Habermann, with master’s in college

Like one-fourth of the student body, Assistant Director of Campus Activities Megan Habermann is new to the Vassar campus. In this position, Habermann is responsible for the organization and management of campus events, ranging from concerts and performances to lectures and meetings.

Habermann, who hails from Portland, Ore., completed her undergraduate degree at University of Wisconsin. She then jumped coasts to attend the University of Rhode Island, where she earned her master’s degree in college student personnel. As Assistant Director, Habermann works closely with a variety of student organizations, which include the Vassar Student Association, Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE), and the interns at the Student Activities Resource Center (SARC), and she coordinates the event staff for all campus activities.

A typical day for Habermann centers on correspondence with students. Also a member of several committees such as the Inaugural Events Committee, Habermann focuses on helping students sort out various nuances and logistical problems regarding events scheduling on campus.

When asked why she wanted to come to Vassar, Habermann replied that she was drawn to the “community atmosphere” fostered by the College’s small size. She noted, “the mission for students as well as the institution aligns with my personal beliefs.”

Her first impression of the campus has been a positive one, and she said she was impressed with “how students are challenged and engaged.” She remarked that it appeared that every student she has interacted with so far has been dedicated to at leastone activity. Now that Habermann is on campus, she senses “a great idea of global community” among the students.

Although Habermann stressed that she wants to become more acclimated with the College community before proposing large changes, she did reveal some ideas about how to improve the procedures and systems of the Campus Activities Office. One goal she divulged is her intention to encourage and work with ViCE to “program outside the box,” and to ask the group to “take a risk” when it comes to planning events that might ultimately reach out to various interests in the student body. Habermann would also like to see the SARC office become more productive, possibly by adopting a system of event-focused advising, as compared to the organization-focused advising that exists now.

As for the move from graduate school to career, Habermann laughed about the transition from “living above a bar to living in the woods.”