Amanda Hoylman
December 4, 2018
Amanda Hoylman (2018)
Amanda Hoylman serves as the Assistant Director of Alcohol and Other Drug Programming at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to this role, Amanda worked at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse as a Hall Director and Truman State University as an Admission Counselor.
After attending Truman, she went on to earn her Master’s in Education at The University of Georgia. Amanda lives in St. Louis with her fiancé Jordan and their two energetic pups. For fun, they enjoy hiking, cooking dinner together, and going on adventures both big and small.
What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?
I graduated in Spring 2008 with a B.A. in Public Communication and a minor in Psychology.
What extra-/co-curricular activities did you do?
I was mainly involved in three organizations. At Truman, I was a Student Advisor for Residence Life and a Student Ambassador (Tour Guide) for the Admission Office. These two roles helped shape my future because they showed me the field of Student Affairs. I always joke that I entered college as a Freshman and never left, because I still work at a university. These two roles helped define my career path.
Amanda (far right) and friends in Centennial Hall (2006).
I was also a member in Alpha Phi Omega (APO), a large, co-ed service fraternity. I held a few different positions throughout my time in the organization including the Pledge Class President. Through this organization I formed some of my greatest friendships and participated in some eye-opening service opportunities. For example, after Hurricane Katrina, a group of APO members traveled to New Orleans during spring break to help clean up from the disaster. That is a memory that will last forever and one that instilled in me a passion for helping others through disaster relief efforts.
In addition to campus activities, I studied abroad my senior year. I spent a semester in Salzburg, Austria. During my time, I learned a new language, explored not only the Austrian culture, but the surrounding countries, and lived with an amazing host family. I highly suggest studying abroad!
Amanda in Austria while studying abroad (2007).
Did you go to grad school? If so, where? Was it immediately after you left Truman or did you wait? Why?
I did not go to grad school immediately. After graduating from Truman, I had several areas of interest, but was not positive which direction would be the best path for me to pursue in graduate school. I decided to work for a couple years to see how my interests developed and I am so happy I did!
I attended The University of Georgia (UGA) and earned my M.Ed. in Professional Counseling. I followed the Mental Health/Community Counseling Track which allowed me to become a Certified Professional Counselor. During my two year program at UGA, I also completed several hours of coursework within the field of Student Affairs. I wanted to have both a background in counseling, but also an educational emphasis within higher education so that I could pursue either option after graduating.
What was your first job after graduation?
Amanda and Jordan’s engagement photo (2018).
My first job after I graduated from Truman was actually at the university. I worked as an Admission Counselor for the Admission Office. My days were spent meeting one-on-one with students and families to discuss how Truman may fit into their future. I also helped with campus visit events, attended college fairs, and traveled to area high schools meeting with students. My particular Admission Counselor role also included running Truman’s Summer Orientation Program for incoming students. Organizing orientation allowed me to collaborate across campus with various departments as well as train and work with student Orientation Leaders.
When I graduated, I was unsure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, but I knew I loved Truman and I loved my work with the Admission Office. Working as an Admission Counselor allowed me to travel, network with professionals, and share my passion for the university with others. It also helped me discover my passion, which was student development. Through my work within the Admission Office, I found a passion for working with students to help them find their way throughout college whether that was with their college choice, their major, their career, or even their health.
What work do you do/What are you doing now?
Currently, I am the Assistant Director of Alcohol and Other Drug Programming at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. I work within the Health Promotion Department and spend most of my days training and educating students on alcohol and/or other drug education. I have three primary roles within my job: Prevention Education, Emergency Support, and Recovery.
Amanda giving a presentation to NCADA on the newly formed WashU Recovery Group (2018).
My first role at the university is prevention education. Within this area, I administer the campus-wide online education course for all incoming students, present to student leaders/organizations on campus about risk reduction habits around alcohol and drugs, collaborate with campus partners about best practices, supervise graduate students, and chair the Alcohol and Other Drug sub-committee. I also advise the Alcohol and Other Drug Peer Health Educators. This student group is responsible for bringing education to their peers through programming, social norms campaigns, and marketing.
My second role at the university is emergency support. Within this role, I am the main follow-up contact for students who have experienced a health-related emergency due to substance use. All emergency reports that indicate substances were involved will come to me and I will follow-up with each student one-on-one. This is the bulk of my work during the academic year and where I get to use most of my counseling skills.
My third and final role at the university revolves around recovery. I established, and now run, the Washington University Recovery Group on campus. This group is a support network for college students in recovery. We hold weekly meetings and walk-in hours, provide meditation skills and relaxation spaces, and host substance-free programs on campus and in the community.
How has your Liberal Arts/COMM education helped you?
Amanda getting to pet penguins at the St. Louis Zoo (2017).
Having a Liberal Arts and Communication education background is invaluable. Through this program, I learned critical thinking skills, developed the strength to use my voice, and became empowered to change my small corner of the world. While studying at Truman, I was encouraged to take unique classes which helped me network with individuals from all over campus. I learned how to build connections between history classes, creative writing projects, political science events, and more. Learning became my passion and my strength and there is not a day that goes by that I do not draw upon my educational background to help me build relationships, think through a crisis, or plan a future program.
