Jeff Willems, Area Coordinator, from Residence Life has served UW-Green Bay for 12 years. If you have questions about on campus housing, how to become a Resident Assistant, or residence life in general Jeff is an excellent resource. When Jeff isn’t solving problems in our residence halls he is an avid baseball fan and a volleyball coach as well.
Position at UWGB: Senior Area Coordinator
Summary of what you do: I supervise 12 paraprofessional staff. We maintain a safe, clean, and inclusive living environment that helps the residents build a quality community that will help everyone adjust to and be successful at the university and in life.
How long have you been employed: I am going on my 12th year.
Brief history of employment with UWGB: I have worked in residence Life the entire time. I have overseen everything except the trads at one point and time. I currently will be responsible for The U. (Harden, Roy, and Robishaw)
Three words that describe you: Jazzy, Encouraging, Supportive
Personal interests: self-worth, coaching, human rights, family, games
Any favorite line from a movie? May the force be with you.
Are you messy or organized? Organized mess
Best vacation you’ve been to? Hawaii
Describe what you were like at age 10. I was the chunky peacemaker of our neighborhood group
Do you have a favorite newspaper, blog? Not really
Do you have a favorite quote? If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it. – Muhammad Ali
Do you have an office nickname? What is it? I guess it would be Jazzy
Do you recall any embarrassing moment at work? Please, too many to list.
Favorite travel spot? Fires on the beach
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day? Kane – the chief of the Hawaiian trinity
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you? No clue
If you could be anyone from any time period who would it be and why? Josh Gibson
If you could change one thing about working here, what would it be? Increased salary
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be? God
If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see? Peace on earth
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? supper
If you were an animal what would you be? Dolphin
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it? I would never write a book about myself
If you were to write a self-help book, what would the topic be? Self Help?
If your house was burning down, what’s the one non-living thing you would save? My wallet
Least favorite Food? Rotten
Motto or personal mantra? Be respectful
People would be surprised if they knew: the truth
Tell us a little about yourself. I am a grateful and peaceful person.
Tell us a little bit about your family. I have a great family. Parents will celebrate their 50th anniversary this October. 3 living brothers, 1 deceased, 1 sister. They all live in the general area
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us? Different things surprise different people.
Tell us three things most people don’t know about you. I wasn’t born in Wisconsin.
Top 3 life highlights? = college graduate, being a part of 2 top 10 teams in collegiate club volleyball. Being an uncle.
What advice would you give to recent new hires? Get to know people across throughout campus.
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far? Politics are everywhere, it is important to be a voice for the few,
What are your hopes for our industry/school? That we continue to produce quality citizens that care about the world.
What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most? The ability to encourage individual and group growth.
What book did you read last? An Incomplete Education
What books are at your bedside? I don’t have books by my bedside.
What celebrity do people think you look like? I will have to ask them.
What children’s character can you relate with most? Why? Kermit the Frog. He can be fun, is practical, has a variety of friends.
What did you want to be when growing up? A baseball player
What do you always want to try and never did? Travel the world
What do you like most about your job? The ability of the people
What do you like to do in your spare time? Coach, play volleyball
What do you like to do on your days off? Spend time on the beach.
What does a typical day look like for you? Talking with students, meetings, planning
What else do you do for fun? Everything I do is fun.
What is an ability you wish you had? Speed read with the comprehension
What is the first concert you attended? MC Hammer
What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery? A camp with waterfront
What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years? Meet them where they are at.
What is your biggest pet peeve? none
What is your family like? Very traditional
What is your favorite meal? One I don’t cook and is free
What is your favorite movie and book? maybe The Far Side Gallery and Field of Dreams
What is your favorite sport? Tie Baseball and Volleyball
Hidden talent? None
What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work? coaching
What one food do you wish had zero calories? All of them
What phobias do you have? none
What places have you lived in? Michigan and Wisconsin.
What tv show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love? SVU
What was your favorite book, toy, or outfit as a child? Superfudge and any ball
What would people never guess you do in your role? If they know our role they would know we do almost anything to help students.
What would you like to be famous for? Being a good person who gave back
What’s on your bucket list? I don’t really have a bucket list. Maybe I should make one.
What’s the one thing, you can’t live without? air
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? I have eaten a lot of weird stuff. Maybe bugs.
What’s your favorite thing to do in Green Bay? Taste of Broadway
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still working here.
Where is your favorite place to eat? With friends or family
Where is your home town? I consider Green Bay my home town.
Where would you like to go on a dream vacation? I need to visit friends in Malawi and Japan
