friend, advisor, and mentor for me over the past two years, and I’ve learned a lot about being a leader from her. Her light-hearted but driven approach to almost everything is inspiring, and her actions exemplify passion and intention.
This year’s Honors Hall staff on their family day
What is one project or program you are proud to have helped implement in housing or on campus? Last year, I planned a program with Kerr Residence Hall Association called “The Kerrmazing Race.” It was a spin off of the reality TV show “The Amazing Race,” and it involved participants traveling around campus displaying their pride and knowledge of UNT.
Who or what has been most helpful to you at UNT? Lauren Stephan, Hall Director at Mozart Square, has been hugely influential in my development as a student leader. She was an incredible advisor and mentor to me through my time on the KRHA executive board, and our friendship has only grown since then. I know that if I ever need anything, Lauren would do whatever she can at a moment’s notice. I’m extremely fortunate to have someone so caring and selfless in my life.
“The Kerr-mazing Race”
“I have had the opportunity to witness Nick’s growth over the past year and a half. I first met Nick when he was Vice President of Kerr Residence Hall Association. While an executive member, Nick work tirelessly on all KRHA efforts. He planned an amazing large-scale program called “The Kerr-mazing Race” and oversaw every part of its implementation. His many contributions to KRHA and RHA as a whole were recognized with the “Vice President of the Year Award” from the RHA executive board. Nick then was offered an RA position at Honors Hall last fall, where he has continued to develop as a student leader. I have personally seen how Nick’s residents are drawn to him because of the open and engaging environment he has created on his wing. He was able to accomplish this, while maintaining a music-major’s crazy schedule and active membership in the Mean Green Brigade. This semester, Nick was elected to the position of NRHH President. Since his time on KRHA, Nick has been passionate about all that NRHH does and stands for. He works hard to continually improve our chapter, promote the success of its members, and recognize those who are so deserving yet go unnoticed. I have been so impressed by Nick’s ability to be successful while serving so many areas and taking on so many responsibilities. Nick does not just maintain his busy schedule, he serves with dedication in all of his commitments. He is so ardently chasing his goals, and is constantly looking for ways to develop his leadership. I am proud to have had the opportunity to advise him on KRHA, and I am excited to witness his growth in the coming semesters.” – Lauren Stephan, Mozart Square Hall Director
We applaud Nick for his outstanding contributions to our department. He is truly making a difference and impacting lives here in housing at UNT!
UNT Housing and Residence Life 