Specifically, I learned the art of writing and speaking for an audience. I am able to write personal essays, professional articles, and educational handouts. I also developed skills to create promotional materials. My education and training taught me how to be confident presenting to a crowd no matter the size or age-range. Learning how to use my voice, whether it is written out or spoken aloud, to persuade and inform a group of people is one of the biggest skills I learned while at Truman.
Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you’re grateful you took it?
Experimental Methods. I was terrible at looking at data and running statistics. I am still not great at analyzing data, but I have learned to appreciate why it is important. Knowing what questions to ask related to data can help move programming forward and form targeted messaging.
What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?
I was part of the first summer orientation program at Truman. I began as a Student Orientation Leader, but quickly transitioned to the Admission Counselor in charge of the orientation program. Being an Orientation Leader was incredible because I got to work directly with incoming students. I will always remember the energy from the students as they were about to begin their college career. Getting to be a part of that transition for so many students and their families was, and still is, incredibly rewarding.
Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?
Amanda and her fiancé Jordan visiting Machu Picchu (2018).
I cannot say enough amazing things about Truman. When I first visited the campus, I was a sophomore in high school and I knew then that this school was special. It felt like home. At Truman you are not just a number in a class. Professors will know you by name and they will encourage you to share your opinions. You will have opportunities to succeed and thrive at every corner, because the administration is there to support you. Your classmates will become your best friends long after you graduate. Truman is the ideal place to study because it offers the perfect balance of challenging academics, supportive environment, and personal growth.
You will never be bored because there are countless groups to join and tons of campus entertainment. I personally loved that Truman was in a smaller town, because that helped to bring the campus community closer. It was big enough to always have something new to try or someone new to meet, but you always had a friendly face to turn to if/when you needed it.
What would you say a COMM student should absolutely do while at Truman?
Take advantage of the Career Center early! The Career Center can help you out from the moment you step foot onto campus. They can connect you with student employment opportunities, networking events, resume help, and internship advice.
On a completely different note, I would also encourage every student to get off-campus and enjoy Thousand Hills State Park and Lake. Great place to relax after writing a paper or taking a test!
What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone, is to take every opportunity you are presented. I never would have imagined working with alcohol and other drug education, but throughout my education and professional experiences, I just kept getting involved and taking the opportunities in front of me. So while in college get involved. Get involved in your community, get involved within your major, get involved with anything that excites you. Some people come to college having a vision and a plan for their future profession, I did not. I knew I loved learning and helping others. I made connections wherever I went and constantly tried new things. Looking back, it is amazing to see how all the little things I was involved with shaped the life and career I have now. Do not panic if you do not have a vision for your career 10 years from now. Just keep taking opportunities and learning.
Amanda (middle) & friends taking an opportunity to attend a True Men concert (2005).
If you are specifically interested in working with alcohol and other drug education at the university level, consider studying counseling, student affairs, and/or public health in graduate school. Also, find local organizations that support alcohol and other drug prevention efforts and attend their trainings.
What do you miss most about campus/Kirksville?
It is hard to articulate what I miss most, because it is more of a feeling. Truman and Kirksville felt like home. All of your friends are in one place and everywhere you walked on campus, someone was smiling or waving. As a student and a professional at Truman, everyone supported each other. I miss that overwhelming sense of community and support. There is no place like Truman!
Amanda (back right) and friends at the famous Train Bridge (2006).
What tag line would you create for the COMM department at Truman?
“The degree that opens doors in ALL fields.”
If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?
I would teach a class titled, “Finding Your Fun.” Mental Health concerns are on the rise across the nation. There is so much stress on students to succeed academically and socially. We live in an Instagram world and the expectations are high. Finding your inner fun and joy are more important than ever.
So much of my work with students has revolved around helping them learn how to cope with everyday stress. I would love to come back and teach a class about finding fun. We would explore the art of hobbies and learn the importance of creating a work/life balance. I would help students become more self-aware of their stressors and how to find a healthy coping mechanism that works for them, like journaling, going for a run, playing with puppies, learning a new instrument, etc. This would be a class that would build life skills.
What did we not ask that you think is important for people to know?
To me, studying abroad is one of the most important things you can do during your college career. I was able to find a program that allowed me to continue my communication classes overseas. I highly recommend finding a semester-long, or even a summer or winter break, program, because there is nothing like learning in another culture. I still talk about my study abroad experience in Austria to this day. Truman will help you learn a lot both inside and outside of a classroom, but studying abroad adds a whole new layer of cultural awareness and independence.
Amanda and Jordan in Peru (2018).
By the way, in fall 2017, Amanda’s other accomplishments include receiving the Transforming Youth Recovery Grant to bring substance abuse recovery services to the campus of Washington University in St. Louis. Thanks to that grant, in February 2018, the WashU Recovery Group was established and just this past summer they received official space on campus.
If you would like to learn more of Amanda’s story, you can follow her on LinkedIn.