As the assistant vice chancellor for students and director of campus life, Jill Carnaghi is largely involved with making sure that everything non-academic at Wash. U. runs smoothly.

She is also an academic advisor for a group of Arts & Sciences students and a part of the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service. In all, Carnaghi’s life is chock full of taking care of Wash. U. business.

So what is a typical day like for Carnaghi? Due to the nature of her job, there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ day. Every day presents her with new chances to collaborate with other members of the Wash. U. community. For a glimpse into her life, let’s take a peek at the schedule she kept this past Tuesday.

After walking her children to school, Carnaghi raced over to Wash. U. to meet with the new Student Technology director. She then had a meeting to discuss freshman orientation. At noon Carnaghi gave blood, which required being shuffled around campus until a spot opened up at one of the blood drive’s busy locations. She told me about the blood drive that was organized six years ago for the day immediately after 9/11. It was clear that she is happy to see the drive continue as a Wash. U. tradition.

Following the blood drive, Carnaghi grabbed a quick lunch and hurried to a discussion with a faculty member about possible research topics for undergraduates. Next she was off to debrief Dean McLeod on the plans for the interior of the University Center that is under construction.

She was able to meet up with me at 4:30 p.m. at a get-together for the members of the Interfaith Campus Ministries Association. Her role in organizing the catering for this event represents a tiny fraction of what Carnaghi actually does for students on campus. She works closely with lots of groups within Wash. U., including community service organizations, event services and Greek life. Her goal is to maintain positive and productive relationships between students and the administration. Carnaghi’s commitment to student life on campus and constantly improving it is evident in everything she says and does. She wants students to feel multiple connections to the school, to be proactive and to leave their own mark.

Carnaghi’s office (one might wonder when she has time to be there) is in the Office of Student Activities so that she is easily accessible to the student body.

She urges students to ask themselves what they are doing to make the University a different place and to approach her with any ideas about how to make their dreams for student life become realities.

At the end of our talk, I simply had to ask what this incredibly active woman would do if there were more time in a day. Her response?

“I’d spend it with my family, and being alone. [Laughs],” she said.

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