While Residence Life had been looking for a new assistant director for Bowen, Pile, and Terrace Halls, Director of Residence Life Abby Shuck oversaw the halls until new AD Michael Heller started Oct. 15 and is now overseeing Bowen, Pile and Terrace Halls.
Heller grew up on a farm near Rogers and attended smaller schools in the area. Heller said he was a mix of jock and nerd growing up and loved playing sports such as cross country, baseball, basketball and track but is also a huge Star Trek fan.
Heller started off studying education at Doane while also running cross country and track there. Then Heller went off to teach in Branson, Missouri which he said was a great place to live. Heller also joined the military as a helicopter mechanic in the Army, and after switched to the Air Force for officer training school as a personal officer. Heller then went off to do short term contracts at the University of Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, and Embry Riddle in Prescod, Arizona.
“My title [at the University of Missouri in Columbia] was Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies, which is just a fancy way of saying I was training Air Force and Space Force cadets to be officers,” Heller said.
Heller also taught a college course called Aerospace Studies where he trained them physically in the leadership laboratory.
“I was commissioned as an officer and I’ve always said it was one of the best days of my life, and it’s really fun to be training these cadets and then watch them raise their hand and take the oath of office and become officers,” Heller said.
Heller has always known about the town of Wayne and Wayne State College because both of his parents attended WSC for a couple of semesters. Heller liked the idea of coming back to Wayne to be closer to home.
Heller avoided Nebraska for so long because he is not a fan of the winter weather here. He has learned a lot about himself while taking on this AD role. Heller has learned how to work with college students as opposed to cadets and uses a method called “soft skills”.
“For me it was always best to come on strong, and let that taper over time, but then build the relationship and trust with RAs and residents,” Heller said.
Heller said he also uses notecards and flashcards to memorize and study facts about his staff and residents. He asks his staff and residents facts about themselves, writes them down, and reviews them.
Heller said he loves to attend dorm hall socials and connect with residents within the halls. Heller said he also has specific roles and duties to fulfill within his AD role.
“I read all RA duty reports, send in maintenance requests, have one-on-one meetings with RAs, which I think is the most important part of the job, lead staff team meetings, attend socials, and peruse the buildings,” Heller said.
When asked if he could describe his job in one word, Heller said “fun”. Heller holds his staff to high standards and wants them to build the best relationships they can with their residents. Heller strives to create a welcoming and safe environment within Bowen, Pile and Terrace Halls.
