October 31st, 2016

Chelsea Metivier
Assistant Resident Director
Loyola University Chicago
6317 North Broadway Street
Chicago, IL 60660
To Whom It May Concern,
Months before I accepted Loyolas offer to enroll in their Higher Education Student
Affairs program, Casey Hendricks made an impression on me. I first met Casey during a
Preview Days panel of current students sharing their experiences and answering questions about
Loyolas Higher Education Student Affairs program. I remembered Casey because of our shared
ties to Charleston, South Carolina and Washington, DC, as well as previous work experience in
the admissions field. But beyond the superficial connections, I was impressed by Caseys poise,
relatability, and her willingness to critically examine areas of her personal privilege.
Casey returned to school after working in the higher education field professionally for a
few years. Returning to school, while maintaining a full time job, is no small task. Yet, in the
two classes and numerous social settings when we have spent time together, she did not
complain. Instead, she used her experience returning to school to empathize and normalize the
challenges I faced in my transition back to school from the professional world. Casey would
remember small details from our last talk and ask about them next time we crossed paths. The
sincerity in her concern for the wellbeing of others, as well as her ability to listen and recall
personal information demonstrates how she easily she builds connections with those around her.
This will serve her well in a field that is built on interpersonal relationships.
Caseys willingness and eagerness to listen and learn from the perspectives and
experiences of others is evident through her presence in and outside of the classroom. We are
fortunate to be part of a truly diverse academic program; one that emphasizes the importance of
sharing our lived experiences to co-construct knowledge and understanding of class material. On
more than one occasion, Casey demonstrated true appreciation for the lived experiences of others
by asking clarifying questions or voluntarily share how someones story altered her perspective
on a specific issue. Her willingness to be vulnerable, even when unsolicited, is not only
impressive but also indicative of her ability to think critically of how some of her privileged
identities may have shaped her personal beliefs.
Higher Education professionals, especially within student affairs are expected to connect
with students and be committed to helping create socially just college graduates. Casey is
uniquely poised to have a positive impact on college students and the higher education
profession, because of the ease with which she creates relationships and her willingness think
critically about her lived experiences and learn from the lived experiences of the students and
colleagues with whom she will work. I am honored to call Casey a friend and look forward to
hearing about the contributions she will make in the lives of those she serves throughout her
career.
Sincerely,
Chelsea B Metivier