Nike RA honored for dorm duties

A UCF area coordinator for the United Resident Student Association has won a state award at the Florida Association of Residence Halls state conference.

Corey Tickner, a Nike community advisor, won the award after a bid was put together by his fellow staff members about his contribution to URSA this year. The bid was submitted to the state board of directors that review submissions and vote to select a winner.

The Board of Directors consider not only those who help members with the organization, but those who help the organization on a personal level as well.

"It was very humbling to win this award," Tickner said in an e-mail. "Often times as an adviser your work goes unrecognized, so I am very [appreciative] of the fact that my students felt so strongly about how I positively impact their experience that I was nominated for this award."

Ticker has been co-advising URSA for three years. As an adviser Tickner does a variety of tasks such as attending one-on-one meetings, conferences, attending programs and advising organizations.

Alexandra Arroliga, president of URSA, meets with Tickner on a regular basis and has been impressed with his performance since the get-go.  

"Corey is an awesome adviser," she said. "He is very professional and likes to get down to business, but he also loves to just let go and be silly and joke around with the members and I."

Arroliga said Tickner has a lot of knowledge about housing and resident life and that he gives great advice about what needs to be done.  She was also glad to see that Tickner had a lot of student support.

"He is an adviser that is there for their members professionally and personally," Arroliga said.  "I personally was ecstatic when they announced that he was the winner."

Tickner's colleagues said that he works hard throughout the day to make sure everything in the Nike community runs smoothly and that whenever there is an incident, Tickner immediately takes measures to handle it.

Lindsey Branham, a co-worker of Tickner's, said she has always admired Tickner's attitude toward his job.

"He works a lot with conduct. He does an excellent job to keep the community safe," she said.

Branham has worked with Tickner since the start of the fall 2010 semester. She said that as soon as she met him she was excited to work with him because he is very personable, professional and organized. She said he has always been a great resource, which makes her job easier.

"It's nice to have a supervisor who can be relaxed and humorous," Branham said.

Though he is relaxed, Tickner knows when to be professional and he always ensures things get done, according to co-workers who helped put the bid together.

"Tickner is very hard-working," Branham said. "He regularly goes above and beyond what needs to be done and strives to improve the Nike community. He challenges his staff members to do better. He is always reliable and staff members know they can count on him.

Branham also said Tickner is a great mentor.

"He will help you find the goals that you want to achieve, then he will help you in the steps to reach them."