Bobby Castillo ’14 at IWU
Admissions office
Year of Graduation: 2014
Major: English Literature/ Philosophy minor
Current Address: Bloomington, IL
How were you engaged with ARC? Not just the seminar/internship/fellowship but describe the type of project.
I was a CPP Intern–I worked within State Farm as a Communications Team intern for the Learning and Development Department and within United Way of McLean County as a Community Impact Intern. I also took the Action Research Seminar class. I helped to write a grant for United Way which won $2000 for Global Youth Service Day events here in Bloomington/Normal. I also procured, processed, and compiled data for United Way community initiatives including the Reading Buddies and Kindergarten Readiness programs. As a student in the Action Research Seminar class, I co-authored a grant for the Zoellick Fellowship which proposed to create a bike share program within the community of west Bloomington, Illinois.
Where are you now?
I reside in Bloomington’s White Place Historic District where I rent from another Illinois Wesleyan alum and employee, Michael Gorman (’10). I travel around the midwest for work often, though, so I look forward to connecting with other ARC alums on the road!
Where did ARC take you professionally? Are you doing work that connects back to ARC in some way?
I work as an Admissions Counselor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and I mention ARC to every prospective student I meet with. I hope to augment ARC’s fantastic efforts of connecting people (and their passions) with opportunities to do good. I’m working everyday to bring more talented, passionate, and inspired students to IWU (and to ARC)!
Where did ARC take you personally? Are you engaged in community work that is ARC-like?
Thanks to Deborah Halperin, I have continued to be involved in the community. I am on the Board of Directors of the Downtown Bloomington Association (DBA), and recently became chair of the Organization Committee (I also serve on the Economic Restructuring Committee). I am periodically involved with Bike BloNo’s various initiatives, and help with the campaigns of various local politicians who are ARC-minded whenever I have the time.
Share a great memory about ARC/IWU.
Deborah Halperin walks into United Way of McLean County and sees me hanging blinds in the newly painted boardroom (which I had helped to paint, much to Deborah’s chagrin, just the day before). “Are you freaking kidding me?” Deborah asks incredulously.
Pure gold.