The beginning of a new semester is an exciting time — but it can also be an anxious and stressful experience for some.
In addition to the many resident assistants, each residence hall has a hall minister to provide pastoral care to and be a spiritual presence for all residents and building staff.
In collaboration with the staff, hall ministers are charged with helping to form a residential community that expresses the university’s Catholic, Jesuit mission, while accompanying individuals dealing with stress, illness, loss, loneliness, relationships, spiritual and emotional health, and more.
In this Q&A, Hannah Gonzalez, hall minister for Straz Tower, talks about what she likes the most about Marquette University and Milwaukee.
What was your undergraduate degree in? Why did you pursue that discipline?
I obtained my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Marquette in 2020. My summer job in college was as a camp counselor at my local YMCA in South Bend, Indiana. I loved working with elementary-aged children and was filled with such joy from that job, that I felt teaching in an elementary school for my career would be perfect! As a student here at Marquette, I loved connecting with other college students through campus jobs or student organizations. So, upon graduating in 2020, I felt called to take my career in education one step further. I pursued my master’s degree in student affairs in higher education. I have been working in higher education professionally since 2022 and graduated with my master’s in December 2023.
Why did you want to be a hall minister?
My faith is an extremely important piece of my identity and my faith journey as a student at Marquette was not always a clear, easy path. The beauty of faith is that by its very nature, it is a challenge. There’s not a one-size-fits-all formula for figuring out faith, religion and spirituality. It’s ultimately what you make it, but you do have to work for it. My hope as a hall minister is that I can be a helpful resource, a source of support, a safe space, a non-judgmental listening ear and an empathetic heart for students as they experience their own faith journey.
What makes Marquette special to you?
When I first stepped foot on campus in 2016, it wasn’t exactly a “Disney World moment” where I realized that Marquette is the most magical place on earth. I expected college to be that right away, but it wasn’t. The thing is, it took time for me to feel like this was my home, and beyond that, it took effort on my part. That’s one of my biggest takeaways from college – the more involved I got, the more I took the initiative to make connections, build relationships, join clubs, go to events, apply for jobs, and talk to professors, the more I felt at home here. What’s special about Marquette to me is that whatever you give to Marquette, Marquette gives you back tenfold.
What is your favorite memory made at Marquette or in Milwaukee?
I have a lot! For me, it’s less about specific memories and more about the people I’ve made them with. I have met some of the greatest people in my life and some of my best friends at Marquette. I met my friend Jessica through intramural sports at the Rec Center. I met my friend Alicia during graduate school. My friend Bri, I met at club basketball tryouts during our freshman year in 2016, and now she’s the Godmother of my child. Ultimately the people I’ve come to know are what I will always remember about Marquette.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to this academic year?
I’m looking forward to getting to know some incredible students in Straz Tower while guiding and supporting them on their faith journey! It’s a role that is new to me and a responsibility I’ve never quite had before. In college, I was mostly working on my own faith journey, and while I still am — because we’re lifelong learners — I’m now in a position where I could positively impact the faith journey of other students, and that’s super exciting. The hall staff at Straz is a great bunch, and I’m truly blessed to have been entrusted to be something of a spiritual guide for them this year.
Favorite book or movie: “The Great Gatsby” because it’s such a classic, but I do love the “Divergent” series. My favorite movie will always be “Die Hard.”
Favorite location on campus: Hot take, but I’m a big fan of the parking structures because if you go to the top floors, you get some great views of campus and the city of Milwaukee.
Favorite hobby: Basketball!
Favorite restaurant in Milwaukee: Not a restaurant but I do love the Public Market.
Favorite dessert: Homemade, my mom’s chocolate chip cookies. Store-bought, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
