Meet a Roadrunner: Laurel Village resident assistant enjoys helping students transform

Michael Pinnell

By Kris Rodriguez
Public Affairs Specialist

(Aug. 27, 2014) -- Meet Michael Pinnell. The 24-year-old computer engineering major from Austin is responsible for supervising about 40 students as a resident assistant (RA) in Laurel Village.

Pinnell initially moved to San Antonio to follow his high school sweetheart, but after that relationship ended, he stayed and fell in love with the campus community and the Alamo City.

When new financial burdens struck, Pinnell's friend informed him about leadership opportunities and the financial benefits of serving as a resident assistant.

As an RA for the last two semesters, Pinnell has worked at least one night a week at the front desk of Laurel Village. In addition to the desk duty, he is often on-call, assisting residents at all hours of the night. Requests range from resolving personal conflicts and assisting new students who are having trouble managing academic demands to opening locked residences.

"I've enjoyed the opportunities I have had to prove myself as both a mentor and team player," said Pinnell. "It has been great to work with wonderful and motivated residents and colleagues from all different walks of life and to witness how they have grown and changed."

In the future, Pinnell plans to return to Austin to search for a programming job with a local start-up business to build on his work experience. Eventually he would like to move to San Francisco to work and pursue a doctoral degree so he can teach courses in artificial intelligence.

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