By John Lamothe, associate editor

Joseph McKenna doesn’t understand why Student Leader is featuring him on the cover. The 22-year-old architecture major from the University of Idaho sees his work in the residence halls and community as simply part of his everyday activities. “I don’t feel like I’ve done anything,” he says. “I just do my thing day-to-day, so I figure there has to be someone out there doing better things than me.”

Don’t let McKenna fool you, however. Behind his genuine modesty is an extensive resume of service to both the university and the surrounding community—much of which he did without recognition. McKenna is the first student from Idaho to be featured on a Student Leader cover.

A passion for architecture and a desire to stay close to home drew this Idaho native to UI. Although he wasn’t active in service during high school, something clicked his freshman year of college that led McKenna down a four-year road of involvement with residence life. “I regret that I didn’t get involved in high school,” he says. “Once I got started, I couldn’t stop. When it’s done, I’m going to miss it a lot.”

McKenna began as a residence hall president his freshman year. “I first had a few hall positions—secretary, intramurals chair—those were pretty fun, so when it came time to run for president for the hall, I was up for it because I loved it so much,” he says. “From there, it just kept progressing. It’s so much fun, but you can make such a difference.” When a spot opened on the residence hall executive board, McKenna jumped at the opportunity to get more involved.

For the next two years, he served as UI’s National Communications Coordinator. His new position brought him in contact with other National Residence Hall Honorary chapters across the region, and it wasn’t long before McKenna felt the need to take on a new position. “I like to keep pushing myself,” he says. “Seeing different opportunities and different places I can make a difference, I move ahead.” McKenna accepted a position as the Northern Regional Communications Coordinator for the Intermountain Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls chapter of NRHH. His main responsibility in that position was to help and coordinated other NRHH. McKenna served as the IACURH Associate Director of NRHH where he facilitated communication between 20 chapters and the national NRHH office.

“He’s probably the most organized leader I’ve ever worked with,” says Don Yackley, director of residence life. “He has an amazing sense of the importance of follow through.” Between pursuing his masters degree in architecture, which Yackley says is one of the most time-consuming programs at UI, and his work with residence halls, McKenna has become an expert in time management. His system, however, is far from conventional. “I don’t carry around a planner. I don’t have a Palm Pilot. I have all these notes because as soon as I write something down, I remember it,” McKenna says. “I’m really busy, but it’s not really an issue. I get a lot of my work done late at night, and then I’m just on the go during the day. I don’t sleep very much either, and I think that helps.”

What makes McKenna different from most other student leaders is his commitment to improving not only his own university but the other schools in his region. “Joe has become someone that I can ask questions to, someone who’ll respond with respect and rather than solving the problem for me, he’ll work with me to find the solution,” says Sara Orgill, former Residence Halls Association president at Brigham Young University. “I know that this is something Joe does for many schools, not just my own.”

McKenna’s favorite responsibility in the region is judging the “Of the Month” competition. All the NRHH chapters in the IACURH region submit their most innovative and unique residence life initiatives to McKenna. He then judges them and sends the best ones on to the national level. “I get such a blast of energy from reading them and seeing all the amazing things that people are doing,” he says.

Although McKenna has found success on a national level, he hasn’t forgotten where he came from. “He’s still stays real rooted here,” Yackley says. “In my experience, when students advance to the national level, they refocus and that’s what they do. He doesn’t do that. He still goes to all the NRHH meetings. He still participates in the [community service projects]. He stays true to what his priorities are.”

When the UI began taking steps toward building new residence halls, McKenna was given the chance to combine his two loves—architecture and residence life. The university formed the “Future Housing Dream Team”—made up of both faculty and students—to decide what they were looking for in a new residence hall, choose architects and contractors to complete the work, and stay involved in the project through its completion. McKenna says his knowledge of architecture has helped him tremendously with the task force. “I have a different insight than most people on the committee. I can actually say, ‘You probably wouldn’t be able to do that,’ or ‘Maybe this idea would be better and cheaper.’”

“[Joe] brings energy to the Residence Hall Association,” says Kasey Swisher, the former associated students president. “His energy and leadership have allowed them to receive national attention.” Helping UI receive recognition for its successes is one of McKenna’s main goals. When he saw a chance to bring the “No Frills Conference”—a regional residence life conference—to UI, McKenna headed up a committee that spent a year working on a bid. His team beat out the competition and hosted the conference this past February. “We organized everything from travel to food to where they would stay—pretty much everything while they were here,” McKenna says. “It was a lot of work, but it’s so worth it. Just getting schools together is always good because the communication is so open.”

McKenna’s favorite part of “No Frills” was the chance to show-off UI to other residence life members across the region. “I go to all these other universities and I see so much from people. I just like showing that here,” he says. “Showing people how much I love Idaho was just great.”

Of all his activities, however, McKenna says his most rewarding undertaking is the community-service project “Paint the Palouse.” Each year, residence hall students go out into the community and paint houses for those unable to do so themselves. McKenna has held positions as materials team leader and house coordinator over the four years he’s participated. The program was awarded recognition as the National Program of the Year by NRHH in 2000. “It’s so great to see the people painting the houses and having so much fun,” McKenna says. “At the same time, they’re working toward the greater good. The community shows so much support for the university. We need to give back to them to show our thanks.”

McKenna’s Leadership Tips Keep your sense of humor. “In good times, it’ll keep you motivated. In bad times, it’ll help the group bond.” Titles don't mean a thing. “Whether you are the president of an organization/community or simply a member, you can both make an incredible impact if you use your resources.” Never become complacent. “Be happy where you are, but always look toward the future.” Use your intuition. “When in doubt stick with your gut feeling. Ninety-nine percent of the time it’s right.” Never be afraid to give your opinion. “There are times when you may need to talk to someone in private rather than public, but your opinion needs to be known. If you don't agree with something, either speak up or move on. In many cases, you are not the only one who does not agree.” Never be afraid to look back. “Evaluation of your accomplishments/faults will only help you grow. Be sure to use the past for improvement, so you don't make the same mistake repeatedly.”