New housing director sits down with the Mirror's Amy Maas

By Amy Mass
The Mirror

What is your full name?
Holly Megan Herlinger

Why did your parents name you that?
It was the only name that they both didn't have negative connotations about. Every other name that they could agree upon, somebody would say, 'oh that reminds me of a girl I didn't like back in high school.' Or 'that reminds me of that famous person.'

What is your official title at Drury University?
Housing coordinator.

Why are you housing coordinator?
Because I wanted it and I was the best one to get it. Ha ha. I used to work at Columbia college and I was in charge of an apartment complex and a residence hall. I had to live on campus... I still wanted to be involved in housing, but I didn't want the strain of being at work for 24 hours a day. So, this option was a good one for me. I could still get involved with students and stay involved in housing, but I could have the relaxation of a place away from home.

Where are you from?
Katy, Texas. Right outside of Houston.

What did you want to be when you were little?
I wanted to be a singer, an actress, and a radio D.J. I use to always want to be on stage and get to be other people, not always have to be myself.

Do you want to pursue a career as a housing coordinator?
I do really like student affairs. And I might continue to do student affairs... but I also really like being a D.J. And I was a D.J. for a little while.

What was your D.J. experience like?
In college I was a D.J. for a year... Then when I moved here in March I worked for Power 96.5. And then I just recently quit that.

How did you become interested in being a D.J.?
In college I took a class and then I had an 80s show that I did at school.

What was your air name?
Holly Hudson. I worked weekends.

What was the highlight of your experience at 96.5?
The whole shebang. When you work in radio it's so laid back, you get to go in jeans and you get to develop a personality. It's kind of like acting, but instead of being on stage and having set lines you get to be in a booth and you don't have to have set lines... It's just fun, and it's laid back. And I liked it.

How did the radio prepare you for life as a Housing coordinator?
You have to be on your toes a lot more. You have to be able to hold conversations with people on the telephone and get people to say funny things d get them to say things you want so you can air it. So it's a lot harder than it looks like it is. Where as here it's a lot easier because I'm face to face with people. And it's easier to make conversations and have conversations face to face. Where as you have to be off the cuff on radio.

If you would be any superhero, who would you be?
I'm kind of happy not having any super hero-ness, or being famous. I'm okay with that... If I were to be a famous person I would probably be somebody who dealt with socio-political change. And helped make people equal, or helped provide food for people. Something that's going to have a lasting effect in the world around the society that I live in.

Live anywhere in the world?
I'm afraid to go anywhere where I don't speak the language. It just scares me going places I don't know how to speak the language. Some where over in Europe.

If you had an unlimited budget, where would you go?
If I had all the money in the world, I'd have a private jet and interpreters with me and I'd go everywhere, because I wouldn't be so afraid. So there. I literally probably would stop everywhere. I'd even go to Antarctica. As long as I felt like I was equipped and educated.

What color best represents your personality?
A bright yellow or a bright green. Because it evokes being natural, being myself with people. But I also like the outdoors. And I'm big into recycling. And plus, they make people happy.

Do you have a favorite movie?
I don't have a favorite movie, but I was unexpectedly surprised how good 'the 40-year-old virgin' was. It's not my favorite movie, but it's one I really was excited about.

Least favorite movie or actor?
I can't stand Nic Cage. He's not a very good actor. He's monotone. He's not very good to look at.

What's something you would want to change in the world?
I have an issue with violence. I think whether it come through violence, like girls cat fighting to war, I'm not a fan of it. I don't think it solves very much... I think people should figure out a way to solve things than by punching people or blowing up countries.

What's your favorite meal?
The sirloin and shrimp that they serve at Nakato. And the hot sauce has to come with it.