This is part of an ongoing series of student-led candid conversations with members of leadership at University of Michigan.

In this campus conversation, Vice President for Student Life Martino Harmon joined #UMSocial intern Cam Turner to discuss navigating the pandemic, what it means to be a Wolverine, and things they’re looking forward to in the new year. That last includes Harmon’s hope to someday attend his first Michigan football game in the Big House. 

Harmon just joined U-M in July 2020, and is eager to start experiencing the Michigan traditions that are part of the campus experience. He acknowledges that many students feel the same. 

“Think about it this way: if I’m missing these traditions and not experiencing them in the normal way, think about our first-year students and how they are also not getting those experiences in the normal way,” he says. 

Harmon acknowledges that the fall 2020 semester has been challenging for students, and for Student Life and leadership as well. He talks about  his work with groups across campus to try to make the semester as safe and enjoyable as possible.

For students who are finding it difficult to meet people and find their community, Harmon recommends utilizing Student Life resources, including the Community Matters program and virtual guide. He also emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help in making connections. 

“Do some research and find some of the opportunities that are available because we won’t always be able to reach every student directly. But if they let us know what they need, we’ll get them connected,” he says. 

Harmon also shares his own experience navigating a new position at a new university amidst a pandemic that has changed many aspects of campus life. He outlines a few lessons he learned along the way: be prepared to pivot, communicate often and in a variety of ways, and lean in to help where you can. 

“It’s challenging because you anticipate coming to a new campus and getting to meet people in a more traditional way. Getting to understand the campus better, interact with students, attend events, and build relationships. And all of that has been different because it’s all set up in a virtual space,” Harmon says. “It has to be planned, it has to be thought out, it’s not natural.”

Even though he hasn’t been able to participate in campus events yet, he has been able to pick up on a few Michigan trends and traditions in his first few months. 

“The expectation here is ‘leaders and best,’ and people are very passionate about that, especially when it comes to safety,” he says. “Also, I think one thing that’s unique here at the University of Michigan is the number of public health experts that we have. There are a variety, teams of people, faculty, scholars, that are all able to contribute their expertise in working on this issue together. And not all campuses have that.”

Harmon’s parting advice for U-M students as they complete their finals and prepare for break is to take a deep breath and de-stress. 

“Do whatever you do for wellness and self-care. We made it through the toughest fall in history, because I don’t think any of us were around [in 1918] with the last pandemic. We made it through fall, we can make it through winter, and perhaps on the other side, it’ll be better. Let’s just hope for that,” he says. 

“Stay vigilant in terms of the safety protocols. Don’t let your guards down, even over the break, because that could really make things harder for you and others.”