Staff Spotlight: Arnold Bonds with 'Little Sister' Over Billiken Values
12/07/2018
Amelia Arnold (A&S ’13, A&S Grad '15) is a native Chicagoan with a SLU heart through and through. Even her time away from campus is spent relatively close, and reflects Billiken values as Arnold volunteers as a mentor with SLU’s community partner and neighbor, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.
Matched with Little Sister Aleese for two and a half years now, Little and Arnold have grown close through their shared stories of growing up in big families.
“We both come from larger families, so we’ve bonded over family stories and what it is like to be one of the younger kids in a family,” Arnold explained. “Family is the first thing she asks me about and the first thing I ask her about, because no matter how much they may annoy us, we still love them. I’ve seen that a lot with Aleese; she always puts her family first and always thinks of them when we are together. It is an amazing thing to see in a 12-year-old.”
After completing both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science at SLU, she now works as executive assistant to University President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
The time she’s spent with Aleese is what Arnold says makes the Big journey something she encourages other Billikens to share. It’s part of embracing one SLU’s core values – being a person for and with others, Arnold noted.
“I am not only there for Aleese but I am also with her in whatever she may need,” she continued. “She has taught me how to put others first in the simplest of ways, just as she does with her family and friends. Without even knowing it, Aleese personifies the Jesuit mission in so many ways; it really makes me proud to call her my Little Sister.”
"I know that people always say you learn so much from your Little, that they will teach you in ways you did not expect,” Arnold continued. “But it is 100 percent true. It is so much more than mentoring a child; it is helping her grow up and feel confident with herself and believing she can do anything. I encourage others to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters because you are changing a child’s life in the best way possible, and there honestly is no better feeling than knowing the impact they have on you.”
Faculty and staff interested in learning more about becoming a Big to a deserving child or teen can contact Ericka Sanders, volunteer recruitment manager, or call 314-615-1041.
Staff Spotlight is an occasional series dedicated to revealing the stories behind the name badges of SLU's staff members. To suggest a staff member to shine a light on, contact Newslink or call 314-977-2519.