New area coordinator enthusiastic and involved

By Stacey Axler

In addition to the campus-wide renovations and new courses introduced over the summer, the college has received several new staff members, including a new Area Coordinator (AC).

Travis Eichelberger joined the Hood Residence Life staff in May as the new AC for Memorial Hall and Coblentz Hall.

“I’m really happy to be here; [Hood] is a good fit for me,” Eichelberger said. “It will be challenging to become an amazing AC, but I am up for the challenge.”

 As the AC for two residence halls, Eichelberger maintains a staff of eight Hood students that includes seven resident assistants (RAs) and one head RA, with four staff members per residence hall. He holds weekly staff meetings with the Memorial and Coblentz RAs, conducts individual RA meetings, and implements programs for each residence hall. Since he lives on campus in Memorial Hall, he is on campus virtually 24 hours a day.

“Travis is a great leader. Being a new RA, he has always made me feel welcome,” Coblentz RA Megan Gregory said.

In accordance with Eichelberger’s role as AC, he specializes in multicultural student affairs, and he plans to create more diversity initiatives on campus.

“I’m in a position where I will learn and experience residence life, but also bring my knowledge of diversity to campus,” Eichelberger said.

The new AC also became actively involved in student organizations upon the start of the semester. Eichelberger became the faculty advisor for the Black Student Union (BSU); Hood African Student Association (HASA); and Tolerance, Education, Acceptance (TEA).

“It is my goal to try to restart a Latino organization on campus,” he said. “Also, I’m looking forward to getting in touch with the gay and lesbian population in Frederick and to looking into the gay, bisexual, and progressive fraternity based out of Washington, D.C.”

Due to his involvement on campus, many students have begun to look up to Eichelberger as a mentor.

“Travis is always around campus and is very supportive and helpful to students,” freshman Catherine Czech said. Eichelberger attended Shippensburg University for his undergraduate and graduate education, receiving a B.A. in English and an M.S. in counseling with a concentration in college student personnel.

In his free time, Eichelberger enjoys reading, baking, taking care of the fish in his fish tank and playing video games. He is also a member of the American College Personnel Association.