Caoilinn McDonough

Favorite aspect of Westmont: One thing that I really appreciate about Westmont is the high value it places on community. The small classroom sizes and quaint campus is a special advantage for connecting well with peers, teachers, and staff. As a student, I loved being able to see all peers regularly around campus and in the dining commons. Surrounding myself in this type of environment allowed me to flourish in my interpersonal connections both spiritually and academically. The tight knit family environment allowed for me to learn and grow into my fullest potential.

Favorite Westmont memory: My favorite Westmont memory would probably be all of my freshman year. It was the beginning of college and there were so many exciting things happening. I directed Page Hall's Spring sing that year and it was a blast to bring together our entire residence hall to dance and be silly. Edee Shulze, the vice president of student life, joined us in our skit. Being part of a school where students are able to have fun with the administration of their school is truly unique. Another favorite memory was all of the spring formals I was able to attend. Dancing with all my friends in the beautiful Santa Barbara is a memory I will always cherish.

Favorite Place on Campus: I have lots of favorites. A place outdoors I always love to spend time at is the big rock right outside the library. The magnificent view of the ocean brings me so much peace and joy. My favorite building on campus is most definitely Winter Hall. It is filled with so many different classrooms and incredible study spaces. I feel like I am still discovering new places in Winter. Although those are two places on campus that I love, my all-time favorite spot (and where I spent the majority of my undergraduate) is the dining commons. It is a common place where I was able to run into all of my friends at all times of the day. Some of my most flourishing conversations and memories with other students have happened there.

Why do you work at Westmont?: After graduating from Westmont, I reflected on what a blessing my time at Westmont had been. Being at a school where Christ was the foundation, yet I still was challenged in my faith made choosing Westmont was one of the best decisions of my life. My desire is to continue sharing that opportunity with. My main priority in life is to love others well, and I have seen Westmont also do this very well. Working at a place where this is a top priority allows for the work to be special. The transition of deciding where to go to college is an experience packed with excitement, fear, and sometimes, confusion. I love to partner with students as they navigate this unique journey. College is such a special time and being able to contribute to a student's decision process is a beautiful opportunity.

Hobbies: I enjoy spending time with the people I love outdoors. Exploring new places fills me up and gets me excited about life. I have come to love rollerblading, especially along East Beach. It is a great way to connect with people while being active. Camping within the beautiful mountains is one of my favorite ways to get away. Cooking has become a passion of mine because it allows me to get in touch with my creative side, and I love to cook for others. There is nothing like a nice run in Santa Barbara or an afternoon of outdoor volleyball. Moreover, skiing anywhere and everywhere brings me lots of joy.