Grad Life at the 'Hurst

Scroll through my life as an Organizational Leadership grad student, Residence Life Hall Director, and Division of Student Life Graduate Assistant at Mercyhurst University.

[mercyhurst-jenna]

A banquet program and favor I made for our Mercyhurst End of the Year Residence Life Banquet. It was a superhero themed year!

[storiesfromthera]

A weekend in the eyes of an RA

When you aren’t on duty:

When you are on duty:

[mercyhurst-jenna]

With MU's Kids N Sibs weekend just around the corner, I thought about the first time I helped plan the event in 2011. It was a zoo theme, and I hand drew our iconic gates with some furry creatures for the promo items 🐘🐯🐒

[mercyhurst-jenna]

The lunch spread was on point at Mercyhurst's Egan Dining Hall for lunch this afternoon. Thursday's are always my favorite!

[mercyhurst-jenna]

I know I haven’t posted in a while, but when deciding what to eat for dinner tonight I had a spark of inspiration. My friends like to tease me because I tend to pack some extra things in my eco-to-go box when I visit Egan Dining Hall, Mercyhurst’s cafeteria. Sometimes it’s extra snacks like crackers or cereal, and other times I snag some staple ingredients to make my own tasty kitchen creations. My school’s salad bar always has tons of freshly chopped foods ready to go! I've made homemade hummus, soups and grilled cheese in the past, and today I was in the mood for Mexican style cuisine. In my kitchen I already had cilantro and an avocado that were getting pretty ripe so I decided to venture to Egan to gather ingredients for what I’m calling a Loaded Avocado... or Guacamole Rice! Tonight from the dining hall I got: - 8 tomato wedges - 2 slices of onion - ½ scoop of black beans - ½ scoop of black olives - Shredded cheese Yesterday there was a Chili Extravaganza so I had these ingredients on stand-by: - Sour cream - 5 lime wedges  A few things that might be a little more tricky to get from the cafeteria: - 1 ripe avocado - Cilantro - 1 clove of garlic - ¼ teaspoon salt (I like to use kosher) - 3 cups rice (cooked)

Side note – Tonight there was rice and beans in the hot food line, which could totally be used instead of making your own rice! But I was itching to use instant brown rice that I got from Wegman’s a last week. So here goes… I present to you Loaded Avocados / Guacamole Rice!

Ingredients: - 1 ripe avocado, pitted and peeled - Juice of 5 lime wedges - ¼ teaspoon kosher salt - 3 cups cooked white or brown rice, quinoa, barley or couscous - 1 garlic clove, minced - 8 tomato wedges, diced - 2 slices red onion, diced - ½ scoop of black beans - ½ scoop of black olives - Cilantro, chopped to taste

In a bowl mash together avocado, lime juice and salt. Add remaining ingredients and stir it up. I spooned my rice mixture into one of the empty avocado halves and topped it with shredded cheese and sour cream. This recipe makes about 4 servings and is great warm or cold. It’s also super versatile, you can add or leave out as much as you’d like. Hope you enjoy!

[boswellian]

Good morning Mercyhurst

[boswellian]

[mercyhurst-jenna]

Sorry for the creeper shot - But it's nice that profs have classes outside on such lovely days. Wonder what class this is in front of the Mary Garden?

[mercyhurst-jenna]

I love the blue tshirts mixed with the yellow buses in the circle of Old Main at Mercyhurst. This is a great shot taken by VP for the Division of Student Life, Laura Zirkle, during the send-off of our Annual Day of Service.

[mercyhurst-jenna]

Move-in season was here and gone in a flash. Can't believe that I've been at MU for 6 of them! If you watch the video closely, you might see a familiar face ;)

[mercyhurst-jenna]

Tis the season... For door decs.

[mercyhurst-jenna]

Niagara Falls is a two hour trip from Mercyhurst. It's an amazing site, and great for a little get-a-way from Erie. There's lots to do and see... Not to mention the side trip you can make to the home of the original Buffalo chicken wing - the Anchor Bar!

[mercyhurst-jenna]

While sitting on Student Government three years ago, my team decided to start an MU tradition "The Shirt." I was honored to design the very first and it's so cool to see it continue on. This definitely warms my Laker pride!

[mercyhurst-jenna]

I'm loving all the fresh veggies I've been getting from my Mercyhurst Farm CSA share.

[mercyhurst-jenna]

Mercyhurst University truly has a stunning campus. Especially when there is no snow!

[mercyhurst-jenna]

So peaceful in Mercyhurst's Mary Garden this afternoon

[mercyhurst-jenna]

I found an awesome site that helps you create infographics! Check out this one I made for my Organizational Communication class.