Lucas DeWitt spent much of his life in Iowa as an active member of the University of Iowa’s community before moving to Rhode Island. PHOTO CREDIT: Nick Pierson
Between studying as a full-time graduate student at the University of Rhode Island and as the graduate assistant for the Office of Student Involvement, Lucas DeWitt said he is dedicated to developing mentor-to-student relationships.
Born in Iowa, DeWitt attended college at the University of Iowa for a bachelor’s degree in communication studies.
During his time there, he was involved in Aspiring Student Affairs Professionals, a professional student organization. According to the University of Iowa’s website, the organization is “driven to unify undergraduate students to gain perspective, knowledge and insight on the higher education and student affairs field.”
At the University of Iowa, he also worked as a teaching assistant and was a part of a student advancement network that worked with the University Alumni Foundation.
According to DeWitt, his first semester at URI has been an introduction to life outside of Iowa and has given him the chance to get his feet wet in multiple organizations.
“This was a great way of just really learning about a new campus environment, the different traditions, different programs and events that happen on campus,” he said. “But I’ve really just enjoyed being able to learn more about the students here on campus. It’s been really rewarding and refreshing to see so many in-person student events and see the amazing programs that student organizations have been able to plan and put on.”
He said that one of the factors that drew him to URI was the fact that his being a graduate assistant would cover his tuition.
“I get a tuition waiver and then also a stipend for doing the work, which is really nice and kind of like, helped me figure out like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is gonna make it a much easier decision to move out east,’” he said.
Although this is what prompted him to move nearly 1,300 miles away from his home and family, he said it has been the campus involvement that has made him fall in love with URI.
Outside of working as a graduate assistant and being in the college student personnel program, DeWitt also supervises and runs the Student Event Advising Office and advises the Student Entertainment Committee.
DeWitt said he manages his studies and work by taking time off for himself, especially now that he is transitioning into in-person work again.
“I’ve really been intentional about boundary setting and making sure that I set aside time throughout the week where I’m not focusing on anything school-related, anything work-related,” he said.
During this time off, he said he loves to explore Rhode Island; he said this new environment is very different from his home state.
Maureen McDermott, the assistant director of student involvement, works with DeWitt directly to advise him in his role. She said that although she has only known DeWitt since August, she has seen how dedicated he is to his role.
Because of this, she said she knows that he is very capable, and she lets him take his own initiative in his position. She said that she is always there to answer questions he may have when they meet regularly, but for the most part, DeWitt is one step ahead.
“I think that he is extremely outgoing,” McDermott said. “I just see him in the halls, you know, and he seems very connected to our students. For the ones that come in the office, he knows them, he makes a genuine effort to get to know the students. Like if he’ll see you, he’ll stay engaged with you, and I think the students appreciate that.”
She said that DeWitt is an asset to the office because he offers a different perspective since he comes from a different state. Despite the pressure that comes from this role, DeWitt hopes to work at a University in the future, as he finds it to be a “rewarding” job.
“I just really passionately love working with students on campus, I love being a part of the growth and development of students, finding ways to help them advocate for themselves and just figure out what it is that they’re passionate about,” he said. “It’s always something new when I’m coming in, which can be stressful at times, but it keeps me on my toes and it’s something that I am very grateful for.”