Lindsey Monacell
Hometown: Denver, CO
Education: M.S.Ed., Higher Education, University of Pennsylvania; B.A., Art History, Colgate University;
Favorite D-Hall dessert? M&M Cookies
Favorite RVA restaurant? The Stables
Biggest travel-related phobia? Being late for a visit. Though this is not just a travel related phobia, I hate being late for anything.
Favorite person/celebrity to follow on social media? zillowgonewild
Favorite part of the application? The essays. I love the stories!
Who would play you in a movie? Aubrey Plaza
Do you have a favorite spot on campus?
The Carole Weinstein International Center. The building is literally built around the globe as a nod to the importance of a global perspective on campus. The open center patio really feels like a plaza/palazzo of Europe, a place where people can mix, mingle, and be. A bonus is there is always a shady spot to sit.
If you could go back to college and major in a different subject, what would you pick? Why?
Leadership Studies. I tell all prospective students that it is my “do-over” major. Don’t get me wrong, I cherish my degree in Art History, but before coming to Richmond I had never heard of anything like the Leadership Studies program. The idea of exploring who we are, how we live together, and the study of leadership as a process or relationship rather than just a position is fascinating to me.
What is one piece of advice you’d give students for the college search/application process?
Don’t limit your search for superficial reasons. I told my college counselor I wanted to go to college “somewhere warm.” To be fair, I had spent second semester of my junior year in Argentina so I was coming off almost 9 months of consecutive winter. I did have plenty of warm options from which I could choose, but could have missed out on my undergraduate experience had I not opened my parameters. Consider schools of various sizes, locations, and programs, and always leave room during the search stage to change your mind. As with schoolwork, the college search process requires a little homework and is not something well done at the last second. I loved my undergraduate experience, but I can assure you that it was not “somewhere warm.”
Let’s talk about RVA. What do you like about living here? What are your favorite things to do in the city/region? What should visitors be sure to check out?
When I moved to Richmond, I did not know anyone. The Internet is a wonderful tool for finding things to do and groups to do them with. What I love most about Richmond is the wonderful running community here — you can find group runs multiple times a week at varying paces, distances, etc. Running around the city helped me meet people, and learn more about the city. Richmond is also a very manageable size, but I still like to brag that I have literally run all over this city (just not at once!). There are some major races that draw locals and tourists alike, like America’s Friendliest Marathon or the hometown favorite, the Monument Avenue 10K.