Radosveta Miltcheva

 

Students living on campus may have seen a new face around. Radosveta Miltcheva, the new resident hall director of Skaptopara 1, has arrived in Blagoevgrad.

Miltcheva is a "100 percent Bulgarian" who spent most of her life abroad. When she was in the second grade her family moved to Mozambique, Africa, where she graduated from an international high school and decided to go to a college in the United States. She chose Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania where she took Social Work as a major. After graduation, Miltcheva stayed in Pennsylvania for six more years where she got a job as a social worker. "I have travelled quite a bit, but mostly I stayed in the U.S.," she said.

Why did you choose to become a residence hall director?

After six years, I decided to go back to school for a master's degree. By doing some research I discovered that student affairs in higher education is actually a profession. So I decided that would be perfect, because you get to work with young people. I remember myself being a resident assistant back in college and I really enjoyed helping students and organizing events. [...] After I graduated from West Chester University in Philadelphia, I was a full time residence hall director for a year. So I got to be an administrator, an educator, a counselor, an advisor and a disciplinarian as well.

Did you work in the United Kingdom before coming here?

Yes, I have been in the U.K. for the last two months working as a nanny, but that job wasn't quite related to my profession. During this time, I was actually waiting for a final answer from AUBG. Shortly this opportunity came up, [...] and it seemed to be a perfect new step in my career.

Why AUBG?

I [knew] there was an opportunity for a job here, as a new residence hall was being built. It is an American university in my native country, so it combines my two homes, Bulgaria and the United States. I am identifying myself with most of the activities here. As I was researching the university, I went on its website and everything I saw is that students are driven, love to learn and experience new things. Besides, I was very excited that this year two thirds of the students are international. As I have been an international student myself, I always have a soft spot for them.

What are your plans and expectations?

My plans for the immediate future are to learn as quickly as I can and as much as I can how to interact with students. I want to see how I can contribute to improve the place, as a new person brings new ideas and there is always [room] for progress. [...] Generally speaking, I will enforce the rules because that is my job. But my approach is to listen to the students and to see their side of the story before making [a] decision. [...] I felt very welcome my first day here because when I entered Skaptopara, I saw most of the RA's lined up at the Front Desk to salute me.

Would you like to send a message to students?

I would like to meet as many of them as I can, so please stop by and say "Hello!"