Rochelle Cunningham
Management Asst: Office Manager / Building Manager
Biography
Rochelle Cunningham is a writer, entrepreneurial woodworker, and communication enthusiast. She holds multiple degrees in Communication and Journalism from BSU, along with her Small Claims Mediator certificate. She is a published author of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction with titles including: The Writer’s Handbook – 365 Days of Inspiration & Motivation; a collaboration with a local group of supernatural authors known as “The Seven” and their anthology entitled The Ancient; and a children’s book dedicated to American Families whose breadwinners work out of town for painfully long periods of time entitled Waiting for Daddy’s Hugs.
Contact Information
Email: rochellecunningham@boisestate.edu
Office: 111-B
Phone: (208) 426-3450
Office Hours: M-F 9am – 5pm in COMB 111-C (closed for lunch 12-1pm daily)
Meet Rochelle Cunningham
Video contains closed captions and a transcript is provided on this page following the video.
Video Transcript
Hello, I’m Rochelle Cunningham and I am the Office & Building Manager in the Communication Building, serving both the Department of Media and the Department of Communication.
I’m a fourth generation, native Idahoan, but I began my education at the University of Oregon, then transferred to finish at Boise State. I come from a long line of family Irish story tellers, so Communication was a natural fit for my education, and I wound up graduating from the Department of Communication with (3) BA’s in a variety of journalism and communication, along with my Dispute Resolution Certification.
After graduation, I spent time doing some technical writing and traveling to Arizona as a freelance and ghost writer. 2013 was a busy year for me: I formed an LLC, published a few books, built a wood-shop, and eventually – later that fall – I came to work for the Department of Communication. I’ve been through several evolutions with them in eight years, and now I look forward to working with our two new Dept Chairs and their futures within their own independent departments.
My favorite part of working for an academic institution is definitely the spectrum of connection with students.
• For example, one end of the spectrum, I assisted the previous Department Head to help build an Advising Center and it was a distinct pleasure in watching frustrations and confusion — blossom into confidence and understanding – for both faculty and students.
• I continue to serve as a relevant point of contact in our Main Office to assist, instruct, and navigate various environments for our nearly 1,000 majors.
• On the other end of the spectrum – and a more personal level – I’ve had the privilege of hiring and mentoring my own team of Student Office Assistants for several years now.
What I love most about this particular role is the ability to design their positions to provide resume building skills – something that empowers them to reflect on how administrative abilities could very well differentiate them in such a competitive job market: I remind them how it could be the difference in simply having more tools in your kit to get your foot in the door or perhaps, having your resume stand out against someone who’s equally qualified. Their time employed with our large and complex departments easily affords them such experiences.
It’s through these experiences in connecting with students that I believe it is a collective effort in higher learning that each of us (not just faculty) find our role in shaping student experience while they are here. Personally, I find great joy in determining ways that I can be a part of that process.
Beyond my commitment and gratitude to be part of such a rich and vibrant campus life, in my spare time I read, write, garden, turn out magic wands on my lathe, and travel when I can. I’m a new mother to 4 back-yard hens, so that’s become an entertaining area of my life.
Allow me to offer sincere blessings to you, and yours, and I look forward to connecting with you around the campus.