Pictured are members of the Kent State University
community, including students, staff and alumni, at the
National Association of College and University Residence
Halls conference.

If you want an example of how to dive into your freshman year, meet new people and get involved on campus, look no further than Kent State University student Nicole Machovina.

Machovina’s freshman résumé is so extensive, and her dedication to creating the ultimate residence hall environment so impressive, she won two awards for it.

She was one of 17 Kent State students who attended the annual National Association of College and University Residence Halls conference.

It is the largest student-run organization in the world with 400 schools taking part from North America to Mexico, Australia, Qatar, Canada, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Japan.

The organization’s goal is to empower and motivate residence hall leaders to positively impact their campus communities.

“I like helping people,” Machovina says. “I enjoy giving back to the community and helping in any way I can.”

On the regional level, Machovina won the First Year Experience Award, which is given to a first-year student who has done an outstanding job of contributing to their residence hall.

That win led to taking home the coveted, national First Year Experience Award in which she competed against all eight regions in the United States.

“It was crazy,” Machovina says. “It was the last evening of the conference. Everyone was dressed up in their blue and gold. We sat up front, and I was surprised when they read my name. I hadn’t been thinking about it. I had no clue I would win.”

Machovina is hoping to take what she has learned and apply it to her sophomore year this fall. She says she is looking forward to reaching out to freshmen.

“I’m excited to mentor first year students and help them have a great experience like I had,” she says. “I’d also like to keep my grades up and keep volunteering and trying new things.”

Machovina is majoring in communication studies in Kent State’s College of Communication and Information. She plans to attend graduate school and maybe even join the Peace Corps.

She has advice for freshmen.

“Even though there are four years, time moves quickly,” Machovina says. “If you want the full experience, you need to try new activities, join student organizations or sports and be involved in something that you’re passionate about.”