TJ Callan. Graphic by Jaylene Arnold.

I’ve worked at AU for close to two years. Before that, I worked in housing and residence life at the University of Miami.

My job is to promote positive public health and mental health practices at AU. I oversee the peer health education program, so I recruit, train, and develop undergrads to go into the community and support others through workshops and programs. A typical day includes doing my work in the common space around my coworkers and running to the Bridge to get a little snack. My office is in Hughes Hall.

My go-to order at the Bridge is hot chocolate with almond milk and an everything bagel, slightly toasted, with cream cheese. My go-to lunch spot is Chipotle.

My favorite place on campus to steal a quiet moment is the meditation room at my office. It’s a peaceful room with dim lighting that’s open to all during office hours. Campus is at its prettiest during fall. Coming from Miami, where we had summer parts 1–4, I love when the leaves are changing colors.

I show my AU spirit by attending campus events. I found my community at AU by putting myself out there. It can be hard to find community when you come here not knowing anybody, but that helped me find other staff I have things in common with.  

The people who helped show me the ropes are Malini Basdeo, director of well-being outreach and prevention services; Michelle Dagne, victim services advocate; and JR Denson, alcohol and other drugs prevention specialist. They were integral for my transition not only to this city, but this role.

My favorite day of the workweek is Wednesday because it’s team meeting day, and I get to see everybody. The most famous face I’ve seen on campus is Clawed Z. Eagle. My work-from-home rituals include starting the day by going through emails with a 4K fireplace from YouTube crackling in the background. I also take a little walk after lunch.

When I’m not at work, you can find me playing flag football. I play pickup and locally in the DC Gay Flag Football League, but I’m also on a travel team in the National Gay Flag Football League. I typically play tight end on offense, and I’m a utility player on defense. I played college football at Miami, so it keeps me connected to something I’ve done my whole life.

My hobbies include playing video games and building Legos that I display—tastefully—around my house. I have 8 to 10 really big ones, including a Thor’s hammer, a bonsai tree, Boba Fett’s ship from Star Wars, and a 2,800-piece Bowser. My brain runs fast all the time, so it’s a good contrast that slows me down. The last great book I read was The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. The last great show I watched was Young Justice. The last great meal I ate was a sushi platter at Royal Sands Social Club in Navy Yard.

If I wasn’t at AU, I’d be a talk show host discussing pop culture and more with my dream guests, Keke Palmer, Bo Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Simone Biles, and Sha’Carri Richardson. But my job at AU is best because I make a positive impact on my community and work closely with professionals who are brilliant. We’re all working toward the same goal—to make sure everybody is supported and taken care of.