It didn’t take long for Jamie Vassel, M.A., to get into the swing of things in her role as OUWB’s Student Affairs Coordinator for Student Activities & Events.
Vassel, who started at OUWB in July, is already helping with the Class of 2025’s orientation, which is underway and culminates with Friday’s White Coat Ceremony.
Going forward, she will not only be responsible for coordinating OUWB’s orientation and White Coat Ceremony, but also Commencement and Match Day (while helping with other events like Honors Convocation). She also advises OUWB’s Medical Student Government and provides oversight to student organizations.
Vassel, who most recently served as director of Student Life and Greek Life Adviser at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, says she’s already most impressed with the level of teamwork at OUWB.
“Knowing I don’t have to do everything by myself and that I can count on others to help out is definitely something that makes me extremely happy,” she says.
Vassel earned a bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University, and a master’s in Higher Education, Student Affairs, from Eastern Michigan University.
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| Vassel and family |
She is married to Jason, who works as a nurse in the Emergency Department at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Together, they have two children, Nathan, 6, and Morgan, 3.
Vassel’s hobbies include crafting, reading, photography, watching college football, and playing fantasy football (she is in two leagues).
Vassel says her most rewarding days at work are when big events go smoothly.
“There’s always going to be issues that happen behind the scenes,” she says. “But as long as the guests or students don’t experience those hiccups, then it’s a successful event.”
She was interested in OUWB because she says it offered the opportunity to largely focus on event planning, while advising students as the OUWB Medical Student Government adviser.
“Instead of wearing many hats, I’m wearing a couple of hats and get to really hone in on those skills and develop them a bit more,” she says.
Related: Academic success team at OUWB excited for new school year New Medical Student Government executive board plans to help OUWB students reset |
Vassel says she’s excited about planning events like Commencement, especially in light of how the COVID-19 pandemic already has had such a big impact on medical students.
“Knock on wood, we’ll be able to have a normal Commencement in 2022,” she says. “Being able to help those students who have had a crazy medical school journey celebrate with families…I’m excited to be part of something so important.”
Vassel says she is spending a lot of time shadowing people, soaking up as much information as possible along the way. The process includes taking note of what works and what presents an opportunity for “a fresh perspective.”
Additionally, Vassel says she’s already spent a lot of time getting to know the students.
“I’m just trying to be like a sponge and soak up as much as possible at this point,” she says.
Vassel says she wants people to know that they can stop by anytime to chat, and that she’s definitely open to new ideas.
“I’m always willing to take advice or suggestions and learn from what’s been done historically,” she says.
For more information, contact Andrew Dietderich, marketing writer, OUWB, at [email protected].
To request an interview, visit the OUWB Communications & Marketing webpage.
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