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����ֱ�� State Recreation and Wellness Services, Abigale Traska, is one of our dedicated Graduate Assistants for the Ice Arena Facility Operations. Her impact has grown continuously over the past four years. Abigale is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling after earning her B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Counseling and a minor in Human Development and Family Science (Class of 2024).

Abigale embarked on her journey at RecWell as an Operations Assistant before becoming a graduate assistant. She is now overseeing many responsibilities, such as supervising, evaluating student personnel, hiring, and training. Her position has also consisted of coordinating birthday party reservations, conducting staff safety audits, and collecting and analyzing survey data. Her commitment to building a community has been apparent. “Being at the Rec is like a little family,” she explains, “Campus being so big, it has been nice to be part of a close-knit environment.”

Abigale has shared that the best part of her job is the people, as most would say. However, she has found growth within her role. She stated that when she started her position as an operations assistant four years ago, she never saw herself in the position she is in now. To her, RecWell has brought that initiative out of her. Abigale’s time at the Ice Arena has supported her teamwork skills and her ability to work with individuals who think differently to effectively reach a common goal. She has also learned that leadership “comes in different shapes and sizes,” and requires adaptability and empathy. These are tools Abigale developed now that she oversees student staff. Getting to know employees beyond the workplace, she explained, has been important in fostering a supportive environment. 

Abigale values RecWell’s flexibility and openness: she appreciates that supervisors recognize students' busy schedules and encourage and receive feedback to improve the workplace. Knowing the environment is open has motivated her performance and helped her create a difference at the Ice Arena. Abigale recalls moments where students expressed their gratitude for sharing on-campus resources, or when a graduating student emailed her post of graduation, saying her influence inspired them to seek out leadership roles. She advises new employees to put themselves out there, “You get out of it what you put into it. There are tons of opportunities to benefit from.”

Beyond her role, Abigale has brought warmth and personality to RecWell. Her favorite holiday is surprisingly Valentine's Day, which falls in the same week as her birthday...  “double the gifts”, she jokes. She treasures things like the handwritten notes she receives from staff left in her mailbox, a hint of her sentimental character.