Erin Carlisle, music performance senior, is an IUS enthusiast and is involved with many organizations on campus.
Carlisle is from Indianapolis, and when she had to choose between multiple colleges, IU Southeast won her vote. Coming from a big city, Carlisle said she wanted a change.
“I love the campus and the location,” Carlisle said. “It’s so close to Louisville. You get the best of both worlds.”
One deciding factor was the cost of tuition at IU Southeast. Another factor was the staff.
She said IU Southeast had the most welcoming staff out of all the other campuses she visited.
Nine years ago, she started playing the harp and plays these instruments for the IUS concert band and orchestra. She also sings with the IUS concert choir.
“I like seeing the affect music can have on people,” Carlisle said. “It’s a passion of mine, and music is constantly evolving and changing, so I am continually growing as a musician, a student and a professional.”
Carlisle plays her harp professionally, as well. She plays for weddings, special events and events for the Alumni Association, as well.
While some students work off-campus, Carlisle works mostly on-campus.
Carlisle is an IUS choral assistant, has an internship for Greek Life and works for the Student Program Council.
Carlisle is the vice president of the SPC. She helps coordinate events on campus, guest speakers, performers and free food for students.
One upcoming event is Oktsoberfest, an alcohol awareness event with activities such as root beer pong tournaments and Mario Cart with drunken goggles.
The Greek Life internship is helping Carlisle better understand what goes on behind scenes.
“The experience is helping me narrow my path for the future — if this is something I want to do or not,” Carlisle said.
Carlisle was also a community adviser for two and a half semesters in the residence halls.
“There are parts of being a [community adviser] I will always love,” Carlisle said. “It was a good experience,” Carlisle said.
Josh Kornberg, communications senior and friend of Carlisle, met her their first semester being community advisers.
“Erin has an optimistic personality, and I love that she is willing to try and learn new things,” Kornberg said.
During their leadership workshops, Kornberg remembered Carlisle using the phrase, “Be, do, have.”
“She always says it — be the person you want to be, do what you want to do and proclaim what you want to have,” Kornberg said.
Carlisle said she is also looking into graduate schools to study higher education focusing on student affairs.
“I would like to one day have a Ph.D. and be head of student or academic affairs,” Carlisle said.
In an upcoming weekend, Carlisle is going to Washington D.C., to visit graduate schools.
This past summer, Carlisle studied abroad in Italy. She studied Italian and the history of Florence in the Renaissance. However, she had no previous experience with the Italian language.
“I had the time of my life,” Carlisle said. “I met so many great people.”
Carlisle applied through IU Bloomington and was the only student from an IU sister school to study abroad.
The students and professors stayed in a bed and breakfast. They were also neighbors to the cast of “Jersey Shore.”
“I found them so annoying,” Carlisle said. “We lived in the same neighborhood, so we shopped and ate at the same places, and they always drew crowds of people.”
Carlisle also ran her first 5K this summer in Indianapolis, called the Warrior Dash. Carlisle swam through mud, jumped over fire and climbed a rock wall.
“I am all about challenges and empowering myself,” Carlisle said. “I’ve been skydiving, zip-lining and want to go rock climbing next.”
Carlisle is also involved in an international church in Louisville, called First Alliance.
“My faith in God motivates me when I feel exhausted or negative,” Carlisle said. “I remember my purpose and how every day is an opportunity to change someone’s life.”
By CLARE BOWYER
Staff
clbowyer@umail.iu.edu