Beyond The Polo: Jessica Barber
After completing the position as an Orientation Team Leader, many students are inspired to become even more involved within the University. Jessica Barber, an OTL from 2009, is a perfect example. Jessica worked with Orientation on team “Bull Pride,” in 2009 and has been filled with green and gold pride ever since.
She began her position as a Resident Assistant in Kappa Hall in 2009 and is currently an R.A. in Castor Hall. Jessica says being an Orientation Team Leader allowed her to tell students about living as a bull and her R.A. position allows her to extend that by showing them how to live as a USF student. Aside from being a Resident Assistant, Jessica also worked as a retreat facilitator in the Office of Orientation. Jessica calls this an “eye-opening” experience, one of the greatest and most rewarding things she has been a part of since she started her student career. As a facilitator, Jessica was able to plan the retreat for the 2011 Orientation Team Leaders and watch them grow as a new team all in one weekend.
When Jessica was asked to sum up her life Beyond the Polo, she said: “I have grown a lot since my position as an OTL ended. At that time, I thought that my fun and involvement at USF was over. I have realized that being an OTL only opened doors in my life and challenged me to take on new roles and set higher goals. I will only continue to grow!” Jessica Barber is a great example of how life Beyond the Polo is filled with growth and opportunity. Go Bulls!